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

The afterglow of the setting sun, like molten gold, bathed the entire special investigation team office.

The tension and deadly atmosphere of the past were gone, replaced by a sense of calm and exhaustion after a great victory.

Lu Jingyan sat behind his desk, his fingers flying across the keyboard, typing out a thick case report. Familiar names and charges flashed across the screen, like a darkly humorous film, both absurd and realistic.

[Gu Yanchen: Convicted of multiple crimes including disturbing public order, violently resisting law enforcement, prison break, and attempted bribery, he is initially sentenced to 15 years in prison.]

[Ye Fan: Convicted of multiple crimes including seriously endangering public transportation safety and assaulting police officers, with a preliminary sentence of 10 years.]

[Chu Tianjiao: Convicted of multiple crimes including disturbing public order, illegally possessing controlled knives, and threatening state officials, he has been initially sentenced to eight years in prison.]

[Lin Fan: Illegal medical practice, production and sale of counterfeit drugs, intentional injury, rape (multiple victims have jointly filed charges)... Multiple crimes, recommended sentence: life imprisonment.]

[Leng Qingqiu: Hiring someone to kidnap, endangering public safety... Preliminary sentence of 12 years.]

……

He was like a diligent gardener, who, in just a few months, thoroughly plowed through the elite circle of Jinghai City, which was overgrown with "poisonous weeds."

Those "protagonists" who once thought they could act with impunity are now singing "Tears Behind Bars" in prison, deeply reflecting on their absurd first half of life.

"Captain Lu, the latest security data is in!"

Su Xiaoxiao, carrying a tablet computer, flew over like a cheerful little bird, her face beaming with barely suppressed excitement.

"Look!"

She held the tablet up to Lu Jingyan. On the screen, data curves changed drastically at an almost miraculous angle.

"As of this month, the city's 110 emergency call rate has decreased by 40% year-on-year!"

"Among them, the number of police reports triggered by serious crimes such as street racing, fighting, and disorderly conduct—which involve 'showing off and slapping someone in the face'—has decreased by as much as 90%!"

"The city's traffic violation rate has decreased by 70%! In particular, nighttime speeding has virtually disappeared!"

Su Xiaoxiao became more and more excited as she spoke, her face flushed red. "And another thing, our special investigation team's official account has surpassed 50 million followers! You're now a 'police celebrity' even more popular than top-tier celebrities! You get tens of thousands of private messages every day, all trying to introduce you to potential partners!"

Looking at the data, Lu Jingyan couldn't help but smile genuinely.

This is perhaps the greatest sense of accomplishment for a police officer.

It's not about how many people were arrested or how many cases were solved, but about seeing this city, through our efforts, gradually becoming better, safer, and more orderly.

"Well done."

He patted Su Xiaoxiao's head naturally, with a hint of barely perceptible doting affection. "This is the result of everyone's joint efforts."

"No way! It's all thanks to Captain Lu!" Su Xiao-Xiao stuck out her tongue, grabbed her tablet, and ran off.

Just then, that familiar, somewhat solemn system notification sound slowly rang in Lu Jingyan's mind.

[Ding! The first phase of the main quest – "Jinghai Purification" – has been exceeded!]

[The host, with swift and decisive action, eliminated over 95% of those carrying the "protagonist halo" in Jinghai City, significantly correcting the distortion of the world line and upholding the dignity of the law!]

[Final reward settlement is underway...]

[Settlement complete! Congratulations, host, you have received the first volume of the ultimate gift pack!]

[Reward 1: Righteousness Value +500000!]

[Reward Two: All Attributes Enhanced! The host's combat skills, shooting accuracy, logical reasoning ability, and counter-surveillance awareness have all been enhanced to the peak of human capabilities!]

[Reward 3: The System Shop has been fully upgraded! More powerful skills and cutting-edge equipment are now unlocked!]

A powerful surge of warmth instantly coursed through my body.

Lu Jingyan could clearly feel that his body was undergoing some kind of miraculous transformation. His five senses had become more acute, and his brain was operating at a new level.

He could even hear Zhao Tiezhu chewing potato chips in the next office and the rustling of papers as his colleagues flipped through files in the archives downstairs.

This feeling is like evolving from a mortal to... a demigod.

"call……"

Lu Jingyan let out a long breath, feeling all the fatigue of the past few days disappear.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the lights of thousands of homes gradually coming on outside.

Volume One has ended.

But the story is far from over.

Since this world can produce "protagonists" like Gu Yanchen and Chu Tianjiao, then there will definitely be even more outrageous and powerful beings.

His journey is still long.

"Report!"

Just as Lu Jingyan was lost in thought, there was a knock on the office door.

"Come in."

The door was pushed open, and Director Chen, his face glowing with health, peeked in. He held an official document in his hand, his smile as radiant as a blooming sunflower, a far cry from the gloomy look he had displayed just a few days ago.

"Xiao Lu, are you busy?"

Director Chen strolled in slowly, his hands behind his back, looking like a retired cadre coming to inspect work.

"Director, why did you come here in person?" Lu Jingyan was somewhat surprised.

"How could I not come? If I don't come, this wonderful news will be lost!"

Director Chen burst into laughter, unable to contain himself any longer. He slammed the official document in his hand onto Lu Jingyan's table with such a loud bang that the entire floor could hear it.

"Look! Look what this is!"

Lu Jingyan picked up the document and saw a line of eye-catching text printed in bold black font at the top:

Decision on promoting Comrade Lu Jingyan to the position of Captain of the Special Investigation Detachment of the Jinghai Municipal Public Security Bureau.

The document was stamped with the red seals of both the Provincial Public Security Department and the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department.

This means that he has officially become the head of this extremely powerful special department, going from a temporary supervisor.

Moreover, he is the youngest full-fledged section-level cadre in the history of Jinghai City.

"Xiao Lu, this is what you deserve!"

Director Chen patted Lu Jingyan on the shoulder excitedly, feeling very gratified. "Your performance these past few days has been noticed by the provincial leaders! Especially your ability to withstand the pressure, stand up to that 'Dragon Group,' and even take down Chu Tianjiao's hideout—you've really brought honor to our Jinghai police force!"

"Now, you are the sharpest knife in Jinghai! A sharp knife plunged into the heart of every criminal!"

Director Chen became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he could already see the day when Jinghai City would be awarded the title of "National Model City for Public Security".

"Keep it up, Xiao Lu!"

He patted Lu Jingyan's shoulder heavily, his eyes filled with expectation.

"The provincial leaders said this is just the beginning. If you keep this up, Jinghai City... I'm afraid they won't be able to keep this dragon!"

Looking at the appointment document and then at Director Chen's face, which was filled with satisfaction, Lu Jingyan felt an unprecedented surge of honor and responsibility as a police officer.

He slowly straightened up and gave Director Chen a standard, impeccable police salute.

"Don't worry, Director."

His voice was not loud, but it was firm and resounding.

"As long as I'm still wearing this police uniform, the sky over Jinghai won't fall down."

Director Chen nodded with satisfaction, and was about to say a few more words of encouragement.

His secretary suddenly rushed in, carrying a stack of documents, her expression unusually strange.

"Chief...Chief, Captain Lu..."

The secretary, panting heavily, handed the two of them an urgent document that had just been faxed from the provincial department.

"The provincial department...the provincial department has sent a notice for assistance in the investigation."

The secretary swallowed hard, pointing to the circled names on the document, her voice trembling:

"Recently... things seem to be getting a bit turbulent in the entertainment industry. The province has asked us to assist in investigating a few cases. Among the targets... there seem to be a few names that are big shots we can't afford to offend!"