Chapter 36: The Special Operations Team

Watching as Yun Ketian stepped forward, Lu Ming fell silent and picked up a toothpick, beginning to clean his teeth. After all the trouble the Yun family had caused him, it was only fair they paid him back now. As for Yun Ketian, Lu Ming wasn’t worried in the slightest; with his background, anyone who dared cross him was simply courting disaster.

Seeing how domineering Panther was, Yun Ketian let out a cold laugh. “Just a security company, yet you act like common street thugs. I’d say your business is about to meet its end.”

Panther burst into loud laughter at the remark. He wouldn’t have been able to run this security company if he didn’t have the right connections. His uncle was a deputy director at city headquarters, and for years now, Panther had run rampant in Xijing. Leveraging his uncle’s influence, he established this security company, specializing in intercepting petitioners headed for the provincial capital—a business that was extremely lucrative. He’d made quite a fortune over the years and grown increasingly lawless, paying no heed to the likes of Lu Ming and his companions.

“Kid, once I lock you up for a few days and half starve you, we’ll see if you can still act tough in front of me. Take them away!” At Panther’s order, the security guards prepared to swarm forward.

At this moment, anger flashed across Yun Ketian’s face. A security company had no authority to enforce the law, yet they dared threaten to lock him up for days—such brazen lawlessness!

“Anyone who dares lay a hand on me, I’ll see to it they rot in prison for the rest of their lives,” Yun Ketian spat, glaring at the restless crowd.

Yun Ketian, known as the preeminent young master of the Northwest, had a background so formidable it was terrifying. Now furious, he exuded an undeniable aura that cowed Panther and his men.

Seriousness appeared on Panther’s face; Yun Ketian’s threat did not sound like empty boasting. “Brother, if you’re one of us, just give your name so we don’t end up fighting our own.”

“Who the hell is your brother? You think you’re worthy of calling me that? Just you wait.” With that, Yun Ketian pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

A moment later, the call connected. “Uncle Duan, it’s Ketian.”

“Ketian! What’s the matter? Finally thought of calling your uncle?”

“I’m at the Xianghe Breakfast Shop on Xinmin Street. A group of people from Panther Security is trying to take me away.”

“Utter nonsense! Tell them to wait right there. I’ll send people over immediately—let’s see who dares touch you.”

It was no joke—if anything happened to Secretary Yun’s son, the consequences would be unthinkable. Duan Zhiguo hung up, grabbed the walkie-talkie from his desk, and immediately dispatched the Special Operations Unit, who were stationed throughout Xijing.

Yun Ketian ended the call, glanced at Panther, and calmly sat down again.

Seeing Yun Ketian so composed, Panther began to hesitate. This young man clearly had some serious backing, and getting into trouble with someone like that was the last thing he wanted. Yet if he didn’t take away this cripple today, his business would be finished—he simply couldn’t let that happen. After a moment’s thought, Panther decided to compromise; he would let bygones be bygones regarding their earlier scuffle.

“Gentlemen, looks like we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot. Let’s put it behind us. But I have to take that cripple with me.” Panther spoke with confidence, feeling he’d already granted them enough face and his request was perfectly reasonable; surely, they’d agree.

But suddenly, a sharp slap landed on Panther’s face, leaving him stunned. All this time, Lu Ming had barely moved, yet now he coldly spoke, “Try calling him a cripple again, if you dare.”

Snapping back to his senses, Panther was furious. In all his years in Xijing, he’d never been humiliated like this—especially in front of his own men. If he didn’t restore his reputation now, how could he face anyone again? Even if this young man had some background, so what? He could just have his uncle handle it—what couldn’t his uncle’s connections fix?

Enraged, Panther threw caution to the wind. “Take them all! If they resist, beat them within an inch of their lives!”

Lu Ming narrowed his eyes, and Yun Ketian stood up as well.

Just then, an armored Special Operations vehicle screeched to a halt at the entrance. The door opened, and a unit of fully armed special operatives charged straight into the breakfast shop.

Their captain quickly sized up the scene and immediately focused on Panther and his men, who were holding batons. With a wave of his hand, the operatives raised their guns, aiming at the security guards.

“Kneel down immediately, drop your weapons, hands on your heads! Disobey, and you’ll be shot on the spot!” the captain barked, nearly scaring Panther out of his wits.

He knew these special operatives were drawn from the special forces—a unit established by the state for counterterrorism, stationed in all major cities, reporting directly to the provincial public security department. They were an emergency response team for major incidents—an extraordinary force. They had the authority to use firearms; if he made a wrong move and got mistaken for a terrorist, he’d die a truly unjust death.

Panther and his men quickly threw down their batons and knelt, hands on their heads. The operatives secured them, and the captain reported into his walkie-talkie, “Reporting to the director: the situation is under control.”

“Very good. Hold your position; I’ll be there immediately,” came Duan Zhiguo’s voice over the radio.

“Yes, sir.”

The captain glanced at Yun Ketian and his companions, saying nothing further, and watched over Panther’s group.

At this point, Panther’s heart sank; he realized he’d crossed a very dangerous line. With a single phone call, this young man had mobilized the Special Operations Unit, and when the captain reported in, he distinctly heard the word “director.” Only the provincial public security department would have such authority, and the director—well, that left no doubt as to who was involved.

To have the provincial director come in person—what kind of status did this young man have? The thought made Panther wet his pants on the spot. Over the years, he’d engaged in all kinds of shady dealings; if anyone dug into his affairs, he’d be in deep trouble.

“Brother, we’re on the same side! My uncle is Zhang Shoulian, deputy chief at the city bureau. Please, don’t misunderstand!”

Seeing the situation turn dire, Panther immediately invoked his uncle’s name, hoping that, as fellow insiders, the other side would cut him some slack—an apology and some money should settle things.

“No wonder you’re so arrogant—you’ve got an uncle at the city bureau,” Yun Ketian sneered.

“Brother, it’s all a misunderstanding! I apologize, I’ll pay compensation, and I won’t ever touch your friend again!” Panther begged from where he knelt.

Yun Ketian shot him a cold look and ignored him entirely. To think he’d dare bully Brother Lu. Who was Brother Lu? A man as extraordinary as a deity, who could produce miraculous things like Springwater and had even saved his father’s life. If someone dared to cross Brother Lu, how could he be allowed to get away with it unscathed?

At that moment, a police cruiser pulled up outside, and three uniformed officers got out. The leader, a middle-aged man with a square jaw, wore the shining insignia of a chief superintendent on his shoulders.

The three approached Lu Ming and his group, and Duan Zhiguo asked in a deep voice, “What happened here?”

Yun Ketian stood up and replied, “Director Duan, these people threatened us with weapons and even said they’d detain us.”

In public, Yun Ketian refrained from calling him “Uncle Duan” and instead addressed him by his official title.

Duan Zhiguo’s expression grew cold. “Since when does a security company have law enforcement powers? Take them all in.”

“Yes, sir.” The captain answered, herding Panther and his men outside.

By this time, Panther had completely soaked his trousers. Legs trembling, he shuffled toward the exit, still pleading, “Brother, it’s all a misunderstanding!”

The captain gave him a swift kick. “Enough talk. Move!”

Panther stumbled forward, forced to obey.

Once Panther and his group had been taken away, Duan Zhiguo turned to Yun Ketian with a smile, “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, thank you, Uncle Duan,” Yun Ketian replied.

“No need to thank me—it’s my duty. And these two gentlemen are your friends?” Duan Zhiguo looked at Lu Ming and Chen Bing.

“Yes.” Yun Ketian introduced them. “This is Brother Lu, and this is Brother Lu’s friend, Brother Chen.”

Hearing Yun Ketian introduce him this way, Duan Zhiguo was taken aback. This young man, he realized, must have a remarkable background.