Chapter 229: Human Sentiment and Manipulation

Tan Xin walked through the dark prison corridor and emerged beyond the main gate, where Chu Shiduo had been waiting in his car for a long time.

“Teacher, what did you talk about? Why did you come out so quickly?” Seeing Tan Xin emerge, Chu Shiduo quickly got out to open the car door for him, asking curiously.

“He received my promise, and I received his answer. It’s that simple.”

Tan Xin settled into the back seat, answering unhurriedly, “Tell Gu Yuan that Han Meng is to be acquitted at tomorrow’s trial.”

“Acquitted?” Chu Shiduo was surprised. “Teacher, that won’t be easy to manage… When Han Meng disobeyed orders and acted, all the people present witnessed it. How can we find a reason to release him? And if the media reports this, it will also be a slap in our own face…”

“Prepare a letter for Gu Yuan, stating that Han Meng’s actions were carried out under my secret orders. Have him pass it to the defense lawyer.”

Chu Shiduo was taken aback. “But Teacher, isn’t that reason a bit far-fetched? What about the media…”

“What the media says isn’t important.” Tan Xin waved a hand. “Just do as I say. Gu Yuan can handle such a small matter himself.”

Chu Shiduo hesitated to speak further but eventually nodded. “Understood.”

“However, Teacher, there’s still one thing I don’t understand… If you didn’t want Han Meng to be tried in the first place, couldn’t you have simply ordered the gates to be opened when he acted? Why did he have to be imprisoned in the black cell for so long, and offend all the law enforcement officers in Aurora City?”

Tan Xin glanced at Chu Shiduo’s puzzled face in the rearview mirror and slowly spoke. “If I had opened the gates then, he might not have truly felt my goodwill. But now that he’s been imprisoned, it is I who am rescuing him from jail on the eve of his trial. Which approach do you think will make him trust me more?”

“Furthermore, a Han Meng ostracized by all law enforcement officers is far more valuable than an ordinary law enforcement officer Han Meng.”

Chu Shiduo carefully considered the difference between the two approaches, and understanding dawned in his eyes. “I understand, Teacher.”

Tan Xin looked out the window and, after a moment of thought, spoke again. “No need to return to headquarters. Go straight to Aurora Base. Yesterday, someone from there reported that the Aurora Monarch suddenly showed signs of awakening, so I need to go see for myself. While I’m away, I’m entrusting all headquarters affairs entirely to you.”

“Yes, Teacher.”

“Tan Xin!”

“Damn it! Where’s Tan Xin? Tell him to come out!”

“I’ve been funding you law enforcers for so many years! One-third of this building was constructed with my money! Now that something has happened to my organization, you want to play dead? You must give me an explanation for the Chamber of Commerce incident!”

At the entrance of the Law Enforcers’ headquarters, Yan Shang’s furious roars echoed repeatedly, leaving the entire hall in disarray. The law enforcers exchanged helpless glances, then quietly lowered their heads, pretending nothing was happening. Yan Shang had been causing a commotion there all afternoon, making it impossible for anyone in the hall to work normally. However, because Yan Shang had been a long-time benefactor to the law enforcers, though displeased, they couldn’t afford to offend him, so they simply waited him out. Yet, despite Yan Shang’s prolonged outburst this time, Deputy Chief Tan Xin showed no sign of appearing.

Yan Shang seemed to be tired and sat directly beneath the law enforcers’ banner. He wiped sweat from his forehead, his gaze sharp enough to devour someone. Although outwardly still furious, an afternoon of probing had made it clear to him that both he and the entire Polaris Chamber of Commerce had been abandoned by the law enforcers.

“President, perhaps we should go back,” the squinting man approached and spoke in a low voice. “That Tan Xin likely won’t come out again. There’s no point in continuing this commotion.”

Yan Shang took a deep look at the silent, deserted law enforcers’ hall. After a long silence, he rose and walked towards the door. Seeing that he had finally made enough noise, the law enforcers sighed in relief.

“Are there any results from the on-site investigation?” Yan Shang asked in a low voice as he stepped out the main gate.

The squinting man opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.

“Speak!”

“President, I’ve never seen a scene like that… All the buildings and trees in the Chamber of Commerce had strangely shifted, and most of the bodies were pressed down around the structures or lay dismembered on the stairs. It was as if…” The squinting man paused before continuing, “It was as if those things had come alive and devoured everyone. Even the Paper Puppeteer was affected.”

“Calamity Domain?” Yan Shang frowned deeply.

“Most likely.”

“What about Pu Shu? Has he been found?”

“…No, his body wasn’t found at the scene. He might have deserted his post.”

“That coward… Don’t let me catch him, or I’ll make him realize what happens to those who betray the Yan family!” Yan Shang scoffed. “What about the Deity of Strength? Was he activated?”

“No, he wasn’t. It seems the scene was extremely chaotic when it happened, and no one had time to set up the ritual to activate him. That might also be why he escaped unscathed.”

Just then, a black-haired woman approached from a distance, speaking calmly. “I’ve already contacted our operatives within the law enforcement system. Currently, they also have no clue about the downfall of the Chamber of Commerce. Tan Xin seems to be preoccupied with the Aurora Monarch and has no time to deal with this. We’ve been completely abandoned.”

Yan Shang took a deep breath, turning to look at the towering Law Enforcers’ headquarters, his eyes gleaming with fierce, cold killing intent.

“That Tan Xin boy has kicked us when we’re down, completely severing ties with us. Does he think that with one son dead and one estate destroyed, I, Yan Shang, have lost everything?”

The black-haired woman was silent for a moment. “There’s one more thing.”

“Tell me.”

“Half an hour ago, Tan Xin went to the black cell to meet with Han Meng, the chief law enforcement officer of District Three. Immediately after, news came from the trial court that Tan Xin intended to acquit Han Meng.”

“Han Meng?!” The fury in Yan Shang’s eyes burned even hotter. “Good, very good… Not only does he refuse to help the Chamber of Commerce, but he immediately wants to release the law enforcement officer who killed Ah Bin. What a way to abandon your allies once they’re no longer useful!”

“President, we…”

“If he wants to kick us aside like dogs, he should be prepared to be bitten back,” Yan Shang said with a cold sneer, like a cornered, ferocious jackal. “I can’t destroy the entire law enforcement system, but crushing a Han Meng is no problem. I’ll make him realize that even without that estate, the influence of my Polaris Chamber of Commerce in Aurora City is not something he can casually manipulate.”

“Contact the media, and those operatives in the trial court… Their weaknesses and lifelines are all in my hands. This time, it’s our turn to give Tan Xin a surprise.”