Twin Dimension Yin-Yang Mirror: Attaining immortality through the martial path
Chapter 416 - 372: The Leak of the Mysterious Power, Following the Clues

Chapter 416: Chapter 372: The Leak of the Mysterious Power, Following the Clues

"Where was the bodyguard?"

Zhou Ping’an knew that Lan Xiaotian was accompanied by bodyguards, three with D-level strength and one with C-level strength.

For a child, this level of protection could already be deemed quite strong.

With the sharp modern firearms at their disposal, even a B-level genetically modified warrior might not be able to take them down quickly.

"One severely injured and in a coma, three dead on the spot. The assailants, three in number, were formidable and acted ruthlessly.

Upon realizing they couldn’t succeed, they immediately detonated the bombs on them. Dong Mingyue was almost injured by the blast."

Tang Tang’s eyes turned cold. "After analyzing the remnants left behind, the evidence department concluded that it was the work of leftovers from a wild beast hunting team known as ’Corpse-Eating Ghosts.’

Who knows who’s pulling their strings or why they were so ferociously determined?"

"It’s very much like a method of mind control to self-detonate and cut off all leads at once when the mission fails, though that’s not certain."

Zhou Ping’an knew his senior sister must have more to say.

So he didn’t rush to conclusions.

Since the crisis at Lan Xiaotian’s side was resolved without severe consequences, such a matter, Tang Tang would at most just give a debrief afterwards, and not personally come to visit him at his home.

Sure enough, after pondering for a moment, Tang Tang continued, "My visit is mainly due to the disappearance of Zhang Xilin, the police chief of the Third Group. I suspect this has something to do with us or, more precisely, with that breath control technique..."

"You mean Zhang Xilin?"

Zhou Ping’an’s expression turned solemn.

That day, he had sent Zhang Xilin straight to the law enforcement hall to pressure Governor Wei Changhe.

The task was handled neatly and decisively, without giving others any chance to exploit the situation.

Impressed by his effectiveness, Zhou Ping’an simply appointed him as the chief of the Third Group.

In name, he was the chief, but with Zhang Xilin’s astuteness and standout capabilities, as long as he gained enough experience, he could immediately become an inspector of the Third Group.

So now, Inspector Li Siping of the Third Group was just a figurehead, responsible for controlling the direction and unifying thoughts.

The real case work was still primarily led by Zhang Xilin.

The importance of his incident was worth pondering.

With Zhou Ping’an’s current perspective, the foundational method of the Wave Subduing Blade Technique, Gentle Water Eight Steps, along with the Tidal Breathing Technique, were actually not considered too formidable in martial arts.

In another world at the same level of cultivation techniques, he could easily find ten or eight of them if he so wished.

However, that’s not the right way to look at it.

In modern society on this side, Gentle Water Eight Steps might be passable as just an energy training martial art, enabling one to systematically integrate energy paths into one, and unleash the strength of a B-level genetically modified warrior.

It wasn’t considered too formidable.

But the Tidal Breathing Technique was different.

This breath control technique, regardless of the speed of cultivation, was truly a method that could be directly cultivated to the True Qi Realm.

In other words, by relying on this foundational breath control cultivation, one could refine True Qi.

Reaching the standards of the Mortal Rank Seventh Refinement.

And it could also allow one to live without diseases and disorders, living past the age of a hundred.

Leaving aside the issue of longevity, from the aspect of strength, by modern world ratings, it meant one could cultivate to S-level strength.

This was somewhat terrifying.

The current situation was such that in a city, having one or two S-level warriors as a hidden trump card was considered rather impressive.

Some regional big families couldn’t even muster one S-level.

Here at Zhou Ping’an’s place, he casually tossed out a cultivation technique of S-level caliber.

This kind of bold move, once known to others, would likely drive them mad.

People outside didn’t understand the value of the Tidal Breathing Technique.

But they were not fools either.

As long as they secretly observed the strength progression of the first batch of Police Security Third Group personnel, they could roughly deduce just how powerful the cultivation technique they were practicing was.

Coveting such power was understandable.

"There is an inside man."

Zhou Ping’an’s thoughts turned swiftly, understanding the root cause of the incident.

The teaching of the Tidal Breathing Technique had always been strictly controlled.

The original idea was that the Gentle Water Eight Steps could be leaked.

But the Tidal Breathing Technique was not to be learned by anyone outside the core class.

Who constituted the core class?

Other than his own mother and sister, it was Tang Tang, Dong Mingyue, Lan Xiaotian, along with Wu Shi, Zhang Yue, Yang Zhengyu, Zhang Xilin, and a few other select individuals.

Either they were family and friends, or they were deeply loyal to him - after multiple tests, he deemed them trustworthy.

The enemy suddenly launched an attack.

Targeting Lan Xiaotian and Zhang Xilin.

Zhou Ping’an refused to believe there wasn’t a mole leaking information.

"Let’s go to the Third Group."

The small yellow car, like a swift fish, darted into the traffic...

Soon they arrived in Hongtang District.

This was one of Dongjiang’s economically leading bustling districts, filled with factories, teeming with people on the streets.

Even in the harsh afternoon sun, with the heat rising, it couldn’t stop the enthusiasm of men and women out shopping.

Compared to some time ago, when Dongjiang City’s public safety improved, becoming more peaceful and serene.

People walked outside, all polite and courteous, fearful of causing trouble and having the Police Security invite them for a free meal.

Compared to previous times when genetic warriors would occasionally injure people on the streets then flee, it was now much better.

For ordinary people, their wishes were not high...

As long as there was relative stability and they weren’t hungry, they were very satisfied.

This could be seen from the leisurely smiles on the faces of the pedestrians on the street.

Zhou Ping’an credited himself with contributing to such tranquility.

Such hard-won peace - and now, someone wanted to disrupt it...

He felt this was absolutely intolerable.

Dongjiang City would not allow a second voice to emerge.

Moreover, it was clear that this was a targeted move against him.

It was bearable, but intolerable.

Cultivation techniques could be transmitted.

But that had to be of his own volition.

If he didn’t give them, they couldn’t be taken by force.

Whoever dared to employ such dishonorable tactics would need to be prepared to have their claws severed, or even be uprooted entirely.

"We’re all here, thirty-eight in total, not a single one missing."

The inspector, Li Siping, with his silver hair and a face full of smiles, appeared honest and amiable. Early on, he had led all members of the Third Group to wait at the entrance.

On the floor paved with Fang Qingshi tiles, there were also fine textures to prevent slipping.

The walls were carved with reliefs of ferocious tigers, imparting an extraordinary grandeur, with the air conditioning also set quite strong ... The furnishings all around were quite luxurious and elegant.

"Indeed, it lives up to being the most flourishing division among the groups. This environment is hardly any different from the headquarters of the squadron,"

Zhou Ping’an nodded in approval.

Several police security officers quietly lowered their heads.

Not daring to look too much at the newly appointed deputy squadron leader.

It’s more appropriate to call him the squadron leader rather than the deputy.

After all, Captain Tang was there by his side, not uttering a word.

Anyone with clear eyes knew that the position was just a facade; in reality, who was in charge was clear as day.

"Tell me, where did Chief Zhang disappear? Who noticed something was wrong and reported it to the squadron?"

Zhou Ping’an asked casually, repeating the questions that had already been asked of the squadron personnel dozens of times.

His inquiry was casual.

The inspector of the Third Group also answered smoothly.

Not daring to show the slightest impatience.

"Captain Zhou, this is what happened: this morning at 10:15, Chief Zhang went to Xinyuan Company to handle a female employee’s jumping incident.

He had just returned to the office and had a cup of cold beverage, then he sent Xiao Chen out, saying he had to bend over the desk and write some notes,"

Li Siping spoke fluently, with solid professional skills, and narrated the previous events in just a few words.

By his side, a competent female police security officer with a neat bob haircut also hurriedly nodded, "That’s right, I just went out of the room at that time, and even closed the door gently. I was sorting out files in the next room when suddenly I heard a loud explosion, and smoke poured out from the chief’s office, only then did everyone realize something was wrong."

Zhou Ping’an pushed open the door of the chief’s office and saw at first glance that furniture was overturned, the walls were blackened.

There was still standing water on the wet floor, and a large area of wall tiles had fallen off.

Obviously, it was a fire caused by an explosion, which then triggered the automatic fire extinguishing system.

He could smell a faint scent of gunpowder in his nose.

Seemingly confirming that the explosion was no fabrication.

This must be the scene where Zhang Xilin was kidnapped...

"Xiao Chen, are you saying that you had been watching the outside the whole time, not seeing Chief Zhang go out, and it was only after hearing an explosion that you called everyone over?"

"Yes..."

Xiao Chen hurriedly nodded in affirmation, not understanding why Zhou Ping’an was asking this.

"You’re lying."

Zhou Ping’an suddenly interrupted her, his gaze sharp as he looked over and said with a light chuckle, "If I’m not mistaken, you got your job thanks to Inspector Li’s help, perhaps for some money...

No, not money, so there must be someone in your family who has a good relation with Inspector Li.

That’s not right either; he promised you something, and you... you gave something in return..."

As Zhou Ping’an spoke, asking questions one by one.

Xiao Chen initially had a bewildered look, then began to tremble all over, with sweat pouring from her forehead like rain.

Clearly, every word Zhou Ping’an uttered had struck a chord in her heart.

As if he had personally witnessed some deeply hidden secrets.

"Of course, Chief Zhang’s disappearance has nothing to do with you. You merely provided cover for someone, am I right? Inspector Li..."

As Zhou Ping’an turned his head towards Li Siping, he noticed that this newly appointed old police officer was already shaking like a sieve.

His legs had grown so weak they were like noodles, incapable of standing straight no matter how hard he tried.

Had it not been for the two Police Security officers who quickly stepped in to control him, he would have probably collapsed to the ground already.

"It was actually him, a wolf in sheep’s clothing..."

Tang Tang was so infuriated that she almost cursed out loud on the spot.

The leader of the Third Group had set her up, and it nearly resulted in a catastrophe.

After the incident, she cleaned out the Third Group again and arranged for her own trusted but competent people to take on the roles.

This Inspector Li, Li Siping, was one of the first veteran special ops to pledge allegiance to her when she became the deputy captain of the squad.

Seeing how effectively he carried out his duties, she had promoted him to an inspector of the Third Group out of turn.

There was also a notion of rewarding his service.

But she never expected that in just a few days since his appointment,

despite receiving his rewards and enjoying his benefits, he would collude with external enemies, secretly causing trouble.

"Captain Tang, please spare me, I was momentarily possessed by demons...

*Sob*, Xiao Jing is attending school in Linhai, she’s not healthy, suffers from a terminal illness, and needs a big sum of money, I...I had no other choice..."

"I have let down Captain Tang, I’ve let you all down, I’ll confess, I’ll confess everything. I just hope, don’t let this incident get out...

Li Siping had aged a great deal at that moment, his spirit completely deflated.

He didn’t even beg Zhou Ping’an for mercy.

The bloodshed vividly broadcasted was proof of Zhou, King of Hell’s ruthless nature.

This time, being a traitor and colluding with enemies, plotting something sinister, was tantamount to a dead end from any perspective.

All he hoped for was to remain a good father in the eyes of his children, not to be mentioned with heads hung in shame.

"I’m sorry..."

Tang Tang’s expression was as cold as steel.

If it had been any other mistake, even an ambush targeting her, she could have looked past it considering his candid confession afterward, executed him privately, and issued a notice stating it was due to an act of duty.

It would have been in consideration of his life-long hard work.

However, plotting against colleagues, and even setting traps for superiors, was too heinous an act that couldn’t be forgiven under any circumstances.

Nor could he be given any honors.

"We’ve found it."

Zhou Ping’an waved his hand, instructing the Third Group’s Police Security to take Li Siping away, and headed straight for the Inspector’s office.

His five senses were extremely sharp; the Third Group’s common hall, which seemed entirely normal to others, was full of traces for him to see and smell.

Zhang Xilin had a heavy addiction to smoking, preferring a particularly spicy brand called Skyhawk Cigarettes, the smell of which lingered for a long time without dissipating.

The guy seemed calm and collected, but his temperament was actually fiery and explosively irritable.

Hence, the Wave Chasing Jin he cultivated carried an explosive aura.

This aura had only erupted once in Li Siping’s office and was already slowly fading away.

"If I’m not wrong, there should be a passage in the secret chamber underneath this place..."

Zhou Ping’an merely stood at the door of the Inspector’s office, squinted his eyes, walked to a corner of the room, and grabbed one of the hooks protruding from the bronze clothes rack on the wall, twisting it twice.

There was a loud ’creak,’ and the ground beneath the desk immediately cracked open to reveal a hole.

...

Requesting Monthly Pass.