The Storm Is About to Land

Luke hadn't expected that his visit to the Cape District as Qingkong last night would cause such a significant impact.

Although most of Raging Wave City's maritime trade no longer passed through the Cape District, Cape Port, as Raging Wave City's old harbor, still retained a considerable share of maritime trade. This was especially true for illicit goods, which, under the cover of various factions in the Cape District, could be smoothly smuggled in and out.

Therefore, the interests tied to Cape Port's docks had become the core interest of the Cape District.

The Mad Axe Gang occupied a significant portion of the interests at Cape Port's docks.

With Jumu dead, the Mad Axe Gang was leaderless, presenting a prime opportunity for everyone to take a bite.

However, Luke's concern was... if a large-scale gang war erupted in the Cape District, would it endanger his own safety?

The previous inspector of the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau had died under mysterious circumstances.

If he were to initiate a conflict, wouldn't he become the target of everyone's anger?

Luke didn't immediately answer Lambert, instead, he browsed through the information related to Raging Wave City's Cape District on his phone in his mind.

First, Raging Wave City was the Golden Shield Empire's largest port city, with a highly prosperous maritime trade, making it the empire's wealthiest city.

It was known as the "money bag" of the Golden Shield Empire.

Second, the large-scale smuggling in the Cape District was truly profitable for the wealthy districts of Raging Wave City.

City councilors, officials, nobles, merchants, and celebrities... all were involved. The interests fought over within the Cape District were merely a few grains of gold sand trickling from their fingertips.

When Luke viewed the events in the Cape District from a higher perspective, he wasn't limited to seeing only what was right in front of him, unlike Lambert and Shelley.

As an agency directly under the royal family, the Secret Intelligence Bureau was clearly disliked by the city's upper class.

After all, their actions involved exploiting the empire and evading its taxes.

The Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau, as a thorn in the side of the smuggling ports, was a constant irritant. Even if the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau was also drawn into smuggling, it would certainly not be as trustworthy as their own people.

The Cape District Security Bureau, subordinate to the Raging Wave City Security General Bureau, was the direct violent arm of the Raging Wave City Council.

The beloved child of the city's powerful elite!

Now that they had the opportunity to seize control of the entire Cape Port from the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau, the Cape District Security Bureau would undoubtedly spare no effort to fight for it.

Would they send another Secret Intelligence Bureau inspector on his way?

Although it might offend the Eldest Princess, it wasn't beyond them.

And if they allowed the Security Bureau to seize Cape Port, the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau would be completely trapped within.

Morale would be lost, and the team would be difficult to lead.

If they wanted to escape danger, they probably wouldn't be able to.

Difficult!

But not a dead end.

As long as the conflict in the Cape District remained at the internal struggle level, external forces would not easily intervene. After all, escalating the situation was not something the big players in the wealthy districts wanted, nor would they dare to easily expose their involvement in smuggling.

With the strength currently held by the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau, it was not impossible to contend with the Security Bureau.

Everyone in the room waited for the new inspector's decision.

"War?" Luke said, "Since it's unavoidable, then we can only face it."

Hearing the new inspector declare war, the core members of the Mad Axe Gang became excited.

As long as the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau was willing to organize mercenaries, they would have a chance to hold out until reinforcements from Fishbone Island arrived.

Lambert, along with the Mad Axe Gang's core members, stood up and bowed to Luke: "Inspector, thank you for extending your hand to us again. As long as our Mad Axe Gang gets through this crisis, we will surely remember your kindness."

They all said in unison: "We will surely remember your kindness."

"I heard you. I hope you truly remember. Sit down..." After Luke had the Mad Axe Gang members sit down, he said to Shelley, "I'm not familiar with the various factions in the Cape District. Can you handle contacting people to hire mercenaries?"

Shelley replied, "Please rest assured, Inspector. You can leave it to me."

Luke stood up, picked up his cane, and said to the Mad Axe Gang members, "I can't help you with the specific defense of your castle, so I won't cause any more trouble here. I'm going to see the Director of the Security Bureau now and see if I can help reduce some of the pressure on your side."

The Mad Axe Gang's core members surrounded Luke and respectfully escorted him out the door.

Outside the door, the special agents of the Secret Intelligence Bureau's Special Task Force continued to confront the security officers of the Security Bureau.

At this moment, standing beside Captain Bazel was a man wearing gold-rimmed glasses. He wore a senior security officer's uniform and no hat, his golden hair particularly striking.

Luke walked over, tucked his cane under his arm, and extended his right hand to the man.

"Director Holt, hello. I am Meteor, the new inspector of the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau. We are colleagues from now on, and our Secret Intelligence Bureau's work in the Cape District will require a lot of support from the Security Bureau."

The blond man was the Director of the Cape District Security Bureau.

He had just returned from the central district and, upon hearing that the newly appointed inspector of the Secret Intelligence Bureau had openly come to support the Mad Axe Gang, he had rushed over immediately.

Hearing that the new inspector of the Secret Intelligence Bureau had issued a near-death sentence to his Security Bureau, his anger became uncontrollable.

Facing Luke's outstretched hand, Holt ignored it and questioned, "Inspector Meteor! I know you've just taken office and want to establish your authority. But your authority shouldn't come from stepping on the Security Bureau's face or harboring criminals!

I am now issuing you a stern warning: do not obstruct the Security Bureau's investigation. Leave immediately with your people, or you will bear all the consequences!"

Luke, still smiling, said to Director Holt, "I am indeed here because the murder case that occurred here yesterday is related to a national security case that our Secret Intelligence Bureau is investigating.

I am new to the Cape District and don't understand many things. If I have offended anyone, I apologize to my colleagues in the Security Bureau here."

When I have time, I'll invite you all to the bakery at 267 Silver Avenue in the central district to try their pastries.

I heard their pastries are incredibly delicious."

When Luke mentioned the bakery at 267 Silver Avenue, Director Holt's expression changed drastically. He asked, "How do you know that place?"

Luke said, "We are the Royal Secret Intelligence Bureau, we know more than you imagine. I want to talk to you alone about what's happening here. A storm is about to hit the shore, and I don't think you'd want too many innocent people caught in the crossfire, Director."

Holt angrily said, "If you dare to touch them..."

"Their safety is in your hands. Don't worry, I also hope the storm stays within controllable limits. Come on... let's talk in the car."

Luke walked towards his car, leaning on his cane.

Holt told his subordinates not to make any rash moves and got into the car with Luke.