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

"Go to hell!"

Ghost Blade's slash was extremely vicious, the sound of it cutting through the air was as sharp as fingernails scratching a blackboard, carrying a ferocious aura that would not rest until it had cleaved a person in two.

The surrounding guests were terrified, and several timid socialites covered their eyes and screamed, as if they could see the handsome policeman die on the spot at any moment.

However, the expected bloody scene did not appear.

At the last second before the blade touched his nose, Lu Jingyan moved.

He didn't do a stylish backflip like in the movies, nor did he roll around awkwardly to dodge. He simply turned slightly to the side, his feet sliding forward in an extremely strange manner, his whole body like a weightless feather, brushing against the sharp blade, "sliding" into Ghost Blade's arms.

This is the best risk avoidance path calculated by "absolute rationality"—attack is the best defense.

Ghost Blade's pupils suddenly contracted.

Not only because the slash missed, but also because he felt his wrist being sharply "tapped".

"Snapped!"

Lu Jingyan brought two fingers of his right hand together, and with lightning speed, struck the nerve in the wrist of the man holding the knife.

This seemingly casual move actually employed the newly mastered technique. Ghost Blade felt a numbness in half of his body, and the longsword he cherished as his life slipped from his grasp, flying out with a clang and spinning as it embedded itself in the champagne tower beside him.

"Splash—"

The crystal glass shattered on the floor, and the wine splashed everywhere.

Before Gui Dao could react, Lu Jingyan had already grabbed his wrist and, using the momentum of his forward movement, used his waist to execute a textbook-perfect over-the-shoulder throw!

"boom!"

Ghost Blade's over 100-pound body traced a perfect arc in the air before crashing heavily onto the marble floor. The fall was extremely violent; it felt as if his internal organs had shifted. Ghost Blade stared, unable to catch his breath for a long time.

"Don't move! Police!"

Almost the instant the Ghost Blade hit the ground, a thunderous roar came from outside the two shattered doors of the banquet hall.

Zhao Tiezhu led a team of fully armed special police officers, surging in like a black tide.

Upon seeing the assassin on the ground, Zhao Tiezhu's eyes blazed with murderous intent. Giving him no chance to breathe, he pounced on him like an iron tower, his knees pressing hard against Gui Dao's back, slamming his face into the shards of glass and red wine stains.

"Behave yourself! You dare assault a police officer? You're asking for trouble!"

"Snap!"

There was another crisp click of the lock clicking shut.

This ruthless character, known as the "world's number one assassin" and commanding an appearance fee of one hundred million US dollars, didn't even have time to use his second move before his hands were tied behind his back, and he was pinned to the ground like a pig waiting to be slaughtered.

this is the truth.

There weren't many elaborate battles; faced with overwhelming strength and numerical superiority, all resistance was futile.

Lu Jingyan straightened up, took out the clean white handkerchief from his pocket, slowly wiped his fingers, and then casually tossed it onto Gui Dao's head.

"Take him away, search him, and check his teeth for any hidden poison."

After dealing with this "minor incident," Lu Jingyan turned around to face the room full of still-shaken guests.

The banquet hall, which had just been resplendent and filled with the fragrance of fine clothes, was now a mess. Tables and chairs were overturned, and wine was spilled everywhere. The group of high-society elites who were usually so aloof and superior were now huddled in the corners, their hair disheveled and their makeup ruined, their eyes filled with fear as they looked at Lu Jingyan.

This is hardly a family annual meeting anymore.

This is clearly a large-scale crackdown on pornography and illegal publications... oh no, a large-scale arrest operation!

Lu Jingyan walked to the front of the stage, picked up the microphone again, and blew on it gently.

"call--"

The faint sound was amplified by the speakers, startling many people.

"Everyone, I'm so sorry."

Lu Jingyan's voice remained gentle, but to everyone it sounded like the whisper of a demon, "Due to a sudden and serious incident, in order to ensure everyone's personal safety and to cooperate with the police investigation, today's annual meeting is now over."

"Now, all guests, please remain quiet and refrain from moving around."

He pointed to the various exits that had been blocked off by special police.

"Everyone, line up in two queues and take turns registering your identity at the entrance. You may leave only after your identity has been verified."

"Remember, it's everyone."

These words immediately caused a stir among the crowd.

Identity registration?

Normally, these big shots would have made a huge scene, accusing them of "invading privacy" and "wasting time." But today, watching Lu Zhenhai being dragged away, watching the assassin pinned to the ground, and looking at the heavily armed special police officers around them with eyes fiercer than wolves, not a single one dared to utter a sound.

Not only did they dare not cause trouble, they even trembled with fear because of their guilty conscience.

Everyone has some poop under their butt.

Who can withstand the investigation of this "beacon of the rule of law"?

"Um... Officer Lu."

A real estate tycoon wiped the cold sweat from his brow, cautiously raising his hand like a schoolchild answering a question, "I...I suddenly remembered I have an urgent meeting at the company, could I register first?"

"What's the rush?"

Lu Jingyan glanced at him indifferently. "If it's legitimate business, I'll let you go. But if it's some kind of urgent, shady business... then I suggest you talk to your colleagues in the Economic Crime Investigation Department first."

The boss's legs went weak, and he almost knelt down. He immediately shrank back into the crowd and dared not utter another sound.

The entire banquet hall, with hundreds of people, cooperated remarkably well.

Everyone lined up obediently, heads bowed, handing their valuable ID cards to the police at the door, as well-behaved as a group of elementary school students waiting for their teacher to check their homework.

Lu Zhenhua sat in the main seat, watching the scene, his feelings extremely complicated.

He never dreamed that the most "unforgettable" birthday of his life would be spent surrounded by police. But looking at his son standing on the steps, in control of the entire scene, what was that inexplicable sense of pride he felt?

The scene was orderly.

Lu Jingyan ignored the guests, trusting in his subordinates' professionalism.

He strode up to Ghost Blade, who was bound hand and foot and writhing wildly on the ground.

Ghost Blade's face was slashed and bloody by glass shards, but his eyes were still fixed on Lu Jingyan, filled with resentment and unwillingness.

"Lu Jingyan! Your victory was dishonorable!"

Ghost Blade roared, his voice hoarse, "Fine, let's fight one-on-one! I'm going to kill you! I'll definitely kill you!"

"A one-on-one duel?"

Lu Jingyan looked down at him as if he were an uncivilized barbarian. "What era are we living in? Still playing the cold weapon duel game? Where's your professionalism?"

He crouched down, ignoring the other person's almost fiery gaze, and reached out to rummage through the pocket of Ghost Blade's tattered trench coat.

They didn't pull out any dangerous weapons, only a flattened pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

Lu Jingyan shook his head in disappointment.

He tossed the things to Zhao Tiezhu beside him, then looked back at Gui Dao and asked a question that surprised everyone present.

"I won't ask who sent you, nor will I ask why you want to kill me."

Lu Jingyan pushed up his glasses, his tone as serious as if he were conducting a census:

"I only have one question—did you bring your passport?"