But this place was difficult to assault. It was surrounded by steep slopes on three sides. Furthermore, since villagers often used the Sentry Post for shelter, it was stocked with water and food. There was no hope of the bandits running out of supplies anyti soon.
He could also sense that ever since Councilor Fang’s son had been found, the concern and support from the Administrative Affairs Hall had been dwindling.
The situation was now at a stalemate. It was manageable during the day, but other problems could arise at night. With so many Patrol Officers from the Patrol Bureau tied down out here, ’if there’s an organized resistance behind this, could there be trouble back in the city?’
"Director Guan." His aide ca in and said, "There’s a group of villagers outside, old and young. They all say they have family mbers who were killed by the bandits, and they’re begging us to deal with them."
Guan Yuming walked out and looked at the villagers standing outside the cordon below the Sentry Post. "Tell them I’ll do everything I can," he said in a heavy voice.
A Patrol Officer acting as an orderly hurried out after him. "Director Guan, it’s a call from the Bureau Chief."
Guan Yuming went back inside and picked up the receiver. "Hello, this is Guan Yuming."
"I’m calling to tell you sothing. The Molan Company’s security team is already on their way to your location."
Guan Yuming frowned. "What are they coming here for?"
"Because our progress has been slow, the Administrative Affairs Hall is very displeased. Molan Company has persuaded them to let them take over and capture Fang Dawei and his gang."
Guan Yuming’s expression changed. "Bureau Chief, how can we hand this over to them? This incident is clearly..."
The man on the other end cut him off without hesitation. "Let ask you, now that you know Councilor Fang’s son isn’t there, why have you been wasting so much ti in that village?"
Guan Yuming explained, "There was an explosion in the village. Many villagers were buried, and there might still be survivors, so I had the Patrol Officers handle the rescue and cleanup."
"You’re ignoring your actual duties. What does it matter to you whether those villagers live or die?"
Guan Yuming took a deep breath. "Bureau Chief, our duty is to..."
"Don’t lecture about duty. I know it better than you. You’re outside the city now, so why are you ddling in things that aren’t your business?"
At this, the voice on the other end softened slightly. "Alright, Old Guan, Molan Company’s people will be at your position in forty minutes, tops. If you can resolve this, do it. If not, let Molan Company’s security team handle it. That’s all."
With that, he hung up.
Guan Yuming stood with a furrowed brow, staring at the map as he mulled sothing over. At that mont, his aide ca in. Seeing that he was deep in thought, the aide stood behind him, hesitating to speak.
Without turning around, he asked, "What is it now? Spit it out."
The aide said, "A trainee from Wuyi. He says he’s willing to help us assault the Sentry Post."
Guan Yuming slowly turned around. "Didn’t they already head back?"
"There’s still one left."
"Just one person?"
Guan Yuming was sowhat disappointed. The contractors they’d hired before had also tried to storm the post, but they had all failed. One person alone wouldn’t make much of a difference.
His aide said, "He says he can make it up there."
Guan Yuming thought for a mont. "Have him co in. I’ll talk to him."
"Yes, sir."
A short while later, Chen Chuan walked in.
Guan Yuming looked him over, his gaze sharp. "I want to know why you stayed behind when everyone else left. Don’t tell it’s for the mission. The official assignnt has been canceled."
Chen Chuan didn’t offer a lengthy explanation, saying only, "My uncle is Nian Fuli, and I’m from a Patrol Bureau family myself."
Guan Yuming was taken aback and slowly stood up straight. His aide also looked at Chen Chuan. They had their doubts at first, but hearing him state his connections imdiately inspired a deep sense of trust.
The aide said excitedly, "Director Guan, I knew it! When it really counts, you can always rely on one of the Patrol Bureau’s own!"
Although Chen Chuan had told them that, he knew in his heart it wasn’t for the Patrol Bureau or for so mission. ’It’s simply because these people deserve to die!’
Guan Yuming glanced at the Long Blade in his hand, then said to his aide, "Go get my Protective Clothing!"
"Yes, sir!"
Guan Yuming looked at him and said, "I just got a call. Molan Company’s security team is about to take over. We have less than forty minutes. Are you confident you can do it?"
Chen Chuan looked up. "Forty minutes is more than enough!"
A mont later, the aide returned with a light-colored suit of Protective Clothing. Chen Chuan took off his jacket and put it on underneath.
The suit of Protective Clothing covered his neck, torso, and limbs, and even included a pair of gloves. It didn’t feel stuffy, however, and after a few movents, it molded perfectly to his fra. A closer look revealed what seed to be a fine, intricate pattern on its surface.
Guan Yuming said, "This Protective Clothing was issued to by Headquarters. It’s Central City tech. It can even stop machine-gun fire from a distance."
Chen Chuan said, "Director Guan, I’ll head over now."
Guan Yuming walked up, clapped Chen Chuan on the shoulder, and said in a heavy voice, "If you et heavy resistance, it’s okay if you don’t succeed. You have a long future ahead of you. Knowing when to retreat is a skill in itself. There’s no need to throw your life away here." He then turned to his aide. "Use my car and drive him."
"Yes, sir."
Chen Chuan gave Guan Yuming a fist-and-palm salute, then turned and left the outpost under the Director’s watchful gaze.
Guan Yuming said to the orderly, "Tell the n on the ground to give him their full support."
The orderly saluted. As he was leaving, he paused, turned his head, and said, "Director Guan, you don’t even have to give the order. The n will do it anyway!"
User Comments
0 comments from readers