riend from Hong Kong then immediately set fire to the corpse with gasoline. Afterwards, they learned that these creatures were a new breed of zombie-insects bred by Southeast Asian black-magic sorcere..."Hehe, Secretary Zhang, nice to meet you! I didn't expect to see you here; it's such an honor!" Xiao Yu said as he looked at the secretary named Zhang.

"It's nothing much, Director Yu. This must be a misunderstanding. I'm friends with Judge Xiao, and he even promised to write me a calligraphy piece! Isn't that right, Judge Xiao"

Upon hearing Xiao Yu's words, Secretary Zhang responded affirmatively and then turned to Director Yu in all seriousness.

"Oh, so you're Secretary Zhang's friend That must be a mistake. I'll look into it once we get back. We received a report that Judge Xiao resembles a wanted criminal, so we had to bring him in for questioning. Since he is Secretary Zhang’s friend, there must have been a mix-up. How could someone who is friends with Secretary Zhang be a wanted criminal I will definitely investigate thoroughly! Who dares to slander a friend of Secretary Zhang's"

Upon hearing this from Secretary Zhang, Director Yu responded in cooperation.

Awhile ago, Secretary Zhang had already informed Director Yu about his plan and asked for his assistance. He didn’t particularly care whether Xiao Yu was being framed or not; his main objective now was to get a calligraphy piece from Xiao Yu. As for the framing part There would be plenty of time for that once they got what they wanted.

"Hehe, Secretary Zhang, I'm afraid there's been some misunderstanding. How do you remember me promising to write you a calligraphy piece" Upon hearing their conversation, Xiao Yu knew that these two were acting in concert and couldn't help but chuckle at how well they were performing. Once he stopped laughing, he spoke to the secretary.

Upon hearing Xiao Yu's words, Secretary Zhang’s face immediately fell. He had hoped that Xiao Yu would take this opportunity to write him a calligraphy piece, but now it seemed like Xiao Yu was completely unresponsive, which left him somewhat embarrassed.

The corners of Director Yu's mouth involuntarily twitched upon hearing Xiao Yu's response. He hadn't anticipated that Xiao Yu would be so oblivious to the situation; if he were an ordinary person, wouldn’t they have agreed by now

After all, given Secretary Zhang’s influence and power, anyone could tell that dealing with him wasn't something to take lightly. Besides, it was just a simple request for a calligraphy piece—no big deal.

"Er... Judge Xiao really forgot It's okay if you've forgotten; once you remember, all it takes is writing one piece."

After a moment of discomfort, Secretary Zhang forced a smile and continued talking to Xiao Yu.

If Xiao Zhao hadn't completed his task so quickly, he wouldn’t have been in such a hurry. Originally, he had planned on detaining Xiao Yu for at least one more day. But now that the driver Xiao Zhao finished it in no time, how could he afford to wait another day It would make him look incompetent if he did! So he came straight here without further ado.

"It doesn't matter whether I forgot or you forgot—my calligraphy pieces are never given away!"

Xiao Yu said to the secretary.

The already unhappy Secretary Zhang turned even redder after hearing Xiao Yu's words, looking at Xiao Yu and saying, "Fine, fine. If Judge Xiao doesn't recognize me, Zhang, then don't blame me for not recognizing you!"

After speaking, the secretary looked at Director Yu and said, "Director Yu, I don’t know this person. You can proceed according to normal procedures."

"Of course, of course, Secretary Zhang, rest assured that we will follow the leadership of the district committee and spare no effort in catching bad people without wronging any good ones. We will patiently investigate until we get to the truth. However, it might take a while since we have to go to the fugitive's hometown for verification."

The moment Secretary Zhang spoke, Director Yu immediately understood his intentions and hurriedly agreed with him.

After hearing what Director Yu said, Secretary Zhang nodded slightly.

Secretary Zhang walked out together with Director Yu. When he reached the door, he turned back to Xiao Yu and said, "If Judge Xiao recognizes me one day, just tell Director Yu, I don't believe he'll make things difficult for you!"

After saying this, Secretary Zhang harrumphed coldly and walked out with a grim expression. There was nothing else he could do; in his view, Xiao Yu's detention period wasn’t long enough yet. He believed that if Xiao Yu were detained for longer, he would eventually submit.

Director Yu glanced at the two of them, frowned slightly as if he wanted to say something but ended up walking out without saying anything.

Their attitudes left him feeling uneasy despite Secretary Zhang’s reassurance that they had no background. The two were too calm and didn’t even take the opportunity offered when it was presented. This made his heart race, but thinking about Secretary Zhang's superior, Secretary Liu, he felt a little more confident.

"Uncle Judge, if they arrested you, it’s obviously for that piece of calligraphy. The person who wants your work is probably Secretary Liu. If you write one for him, you’ll be able to leave."

After Secretary Zhang and Director Yu left, Little Tang Ran said this to Xiao Yu.

"Haha, if you give them that piece of calligraphy, wouldn’t you also be able to leave" After hearing what he said, Xiao Yu didn't answer but instead chuckled softly before asking back.

“That calligraphy piece is a gift you gave me; of course, I wouldn't give it to others or sell it. Besides, even if one wanted to buy your work now, seven thousand isn’t enough! Your calligraphy should be unmatched in the domestic calligraphy circle!” After hearing Xiao Yu’s question, Tang Ran thought for a moment before saying seriously.

Surprised by this kid, Xiao Yu had already known that this child was quite mature from their previous conversation. However, after hearing these words, Xiao Yu couldn’t help but look at him with new respect.

This boy’s speech didn’t sound like a kid at all; rather, it sounded like an adult talking. If he only heard the voice and not seen Tang Ran's appearance, Xiao Yu would definitely think that he was chatting with an adult!

"Hehe, let's just wait! Anyway, once they exceed their time limit, we'll be released!" Hearing what the kid said, Xiao Yu chuckled.

“Mr. Judge, you’re too naive; they have many ways to keep us here. But it’s okay because there will soon be a show!”

Tang Ran spoke solemnly to Xiao Yu, thinking that he didn’t know the ins and outs of this situation. Especially when he said his last sentence, Tang Ran revealed a hint of mischief on his face.

Seeing how the little boy looked, Xiao Yu smiled awkwardly. He naturally knew that Tang Ran was not an ordinary child, but he couldn't figure out exactly who he was. However, judging by his current demeanor, this kid probably came from a noble family as well.

Even though Tang Ran acted like a spoiled brat at the moment, Xiao Yu felt that there was something different about him compared to other spoiled kids.

Xiao Yu didn’t say anything and just waited. He wanted to see what tricks this little boy could come up with.

After Tang Ran noticed that Xiao Yu wasn't talking anymore, he thought the man no longer believed in him and thus didn’t speak much either but instead decided to wait for something to happen.

Zhang Secretary returned to Deputy Director Yu’s office after leaving the detention room with him.

“Brother Zhang, how is it going” Driver Xiao Zhao asked Zhang Secretary when he saw him back.

Hearing what Xiao Zhao said, Zhang Secretary just shook his head and didn’t say anything. Seeing Zhang Secretary’s expression, Xiao Zhao looked at Deputy Director Yu who was standing behind him and said, “Deputy Director Yu, can we use some methods to expedite things The effect of doing so would be much better than right now!”

"Ahem... After hearing Zhao's words, Chief Yu couldn't help but cough a few times. If Secretary Zhang hadn't spoken up, he wouldn’t have meddled in this matter. Indeed, using some tactics does yield better results, but he won't act on his own initiative as it’s not his responsibility.

Moments later, Chief Yu came to his senses and asked the driver Zhao, "Brother Zhao, did you get through with the call"

"I got through. The person I called asked who I was; he spoke quite arrogantly, so I intimidated him right away, telling him that this is a police station where his son has been detained for fraud and we're notifying them! Haha..." Driver Zhao explained with a triumphant laugh.

In an office within the government building in Beijing, a man in his forties hung up a call and then dialed another number. Not long after, he put down the phone with a slight smile on his face.

This middle-aged man was Tang Ran's father, Tang Qing, the legitimate grandson of the Tang Family in Beijing, an actual vice-minister at forty who had just been appointed as the deputy mayor of Jing City.

The Tang Family’s influence was immense; Tang Qing's grandfather was one of the founding heroes of the nation. The Tang Family itself is deeply rooted and sprawling, ranking among the top red aristocratic families in Beijing.

Tang Qing's wife, Tang Ran's mother, is a remarkable woman who is one of the few powerful female generals in China, commanding a military district on the border.

Tang Ran’s maternal grandfather’s family has been in the military for generations, with power so immense it defies description, thus forming Tang Ran into a genuine prince party member even within Beijing.

As for Tang Qing, he was just reviewing some documents when suddenly his son's call came through. When he answered, it was a stranger claiming that Tang Qing’s son had committed fraud and been detained at the police station.

After hanging up, Tang Qing immediately called the two bodyguards assigned to Tang Ran. Upon understanding what happened, he realized this must be his son taking action against someone.

For these noblemen of Beijing, stepping on others is a common occurrence. He just didn’t know whom his son was targeting this time, but considering his son’s character, he knew he wouldn't act without reason.

This son of his had always been exceptionally mature; while other children were still in kindergarten, he was already reading economic books. When others were being spoiled by their parents, he could understand complex documents on his own.

As Tang Ran’s mother worked out-of-town and Tang Qing himself was busy with work, the boy had never experienced what it's like to be a father. Now, helping his son from behind by stepping on someone else gave him that feeling. if there was nothing but empty space from where one could see.As Xiao Yu's hand gestures sped up, the cluster of yin essence surrounding the water ghost's consciousness gradually writhed and transfor...