Chapter 148: 132 Thunderbolt Strikes! (Seeking monthly tickets, rmendations, and support)_1


    “Who is it?”


    “The person who killed Second Brother is named Pei Jinye… After checking, there’s no significant background in his family, just that he participated in an elite assessment this year and is suspected of having passed. His parents are now in charge of a project in the East Street District…”


    Inside the Jiang family ancestral home.


    A young woman slowly stepped out of the doorway, then summoned the middle-aged butler who was not far away. After giving him a few instructions, she left in a car, apanied by the bowed heads of ck-clothed bodyguards.


    Ten o’clock in the morning.


    East Street District.


    “Director Li, I haven’t done anything wrong, have I? Why are you relieving me of my duties all of a sudden?” Sun San was stunned when he heard the news of his dismissal.


    The man opposite, whobed his hair with pomade, had hollowed cheeks. He seemed frail, but there was no sign of weakness as he said without mercy, “Sun San, out of respect for the past, I’m giving you five minutes to pack your things and leave.”


    Behind him, several youths from the street managementmittee looked at the former Captain Sun with either sympathy or mockery.


    “He Nian, from now on, you will take the seat of captain of the East Street District’s street managementmittee. Can you handle it?”


    “Yes! Please rest assured, Director Li!” A young man with a sharp chin and monkey cheeks quickly stood up from behind Sun San, expressing his gratitude.


    On normal days, he often curried favor with Director Li behind Sun San’s back, and now his hard work had finally paid off.


    Sun San suddenly red at He Nian.


    But He Nian didn’t look back at him. Instead, he stayed by Director Li’s side, subservient as an old dog who had been raised for many years.


    “Little He,” Director Li called out.


    He Nian hurriedly paid attention, his face full of smiles, “Director Li, your orders?”


    “The East Street District’s food street needs to be renovated. Kick out all the contractors from before,” Director Li arranged his first task for He Nian.


    He Nian’s face broke into a smile as he epted the task.


    It was the perfect opportunity to employ his rtives. After all, the profits to be made here were quite substantial for those at the bottom like them.


    Moreover, recently, under the management of that couple from the Pei family, the food street’s earnings had been surging. It was the perfect time to pick the ripe fruit.


    However, Sun San’s expression changed slightly.


    He had a vague guess.


    He said urgently, “They have a contract protected byw. If you do this, you’ll have to pay a penalty for breach.”


    “There are plenty of ways to drive people away,” He Nian suddenly said with a smirk, looking over, “and you’re the one who taught me that, Brother Sun.”


    Sun San’s face darkened. Ignoring the smugly victorious He Nian, he quickly walked to the door and followed Director Li. He whispered closely, “Brother Li, considering my past respect for you, could you clue me in? Who did I offend?”


    Director Li looked at him and shook his head.


    Sun San quietly slipped a string of agate beads into Director Li’s hand. ying with them in his hand, Director Li whispered back, “You don’t have the clout to make the higher-ups take action. Think about who you’ve been following… Sun San, in this world, not only is climbing up difficult, even to keep your position, you need to pick the right side, the right master.”


    Sun San stopped in his tracks, uncertainly saying, “Is it Pei…”


    However, Director Li shook his head, “I’ve said all I can. Lay low for a while to avoid getting caught in the fallout.”


    After speaking, he got into the car parked downstairs, while He Nian and others respectfully watched him leave.


    After the car had left.


    He Nian rose and withdrew his gaze. The street managementmittee members around him came forward to congratte him. With an irrepressible smile on his face and paying no attention to the dejected Sun San, he walked confidently into the captain’s office. He waved his hand, “Get rid of all of this, rece it with new!”


    Immediately, people rushed to carry out his orders.


    Next, He Nian personally led the team to evict Pei Jinye’s parents.


    Sun San stood at the doorway, with dark clouds hanging above his head.


    Years of rtionships turned out to be nothing but false bubbles.


    At this moment, what Sun San was pondering over even more was… what on earth had happened to Pei Jinye.


    He hesitated for a long time.


    Still, he left the Street Administration and quickly followed them.


    Suddenly stopped, Father Pei and Mother Pei were also a bit puzzled; the old couple were not unreasonable people, but they were also not ones to be bullied easily.


    Mother Pei, with hands on her hips, scolded relentlessly, causing He Nian and his people to retreat. Frustrated and ashamed, He Nian wanted to take action but was stopped by Sun San.


    Mother Pei directly threw out the agreement, “If you want us to leave, that’s fine, but you have to pay ording to the signed content—ten times the total annual ie!”


    He Nian saw that it actually required apensation of twenty million and burst outughing with rage.


    “We’dpensate if you hadn’t vited any regtions. But are you really without faults?”


    Whether it was food safety or fire safety… He Nian always had the chance to nitpick and find issues.


    Fortunately, Sun San didn’t abandon them. Under his intervention, the other members, remembering old ties, did not resort to violence.


    Father Pei and Mother Pei moved out of the building.


    Many shopkeepers on the roadside peeked out to see what was happening.


    He Nian sat in the car, with a disdainful expression, watching the three of them carry their big and small bags away like destitute dogs.


    “Uncle Pei, I, Sun San, have wronged you.” Sun San was very apologetic. He had once assuredly said that signing the agreement would prevent any troubles, but troubles hade knocking so soon.


    Father Pei, understanding by nature, just waved his hand. He already knew from the earlier quarrel that Sun San had been dismissed, and the matter itself had nothing to do with Sun San.


    But the actions of the Street Administration, disregarding thew so tantly, were truly damaging to public trust.


    Pulling Sun San aside, the two found a spot to smoke and chat.


    “Little Sun, tell me the truth, has something happened to my son Jinye?”


    “Uncle Pei, this… I really don’t know what exactly happened. Give me some time, I’ll go find out…” Sun San hesitated before whispering, “Don’t go home these next few days, find somewhere else to lie low. The people Brother Pei offended seem to have quite a background.”


    Father Pei sighed with worry, “I’m not concerned about the money or property; I’m just worried about what’s happening on Jinye’s end…”


    “Don’t worry, Uncle Pei. After all, he is a Transcendent and is under protection. Even if the powers that be want to target him, it’s not as simple as dealing with ordinary people,” Sun San said with a smile, though the smile was rather forced.


    That the other party could take everything away from them with just one word was beyond his imagination.


    At 11:30 in the morning.


    The city hall.


    “A disgraceful humiliation!”


    “What is this! A war hero, who dared to struggle against criminals, is instead subjected to examination? Idiotic! Despicable! A disgrace to the Federation!”


    “It’s because of these scoundrels that the Federation harbors so many dirty and hidden affairs!”


    Governor Zhou Weiren shouted angrily, quite furious.


    He hadn’t been aware of Pei Jinye’s situation but learned about it only after Pei Jinye’s parents were driven out of the East Street District, which was discovered by Secretary Lin’s people and promptly reported.


    When it came to matters rted to Pei Jinye, Secretary Lin dared not dy and quickly reported to the Governor.


    The Governor was so angry he wished he could arrest Xie Zuxin and the lot of them at once.


    “Go and skin that Director Li alive. What a dirty scoundrel, he wanted to be the Jiang family’s dog, so let him be a good one!”


    “Yes!” Secretary Lin promptly agreed; “Governor, but about Pei Jinye… he’s currently under confinement at the Investigation Team’s Base, and it’s not easy for us to get involved…”


    “I can only deal with the Investigation Team personally. What the hell is Xu Tian doing! Why must he have it out for Pei Jinye!” Governor Zhou frowned.


    He reached for the phone on his desk.


    Unexpectedly, the phone rang before he could pick it up.


    Zhou Weiren’s eyes narrowed slightly, because the caller ID showed that the call was unexpectedlying from the Central State.


    He looked up at Secretary Lin.


    Understanding the signal, Secretary Lin exited the room, beginning to organize the affairs of Director Li’s appointment and removal from the street management council.


    What he didn’t know was that inside the office, the call Governor Zhou received was from a high-ranking official at the Central Continent Headquarters, seemingly very annoyed that someone had disregarded the Federation’s charter. They insisted that as the leader of the city, Zhou Weiren must investigate thoroughly and punish such behavior severely.


    After hanging up the phone.


    Zhou Weiren narrowed his eyes.


    “The Jiang family really has some nerve, pulling strings with the higher-ups.”


    After pondering for a moment.


    Zhou Weiren called Secretary Lin back: “On my behalf, go visit Pei Jinye, put indirect pressure on the Investigation Team, and tell them not to mess around…”


    “What about Xu Tian…” Secretary Lin hesitated.


    Zhou Weiren took a deep breath, clearly irate, wishing he could get rid of the opposition, but after all, the other party had the status of the Judgement ce.


    “Since he wants to push for Xing Tian’s involvement, then let’s drag it out ording to the process. I don’t believe the Jiang family can sit tight!”


    “Should we arrange some public… opinion? If this gets out, his Jiang family definitely can’t save face.”


    However, Secretary Lin’s suggestion was halted by Zhou Weiren: “We should not make a big fuss about this matter. It’ll only make our City Hall look ipetent.”


    After Secretary Lin left, Zhou Weiren tried to call Mr. Han, but was told that Mr. Han was in a meeting. Despite Zhou emphasizing the importance of this matter and needing to inform Mr. Han, although the other party assured him they would notify, Zhou Weiren still worried, nning to call again after a while.


    Inside the main branch of the Jiang family.


    “Jiang Suhu is dead… The second branch seems to be taking it rather hard.”


    “Let them make a fuss; our main branch will not get involved in this matter.”


    “Understood.”


    In a certain vi district.


    Qi Hengtian was somewhat surprised after receiving the news: “That Peid went to the Investigation Team and even killed the heir chosen by Jiang Qingcang?”


    He suddenly chuckled with a hint of amusement.


    “This young Pei is quite something.”


    The middle-aged man beside him whispered a few words in his ear.


    Qi Hengtian’s smile vanished in an instant, “Despicable! Send some people there in secret. Don’t they understand the rule that the misfortune should not involve wives and children? Do not reveal our identity; we’re not at the stage of open confrontation with the Jiang family yet.”


    Someone was apparently nning to target Pei Jinye’s parents.


    At six o’clock in the evening.


    The inspection window of the confinement room opened, and the thead soldier who had been on guard passed in the meal tray: “Dinner time.”


    Pei Jinye turned to look.


    Just as he received the meal tray, the thead soldier nced around and suddenly said in a low voice, “There’s no one around now, if you have any messages that need to be passed, tell me.”


    Pei Jinye was taken aback.


    The thead soldier said in a hushed tone, “I sympathize with your plight. You must hang in there and don’t give up hope.”


    “Thank you.” Pei Jinye responded, his gaze almost piercing into the other person’s soul. Right when his colleague was about toe over, he whispered, “If possible, could I borrow a cell phone?”


    The thead soldier hesitated, “This ce signal is blocked, you wouldn’t be able to use the phone.”


    “Then please find Zhou Kui from Group Seven for me and tell him I’m worried about my family.”


    “I understand. I’m off duty in an hour, and I’ll pass on your message.”


    “Thank you; what’s your name?”


    “Lin Junheng.”


    “Much appreciated.”


    The inspection window closed with a swish.


    His colleague walked over with a suspicious look, “Who were you talking to?”


    “Just handing out the meal.” The thead soldier smiled innocently, “By the way, Brother Qu, are we getting paid today? I’ve just been made permanent this month. Does that mean I get my performance bonus too?”


    “Don’t worry, the Investigation Team has its own ount, you don’t have to worry about your sry.”


    “Then I’ll definitely treat Brother Qu to dinner once I get paid.”


    “Haha, sure thing.”


    Twenty minutester.


    After finishing his meal, Pei Jinye handed out the meal tray.


    The confinement room was made of special materials that could block spiritual power, meaning Pei Jinye could not use his Heavenly Calction ability to probe for information outside.


    Several hours passed.


    No one else appeared.


    Pei Jinye, worried about the situation at home, could only hope that the soldier named Lin Junheng could find Brother Kui.


    In the vast Investigation Team’s Base.


    Pei Jinye realized how few people there were who could actually help him.


    He bowed his head in silence.


    His aura hidden beneath the surface, eager to spring into action.


    At eleven o’clock at night.


    While sitting on the bed meditating, Pei Jinye suddenly heard noises from the hallway.


    Before long.


    The inspection window opened.


    The person outside looked at Pei Jinye in silence.