Chapter 14: Witnessing Power and Influence

Although it was a woman's voice, it was as loud as a bell, resonating throughout the hall. Swoosh! Everyone in the banquet hall turned their heads to look. Paul Mu authoritatively asked, "Who dares to be so presumptuous in my Mu family's house?!" Click! Suddenly, a series of robust footsteps came from outside. More than ten men in red suits entered one after another, each emitting a strong presence, brimming with explosive power. Leading them was a strikingly beautiful woman in a black suit and trousers. Tall, with long legs clearly visible, her hair was tied up high, revealing a stunningly beautiful face. Her demeanor was valiant, decisive, and capable. This presence, not of an ordinary woman, but that of a female hero, overshadows many men. "Jiangnan's Su family, Mermaid Su, has come to visit." This statement sent a shock through the room. "What, the daughter of Jiangnan's number one family, the Su family, has come?!" "The Su family has stood unchallenged in Jiangnan for decades, unmatched in Jiangnan. Their depth even slightly surpasses the Lei family of Jiang Bei." "Of course, Roger Lei of Jiang Bei is actually the junior martial brother of Ryder Su, the head of the Su family. After Ryder Su took control of Jiangnan, he helped Roger Lei. This allowed him to firmly hold Jiang Bei." "But later, there was a conflict between the Lei family of Jiang Bei and the Su family of Jiangnan, leading to a stand-off, with no interactions. Why has Mermaid Su come to Jiang Bei today? Isn’t she afraid of sparking a conflict between the north and south?" ... After learning Mermaid Su's identity, no one dared to obstruct her. Mermaid Su, in high heels, walked into the banquet hall. Her cold gaze swept across the room, finally resting on Pearl Mu. The two women exchanged smiles. Pearl Mu sighed in relief. Mermaid Su said, "Ladies and gentlemen, Pearl Mu is my close friend. For the sake of the Su family, please let today's matters end here." Hmph! Cooper Lei snorted coldly: "Mermaid Su, if this were Jiangnan, I would naturally give you face. But this is Jiang Bei. The reach of your Jiangnan Su family doesn't extend here. I advise you not to interfere." Mermaid Su's expression remained cool: "And if I must intervene?" Cooper Lei coldly replied: "My Lei family's resolve to kill Ben Xiao is unchangeable! If you forcibly interfere, it will provoke a conflict between the north and south." "Mermaid Su, is it really worth causing a dispute between the Lei and Su families over a close friend?" Mermaid Su stood firmly in front of Pearl Mu, unyielding: "During our university years in Dongling, Pearl Mu and I went through hardships together, never abandoning each other. To me, she is priceless." Cooper Lei angrily retorted: "Mermaid Su, you're being unreasonable. If I'm not mistaken, this must be your personal decision. Ryder Su would never make such a decision." Mermaid Su: "I, Mermaid Su, can represent the Su family." Saying this, she took Pearl Mu's hand: "Pearl, let's go." Mermaid Su glanced at Ben Xiao and frowned slightly: "Ben Xiao, Pearl Mu has told me all about you. Honestly, I don't think highly of you, nor do I think you're worthy of my Pearl. But she insists on protecting you, so I won't say much. But let me tell you this—today I save you, I hope in the future you'll treat Pearl Mu well. Don't keep causing trouble. This society isn't just about fighting, but about power and status." Seeing no response from Ben Xiao, Pearl Mu glared at him: "What are you dazing for? Let's go." Ben Xiao finally came to his senses, feeling an unusual warmth in his heart. Pearl Mu, is this your trump card? No wonder you dared to openly reject Cooper Lei. It seems you're not brainless after all. And the words Pearl Mu said when she rejected Cooper Lei warmed Ben Xiao’s heart deeply, very touching. Even Ben Xiao began to think something he never had before: With such a woman, what more could a man ask for in life? Mermaid Su led the way out, her expression cold: "Who dares to stop us is against the Su family!" More than ten strong men cleared the way, and for a moment, no one dared to obstruct them. Just then, Cooper Lei suddenly laughed: "Pearl Mu, you refused me, openly slapping my face. Do you think you can leave just because you have Mermaid Su's backing? Naive." Then, he turned to Deputy Director Luo: "Uncle Luo." As soon as he finished speaking, Deputy Director Luo waved his hand. Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh! Hundreds of armed mercenaries immediately stepped forward, blocking the way of Mermaid Su and others. Dark gun muzzles were pointed at them. A sense of impending death permeated the air. Deputy Director Luo leisurely took a sip of his drink: "Mermaid Su, your Su family only dominates Jiangnan. I, Luo, am the Deputy Director of the entire Zhonghai Bureau of Supervision. My jurisdiction includes Jiang Bei, Jiangnan, Jiangdong, and Xijiang. Even Ryder Su would have to show me respect. Let alone you?" "Without my permission, you cannot leave today!" Mermaid Su's brow furrowed: "Deputy Director Luo, are you willing to be an enemy of the Su family for the Lei family?" Deputy Director Luo, with an air of superiority: "Ben Xiao previously killed the chief of the Jiang Bei Bureau of Supervision and disfigured its deputy chief. This is a public challenge to the authority of my Zhonghai Bureau of Supervision. Killing him is to uphold justice. It has nothing to do with the Lei family." "Do you, the Su family, really want to oppose the entire Zhonghai Bureau of Supervision?!" Righteous words, spoken with authority and conviction. Mermaid Su trembled with anger, her face pale. The Su family indeed didn't fear the Lei family. But Deputy Director Luo, with his position in the Zhonghai Bureau of Supervision, represented the bureau itself. Resisting would mean opposing the entire Zhonghai Bureau of Supervision. The people should not fight against the officials, and even with a hundred guts, Mermaid Su wouldn't dare to openly challenge the Bureau. Power can be a destructive force. This is a prime example. Thus, for a moment, Mermaid Su was at a loss for words. Pearl Mu was also stunned. They never expected the Lei family to have such a trump card, nor did they anticipate Deputy Director Luo's firm stance, ready to confront the Su family for the Lei family. Cooper Lei, smirking triumphantly, said: "Pearl Mu, I gave you a chance, but you missed it. Just for a worthless man, you refused me? Now, you can only watch as your worthless husband is killed right before your eyes." "Once he's dead, you, Pearl Mu, will become my plaything. I have a thousand ways to torment you! And, I have a special fondness for married women, hahaha!" Pearl Mu trembled with anger, her body tensed. She didn't look at Mermaid Su, nor did she say anything else. She knew, with Deputy Director Luo's firm stance, Mermaid Su could do no more. Pressuring her further was pointless. Mermaid Su had already done much, and she was deeply moved. She turned to Ben Xiao, her eyes moist: "Ben Xiao, I... I..." Before she could finish, a hand was placed near her lips. "Don't say anymore, I can't stand women's sentimental words." Ben Xiao smiled: "Pearl Mu, listen well—after today, you are Ben Xiao's woman. I will protect you for life." Pearl Mu, frustrated and smiling helplessly: "What a time to be playful..." "I've said, you don't understand me. Today, I'll let you see what kind of person your husband is." Saying this, Ben Xiao turned to Mermaid Su: "You just said that in this society, mere fighting isn't enough, one needs power and status? Well, let me show you what real power and influence are." Mermaid Su was somewhat speechless: "Ben Xiao, what are you talking about at such a time..." Before she could finish— Boom! The courtyard gate was suddenly blown open. Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh! A group of soldiers in official uniforms of the Zhonghai Bureau of Supervision streamed in. Over four hundred people. Each one was armed, with a powerful aura! They surrounded Cooper Lei's mercenaries. Seeing these warriors, Patrick Yue and Ethan Yue instinctively stood up, their eyes wide with shock. "These are the personal guards of Director Liu of the Zhonghai Bureau of Supervision! They usually don't take action, but when they do, it represents Director Liu's will." "Could it be that Director Liu himself is coming? He's the third most powerful figure in Zhonghai's administration." Even Deputy Director Luo's brow furrowed, his body tensed. He may have the title of Deputy Director of the Bureau of Supervision, but he doesn't have much power. There are five deputy directors in the bureau, and he's ranked last. And Director Liu was his superior, the top boss with real power over life and death in the Bureau. Soon, three people walked in. One was Jacob, and one was Randy Chen. Accompanied by a man in a grey Zhongshan suit, a robust and commanding figure about 1.8 meters tall, walked in with a presence like a mountain, exuding an aura of a superior. It was none other than Kwame Liu, the Director of the Zhonghai Bureau of Supervision. The bigwigs present nearly had their eyes pop out of their sockets. No one expected the surrounding top dignitaries to personally come. However, what was even more surprising was that, With Kwame Liu's status and power, he did not take the center stage but instead walked alongside Jacob, striding forward. Swoosh! Immediately, everyone in the room stood up, their attitudes extremely respectful. "Director Liu, good to see you!" Paul Mu immediately ran forward, bending over to greet him and extending his hand for a handshake: "Director Liu, what brings you here? Your presence truly honors the Mu family…" Kwame Liu didn't even spare a glance at Paul Mu, nor did he show any intention to shake hands, walking straight ahead. Paul Mu's face turned red, but he dared not utter a word. Patrick Yue and his father Ethan Yue stepped forward, respectfully performing a big ceremony and extending their hands. "Director Liu, I am the Chief of the Jiang Bei Bureau of Supervision, Patrick Yue. This is my father, Ethan Yue!" "Director Liu, what brings you here?" Both of them extended their hands halfway... Swoosh! Kwame Liu, with his swift and decisive demeanor, completely ignored both of them, not even sparing them a glance. A handshake? Non-existent. Both of their hands were left awkwardly hanging in mid-air, extremely embarrassed, yet they dared not show any dissatisfaction. In their memory, although Kwame Liu had a cold personality, he was always very polite to his subordinates. Patrick Yue, when attending meetings at the headquarters, was always greeted with a handshake by Kwame Liu. What's going on today? Could it be that only Deputy Director Luo was worthy of shaking hands with Kwame Liu? Crack! Deputy Director Luo immediately stepped forward, lowering his stance and extending his right hand: "Brother Liu, what brings you here?!" Deputy Director Luo instinctively thought that shaking hands with Kwame Liu was a given. Previously, when Kwame Liu ignored Paul Mu, Patrick Yue, and Ethan Yue, it was ultimately because their status was too low. But he was different, having been Kwame Liu's deputy for many years, with a good relationship. But— Kwame Liu still did not spare Deputy Director Luo a glance, walking straight past him. Deputy Director Luo was shocked, his face turning red. He was the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Supervision. Yet, he was also publicly ignored? This... was too much of a face-slap. Crack, crack, crack! Kwame Liu directly ignored all the bigwigs in the room, quickly heading towards Ben Xiao. Mermaid Su thought Deputy Director Luo was looking out for her father's sake and specially came for her. She was somewhat flattered and extended her hand: "Director Liu, my father is Ryder Su, I am Mermaid Su..." Before she could finish her sentence, Kwame Liu walked past her without a glance. Mermaid Su was left awkwardly standing there, but dared not show any dissatisfaction. Everyone's eyes were fixed on Kwame Liu, not daring to blink. Kwame Liu arrived and brushed everyone off. Who was he here for? Crack! Suddenly, Kwame Liu stopped beside Ben Xiao, standing upright. He stood at attention and gave a standard military salute. His attitude was respectful, his gaze passionate. "Kwame Liu, the Director of the Zhonghai Bureau of Supervision, salutes Mr. Xiao!" After the salute, he bowed deeply to Ben Xiao at a ninety-degree angle. "I'm sorry for being late!" ----------