Villain? No, I'll catch up with the protagonist after passing the civil service exam.

"Is the airport surrounded?"

Director Chen's heart, which had just settled, instantly leaped into his throat again. He stood up abruptly, his face ashen. "How many people? Are they armed?"

Lei Ting's expression was equally grave: "The exact number is unclear, but I estimate at least a hundred. They're all in uniform, and they don't look like friendly troublemakers. The guys from the airport police station are already inside. They've threatened to paralyze the entire Jinghai Airport if they don't release them within half an hour!"

"Outrageous! Utterly outrageous!"

Director Chen was trembling with rage. He slammed his fist on the table. "They just finished putting pressure on us in Beijing, and now they've made their move. This is a coordinated attack; they're trying to drive us to our deaths!"

The atmosphere in the office was extremely oppressive.

On one side is a mysterious department from Beijing with an unclear background; on the other side is an armed gang that openly attacks a major national transportation hub.

Under dual pressure, any wrong decision could lead to irreversible consequences.

Just as Director Chen and Lei Ting were at their wits' end and preparing to request armed police support from the city, Lu Jingyan's voice rang out clearly and powerfully, like a stabilizing force.

"Chief, Captain Lei, don't panic."

He stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, watching the police cars rushing past below, his eyes showing no panic, only an almost cold calm.

"The more they act like this, the more it shows they have a guilty conscience."

Lu Jingyan turned around, his eyes, hidden behind his glasses, gleaming with wisdom under the light. "If Ye Fan really was carrying out some kind of state secret mission, all they needed to do was produce an official letter, and we would have to release him. But they didn't."

"First they tried to intimidate people with their rank, and now they're using violence to coerce them. What does this show?"

"This shows that they didn't follow the proper procedures at all, and Ye Fan's so-called 'special status' is something that can't be brought to light."

These words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly sobering up the anxious Director Chen and Lei Ting.

Yes! They were intimidated by the other side's imposing manner, but forgot the most basic principle—procedural justice!

"Then... what do we do now?" Lei Ting asked. "Thousands of passengers are stranded at the airport. Every minute we delay, the pressure from public opinion will increase."

"Simple."

Lu Jingyan picked up the police uniform jacket from the back of the chair, put it on, and strode towards the door. "Don't they like to play big? Then we'll play an even bigger game with them."

He walked to the door, stopped, and looked back at all the special investigation team members in the office who were looking at him—Su Xiaoxiao with a worried expression, Zhao Tiezhu with a fighting spirit, and Qin the forensic doctor with his arms crossed and a curious look in his eyes.

Lu Jingyan took a deep breath, his voice not loud, but loud enough for everyone to hear clearly.

"Everyone, I know that some of you may still be wondering why I, a so-called 'second-generation rich kid,' am able to sit in this position."

"Today, I will give you an answer."

"What was the original purpose of establishing the Special Investigations Unit? It wasn't to catch a few petty thieves, nor to mediate neighborhood disputes. Our sole purpose is to deal with those 'privileged classes' who believe they are above the law!"

His gaze swept over everyone, and his innate aura was revealed at that moment.

"I don't care if he's a domineering CEO with hundreds of billions in assets, or a returning dragon king commanding 100,000 soldiers; I don't care if he's from a mysterious department in Beijing, or a fugitive from overseas!"

"Remember! As long as they stand on this land, they must abide by the laws here!"

"The law is our only weapon, and also our strongest weapon!"

"Now, this group of self-righteous 'soldiers' is challenging our bottom line. They think that by using more men and stronger guns, they can make us compromise."

"Then let's go tell them—"

A cold smile curled at the corners of Lu Jingyan's lips.

"In Jinghai, who really calls the shots?"

"Su Xiaoxiao!"

"arrive!"

"Start a live stream across the entire internet! Maximize the drone's output! I want all of China to see how these so-called 'soldiers' turn into a group of criminal suspects for 'illegal assembly' right in front of us!"

"Zhao Tiezhu!"

"arrive!"

"Take your men and bring all the heavy equipment! Anyone who dares to resist today will be subdued on the spot! I'll take responsibility if anything goes wrong!"

"Forensic Doctor Qin!"

"Um?"

"You... stay at the station and be ready to perform autopsies... I mean, examine the injuries."

After assigning the tasks, Lu Jingyan put on his police hat and took one last look at Director Chen and Lei Ting.

"Chief, Captain Lei, leave this to me."

After saying that, he didn't linger for a moment, turned around and disappeared at the end of the corridor.

In the office, Director Chen and Lei Ting stared at that tall, straight figure, speechless for a long time.

After a long while, Lei Ting finally let out a long breath and said in a hoarse voice, "Old Chen, I used to think this kid was arrogant, but now I realize that's just confidence. With him around, the sky over Jinghai won't fall down."

Director Chen nodded, lit another cigarette, and his eyes were filled with unprecedented determination.

"Pass on my orders! All police forces in the city, fully cooperate with the special investigation team! Today, I'm going to help this kid make a complete mess of things!"

……

The atmosphere inside the police bomb disposal vehicle was tense.

Lu Jingyan sat in the command position, methodically setting up the encirclement using the vehicle's map.

What he needed to do was not to disperse them, but to take over all of those hundreds of people without leaving a single one behind in the shortest amount of time!

Just as he was about to issue the order for the general offensive.

"Buzz—"

His personal cell phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated.

Lu Jingyan frowned and took out his phone.

It was an anonymous text message.

There are no words, only a photograph.

The background of the photo is his family's familiar mahogany gate, carved with the family crest.

In the very center of the door panel, a blood-red mark had been deeply carved with a knife—

The word "death".

The knife wound was deep and sharp, as if it wanted to pierce through the screen and into his eyes.

The temperature inside the carriage seemed to drop to freezing point instantly.

Zhao Tiezhu saw Lu Jingyan's expression in the rearview mirror and couldn't help but ask, "Captain Lu, what's wrong?"

Lu Jingyan remained silent.

He simply stared at the photograph, and for the first time, a truly chilling and piercing murderous intent surged in those eyes hidden behind the lenses.

He slowly raised his head, picked up the walkie-talkie, and his voice was eerily calm.

"All units, operation canceled."

"Huh?" Zhao Tiezhu was stunned. "Captain Lu, why? We're almost at the airport!"

"I said, the operation is canceled."

Lu Jingyan repeated it, and then issued the second order:

"Change destination, everyone turn around and go home."