Chapter 29: Identity
In Dayu, the entire Prosecutor's Office system followed a strict hierarchy.
Overseeing the nation’s prosecution departnts was the Grand Prosecutor’s Office; below it were the High Prosecutor’s Offices responsible for each province, and beneath them were the Local Prosecutor’s Offices that handled city-level affairs. The structure was clearly defined, and the various offices were strictly separated.
Across the entire Prosecutor’s Office system, there were more than twenty thousand prosecutors. They operated independently from police bureaus, local governnts, and the judicial courts, reporting directly to the royal family.
Every chief prosecutor of a High Prosecutor’s Office was a level 4 governnt official, yet their status was equivalent to that of a provincial governor.
In Tiannan High Prosecutor’s Office, having worked through the entire day, Xia Wuyuan had returned to the provincial capital ahead of Yaoguang. He had already walked into the office of the deputy chief prosecutor, Zhou Tianqiao, carrying the docunts he and his team had compiled overnight.
After reading the docunts Xia Wuyuan had stayed up all night preparing, Zhou Tianqiao slowly set them aside.
"Deputy Chief, based on my investigation, Yulong International is only a front. There is soone else behind them. We reviewed their shipnt records. Thousands of people disappeared through Yulong International in just a single year!" Xia Wuyuan’s voice was heavy. "This behavior is monstrous. We must continue the investigation no matter what. We absolutely cannot allow the masterminds to go unpunished."
"Of course we will investigate." Zhou Tianqiao looked at his trusted subordinate. "But the commotion you caused at Yulong International was too big. Even the governor has taken notice. If this information leaks, the impact will be severe. It will damage Tiannan Province’s image of harmony and stability."
Xia Wuyuan froze slightly before quickly saying, "Deputy Chief, although it may affect public sentint, if we ignore this—"
"Calm down. You misunderstood ." Zhou Tianqiao raised a hand, stopping him. "The role of the Prosecutor’s Office is to monitor misconduct and illegal behavior across all levels. Since we know there is still a hidden hand behind Yulong International, we cannot stop halfway. But the matter is significant. We need more evidence."
"I can gather more evidence!" Xia Wuyuan spoke firmly.
Zhou Tianqiao looked at him, seeing the resolve in his eyes. He sighed inwardly, and his tone softened. "Go ahead and investigate, but quietly. In the dark. We cannot allow the people behind this to be alerted, or everything will be ruined."
He continued with a thoughtful tone, "Publicly, this must be suppressed as soon as possible. Too many people knowing the details is not good. If the victims’ families begin to protest, it could escalate into a mass incident. And then what? They have already lost their loved ones. We cannot respond by detaining them. We must handle this while keeping those people's feelings in mind."
Hearing this, Xia Wuyuan gradually cald down. He also understood that once exposed, the fallout would be enormous, casting a heavy shadow over the local governnt and possibly shaking the political scene in all of Tiannan. Yet if they continued to cover it up...
"Xia Wuyuan!" Zhou Tianqiao suddenly called out.
"I am here. Please instruct ." Xia Wuyuan imdiately focused.
"Since you have the confidence and conviction, I am assigning this case to you. Continue the investigation, and move in secret. You must uncover the mastermind behind Yulong International. Do you dare take on this mission?"
"Yes, Sir!" Xia Wuyuan answered solemnly.
"Good!"
Zhou Tianqiao nodded. "To avoid alarming the culprits, the Prosecutor’s Office cannot openly support you. You will be on your own. And you must minimize your trail as much as possible. For most people, I would not feel comfortable assigning such a dangerous task. But you are different."
He then looked directly at Xia Wuyuan and smiled. "You are Tiannan’s strongest man. Year after year, you got first place in shooting and in endurance. You're known as the Peerless Martial Artist Xia Wuyuan, and you are the leading prosecutor of our Tiannan Prosecutor’s Office. You're the right person for the job. I believe you will uncover the hidden mastermind and bring him to justice."
"Thank you for your trust, Deputy Chief. Leave it to . I will not disappoint you." Xia Wuyuan gave a deep nod.
"Excellent! As expected of the Peerless Martial Artist." Zhou Tianqiao smiled. "If you truly crack this case and remove this pest festering within Tiannan, then whether it is in Yunng, Longxiang, or Shanlong, the chief prosecutor’s seat will be yours to choose. Your contribution would more than qualify you."
After offering a few more words of encouragent, he dismissed Xia Wuyaun, who left promptly.
Having stayed up all night, his mind was still sharp, but a hint of fatigue flickered in his eyes. He glanced at the closed office door behind him and quietly exhaled. But soon, his gaze beca firm again.
So what if I receive no additional manpower? I am a grandmaster! One man can form an army, one man can kill the enemy, and one man can conquer a city.
***
"We have arrived at Tiannan's capital." Caiyun reminded them from the driver’s seat.
Looking out of the car's window, all Yaoguang could see were crowded streets, endless streams of traffic, and towering high-rises.
"Sixteen years ago, when provinces nationwide began implenting the Capital-Strengthening Strategy, Tiannan’s capital developed at a rapid pace. Even though Tiannan is a major province with high population outflow, the capital's population still grew from just over four million people to more than eight million over just a dozen years. That has obviously led to massive economic growth. As of today, the capital’s GDP has exceeded 600 billion," Su Yaoyu said, making sure to explain everything for Yaoguang’s sake.
She was worried that if he t the family head knowing nothing, it might lower his first impression.
"600 billion," Yaoguang repeated while glancing outside.
If I could get 600 billion, how much experience would the rchant profession gain? And if I were to redirect all of it into the Martial Artist profession, wouldn't I imdiately soar to the fifth or even sixth tier?
The vehicle continued until it stopped in front of a forty-nine-story building, the Xingyu Center.
Although the building was not the tallest in Tiannan, it occupied the centermost section of the new West Riverside District and was considered one of the district’s most iconic landmarks.
The car drove into the underground parking area. After getting out of the car, they took an elevator and went directly to the tenth floor.
The headquarters of the Buzhou Group occupied the eighth, ninth, and tenth floors of this building, with the tenth floor being entirely for the company’s senior executives.
As Su Yaoyu and her group entered the office area, many employees greeted her with respect. She nodded to each of them, then arranged for Caiyun and Lin Xiaowei to wait in the resting area.
Afterward, she led Yaoguang deeper into the inner section. Just as they approached an office, a woman in her early thirties with a composed and refined presence walked toward them. "Ms. Yaoyu, the chairman is currently in a eting. It may take a little longer. Please wait in the lounge for a while."
"A eting?" Su Yaoyu checked the ti. "Sister Lin, I made an appointnt with Grandfather for 2:30 PM."
"The eting is important, so the chairman is unavailable at the mont. Once it ends, I will notify him imdiately," the woman replied calmly.
Seeing that she had no choice, Su Yaoyu nodded and turned to Yaoguang. "We will wait a bit."
The woman glanced at Su Yaoguang and seed to recall sothing. She imdiately smiled. "This must be Young Master Yaoguang. The chairman will be very pleased to know you have returned. This way, please."
She led them into a luxurious lounge, nearly sixty square ters in size. Soon, a female staff mber dressed in a suit arrived with tea and refreshnts for the two.
"The Buzhou Group’s developnt in Tiannan has reached its peak. The next step is expanding nationwide, but there have been complications in pushing this strategy forward. Grandfather has been extrely busy lately. Sotis he even sleeps at the company headquarters. If he doesn't have ti at the mont, please don't overthink it," Su Yaoyu said.
"I understand." Yaoguang nodded lightly.
Old Master Su Chiming was seventy this year. Two years ago, he had started delegating responsibilities to others in preparation for his retirent. Although he had raised Su Huaigu into a business prodigy, the young man’s influence and experience still could not compare to Su Chiming.
The Buzhou Group was at a critical mont in its nationwide expansion. After a couple of years with Su Huaigu at the helm, the company encountered difficulties, and Su Chiming had no choice but to resu handling major affairs personally.
Su Yaoyu and Yaoguang waited quietly. Within only ten minutes, instead of Su Chiming, it was Su Huaiyue who arrived first, led by Secretary Lin.
Seeing Su Huaiyue enter in formal attire, Su Yaoyu quickly realized what was happening, and her expression shifted slightly.
"Yaoyu, Yaoguang," Su Huaiyue greeted them warmly and walked straight toward Yaoguang. "It has been years. You have grown so much. Co, let your aunt have a proper look."
Yaoguang looked at her and gave a small nod. He did not speak but simply glanced toward the doorway. "It seems the Su family's head already knows I am here. In his view, having you co before eting us is probably more important, is that right?"
"Yaoguang, what are you saying? As soon as I heard you arrived, I rushed over imdiately. I even brought a gift that I had wanted to give you for a long ti."
As she spoke, an assistant behind her handed over a folder. "You do not have a residence in the capital yet, right? This is the property deed for Villa No.16 in Semi-Lunar Bay. Consider it your aunt’s greeting gift."
The current average housing price in the capital was around twenty thousand per square ter. Semi-Lunar Bay was a luxury villa district. Purchasing a single unit would cost at least ten million.
"No rush. Since the Su family's head already knows we are here and sent you to et us, that proves his eting is not as important as it seems." Yaoguang’s tone shifted slightly. "If that is the case, then let him co. We can discuss our cooperation."
"Oh, Yaoguang, the way you speak makes
rather upset... How can you talk about your grandfather like this?" Su Huaiyue frowned.
"No need to be upset." Yaoguang lifted his hand slightly. "The reason you feel this displeasure is that you believe my status and the family head’s are not on the sa level. In that case, we can switch to a more equal status."
His gaze turned directly to Secretary Lin, waiting by the side. "Is a grandmaster's status enough?"
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