The Qingyi Bureau headquarters.

Kang Dinghuang sipped his tea, outwardly engaging in a cordial conversation with Deputy Adjutant Xu, but inwardly, his thoughts were swirling.

Zhou Xian's administrative assistant, leading a large contingent from the General Affairs Department and accompanied by Deputy Adjutant Xu, had suddenly informed Kang Dinghuang that Xue Ping'an was the culprit behind the kidnapping of the two young masters. What was the meaning of this?

It wasn't difficult to guess. Zhou Xian not only believed that Xue Ping'an was the perpetrator, but he also suspected Kang Dinghuang.

Little Zhou was conducting a sudden test! Bringing Deputy Adjutant Xu along served one purpose: to keep a close eye on Kang Dinghuang, observing whether he would make any underhanded moves to protect Xue Ping'an, especially since this was the Qingyi Bureau's territory.

Zhou Xian's reaction was also swift. He had the head of the Qingyi Bureau's Action Division personally lead Zhou Xian's assistant to apprehend the suspect, while leaving Deputy Adjutant Xu to drink tea with Kang Dinghuang, clearly stating his position.

*I know nothing, and I won't protect anyone. Do whatever you want, just don't get any blood on me.*

The psychological contest between the two men officially began at that moment.

In the office, Kang Dinghuang wore a smile, maintained a warm demeanor, and proactively initiated conversation with Deputy Adjutant Xu.

The two men drank tea, waiting for over three hours.

Around one o'clock in the afternoon, the head of the Action Division called Kang Dinghuang, personally informing him that Xue Ping'an hadn't been captured, but the remaining personnel had been apprehended.

…

Inside Zhan Hammer's camp.

Zhou Xian left the reception room and answered his phone: "What's the situation?"

"Xue Ping'an escaped, but Xue's family's armed forces, along with some of his relatives who were military officers, didn't have time to evacuate. Currently, the core members have been taken into custody by the Qingyi Bureau's Action Division. I'm here as well," the assistant reported succinctly.

Zhou Xian frowned: "Did the news leak? Did the Qingyi Bureau tip off Xue Ping'an?!"

"Probably not," the assistant replied immediately. "We found Kang Dinghuang suddenly and got straight to the point. Kang Dinghuang dispatched the Action Division to cooperate with us in the arrest, and I monitored the entire process. They had no opportunity to notify the outside world. Kang Dinghuang himself has been drinking tea with Commander Xu's deputy adjutant the whole time and hasn't left, not even to use the restroom."

"Then how did Xue Ping'an escape?!" Zhou Xian countered.

"We captured a company commander from Xue's armed forces. He told us that Xue Ping'an had been claiming to be recovering from an illness at the field hospital, but in reality, he wasn't at the base at all. He's been outside," the assistant explained immediately. "He pulled a fast one on us, and we came up empty when we went to the hospital. But if that old fox can do that, then he must be the one who kidnapped the two young masters."

Zhou Xian licked his lips and asked again: "Are you sure Kang Dinghuang didn't inform the outside world?"

"No, at least that's what we saw," the assistant replied immediately.

"Alright, I understand." Zhou Xian paused. "That's all for now. Prepare to return."

"Yes!"

After the exchange, Zhou Xian stood outside the reception room, contemplating for a moment. He reached for his phone to dial Kang Dinghuang's number, but to his surprise, Kang Dinghuang called him first.

"Hello? Little Kang!"

"...You can pick and choose whoever you want from Xue's family. If you think someone's suspicious, take them away immediately." Kang Dinghuang's voice was cold. "Don't keep them here with me. Kidnapping the two young masters is a huge deal. I don't want to take the blame for it!"

"Heh," Zhou Xian chuckled. "Are you being a little too sensitive?"

Kang Dinghuang replied blandly, "Deputy Commander Xu's adjutant is already here. Is that being sensitive? I've been drinking tea for over three hours, and I haven't dared to go to the restroom once. I'm afraid I'll be arrested!"

"I didn't mean anything by it. Deputy Commander Xu's adjutant asked us to keep everything confidential," Zhou Xian explained.

"Have your people take all of Xue's military officers away. Don't keep them here." Kang Dinghuang said, "I'll go straight back to Hua Prefecture with Deputy Commander Xu's adjutant later. Until you find the culprit, I'm avoiding suspicion and won't show my face."

"Little Kang, is that necessary? Are you holding a grudge against me?!" Zhou Xian asked in a friendly tone.

Kang Dinghuang didn't respond.

"How about this? I also have some things I want to discuss with you," Zhou Xian paused. "Have your assistant bring all of Xue's family's core military officers to the camp, let the higher-ups interrogate them, and then we brothers can chat."

"I think I'll pass, right? I won't say any flattering words anyway, ha ha!" Kang Dinghuang chuckled.

"Little Kang, we've been friends for so many years. There's no need to let work ruin our friendship, is there?" Zhou Xian retorted, "Are we really not friends anymore?"

One hour later.

Under the supervision of Zhou Xian's administrative assistant, the Qingyi Bureau's Action Division escorted more than a dozen of Xue's family's core military officers away, including Xue Ping'an's two nephews and one nephew-in-law.

…

Around seven o'clock in the evening.

South.

"I'll treat you when I get back from Jiang Province. A yacht, some models, the whole package." A woman from Yanbei, Hua District, said softly, "Little Wu Han, you keep an eye on things here. I'm going to give a report and await further orders from above."

"Alright, Sis!" The young man surnamed Wu replied with a smile.