.......
Seeing that he wasn't using spiritual energy to control his injuries, but rather letting blood flow freely, Lu Ding found it interesting.
"Lost your senses? You seem perfectly coherent to ."
Huo Jue'en looked at Lu Ding. The implication was clear - this wasn't enough yet. Raising his hand, he swung the blade. Another leg fell to the ground.
Controlling his breathing that had beco erratic from pain, he said: "Grand Guardian Lu, now I'm truly not in my right mind. Please show rcy."
Fine. Since he'd shown this attitude, Lu Ding wouldn't press further. He walked forward.
Gao Zhiyu's eldest daughter Gao Mian stepped aside to make room. Lu Ding took the seat of honor, his gaze sweeping over Qin He and Huo Jue'en. These two knew when to advance and retreat, showing no rcy even to themselves. Ruthless n indeed. No wonder they dared gamble by pushing the Gao family forward.
One wrong step here would an plumting into an abyss. Pity that Green Vine's people weren't ruthless enough to keep these n in check. Otherwise, Green Vine might have developed better under their influence. But this wasn't Lu Ding's concern.
With matters settled, what's done is done. No need to reopen old accounts. Looking at the heads of the Huo and Qin families, then glancing at their entourage, he spoke: "Whatever sches you had before, I suggest you behave now. Though I'm not Green Vine's investigator, both Green Vine and Yunhai belong to the Great Han now. With my investigator credentials, I must consider the broader situation."
"Better stillness than movent. Since Patriarch Gao is present, I'll speak plainly about matters everyone can understand. This incident will affect the Gao family. The spoils that fall out - take what you've grabbed and be content. If anyone tries to bite off more than they can chew... well, I can play along."
Both Gao Zhiyu and the family heads of Qin and Huo understood perfectly. Maintaining the Gao family's forr scale was nearly impossible now. Though reluctant, they couldn't hold on. Letting go was inevitable. The shares released would be enough to satisfy both Qin and Huo families. They were simply greedy, and Lu Ding's arrival had curbed that greed.
With everything laid bare, everyone accepted the situation. Wise n know when to yield. They nodded silently one by one.
Qin He was first to declare: "Grand Guardian, your word is law! We all defer to you. I'll imdiately recall the bounty notices!"
Huo Jue'en tried to echo this, but before he could speak, Lu Ding said: "Recall? Why recall? You've made mistakes today and must own them. Go back and increase the bounties. Urge your people to act imdiately - the bigger the commotion, the better. Quickly muddy the waters and force the murderer out. I don't have much ti here."
He still needed to go to the frontline. While the 749 Bureau's power was effective, in such situations they could only act cleverly because the 749 Bureau must follow rules. Green Vine wasn't united top to bottom. If Green Vine's 749 didn't act cleverly, civilian forces would complain and exploit the situation. But civilian forces could achieve through brute force what officials couldn't.
Law enforcent must reason with people, but without enforcent credentials, why should I reason with you? Even if the 749 Bureau had complaints, Lu Ding would bear the responsibility. This would beco Green Vine 749's headache. Comparing both approaches - Green Vine 749's troubles were none of Lu Ding's concern. If they wouldn't cooperate, he'd use his own thods.
If this were Yunhai, Lu Ding could issue orders and ensure full cooperation for overwhelming force, turning everything upside down. If you want to fish in troubled waters, I'll catch turtles in jars. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind - who doesn't have so effective if unseemly thods?
Though the Qin and Huo family leaders were confused by Lu Ding's approach, they didn't dare question. Just do it! Follow instructions exactly. Learn by doing. Simple orders, swift execution.
After hastily bandaging their wounds, the Qin and Huo leaders imdiately left the Gao residence. Returning ho, they increased bounties and issued commands like a limited-ti promotion: Before sunrise tomorrow, anyone who discovered and reported the murderer's traces would receive a 30% bounty increase upon verification! Anyone who captured the target would get 50% more - dead or alive!
Good heavens, it was like a supermarket sale! When the Qin family joined in, the already substantial bounties beca irresistible. Surprisingly, the entire atmosphere in Green Vine instantly electrified. Let the hunt begin!
Watching figures dart through streets and alleys...
From Green Vine's tallest building, Lu Ding surveyed the sunset view, sensing the approaching storm. Feeling the wind brush his fingertips, he mused: "Others spend the money, others do the legwork, I catch the criminals and slay the monsters. Life is truly beautiful."
Wutian stood nearby, his monastic robes flapping loudly in the wind. "Amitabha, urban sches run too deep. This humble monk suddenly misses his temple."
From an outsider's perspective, Lu Ding's actions under the 749 identity were completely irregular - using others' money and manpower for his own purposes without following 749 procedures. Yet no one could criticize him because Lu Ding took no money - it was all about face and tactics.
Ultimately, the Gao, Qin and Huo families wouldn't lose out. The Gao family's primary wish was revenge, while Qin and Huo gained business opportunities along with vengeance. The visiting Qi Refiners were essentially bounty hunters. Though they couldn't claim the major rewards for kills or captures from Lu Ding, they could earn reporting bonuses. Thus from top to bottom, no one truly lost.
As for casualties - those who ate this rice were prepared for such risks. Even the 749 Bureau has casualty quotas. Who can guarantee no deaths? Only local Green Vine 749 lost credibility in this affair.
Regarding potential post-operation chaos, Lu Ding had already declared the Gao, Qin and Huo families wouldn't cause trouble. If outsiders stirred trouble, these three families would act faster than 749. After these events, the Gao family wanted to stabilize their original business against losses, while Qin and Huo sought to secure their new gains. This dynamic would unite the three families, preventing disorder.
As for Green Vine 749's credibility... What did Lu Ding care? If you won't cooperate or act, why expect credibility? Even Lingshun knows to call for help when outmatched. If you insist on posturing, valuing face over substance, then keep posturing - just don't let go. Lu Ding wasn't one to indulge others.
anwhile, on another front...
The awakened ng Chang and his companion returned to the 749 Bureau and imdiately sought Green Vine 749's Deputy Director to report the situation.
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