Chapter 368: Fine, Kneel Down. I Have Some Questions

Words : 1096 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

...... With that single word spoken: "One!" Meng Chang was well aware of Lu Ding's methods. As a senior investigator while Lu Ding was only a formal investigator, he technically outranked him by one level. But when it came to actual capability, he had no confidence in confronting Lu Ding head-on. Under normal circumstances, he might have used his seniority to pressure Lu Ding into backing down. But now? Lu Ding had arrived with authorization documents from headquarters, a special cross-district assignment granting him joint authority. He hadn't even invoked his official status yet. If Meng Chang tried pulling rank now... This situation would escalate far beyond its current scale. "Two!!" Lu Ding's voice rang out again. Meng Chang's brow furrowed tightly. Facing this overwhelming pressure head-on, he knew Lu Ding wasn't bluffing. But!!! If he backed down today... He could forget about maintaining any authority within Green Vine's 749 Bureau afterward. Whether for friendship or professional standing— He couldn't retreat. Only brace for impact. Locking eyes with Lu Ding— So be it! A direct clash! His own skills might at least prevent complete humiliation. As Meng Chang's aura flared outward— Lu Ding knew counting to three was pointless. Even counting to a hundred wouldn't make him yield. In that case— Lu Ding raised his fist, the very air distorting around him as terrifying power condensed. The punch lashed out— Fist tearing through air with visible vapor trails coiling around his arm in concentric rings. Meng Chang, preparing to counter— Instantly assumed a defensive stance upon seeing this. But when the fist actually connected— He learned the hard way that iron strikes harder than expected. BOOM!!! One punch. Two figures went flying, crashing into a corner amidst trash bins. Foremost— Meng Chang, who took the brunt of Lu Ding's punch, was already "shut down." Behind him, Xiao Sheng was left dazed by the residual force. Not that Lu Ding lacked power— He'd held back. Had he truly intended to knock out Xiao Sheng along with Meng Chang— The result— Would've left Meng Chang severely injured. They were colleagues, after all. No need for such extremes. Besides, Meng Chang wasn't a bad sort. Standing his ground without retreating or evading responsibility? Decent character. But Xiao Sheng? Utterly pathetic. Lu Ding floated over. Looking down at Xiao Sheng: "They weren't wrong—you really are worthless trash." "He spoke up for you, even took the hit to shield you, yet you didn't utter a single word like it wasn't your problem? Honestly, I despise people like you." Xiao Sheng gradually regained awareness— His eyes filled with nothing but terror when meeting Lu Ding's gaze. Not daring to speak. All that youthful bravado from earlier? Nowhere to be seen. Disgusting. Lu Ding could understand fearing authority— But failing to even voice support for someone who protected you? That's a character flaw. So— With a contemptuous kick— Lu Ding booted him square in the face, directly "shutting him down." At minimum, a concussion. Watching his "screen go black"— Lu Ding turned and flew off without a backward glance. Landing again before Gao Zhiyu, staring him down. "From your perspective, I understand your anger. That's justified. Call him trash all you want—he is." "But attacking 749 as a whole? Unacceptable. Because I'm also a 749 investigator." Criticize Green Vine's 749 branch all you like—they deserve it for incompetence. But slandering the entire organization? Not okay. Lu Ding was here specifically to handle this mess. He hadn't even started working yet—why should he endure collateral insults? Gao Zhiyu recognized his verbal misstep. Unlike impulsive Xiao Sheng— Though his earlier outburst was emotional— Words spoken couldn't be unspoken. Different audiences required different approaches. Before Lu Ding— Gao Zhiyu bowed his head: "My apologies, Tai Sui Lu. I spoke out of turn. However you decide to handle this, I'll accept." Lu Ding nodded, pointing at the ground: "Fine. Kneel down. I have some questions." Without hesitation— Gao Zhiyu knelt immediately. Not a trace remained of his earlier demeanor or the dignity befitting Gao Corporation's chairman. The surrounding Gao family Qi Refiners tactfully turned away— See no evil, hear no evil. Lu Ding had been dissatisfied with Gao Zhiyu's earlier attitude toward 749. But his current submission? Quite satisfying. Proving the old saying— A double-edged sword: wound others if wielded well, yourself if not. Don't take on porcelain work without diamond tools. See? This worked much better. Lu Ding inquired: "Earlier, they mentioned some 'flower reward.' Explain." Gao Zhiyu answered: "Too many Gao family members have died. Green... Green Vine 749 provided no answers." "So I posted a bounty—rewards for capturing or providing leads on our family's killer." "But other factions also suffered casualties, though less severe than ours." "After our bounty went up, others followed suit." "The combined sums grew substantial, causing quite a stir." "Today, Meng Chang came to persuade me to withdraw it." Lu Ding listened patiently— Then laughed derisively: "Can't catch the killer for so long, yet forbid bounties for 'disrupting stability'? Hilarious..." Shaking his head ruefully. Green Vine 749 cared too much about superficial peace. Though Lu Ding mocked— Gao Zhiyu dared not join in. He ventured: "Tai Sui Lu, since you're here now... should I cancel the bounty?" Whether Lu Ding could solve this case, Gao Zhiyu didn't know. But he knew Lu Ding was terrifying. He'd raged at others— But wouldn't dare raise his voice to Lu Ding. Because Lu Ding would dismantle him. The same issue that required persuasion before— Now, facing Lu Ding, he proactively sought direction. "What's the Gao family's current situation?" Lu Ding posed this question. "I've confined everyone to the estate, forbidding outings to prevent being picked off." This statement— Made Lu Ding detect something peculiar. "Oh? You previously tried using people as bait?" Gao Zhiyu nodded: "We drew lots among ourselves for volunteers. Useless—too tight security scared the killer off, too loose and they'd strike unnoticed." "The balance was impossible, so we stopped risking lives." Sounded reasonable— But Lu Ding saw through it instantly: "You mean stopped risking your own family's lives, right?" With such lavish bounties attracting hordes of Qi Refiners— If the Most Violent Victory still lurked in Green Vine— How could it resist such plentiful prey? And if it struck— These bounty hunters would become perfect bait to lure it out.

Chapter 368: Fine, Kneel Down. I Have Some Questions

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