Chapter 275
Chapter 275 - He Was Jealous!
Upon seeing Jiang Tao's actions, Zheng Ming suddenly remembered that he hadn't been recording and quickly pulled out his phone to start capturing the moment.
For soldiers like Liu Zhongjun, they often face more than just a couple of handguns; they're up against a barrage of gunfire. In such situations, no matter how agile they are, dodging is nearly impossible. Their only option is to take cover to prevent injury.
However, for police officers, whose duties differ, such agility is far more practical and can be lifesaving when it matters most.
Though neither of them captured the entire scene, what they did get was a significant gain.
Zhang Xiaolong concluded the exercise with a smile to those around him, “Alright, that's it for today's drill. Each person's ability to perceive and learn varies, so it's up to you how much you take away from this. Even if you can't master my movements quickly, trying to mimic my footwork can still enhance your agility, which is beneficial for everyone.”
“Aren't you going to thank Instructor Zhang?” Liu Zhongjun prompted the soldiers behind him.
”Thank you, Instructor Zhang!” they shouted in unison, their voices booming through the police station and resonating clearly throughout Qingyuan County.
This was not only a heartfelt expression of gratitude to Zhang Xiaolong but also served to clarify to the local citizens that they were not engaged in a real fight but rather in a training exercise, and they were also learning.
Jiang Tao caught on immediately, gesturing to his soldiers, who echoed the sentiment with thunderous voices.
“Let's go,” Qu Moyao suggested, seeing that the event had concluded, and she reached out to usher Zhang Xiaolong away.
The troops from both sides swiftly created a corridor for Zhang Xiaolong and Qu Moyao to pass through.
“We should take the car. It wouldn't look right for us to walk out in front of everyone,” Zhang Xiaolong said, feeling a bit awkward.
He had become an instructor in the eyes of these people, and he could see the respect in their faces and eyes, which he found somewhat unsettling.
It had been a spur-of-the-moment decision to share the Dragon Controlling True Spell's Swimming Dragon Step with them to bolster their combat abilities and help them avoid injuries. It was meant as a simple explanation for the encirclement incident, but he hadn't anticipated the profound impact it would have.
Upon reflection, it was clear why the Dragon Controlling True Spell was so coveted. It was far from an ordinary technique; even the most secretive masters in China would go mad with joy to possess it, let alone these warriors who spent their days in the line of fire, many of whom practiced only external martial arts.
It was undeniable that even a slight grasp of the Dragon Controlling True Spell could elevate them to the ranks of the elite. And for those who were already skilled, it would take them to new heights.
Take Qu Moyao, for instance, who was already on the cusp of a breakthrough.
Having been guided by a true master and dedicated to her training from a young age, she had hit a plateau. Yet, after witnessing the Swimming Dragon Step, she sensed a fresh opportunity for advancement.
The car arrived shortly thereafter. Zhang Xiaolong, Qu Moyao, and Liu Zhongjun climbed in, bidding farewell to Zheng Ming and Jiang Tao as the episode drew to a close.
With the troops from Clear River Village pulling out, the imposed curfew naturally dissolved. Jiang Tao said his goodbyes to Zheng Ming and prepared to depart.
Just then, Chang Tian approached from a distance. He had been with the military police during the curfew and now wore a puzzled expression. “Chief, why did I see Zhang Xiaolong, the one involved in the altercation, leaving as well? What's happening?”
Zheng Ming bristled at the question. Setting aside everything else, given Zhang Xiaolong's formidable capabilities, he wouldn't make baseless accusations of pollution against another's factory.
Moreover, now that he knew Zhang Xiaolong was the owner of Qingyang City's leading company, Soaring Dragon, how could his brother-in-law's tiny factory even compare?
And speaking of his brother-in-law, the man's dealings were far from upright. Chang Tian had strayed from the right path, hastily apprehending someone without proper investigation, nearly causing a major uproar.
“Go retrieve the surveillance footage from the All Completion factory immediately. I'm going to personally review this case. And those who were injured, have someone verify the actual cause of their injuries. I won't tolerate any errors this time,” Zheng Ming commanded with severity.
“Do we really need an investigation?” Chang Tian's confusion deepened. “Over a dozen people were injured, and Zhang Xiaolong deliberately stirred up trouble at the factory. There are plenty of witnesses…”
“Bureau Director Zheng, I'll take my leave now,” Jiang Tao said, casting a glance at Chang Tian. “It seems some folks here have a knack for stirring the pot. We may have all benefited this time, but if there's a next time, I doubt either of us can afford the hit to our reputations.”
With those words, he got into his car, waved to Zheng Ming, and drove off.
“What's that supposed to mean?” Chang Tian felt the comment was directed at him, yet he couldn't quite grasp the implication.
“Just do the investigation,” Zheng Ming said, his face grim. “If you can't handle this task, perhaps you're not cut out for this uniform.”
“Understood, Chief. I'll go review the footage right away.” Chang Tian, sensing the gravity of the situation, snapped to attention, saluted, and quickly left.
No sooner had Chang Tian left than Zheng Ming spotted another familiar face: his brother-in-law, Huang Zhigang.
“What brings you here?” Zheng Ming had an inkling but asked anyway, “Is something the matter?”
“Brother-in-law, I owe you one for taking charge this time. I would've been at the mercy of others without your help,” Huang Zhigang said with a grateful smile.
He was wary of his brother-in-law, who wasn't the easiest person to get along with. If it weren't for the sake of his sister, Huang Zhigang doubted he would even be acknowledged.
“Watch what you say. I handle everything here by the book, safeguarding the public's safety and property. I'm not here to serve your personal interests,” Zheng Ming replied coolly.
“Of course, of course. I meant to thank our police force. If Officer Chang hadn't arrived when he did, who knows what kind of trouble Zhang Xiaolong might have caused,” Huang Zhigang quickly shifted gears, then added with a hopeful grin, “However, is there any chance I could see Zhang Xiaolong? I have some questions for him.”
“Interrogation is our responsibility. Why do you want to get involved?” Zheng Ming asked, his brow furrowed.
“It's just that… I need to ask him how he managed to clog my drainage pipe. I can't seem to clear it, and now the factory can't operate. If this continues, I'll be facing a hefty sum in penalties,” Huang Zhigang explained urgently. “Brother-in-law, you've got to help me out. After all, I'm the genuine victim here. Even if Zhang Xiaolong ends up in jail, it won't make up for my losses.”
“Are you referring to the wastewater pipeline?” Zheng Ming said with a scoff, “Zhigang, since you've called me brother-in-law, let me offer you some advice. Take care of your factory's wastewater treatment before Zhang Xiaolong comes after you again. If you can't manage that, you might as well shut down the factory. Even if it doesn't bankrupt you, you'll be facing jail time!”
“Brother-in-law, surely you've been misled by something he said, right?” Huang Zhigang hastily objected, “I'm running a legitimate operation. That farmer is just envious of me…”