246: Chapter 241 A Man's Responsibility

I somewhat underestimated the government's mobile response capabilities. In less than half an hour, even the special forces were in position, and there was more than one helicopter approaching in the sky. Judging by the sound of the rotors, they weren't civilian models.

"I say... Chiefs, there's no need for such a grand welcome! Please put down your guns and let's talk things over properly. I'm bold and not afraid, but you've frightened my wife, and that's not good!"

Cao Xiao didn't want to be bound by rules and regulations, so he had never considered himself an orthodox soldier.

Pushing aside Duan Hong and the other person blocking him, he gave a military salute to the leaders to indicate his status as an active-duty officer—at least until he saw the official dismissal papers.

He couldn't quite gauge their attitude toward him, but it was clear that the few in front of him didn't take a minor major like him seriously. Given their status, his identity in the Supervision Department was no secret. Moreover, the leader among them was likely the local head of the Supervision Department. Given the high state of alert of the soldiers, who were ready to fire at any moment, his life might truly be insignificant compared to the important information behind the incident. Any of his wishes, including his freedom, would be ignored.

Regardless of Cao Xiao's thoughts, the major general leading them acted as if he hadn't heard a word. He suppressed the emotion on his face, returned the salute, and stepped forward solemnly. "Major Cao Xiao, I am Jin Shangdong, a Special Commissioner from the Supervision Department headquarters responsible for handling this incident. After urgent consultations by higher authorities, I am now officially notifying you on behalf of the Supervision Department: as of now, you are relieved of your duties as the Director of the Huanghe City Supervision Office. Simultaneously, on behalf of the military, I am relieving you, Duan Hong, and the others of all military duties and ranks, and confiscating all weapons, equipment, and credentials."

"The higher-ups take this incident very seriously. As direct participants in this event, the three of you are to undergo an investigation immediately. This is an order! Please!"

Although Jin Shangdong spoke with courtesy and decorum, his tone was extremely firm, leaving no room for negotiation or refusal!

Cao Xiao's expression darkened. He hadn't expected the other party to be so cold and detached, ignoring his words and acting strictly by the book, completely disregarding his warning. He didn't care about being relieved of his duties; those positions had come to him out of nowhere anyway. Given the current situation, it was actually a good thing—at least he wouldn't have to worry about this happening again at a critical moment in the future.

Something must have gone wrong within the Supervision Department, and he was likely at the center of the vortex. It was obvious that, having no foundation within the Supervision Department, he had blindly and unknowingly become a scapegoat. Otherwise, they wouldn't have rushed to relieve him of his duties without reason, without allowing for explanation, and without following standard procedures.

He wanted to lash out but realized that doing so under such forceful circumstances would lead to consequences he didn't want to see. He couldn't be impulsive. No matter what he said now, the other party wouldn't take it to heart; he had no choice but to cooperate.

He looked at Jin Shangdong intently, took a deep breath, then turned back with a light smile and placed a hand on He Yueyou's shoulder. "Yueyou, don't worry. It's fine. Everything will be clear once I explain. Book a flight back to Huanghe City first and wait for me at Commissioner Zhang's house. I'll be back as soon as I'm done. It won't be long, trust me."

"Alright, I'll leave right away. You be careful, and remember to call me."

He Yueyou could see that the situation was dire, and she could naturally hear the forced calm and helplessness in Cao Xiao's voice. Staying here wouldn't help him and would be futile. Cao Xiao asking her to find Zhang Ruikang was a request to seek reinforcements, or perhaps he feared she would be caught in the crossfire and was finding her a safe harbor. So, despite her anxiety, her reason told her what she should do. Yet, she still felt a faint unease; in an affair of this magnitude, she feared even Zhang Ruikang's status might not allow him to intervene or provide much help.

"Mhm!" Cao Xiao gave a gentle smile, then turned and scanned the gun barrels following his movement with a cold sneer. His gaze was like lightning as he stared at Jin Shangdong and said disdainfully, "General Jin, Chiefs, I am now just an ordinary citizen of Huaxia. I have an obligation to cooperate with your orders, but you have no right to use coercive measures against us. Firstly, I have not endangered national security, nor have I violated any laws, so I am merely fulfilling my duty! My fiancée is not involved in this matter. I will take full responsibility for everything and fully cooperate with the investigation. Therefore, let her leave! Before I receive a call saying she has arrived, I won't say a single word!"

At Cao Xiao's words, Jin Shangdong looked as if he had heard something hilarious. A slight ripple appeared on his previously solemn face, and his eyes narrowed as he stared at Cao Xiao with a half-smile. "Cao Xiao, you've misunderstood the situation. This is an order! Under special circumstances, we have the right to compel any citizen to obey orders. Furthermore, whether national security has been endangered is not for you to decide; if we say it has, then it has. Just now, without requesting or obtaining permission, you took it upon yourself to gun down 26 unidentified armed militants in public, causing mass panic and rioting. This has seriously endangered public safety and had a massive negative impact on social stability. Until the nature of the incident is determined, your freedom will be forcibly restricted, and you must cooperate unconditionally with the interrogation. This includes Ms. He; she cannot leave either, as we need to confirm whether she is involved."

He seemed to sense a faint, dangerous aura emanating from Jin Shangdong, but Cao Xiao didn't care. Since things had reached this point, there was no room for maneuver. They stood on different sides, and it was only natural for each to act according to their own agenda. Besides, the military was not a place for sentimentality; he could understand and accept that. He didn't care about the interrogation itself and had already prepared for the worst. If his life were truly threatened, he would risk exposure and fight his way out without hesitation. Moreover, unless someone intentionally wanted him dead, none of his few enemies possessed the terrifying power to sway the entire Supervision Department's will to exterminate a former comrade. Thus, this trip shouldn't be dangerous; at most, he would be temporarily under supervision and protection, and once the matter concluded, he'd face some punishment and be fine.

But He Yueyou knew nothing at all. To make things difficult for her when the primary party was fully cooperating was going too far! She was exhausted and needed to rest immediately; she couldn't handle any more turmoil. He could compromise on anything else, but not this. If a man couldn't even protect his own woman, he would be too incompetent!

Taking another deep breath, he stepped forward, closing in on Jin Shangdong. "General Jin, I don't want to waste any more words. No amount of guns is useful against me, and don't place too much confidence in those people behind you. I can tell you with certainty that all of them combined are not a match for me in a single exchange! Want to try? Let my fiancée leave immediately, or I'll have no choice but to offend you. You only have ten seconds to decide!"