Ark, Just Tell Me Whether the Mission's Complete?

"You lot aren't working properly, and you're openly slacking off?"

"Inspector, just look at these veteran officers, these senior colleagues in our Public Security Management Brigade. Every last one of them has fallen further than the last."

"I'm heartbroken by their work ethic, worried for the people of Lungmen, and feel it's a shame that the Governor's Office has to pay these people salaries."

"Not only are they incompetent at their jobs, they also lack any seriousness or diligence."

"Look, I've got evidence of several of them slacking off as well. That tallest guy over there was half an hour late for his afternoon shift, and this one was dozing off during work hours this morning."

The two inspectors listened to Luo Chen's report and faithfully recorded the violations.

After taking down four colleagues in a row, Luo Chen didn't stop. Instead, he entered a frenzied reporting spree.

Just recording the issues was nearly enough to make the two inspectors' terminals smoke.

Luo Chen was like a lawyer who had memorized the Lungmen Guard Department Regulations. For every violation committed by a different officer, he did his utmost to ensure the harshest possible punishment was imposed.

As a result, everyone in the office area began to fear for themselves.

Especially those Luo Chen had questioned that morning—they were drenched in sweat by now.

Every officer present glared furiously at Luo Chen. If the Special Inspection Group inspectors hadn't been here, they would have loved nothing more than to kill him on the spot.

That damn bastard's family registry definitely couldn't fill two pages. A photo of him alone would count as a family portrait.

There were simply too many issues Luo Chen had reported, and the two inspectors were beginning to struggle.

One of them took his terminal outside to call for backup, asking the Special Inspection Group to send over two professional clerical staff members.

The remaining Feline inspector stared curiously at Luo Chen.

"Young man, what position do you hold in this department? Don't you have work to do?"

"And aren't you worried about offending your colleagues like this?"

Luo Chen looked completely composed. "I'm carrying out my duties right now. Captain Motley asked me to study the Public Security Management Brigade's work procedures."

"During this process, I discovered many problems."

"Though I did consider whether exposing these vile people would invite retaliation from them, I'm not afraid!"

"For the people of Lungmen to live and work in peace, for Lungmen's lasting stability, and to fulfill the mission borne by every officer."

"As long as I can contribute even a little to the people of Lungmen, a bit of retaliation would be worth it!"

Facing the gritted teeth of his surrounding colleagues, Luo Chen showed no fear. His body was taut like a fully drawn bowstring, ready at any moment to fire an arrow of justice.

The way he held his head high and chest out displayed the resolve and strength in his heart.

A cold smile curved his lips, showing his contempt for evil and the firmness of his beliefs.

He was precisely the sort of person who would never yield in the face of evil. His existence was like a beam of light illuminating darkness, allowing people to see hope in despair and brightness in the dark.

The Feline inspector seemed to see his younger self in Luo Chen.

Lungmen had been far more chaotic back then. Some officers who had entered the service alongside him had long since lost their sense of justice, gradually becoming officers who merely coasted through life. The more timid ones had simply quit the Lungmen Guard Department.

He firmly believed that this hot-blooded young man before him would one day shoulder the great responsibility of the Lungmen Guard Department.

"Good! You're promising material. When I get back, I'll give Officer Ch'en a few recommendations and try to get you into the Special Inspection Group as a patrol inspector."

"By the way, young man, what's your name?"

"Reporting, sir. My name is Luo Chen."

"Luo Chen? Luo Chen! You're the younger brother Officer Hoshiguma is always talking about?"

"We aren't actual siblings. We're just close. At most, we eat together, chat a little, and use Ghost Sis's salary as pocket money."

Once Luo Chen said that,

the Feline inspector understood immediately.

He smiled and patted Luo Chen on the shoulder, then turned toward the officers around them who looked ready to devour Luo Chen. His expression instantly turned cold.

"Anything else? If any of you dare retaliate against this new officer, I won't let you off lightly."

Luo Chen didn't spend even a moment feeling pleased by his superior's encouragement. His restless sense of justice immediately drove him onward.

"Inspector, I have another question. With so many problems in the Public Security Management Brigade, shouldn't its captain be subject to investigation?"

"According to regulations, yes, but an investigation requires particularly serious circumstances. Still, we'll report this situation to Superintendent Swire, the Public Security Management Brigade's superior."

"Then I'd like to ask, how many more people need to be involved before it counts as particularly serious? The Lungmen Guard Department Regulations don't say."

"What did you say?" The Feline inspector couldn't help feeling his scalp tingle.

Could it be that this kid had evidence against other people too? What kind of inspection efficiency was this?

Was he some kind of espionage genius?

Meanwhile, another newcomer, Todd, was feeling incredibly fortunate that he had trusted his instincts.

If he'd provoked Luo Chen earlier, he probably wouldn't even have gotten the chance to be fired.

He would've gone straight from the office to a prison cell, even saving the Lungmen Guard Department the cost of transporting a prisoner.

The Inhumane Operation Was Underway

At the top-floor conference room of the Lungmen Guard Department, a round table stood in the center, surrounded by more than a dozen neatly arranged chairs.

Several meaningful murals hung on the walls, lending the room an added sense of solemnity and depth. Soft light spilled down from the ceiling fixtures, illuminating the entire conference room and creating an atmosphere both bright and comfortable.

The many senior sergeants and inspectors attending the meeting sat upright, their gazes focused uniformly on the other end of the round table.

There, Swire sat at the head of the table. Her expression was stern and serious, her hands folded before her as though she were considering what to say next.

Swire slowly began to speak, her voice clear and forceful.

"Next month's routine exercise is of utmost importance. Not only will reporters and media outlets be coming to cover it, Governor Wei will also be there to observe it personally."

"As the main force responsible for maintaining public order and stability in Upper City, our department must win this battle. We must prove to the Governor's Office and every citizen of Lungmen that the Guard Department can handle any emergency."

"I'll now assign the tasks. During this exercise, the First Unit of the Public Security Management Brigade will play the role of criminals and independently plan a bank robbery."

"The other departments will remain in active combat readiness, prepared to respond to emergencies at any time."

"The exercise script will be planned entirely and independently by the Public Security Management Brigade. It must not be leaked to any other department..."

"It must simulate a real criminal incident as closely as possible."

"Motley, do you understand? Can you handle it?"

"Understood, ma'am. I'll get it done! I'll definitely get it done!" Motley, captain of the Public Security Management Brigade, nodded carefully.

Some officers under his command had gotten into a fight today, which had already made Swire very dissatisfied.

At a time like this, he couldn't make excuses or try to shirk responsibility. Whatever Swire said, he could only agree to it all.

Just then, Swire's phone suddenly vibrated.

After picking it up and glancing at it, her brows immediately furrowed. The words unhappy might as well have been written across her face.

Just as everyone at the meeting wondered what had happened, Swire directly called Motley's name.

"Motley..."

She stared at Motley with fury in her eyes. Her small hand clenched, then quickly loosened again. Pointing outside, she said,

"You don't need to attend this meeting anymore. Get out and wait. I'll talk to you after the meeting."

Swire considered that there were rather a lot of officers attending. If she directly revealed the Special Inspection Group's report, it would embarrass Motley too badly.

More importantly, she had just assigned Motley a task, only for his side to immediately drop the ball. Swire herself would lose face as well, so she decided to criticize him privately after the meeting.

However, though Swire told Motley to get out, Motley couldn't quite accept it. Looking aggrieved, he said,

"No, ma'am, why are you making me leave? Why am I suddenly being kicked out? What mistake did I make?"

There were so many colleagues watching.

Swire had just assigned him an arduous, thankless task. Why was she now telling him to get lost?

And even if she wanted him to leave, she had to give him a reason.

Motley's thinking was simple. As his superior, she could tell him to get out.

She was the boss, but she had to give him a reason to get out.

Even if she was simply in a bad mood and wanted to take it out on him, that would be fine.

Aside from several of his subordinates getting into a fight and ending up in the hospital that morning, for which he bore some leadership responsibility,

he had done all his other work with dedication.

He had even accepted the role of playing the bad guys in this exercise.

After all, the people interviewed by the media during exercises were always the good guys. Plenty of officers went their entire lives without getting interviewed even once.

He had given up even that interview opportunity, yet Swire was still pressing him so aggressively. That was a little unreasonable.

Motley believed he hadn't offended anyone in the Lungmen Guard Department. Whether they were superiors, colleagues of the same rank, or subordinates, he had carefully maintained every relationship.

Yet his superior was telling him to get out just like that.

What would everyone think?

They would surely assume he had committed some grave mistake.

"Ma'am, did something happen to Captain Motley?"

"..."

The officers from other departments also began asking. Some genuinely wanted to help, while others wanted to kick him while he was down.

As for those watching the show, they all stared at Swire, waiting for her to reveal the truth.

Then they could follow the trend and join in.

Swire naturally understood what he meant. He wanted her to save him some face.

But it would've been better if Motley hadn't asked. The moment he did, Swire's anger erupted.

"Fine. Since you won't get out, I'll say it directly. Thirty-five people in your brigade violated the Lungmen Guard Department Regulations. The Special Inspection Group has suspended eighteen for review, opened investigations into five, and issued administrative penalties to twelve."

"Motley, your Public Security Management Brigade surpassed our entire department's annual violation record in a single day."

"The Special Inspection Group even set up a dedicated case-handling station in your office."

"You've done a wonderful job as a leader. Those who know you know you're the captain of the Public Security Management Brigade. Those who don't might think you're a gang boss."

"N-No way... This... there has to be some misunderstanding." Hearing Swire's words, Motley felt as if he had been struck by a bolt from the blue.

It was as though lightning had suddenly crashed down on his head, as if the entire sky had collapsed.

His Public Security Management Brigade was a model department. How could so many people have violated regulations?

"A misunderstanding? Their evidence is conclusive, and you're still talking about misunderstandings? Go report to the inspectors yourself. Something this serious happened, and as the primary person responsible, you won't escape review either."

"Hmph! Meeting adjourned for today."

"We'll discuss matters again after the Special Inspection Group finishes its review."

Swire held her ribs, feeling a sharp pain in her liver. The annual exercise was just around the corner, and these troublesome people had caused this kind of mess.

Could Ch'en Huijie have deliberately set this up to make her look bad?

"How is this possible..." Motley slumped in his chair, his face full of confusion.

The officers who had been watching the excitement weren't happy either. The Special Inspection Group had taken down thirty-five people from the Public Security Management Brigade in a single day. Just hearing it made their hearts pound.

If Swire hadn't still been there,

they might have thought Officer Swire had been toppled and Superintendent Ch'en had begun an internal purge.

But even though Swire still held her position, such a major incident was enough to leave many people deeply worried.