They left quickly. He led his team in a race against time. Huang Rong was unwilling to give up. Qin Bing, a native of Shenzhen, led the Southwest Provincial Military Region Guard Regiment to arrest Huang Rong for causing trouble. However, this dispute itself was not a big deal for the children of high-ranking cadres. Forcing them to commit the crime of harassing military relatives would at best only damage the Huang family's reputation in the army, but the damage would be limited.
In the limited time they had, the Qin soldiers didn't want to let Huang Rong go; they wanted to at least teach him a lesson. This was Li Yun's instruction: "Give that bastard Huang Rong a taste of his own medicine."
Zhang Guodong, Qin Bing, and Li Ping had a brief get-together. It only lasted a few minutes.
Just now, Qin Bing frankly said to Zhang Guodong: "Although Huang Rong is a bastard, he represents not only the Huang family here, but also the Imperial City Club. Although the Huang family has considerable influence in the military and political circles, we don't need to worry too much about messing with his juniors. However, there are some people with extremely powerful backgrounds in the Imperial City Club. My suggestion is to know when to stop."
"I'll handle Huang Rong alone. I've disliked that kid for a long time! But it's just to vent my anger. Li Yun mentioned that the Royal City Club caused a death. You've now taken this girl as your god-sister, right? Although I don't know her final fate, as Li Yun's god-brother, I still have to mention this matter. The best outcome is to resolve it privately."
Qin Bing's meaning was clear, and it was a well-intentioned warning. If Zhang Guodong wanted to go against the Imperial City Club, he would ultimately find himself in a difficult position, potentially putting himself in a disadvantageous situation. If he could obtain compensation privately, that would likely be the best outcome.
Li Ping, standing to the side, nodded and said with a hint of bitterness, "Since the squad leader is here, I'll also say something. I can do my part with the Public Security Bureau, but it won't make much difference. After all, I have the director and the executive deputy director above me. The most likely outcome for those arrested is a short-term criminal detention. The person in charge of the Royal City Club in Kunming is related to a big shot in the province by blood. The Public Security Bureau simply can't withstand the pressure from above."
Neither of them believed they could win a direct confrontation with the Royal City Club. They simply couldn't compete.
Zhang Guodong was somewhat disappointed; he had hoped to kill his opponent through legitimate means, but that hope was simply nonexistent.
Zhang Guodong did not express his opinion during the conversation, and it ended abruptly.
Within minutes of arresting Xun Rong, one of the people in charge of the Imperial City Club, along with the club manager and security personnel, pressure came from all sides.
As soon as Li Ping returned to the municipal police station, the director called, immediately berating him: "Old Li, what have you done? Secretary Yan even called me! Who gave you the right to arrest people 'there' like that? And you even arrested Huang Rong from the Huang family! You've really stirred up trouble!"
Normally, Li Ping might have felt uneasy. But he was prepared for this; he couldn't avoid the pressure from above.
"But now I need the director's support. Otherwise, things will be really tough from now on." Li Ping said aggrievedly, "Director, I have no choice. The military region has intervened. If I don't arrest some of my underlings, I'll probably be arrested by them too."
This was instructed by Qin Bing. It was to reduce the pressure on Li Ping. They couldn't let Li Ping side with them and end up being demoted or transferred, could they?
The military prestige is still useful. Qin soldiers might face some pressure, but they can withstand it. Li Ping, on the other hand, is different. He came from humble beginnings and worked his way up to his current position.
"Oh? Which one, from the military?" the bureau chief asked in surprise. He quickly regained his composure. It seemed Li Ping wasn't acting out of desperation, as he had initially thought. This made it easier for the higher-ups to accept.
In general, Li Ping got along very well with the bureau chief, and Li Ping usually followed the bureau chief's lead. Only with the approval of superiors could one become a high-ranking official. "It was the team led by the commander of the provincial military command's guard regiment."
"Hiss." The bureau chief gasped. This made him uneasy. Why had even the headquarters guard regiment been mobilized?
Li Ping took the opportunity to briefly explain the whole story. The Imperial City Club handled things rudely this time, almost causing a death; by all accounts, it was the Imperial City Club's fault. No wonder the military got involved; did this girl have connections in the military?
Upon hearing that it was Qin Bing, the bureau chief immediately felt a headache coming on. He knew this man well; he was a very difficult person to deal with. Qin Bing was no ordinary person in the military system; he came from a military family.
"Furthermore, the garrison command's guard regiment and the municipal bureau have cooperated before, and that guard regiment is incredibly tough." The bureau chief thought for a moment and then said, "Don't worry about this matter, but since the person has been arrested, don't release him yet!" "I'll report this to Secretary Yan!"
Clearly, as the Deputy Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission and the Director of the Kuncheng Public Security Bureau, he is under the supervision of a powerful figure: Yan Li, the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. Yan Li is a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, a true municipal leader, and one of the city's decision-makers.
Yan Li, the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, was questioned one after the other by the municipal party secretary and mayor—both were under pressure. Who knows if the municipal party secretary and mayor were also under pressure from above?
"Treat the arrested people first, but don't do anything reckless. You need to investigate this matter thoroughly. The Imperial City Club attracts a lot of investors to the city every year, and the Party Secretary and Mayor are very concerned. Our political and legal system must set an example and not let one bad apple spoil this great opportunity!" Yan Li said, offering a few words of advice after listening to the Public Security Bureau Chief's report. He then gave ambiguous instructions, which were largely in line with the Chief's thinking.
First of all, both the Party Secretary and the Mayor have intervened, so this isn't just a matter for the Public Security Bureau anymore. But who's this "bad apple"? This is a perfect situation; the tone has already been set! What's the point of investigating then?!
As a result, the police quickly investigated and found that Xin Xiaoyu, unable to bear the pressure of life, had attempted suicide, but her fate was now uncertain, and many colleagues could testify to this! It seemed that the evidence was conclusive, and everything that needed to be said was there.
Li Dingshi's second result was that he felt something was wrong, but he was still gloomy for a long time. The other party said that the incident happened at the Royal City Club. Even if it was a new employee, the club should still show some respect and be responsible for Xin Xiaoyu's treatment and other expenses, totaling 168,000 yuan, to be paid in one lump sum.
This seemed to be a win-win situation, as the Imperial City Club acted "genuinely."
"This is blatant disregard for human life." At the Municipal People's Hospital, Bai Jiawei was furious upon hearing the news brought by Liang Jun. "No way! I must expose this evil deed, I must report it, so that those above can hear and see it."
"Don't do anything reckless!" Liang Jun exclaimed, startled. He thought to himself, "Why is this girl so overly righteous? Can we really just spill this? Besides, even if you wanted to, and let the higher-ups know, who would dare?"
Once others see the Imperial City Club, who would dare to stir up a hornet's nest?
The other young dandies nearby were incredulous to see Liang Jun treating Bai Jiawei so seriously. Was Young Master Liang really serious this time? Had he actually fallen for this little woman, Bai Jiawei?
"By the way, your father is a leader in the Ministry of Public Security, can't he also uphold justice?" Bai Jiawei suddenly looked at Liang Jun, her eyes lighting up, and immediately said.
Upon hearing this, Ji Jun was immediately put in a difficult position.
He could naturally bring this up with his father, but he couldn't. As the Executive Vice Minister of Public Security, once he knew about it, he would inevitably intervene and bring the truth to light. Because officials at their level are no longer subject to the influence of ordinary interests or pressures.
If the ministry were to truly intervene, the central leaders would not only not oppose it, but would strongly support it. He just couldn't mention that. Things might proceed this way, but what would happen afterward?
Besides, where don't there be similar cases? It's just an ordinary criminal case that got the attention of the right people, nothing more.
Just then, Zhang Guodong arrived at the hospital.
Upon seeing Liang Jun and several young men in fine clothes, their arrogant demeanor clearly indicating they were not ordinary people, Zhang Guodong gave them only a cursory glance before turning to Bai Jiawei and asking, "How is Xiaoyu doing? What did the doctor say?"
"Guodong, you're back! Xiaoyu's condition is quite stable right now, the doctor said it's quite ideal, it's practically a miracle! Observe her for a few more days, and if there are no relapses, she can be transferred to the intensive care unit!" Bai Jiawei said with a forced smile.
She's going to be in a bad mood.
She worried that Zhang Guodong wouldn't be able to handle the news. She's a kind girl!
"Thank you for your hard work! Are these your friends?" After hearing about Xiaoyu's condition, Zhang Guodong nodded slightly to Liang Jun and the others as a greeting. Of course, Xiaoyu's condition stabilizing was probably within Zhang Guodong's expectations. He had consumed so many pills and a priceless "Hundred Herbs Rejuvenating Pill," which he had neutralized with his life-giving demonic power and integrated into Xiaoyu's body. If it still didn't work, then there would truly be no justice.
It's only the first time this has been used to save a patient who was on the verge of death, and it would be a lie to say Zhang Guodong wasn't worried. This can't be compared to the situation Yi Lao was in.
The Hundred Herbs Rejuvenating Pill—this heaven-defying elixir, even more precious than a mid-grade pill, astonished Zhang Guodong. Normally, mid-grade pills require a vast array of medicinal ingredients, while lower-grade pills require fewer. But the Hundred Herbs Rejuvenating Pill is different.
It was refined from the Hundred Herbs Cauldron and produced a miraculous effect.
Zhang Guodong blessed the Medicine King Cauldron, which was forged from jade essence, with a mid-level alchemy talisman. Fortunately, the blessing was successful, and the Medicine King Cauldron became a mid-level alchemy furnace in one fell swoop.
Improving the quality of the alchemy furnace was something Zhang Guodong was very passionate about. Therefore, he didn't overlook the Hundred Herbs Cauldron either, and successfully enhanced it with both a beginner-level and an intermediate-level alchemy furnace talisman in one go.
Zhang Guodong had not yet used up the talisman that the Grand Elder had given him, which was specifically used to improve the alchemy furnace.
Zhang Guodong selected some of the medicinal herbs he obtained from the Plant Cultivation Realm, finally completing the preparation of the herbs. He then used the brand-new Hundred Herbs Cauldron to refine them, and the Hundred Herbs Rejuvenation Pill was finally refined once again.
Why do I say that? Zhang Guodong also experimented with refining the Hundred Herbs Rejuvenation Pill in the Medicine King Cauldron, but without exception, he failed every time. What came out of the cauldron were all charred black lumps of medicine, which had no effect whatsoever.
Zhang Guodong concluded with a mixture of helplessness and surprise that this was probably related to the Hundred Herbs Cauldron itself, which was likely a truly extraordinary treasure.
Seeing that Zhang Guodong had forgotten Liang Jun, Bai Jiawei introduced her again. Previously, Zhang Guodong had been focused on Xin Xiaoyu and naturally had no time for pleasantries with Liang Jun. However, this attitude was perceived differently by the other party.
"Your name is Zhang Guodong?" Liang Jun asked arrogantly. There was a hint of hostility in his voice—was he a rival in love?
Bai Jiawei was taken aback when she saw that Liang Jun seemed hostile, and her expression immediately turned unnatural. She knew, of course, that Liang Jun was pursuing her. This situation clearly indicated that Liang Jun also considered Zhang Guodong as one of his suitors.
"I wonder where Brother Zhang works?" A young man nearby asked, joining in the fun, but his words were frivolous and mocking.
Zhang Guodong glanced at him coldly before saying, "Unemployed."
These words left the group speechless. They were still planning to continue their ridicule when Zhang Guodong suddenly called them "idle people." The scene of their faces turning from red to green, and then to white, was quite amusing.
"Pfft!" Bai Jiawei couldn't help but burst out laughing.
When she first met Zhang Guodong, she mistook him for someone else's follower. She later discovered he was no follower at all; Zhang Guodong was also a boss, a businessman.
Clearly, she understood that Zhang Guodong was mocking the other party; these spoiled brats, each one arrogant and looking down on Zhang Guodong, were naturally the ones who ended up being ridiculed by him.
"Jiawei, I have something to do, I'll be leaving now!" Liang Jun said at this moment; to help his companion out of the predicament, he then glared coldly at Zhang Guodong, his eyes filled with naked hostility.
Without waiting for Bai Jiawei's reaction, they left after a few cold snorts.
Zhang Guodong and Bai Jiawei returned to the room next to Xiaoyu's intensive care unit. This room was specially prepared for the relatives who were taking care of the patients. They could talk about anything here without disturbing the patients or others.
"This is bad! Liang Jun's father is the Executive Vice Minister of Public Security, and the other families are also very powerful. You made fun of them just now, and they're probably jealous of you now!" Bai Jiawei said regretfully as soon as she entered.
"It's alright!" Zhang Guodong said.
"Thank you so much for your help today. It's getting late, so I think you should go and get some rest. After all, you still have work to do! I'll take care of Xiaoyu!"
Zhang Guodong didn't want to worry about trivial matters. Liang Jun and the others were at most embarrassed, and there was also an element of feeling like they were rivals in love.
He didn't take it seriously.
"No, I've already taken leave! Besides, Xiaoyu is a girl, is it convenient for you, a grown man, to take care of her?" Bai Jiawei said.
Zhang Guodong was taken aback; he hadn't really thought much about this. But surely a nurse would take care of him now? He didn't have much to do.
“Don’t get involved in this. It won’t do you any good,” Zhang Guodong said, frowning.
"Hmph, you're already in here, so I have some bad news for you. You need to stay calm before you hear it," Bai Jiawei said.
"Oh? Go ahead and tell me!"
Bai Jiawei glanced at Zhang Guodong, noticing his calm demeanor, before saying, "Just now, Liang Jun said the police results are in. Xiaoyu attempted suicide due to financial pressure, and many witnesses have confirmed this. The evidence is conclusive, and the higher-ups intend to close the case immediately. However, the Huangcheng Club has voluntarily offered to pay 168,000 yuan in medical expenses in one lump sum! It's said that the Huangcheng Club even went to the city..."
"Nothing came out as expected!" Zhang Guodong sighed and said.
"Then what are you going to do? The results from above have already come out. Liang Jun said that it's basically impossible to overturn the case. At most, the case will be overturned and there will be compensation. This 168,000 yuan is enough." Bai Jiawei saw that Zhang Guodong was unusually calm after hearing this, and immediately breathed a sigh of relief, saying indignantly.
What will Zhang Guodong do?
When Li Yun received Qin Bing's call, she almost smashed the phone.
"Damn it! This is troublesome!" Li Yun cursed and said anxiously.
Qin Bing was helpless. The outcome was entirely predictable. He had severely injured Huang Rong; when he was carried out, Huang Rong was on the verge of death, groaning in agony. However, this wasn't Huang Rong's doing; it was one of his soldiers.
The Qin soldiers immediately placed the soldier in solitary confinement, dealing with him beforehand. Clearly, this was pre-arranged. This soldier was a trusted confidant of the Qin soldiers, and their actions left their superiors with no grounds for complaint. Furthermore, the Qin soldiers could easily absolve themselves of responsibility and protect one of their own soldiers.
That was done perfectly!
Deputy Commander Cheng eventually took the man back, but I heard he slammed his fist on the table in anger. Qin Bing immediately admitted his mistake in front of the commander and Deputy Commander Cheng, saying that the soldier had been put in solitary confinement.
The commander then spoke, ordering the Qin soldiers to keep a close watch on their troops and to leave the matter unresolved.
As soon as Qin Bing returned, he called Li Yun with a smile and told her the latest situation, which was also the general final result. Li Yun became even more anxious.
"Sister, this is the only way to do things, why did it turn out badly?" Qin Bing asked in confusion.
"Huang Rong is dead!" Li Yun said irritably.
"What?! Sister, you can't joke like that. If that bastard really dies, this will be a huge problem, and the Huang family will definitely not let it go!" Upon hearing this, Qin Bing immediately put his leg down from the table and said.
If someone dies, this won't be a minor skirmish; it could escalate into a power struggle.
"Hey, anyway, it's not a joke, so don't worry about it!" Li Yun abruptly ended the conversation. Qin Bing held the phone, the line going dead, and frowned for a long time.
What does that mean?
The Imperial City Club in Beijing.
This is the headquarters of the Royal City Club. However, it's not a modern luxury building, but rather a preserved courtyard house with a large area. Of course, the interior decoration is in a retro style, top-of-the-line, and very valuable.
Here, you can enjoy modern things or old-fashioned styles—it's the perfect place for princelings. Like Lin Hongwu, Xu Ming, Zheng Haixing, Li Lizheng, and other princelings.
Lin Hongwu and the others now focus on cultivation and come here less often, but whenever they have time, they come here to enjoy themselves.
"That kid Huang Rong is really frustrated. He got messed up by Qin Bing and was half-dead, but he still kept yelling that he would teach the other party a lesson. The Huang family is also angry. This time, it seems that they will not stop until they get their revenge. They are obviously furious. But who is Zhang Guodong? I've never heard of him before."
"Who?! Zhang Guodong?!"
"Hongwu, what's wrong? You know Zhang Guodong?"
The people talking were Lin Hongwu and a young man in fine clothes. The two were standing by a pavilion and waterside terrace, where the water was clear and lotus flowers were in full bloom. Fish were blowing bubbles from time to time, creating a beautiful and harmonious scene.
"Huang Rong might have run into a tough opponent. If it's the person I know, tell him to stop making any rash moves, or no one can save him!" Lin Hongwu said in a low voice.
"What?" The young man in fine clothes was stunned. "Who is Zhang Guodong? Are you sure it's him?"
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