Chapter 430: Chapter 426 Enforcer
"Is there a problem?"
Gu Jinlai looked at the three people.
Tang Zhengxiao, An Yu, and Fu Youguang exchanged glances.
Finally, Tang Zhengxiao carefully phrased his tone, "District Master Gu, the Liu family’s relocation case involves the Wan Family..."
"I see it very clearly."
Gu Jinlai pointed to a document, "Three years ago, the Liu family fled to Wind and Rain City. With their cutting-edge brewing technology, they caused the Wan Family’s originally dominant business to decline. This was the beginning of the conflict. After a series of struggles, the Liu family suffered severe losses and had no choice but to relocate to Liuhuo City. However, four hundred miles from the city, they were attacked and killed by the Wan Family. More than three hundred family members, including over a thousand employees, perished, claimed to be attacked and went missing by devils."
After finishing, he turned his attention to another document, "The Bai Family’s case of harboring an out-of-control individual; the young master of the Bai Family, Bai Ziyun, coveted the daughter of the owner of Yunyi Building. Failing to acquire her hand in marriage, he ordered his servant to burn down the Yunyi Building in the name of an out-of-control individual. A month later, nineteen members of the Yunyi Building family, including the bodies of four young women, were discovered in the Dalong River, having been tortured inhumanely before death."
He then picked up the last document, "I don’t need to mention the Fang family’s case. The plaintiff, Wang Cheng, was imprisoned in the great prison for spreading rumors and died of illness a few days later..."
"Sir...this Fang family...has a connection with Fang Yan Martial Saint of the Martial Saint Institute, who once served as a martial arts youth for Fang Martial Saint..."
Tang Zhengxiao couldn’t help but remind him.
"Yes, the Fang family’s chief manager, Fang Daoyuan, is also the Deputy District Chief of the South Outer City District, holding the same rank as you, sir..."
An Yu added.
"Is there a problem?"
Gu Jinlai’s expression didn’t fluctuate much.
"This..."
Tang Zhengxiao hesitated for a moment but still glanced at the case file, "Sir... according to our investigation, that Wang Cheng indeed spread rumors. The Fang family did not kill one hundred and three members of the Wang Family."
"Right, spreading rumors, framing others, simply because the actual number of deaths in the Wang Family was only a hundred and one?"
Gu Jinlai looked at the document with a cold expression.
This was the reason the Law Enforcement Court determined Wang Cheng spread rumors.
The number of deaths didn’t match.
Wang Cheng’s actions were suspected of grossly exaggerating the facts, intending to cause public panic and undermining the unity and stability of Wind and Rain City. He was ultimately thrown into prison, where he fell ill and died just four days later.
"First, go to the Wan Family. At the time of the Liu family’s demise, many witnessed it, and the evidence was conclusive. Even the Wan Family themselves had no intention to hide it, rather using the destruction of the Liu family as a display of power, to reestablish the brewing industry’s order. As such, everyone in the Wan Family must be severely punished, those who should be killed, killed; those who should be captured, captured, without exception."
Gu Jinlai said directly.
Tang Zhengxiao, An Yu, and Fu Youguang looked at each other.
They didn’t know if Gu Jinlai was truly filled with a sense of justice.
If so...
They wouldn’t mind lending a hand from behind as long as it didn’t jeopardize their own safety.
If it was just to extract money from the Wan Family...
They would also be willing to help this newly appointed District Chief skim some benefit.
However, Tang Zhengxiao still offered a reminder, "Though the Wan Family outside the city claim to have no relations with the Inner City Wan Family, in reality, the two stems from the same root. And the Inner City Wan Family’s old patriarch, Wan Tianlie, is a Martial King, just like District Chief Sir, and he himself is a Great Commander of the City Guard Army."
"We must remove evil completely. Don’t mention whether he will come forward for the Outer City Wan Family. Even if he doesn’t, if I find out through investigation that he is involved, I will not show any mercy."
Gu Jinlai declared, "Gather the men, we’re going to the Wan Family in one hour."
"In one hour?"
Tang Zhengxiao and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.
The value of surprise in military actions.
If they were truly going to apprehend people from the Wan Family, wouldn’t the sooner be the better?
Giving the Wan Family time to react now...
Could it be that this District Chief was merely using the Liu family’s incident as a pretext to make a profit from the Wan Family?
...
Not only did Tang Zhengxiao and the other Deputy Deans think this way, but the members of the Wan Family had similar thoughts.
As a strong familial clan of the Outer City District, naturally, their connections were well established.
Less than ten minutes after Gu Jinlai’s assembly order was issued, the Wan Family received the news and quickly summoned their managers for a meeting.
After some discussion, they also concluded that Gu Jinlai intended to profit from the Wan Family.
A new official must demonstrate their authority.
Understanding this approach, the Wan Family expressed their comprehension.
However, to prevent this new District Chief from thinking that they were an easy target, the Wan Family’s chief managers informed the Inner City Wan Family about the situation.
When Gu Jinlai arrived at the Wan Family’s residence, not only were the members of the Wan Family waiting for him, but Wan Tianlie from the Inner City Wan Family was also present, along with several Martial Sect members and a Primordial Spirit True Monarch, all there to back up the Outer City Wan Family with their influence.
...
"Hahaha, I just happened to be a guest at the Wan Family. Hearing about District Master Gu’s visit, I specially came out with the Wan Family head to welcome you. District Master Gu, please come inside," laughed Wan Tianlie as he stepped forward to greet Gu Jinlai.
Gu Jinlai looked at this Martial King...
His Karma, although not dark red as ink, was bright red as blood.
And behind him, among the Wan Family and the group of experts he brought, there were nine individuals, all of whom had reached the Red Name level.
As the Outer City District Wan Family Patriarch, Wan Yixia, who specialized in doing the dirty and tiring tasks for the Inner City Wan Family, he was so notorious he almost turned black.
For a while, he couldn’t be bothered to waste too many words on the Wan Family members.
"Commander Wan Tianlie."
Gu Jinlai spoke sternly, "I have gathered sufficient evidence that over fourteen hundred members of the Liu Family were massacred half a year ago. This incident was carried out by people from the Wan Family. Now, I need to take them back for an investigation."
Upon finishing, his gaze shifted, landing directly on Wan Yixia and the main Wan Family members, "Will you surrender peacefully, or do I have to take action personally? Should you dare to resist, I will show no mercy!"
Hearing Gu Jinlai speaking so disregardfully, Wan Tianlie’s expression darkened. Nonetheless, he said, "District Master Gu, could there be some misunderstanding with this matter? As far as I know, the members of the Wan Family are all law-abiding citizens. You can’t just wrongfully accuse good people based on rumors and hearsay."
"Exactly, exactly, sir, our Wan Family would never engage in corruption or illegal activities."
Wan Yixia also hurriedly said, "Please, sir, step inside. We have prepared some gifts specifically for you, which I believe will not leave you disappointed..."
Before Wan Yixia could finish his insinuating remark, Gu Jinlai’s gaze had already landed on Wan Tianlie, "The information I have indicates that Commander Wan’s behavior is also somewhat related to the actions of these Wan Family members. I will request the City Guard Army to allow Commander Wan to accept my investigation. I hope that at that time, Commander Wan will be cooperative."
Gu Jinlai’s words suddenly made Wan Tianlie aware of something. His expression gradually turned cold as he looked at Gu Jinlai, "Are you deliberately making things difficult for our Wan Family, District Master Gu? Who are Liu Dong and the others to you that you would go to such lengths?"
"Who are they?"
Gu Jinlai looked at Wan Yixia, "When injustice occurs, there must be someone to rectify it. If something is unfair, there must be someone to manage it. I have traveled a thousand miles, enduring countless hardships to reach the Holy Land. In my heart, the Holy Land is humanity’s only hope against devils. However, in the few months since my arrival, what I’ve seen is reminiscent of the old Holy Land—filled with all sorts of scheming and oppression. How can I turn a blind eye to such things?"
His voice grew increasingly strong, not just audible to the members of the Wan Family, but also to the Law Enforcement Court officials who followed him, who heard him quite clearly, "I don’t know what those truly powerful figures are thinking, but now that I sit as the Dean of the Law Enforcement Court, I must do my best to maintain the fairness and justice of Wind and Rain City’s laws and regulations. I will not allow any privileged class to trample over the law and treat it as nothing."
Listening to Gu Jinlai’s words, Wan Tianlie felt a sense of ridicule.
The Holy Dynasty’s laws?
Aren’t those just tools used by them, the privileged classes, to conveniently manage ordinary people?
How could someone who cultivated to the Martial King level still be so naïve?
After a moment of laughter, his expression grew cold again.
Watching Gu Jinlai, he seemed to realize something...
He was indeed serious.
He seemed...
Genuinely intent on upholding the fairness and justice of the law.
To maintain the harmony and stability of society.
Seeing the determination in his eyes...
He vaguely realized something.
"Seeking truth from me!?"
This Ancient Martial King before him, was he seeking truth from me!?
Was his true self really about maintaining the law’s justice and ensuring societal order and stability?
"Gu Jinlai, have you lost your mind? Do you have any idea what kind of consequences your actions will bring?"
Wan Tianlie uttered a low warning.
Gu Jinlai glanced at him and without replying, he simply waved his hand, "All the main decision-makers of the Wan Family, take them away!"
Although the higher-ups in Wind and Rain City each had their own thoughts, the middle and lower ranks, especially the grassroots, still possessed ample passion and sincerity.
The words previously spoken by Gu Jinlai ignited the fervor in their hearts, reminding them of their original intention when they tried every means to gain entry into the Law Enforcement Court.
In response to Gu Jinlai’s command, two-thirds of the enforcers stepped forward to seize the Wan Family members.
"Gu Jinlai, you are bullying others by flaunting your power and trying to swallow the Wan Family whole. I’m going to see the District Chief and report you," Wan Yixia yelled, retreating quickly.
"Fleeing for fear of punishment!? Capture him! Show no mercy to the resisters!"
Gu Jinlai ordered loudly, his figure leaping up, heading straight for Wan Yixia.
But before he could reach Wan Yixia, Wan Tianlie had already intercepted him, "Gu Jinlai, as long I’m here today, don’t even dream of bullying the good people of the Wan Family by exploiting your District Master status!"
"Obstructing law enforcement will be dealt with as conspiracy! Wan Tianlie, if you wish to be imprisoned, I’ll accommodate you!"
Gu Jinlai’s blood surged, and his form rapidly expanded as he immediately summoned his Great Sun True Demon Body.
Seeing this, Wan Tianlie did not dare to take it lightly.
He himself was a Martial King who had cultivated his martial arts and techniques to the peak. Coupled with a body tempered to a level nearly manifesting Derivation Divine Abilities, he had the strength of a high-level Martial King. Now manifesting his True Body, he appeared like an eight-meter giant, his blood roiling like fierce flames, with an intense and scorching aura spreading from him.
"Flame Demon Prison Suppressing Technique?"
Gu Jinlai recognized the cultivation technique practiced by Wan Tianlie at a glance.
A technique based on refining Flame Beast Essence Blood.
It was a legacy leading directly to Martial Saint.
"Correct, it is the Flame Demon Prison Suppressing Technique!"
Wan Tianlie’s entire being seemed to be bathed in flames, the intense aura radiating out from him, "Gu Jinlai... I’ll give you one last chance. If you back down now..."
"Have you ever been hit by a Light Speed Fist?"
Gu Jinlai suddenly said.
"Eh!?"
Wan Tianlie was taken aback, not fully comprehending his meaning, when a burst of resplendent, glittering electric light mixed with a sky full of fist shadows, like a storm, completely engulfed his figure.