Gao Wu: My setting is above yours.

The director's office is at the far end of the fourth floor.

Xia Ming and Xiao Chi went upstairs. The lights in the corridor were still on, and the doors of several departments were open. Some people were on the phone, and some were rummaging through filing cabinets. They were all speaking quickly and walking hurriedly.

Xiao Chi walked to the door of the bureau chief's office and knocked twice.

"Please come in."

Xiao Chi pushed open the door.

Xia Ming stood at the door and glanced inside, noticing that there were quite a few people inside.

Not all of them are from the Municipal Bureau.

The shoulder straps, collar insignia, and uniform style are all different from those of the Public Security Bureau.

They all appear to be leaders from various departments within the city.

His father, Xia Yuan, and the deputy director were standing by the desk, holding a document and discussing some work arrangements.

The atmosphere wasn't exactly one of accusation, since in terms of rank, this group of people were one or two levels lower than Xia Yuan.

But having so many departments present at the same time is itself a pressure.

After all, the police car was blown up by a rocket launcher at the intersection, and the death toll hadn't been tallied yet, so the higher-ups couldn't sit still.

Xia Ming took half a step back and said to Xiao Chi, "Brother Xiao, I don't have a position in the Municipal Bureau yet, so I won't go in."

Xiao Chi nodded: "That's true. Besides, it's not advisable to let too many people know your identity. Although I've said before that you're strong enough to handle most attacks, it's still best to be cautious."

He glanced at the mask on Xia Ming's face. "Don't take it off even in the Municipal Bureau. I suspect there's a mole in our bureau."

Xia Ming didn't say much, just replied "okay," and turned to sit down on a row of benches against the wall in the corridor.

With nothing to do, Xia Ming sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began practicing the Small Heavenly Circuit Breathing Technique.

The true energy in the dantian circulates slowly, and after one cycle, the fatigue of the whole day is swept away.

The true energy in his meridians became even more solid, and the "Yin" mark in his sea of ​​consciousness became a little brighter than before.

He opened his eyes and heard the sound of tables and chairs being moved inside, followed by footsteps and the doorknob turning.

The door opened, and one person after another came out.

His face showed more than just worry.

Some of them even had a hint of relaxation in their eyes and brows.

It seems that Father's report just now has reassured them.

Someone slowed down as they passed Xia Ming and whispered to Xiao Chi, "Is this the one?"

Xiao Chi said, "Yes. But I suggest everyone not to bother him or try to find out his identity. That's our rule."

The man nodded: "I understand, I understand."

The group of people walked past Xia Ming, each one smiling at him and giving him a thumbs up, but none of them took the initiative to speak to him.

After everyone had left, Xiao Chi poked half his body out of the door: "Brother, Director Xia invites you in."

Xia Ming got up and went into the office.

Xiao Chi did not come in; he closed the door from the outside.

Only the father and son remained in the office.

Xia Yuan sat behind his desk, the light from the desk lamp shining on his face. His dark circles were so thick it looked like he had been punched twice, and his eyes were bloodshot.

The ashtray on the table was piled high with cigarette butts, and the water in the teacup had already cooled down.

When he saw Xia Ming come in, the weariness on his face didn't disappear; he just straightened his back.

"Dad, how long have you been staying up late this time? Take care of yourself."

Xia Yuan picked up the teacup and took a sip. It was bitter; it had been sitting for too long.

He waved for Xia Ming to sit down, then put down his teacup, a slight smile finally appearing on his lips.

"Hehe. Luckily you were here today. That group of people represented some requirements and opinions from higher-ups, demanding that I conduct a thorough investigation immediately."

Fortunately, your operation with Xiao Chi today resulted in the arrest of twenty-three wanted criminals, which has somewhat restored the confidence of the higher-ups.

Xia Ming said, "Of course. By the way, Father, when should I report to the Armed Police?"

"That's exactly what I was going to tell you."

Xia Yuan pulled a document from the table, glanced at it, and said, "The procedures for going to the Armed Police should be completed in one to three days."

Most of the major cases here have been transferred to the Armed Police Force. You should rest for the next couple of days.

"Once you get to the Armed Police Force, contact Captain Zhao Yan. He has all the specific information about these cases."

He added, "Apart from today's bombing. The bombing case is still under the criminal investigation team because the other side didn't use martial arts methods. We can gather information through the criminal investigation department, which might be more effective than you doing it yourself."

"Yes."

Xia Ming responded, understanding in his heart.

When using firearms like rocket launchers, one's mental strength and true sight are not particularly advantageous.

Once the gunpowder exploded, all traces of smoke disappeared.

Moreover, if I want to help, I don't need to be fixated on the case itself.

Just like today at Zuixiaolou, we first caught the person, and then followed the clues to solve many previous cases at the same time.

Xia Yuan pushed the documents aside, then suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, before you go to the armed police station, you need to submit a code name."

"Code name?"

"Yes. The People's Armed Police are very strict about protecting the identities of its officers. They can wear masks at all times, and they don't use their real names; their identification documents use code names. They don't even report a lot of critical information to their superiors. In short, it's all to ensure the safety of the People's Armed Police."

Xia Ming was pondering this when Xia Yuan gave several examples: "For instance, our existing armed police force has Snow Leopard, Desert Eagle, Black Mamba..."

Xia Ming: "..."

It seems the nicknames in both worlds are of the same style.

He thought for a moment and said, "I'll call myself Judge."

Xia Yuan repeated, "Judge. Not bad."

He picked up a pen and wrote two words on a form: "Once you've made up your mind, you can't change it."

"Um."

Xia Yuan put down his pen and looked up at Xia Ming.

His expression changed, as if he was considering how to start the conversation.

"Xia Ming, I have a question for you."

"Father, please speak."

"Are you really capable of handling their retaliation alone? I mean, what if they're armed? I know you can handle it today. But what if they're armed with rifles?"

Xia Ming didn't hesitate: "It shouldn't be a big problem."

Xia Yuan spoke a little faster: "Where are the submachine guns?"

"We can avoid it, right?"

"Sniper rifle."

Xia Ming: "..."

Xia Yuan: "Rocket launcher."

Xia Ming: "..."

Xia Yuan: "Mortar."

"dad."

Xia Ming interrupted him, "Are you conducting a damage tolerance test on me here?"

Xia Yuan's tone suddenly dropped from a rapid-fire delivery, replaced by a slightly embarrassed smile: "I... I was just asking."

Xia Ming thought for a moment and said, "It should be able to withstand it, but it will most likely cause injuries as well."

He actually felt it was more serious, but he didn't dare say it.

He wasn't sure if the Taiyin Ice Armor could withstand a direct hit from the shell.

But I can't say this out loud, or my father will be unable to sleep all night again.

Sure enough, Xia Yuan's face darkened again: "How can that be? Unless you're absolutely certain, perhaps..."

He stopped halfway through his sentence and looked up at Xia Ming.