Chapter 5, Ximen

The next morning, Shu Yi and Ye Qinghan arrived at the Lincheng City Police Station

The woman shouted at the counter: "Xiao Si, hurry, take Officer Xi Men back."

On the way back to the hotel, Ye Qinghan said, "I really didn't expect that Ximen Wuwang is actually a talent. Shu Chu, since you value him, why don't you speak to Director Zhang about getting him?" Shu Yi replied, "There's no rush; let Director Yue handle the coordination for this matter." After saying that, he made a call to Yue Zhiwei, naturally praising Ximen Wuwang during the conversation. Yue Zhiwei said, "Alright, I'll communicate with them. You can take the person first, and we'll handle the formalities later."

Shu Yi said, "Director Yue, can you let him take the service weapon with him?" Yue Zhiwei replied irritably, "Sure, leader, is there any other instruction?" Shu Yi knew that Yue Zhiwei was unhappy, so he smiled and said, "No, you are the leader; I am just reporting my work to you, right?" After saying this, he quickly hung up the phone. Yue Zhiwei muttered under his breath, "Is this a work report? It's just a work arrangement."

Ximen Wuwang was taken aback when he received the call; Director Zhang instructed him to rush to the municipal bureau immediately. What could it be? Recently, there had been rumors in the bureau that he might be transferred away from the police station. Could it really be true? Ximen Wuwang felt a deep bitterness in his heart; he cherished his job greatly, and the thought of leaving the police station left him feeling quite unsettled

A boy of about eighteen or nineteen ran over and helped Xi Men Wuwang leave. Ye Qinghan and Sheng Rongguang naturally would not stoop to the level of a drunkard. Ye Qinghan said lightly, "Madam, is this the quality of the police here?" The woman sighed and replied, "Well, you can't blame him. Just think about it, a police officer has been suspended for a whole year; it's only natural for him to harbor resentment." Sheng Rongguang asked, "What mistake did he make?"

Shu Yi said softly, "It's quite interesting." The woman did not hear clearly and asked, "What?" Shu Yi hurriedly replied, "It's nothing, Madam Boss. Do you know which department he was originally in at the police station?" The woman answered, "Lin City Police Station, Deputy Captain of the Criminal Investigation Team. His name is Xi Men Wu Wang."

When Ximen Wuwang saw the few people in the room, he was taken aback. He still had some impression of what had happened last night: "Why is it you?" Shu Yi waved at him: "Come in!" Ximen Wuwang walked in, and Shu Yi invited him to sit on the sofa: "Ximen Wuwang, we are from the Ninth Division of the Fifth Bureau of the National Security Department. We are well aware of your situation. Now we offer you two choices: first, stay in Lin City and continue your suspension; second, come with us and become one of us"

The municipal bureau is not far from the Lincheng Grand Hotel, approximately a distance of about 1 kilometer. Ximen Wuwang came over at a brisk pace, and when Sheng Rongguang opened the door for him, he was still panting heavily

Ximen Wuwang happened to see Ye Qinghan's cold smile. He stood up and staggered over to Shu Yi and their table, glaring at Ye Qinghan with both eyes: "Do you dare to mock me?" Ye Qinghan replied coldly: "What if I laugh at you? With the way you look, you hardly resemble a police officer."

Two off-road vehicles stopped in front of the Lincheng Grand Hotel. The four individuals checked in and then went to a small restaurant nearby.

Xi Men Wu Wang said softly, "Director, are you looking for me?" Director Zhang looked at this stubborn man, feeling a sense of confusion in his heart. He had received a call from the National Security Department of Yanjing, instructing Xi Men Wu Wang to bring a sidearm to Room 1111 of the Lincheng Grand Hotel for reporting. The transfer procedures would be supplemented later. What kind of luck did this kid stumble upon?

He did not wait for Ximen Wuwang to say anything further and continued, "You go to the armory to collect your assigned firearm, and then hurry to Room 1111 at the Lincheng Grand Hotel to report in." Ximen Wuwang could not believe his ears and asked, "What?" After Director Zhang repeated it, he jumped up excitedly, saying, "Director Zhang, is there a mission?" Director Zhang replied, "You will know when you get there, hurry up."

After listening to Director Zhang's introduction, Shu Yi glanced at Ye Qinghan and said, "What do you think? One should not judge a person by their appearance, right?" Director Zhang then asked, "Is there something wrong with Ximen?" It was not surprising for Director Zhang to ask this, as anything related to the National Security Bureau was likely not a good thing. Shu Yi shook his head and replied, "No, we were just inquiring, sorry for the disturbance." After saying this, they left.

Having spoken, the proprietress sighed again and turned to leave

Xi Men Wu Wang slammed the table and said: "Where do I not look like a police officer? I am a police officer!" Ye Qinghan and Sheng Rongguang stood up abruptly, seeing that both sides were already at daggers drawn. The woman hurried over to pull Xi Men Wu Wang away: "Gentlemen, I apologize. He is my friend, feeling unwell and has had a bit to drink. Please do not take it to heart. I am the owner here, and today your meal expenses are on me."

"Bring me a bottle of 'Xijiu,'" a man shouted loudly. The waiter approached and said, "Officer Ximen, you can't drink anymore." The man replied, "Just go get it, why are you nagging? Are you afraid I won't pay you?" A woman in her thirties also came over and laughed, "Officer Ximen, you misunderstood *Tu*; it's just that you've already had a bottle. If you really get drunk, how am I supposed to explain it to your wife?"

On the road, Ye Qinghan asked Shu Yi, "You wouldn't have taken a liking to this Ximen Wuwang, would you?" To everyone's surprise, Shu Yi nodded. Sheng Rongguang remarked, "What can such a drunkard do?" Shu Yi smiled and said, "Let's wait and see. Tianhan, accompany me to the Lincheng Bureau tomorrow."

Director Zhang said to Ximen Wuwang: "Ximen, please have a seat. I called you here today to inform you of an important matter." As soon as Director Zhang's words left his mouth, Ximen Wuwang hurriedly stood up: "Director, I really do not want to leave the police department." Director Zhang looked at Ximen Wuwang's face, thinking to himself, this kid is still putting on an act, about to climb the social ladder, yet still pretending here? Although he felt a slight disdain in his heart, a smile appeared on his face: "Indeed, we are reluctant to see you go, but this is the directive from above, and I have no choice." Ximen Wuwang hurriedly stood up: "Director, I really do not want to leave the police department." Director Zhang looked at Ximen Wuwang's face, thinking to himself, this kid is still putting on an act, about to climb the social ladder, yet still pretending here? Although he felt a slight disdain in his heart, a smile appeared on his face: "Indeed, we are reluctant to see you go, but this is the directive from above, and I have no choice."

Shu Yi did not expect his response to be so straightforward: "Have you made up your mind? I have heard that you have a wife and children; shouldn't you discuss it with them?" Xi Men Wu Wang chuckled and replied, "No need, my wife listens to me. Besides, this opportunity is rare; she will definitely support me."

The woman's words inevitably aroused everyone's curiosity. Ye Qinghan said, "What conclusion did he come to?" The woman looked around before quietly saying, "He said this case was not committed by a human, but by some mysterious force." Ye Qinghan glanced at Shu Yi, who asked, "After a year of psychological counseling, he still holds onto his viewpoint?" The woman nodded, "Yes, his temper is too stubborn. If he were to change his stance, he wouldn't have been suspended until now."

"Shu Chu, it's getting dark. Let's stay here for the night," Ye Qinghan asked. Shu Yi opened his eyes and said, "Where are we?" Ye Qinghan replied, "Qianzhou Province, Lincheng City. We will set off early tomorrow morning and should arrive in Yundu Province by the afternoon." Shu Yi said, "Alright, let's find a hotel to stay in first, and then we can go out for something to eat."

After they revealed their identities, the leaders of the Lincheng City Police Bureau received them courteously. They held a high opinion of Ximen Wuwang; Director Zhang of the municipal bureau told Shu Yi that Ximen Wuwang was not only proficient in trace identification but also an expert in forensic evaluation. However, his stubborn temperament and impatience had caused him to remain in the position of deputy team leader for seven years. Especially after that incident, he had effectively ruined himself.

An hour later, Ximen Wuwang returned, and his inner excitement had not yet calmed down. Shu Yi asked, "Didn’t you have two hours?" Ximen Wuwang replied with a smile, "It doesn’t take that long, it’s just a farewell, isn’t it?" Shu Yi said, "Alright then, we will leave after lunch."

Ye Qinghan looked at Shu Yi and shook his head, revealing a disdainful smile

Ximen Wuwang, having learned the destination, said: "I have been to that place. Although the county town is not large, it is quite prosperous, and many wealthy individuals refer to it as a gold mine." Ye Qinghan asked: "Why?" Ximen Wuwang replied: "You will know once you go and see for yourself."

Xi Men Wu Wang did not expect it to be like this. He asked, "Can I know where to go?" Shu Yi replied, "First, go to Yun Du Province; we have a mission. After that, it will be unclear. Just go wherever there is a mission. I will give you ten minutes to think it over; let me know once you have made your decision." Xi Men Wu Wang looked at Shu Yi and asked, "Are you their leader?" Shu Yi nodded and said, "Yes, I am Shu Yi, the director of the Ninth Division." Xi Men Wu Wang thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "I am willing to go with you."

Ximing County is said to be a county, but in reality, it is quite small, merely a border town. In such a small town, five outstanding investigators from the Ministry of State Security mysteriously disappeared.

The woman said, "What mistake did he make? A year ago, he took on a case, and in the end, the conclusion he provided was very unsatisfactory to his superior, so he was suspended and required to see a psychologist. He has been seeing the psychologist for a year now, but who would have thought his emotions have only worsened." Shu Yi asked, "His superior is being too difficult on him, isn't he?" The woman smiled bitterly and replied, "That's not entirely the case. If you were his superior, you would do the same."

After lunch, everyone got on the vehicles. Five people, two cars, headed towards Ximing County in Yundu Province.

He arrived at Director Zhang's office in a state of frustration

After the meal, Shu Yi asked the proprietress to settle the bill. The proprietress replied, "Did I not just say? This table is on me, no need to be polite, it is just a meal." Shu Yi smiled and said, "No need, we are here on a business trip, and our company provides allowances, so please keep the money." He firmly pressed a one-hundred-yuan bill into the proprietress's hand and then left with Ye Qinghan and the others. The proprietress called out from behind, asking for change, but Shu Yi said, "No need for change."

Shu Yi said, "I must make it clear that since you have chosen to join the Nine Departments, all your actions must follow my command from now on. This is a matter of principle, and if you violate it, I will have you pack your things and leave immediately." Xi Men Wu Wang hurriedly replied, "I will follow orders in all my actions." Shu Yi continued, "Alright, I will give you two hours. Go home and say your goodbyes. We will depart promptly at one o'clock this afternoon."