159: Chapter 159 National Security Intervention, Struggle for Investigative Power

Shen Zhendong heard the news, his brows furrowed, and a hint of disappointment and regret flashed in his eyes. He sighed deeply and lamented, "Sigh, we've been watching the Underground Bank for so long; I didn't expect to be one step too late after all. It's truly a failure on the verge of success."

At this moment, the woman sitting on his left parted her red lips and responded in a somewhat cold voice, "Director Shen, don't blame yourself too much; one can only say the opponent was too cunning. However, we can't exactly call it a total failure." Speaking to this point, she smiled slightly, a hint of craftiness flashing in her eyes, "At least we caught Chen Mo; that can be considered an unexpected surprise."

Shen Zhendong turned to look at her, nodded, and smiled, "Yes, Captain Ye is right. Although our Modu anti-gambling operation has some regrets, being able to catch Chen Mo is still a great achievement. Perhaps, by following the vine from the clue of Chen Mo, we can also pull out the mastermind behind the scenes."

Cao Zhen also chimed in with a smile at this time, "Indeed. However, this time it was really thanks to Captain Ye's timely intelligence. Otherwise, that Chen Mo would probably have fled long ago."

Facing the compliments of the two police directors, the woman only smiled faintly, appearing very calm and unruffled. But at the same time, a rare softness appeared on her face as she politely responded, "The two directors are too kind. Information sharing is only as it should be. Besides, our National Security and Public Security are one family; fighting crime together is our common responsibility."

Having said that, her tone suddenly shifted, returning to that cold demeanor as she said solemnly, "However, I have a suggestion. Given the special nature of Chen Mo's identity, I feel it would be more secure to hand over the subsequent interrogation work to us at National Security."

Shen Zhendong's brow furrowed slightly upon hearing this. He had actually anticipated it, but he still wanted to try and push for it. He pondered for a moment, organized his words, then nodded and spoke slowly, "Captain Ye is absolutely right. Chen Mo's identity is indeed unusual, and it is only right for National Security to take over the interrogation. It's just," he paused, a troubled expression appearing on his face, "it's just that our Modu anti-gambling and evil-eradication operation still has some unresolved doubts. Now that the key target is dead, and we don't know if the evidence for the illegal casinos and the Underground Bank can be found. It can be said that Chen Mo is now our only lead. Our police force also hopes to find the mastermind through him and uproot these dark and evil forces!"

"Director Shen, I understand what you mean." The woman said, smiling slightly as she looked directly at Shen Zhendong, continuing in a deep voice, "However, since you also say Chen Mo's identity is special, do you really think the Modu police alone can shake the person behind him? Besides, even if Director Shen has the courage, can you guarantee that there isn't a single person in the Modu police force who is in league with that mastermind?"

"Uh, this..." Shen Zhendong was choked by her words, a flash of embarrassment crossing his face. He fell silent for a moment, then took a deep breath, looking at the woman with determined eyes, responding word for word, "Captain Ye, I admit that some people in our police force indeed have dirty hands, but please do not underestimate the determination of our Modu police. No matter how powerful the background of that mastermind is, our Modu police will never give up easily. We will certainly do our utmost to drag that mastermind out!"

Seeing the atmosphere between the two grow awkward, Cao Zhen spoke up to smooth things over. He looked at the woman with a somewhat slick smile and explained, "Captain Ye, Director Shen's meaning is also that he hopes when National Security interrogates Chen Mo, if any clues related to our Modu Underground Bank case are found, they can be shared with us in a timely manner." As he spoke, Cao Zhen carefully glanced at Shen Zhendong, giving an inquiring look, and then continued, "Director Shen, you... that's what you meant, right?"

Shen Zhendong understood Cao Zhen's intent, nodded slightly, and responded in a deep voice, "Captain Ye, to be honest, our Modu police have been following this case for a long time. It involves a wide range of people, including leading cadres of departments, their family members and children, and even some within our own police force are suspected of involvement. Therefore, if we cannot take this opportunity to wipe out these black sheep in one fell swoop, all our previous efforts will have been in vain."

Before Shen Zhendong could continue, the woman interrupted with a smile, "Director Shen, sometimes, retreating to advance is also a strategy."

Hearing this, Shen Zhendong and Cao Zhen were both stunned for a moment, then looked at each other, seeing the curiosity in each other's eyes. Shen Zhendong asked with interest, "What does Captain Ye mean?"

A hint of craftiness flashed in the woman's eyes as she lightly tapped her finger on the table, her smile revealing a bit of confidence: "Director Shen, Director Cao, I have an idea that might temporarily lull the opponent into a false sense of security, buying us more time and clues to solve the case."

"Oh? We're all ears!" Shen Zhendong and Cao Zhen were both invigorated, looking at the woman with piercing eyes full of expectation.

The woman smiled faintly and slowly laid out her plan: "We can publicly announce that the Underground Bank case has been closed. It would be best to hold a press conference and tell the public that the main culprit of the Underground Bank, Brother Dao, as well as Chen Mo, are both dead. This way, those involved will let down their guard when they see the police haven't investigated them, and it will also deceive the person behind Chen Mo. Furthermore, by releasing the news of Chen Mo's death, Hongmen will certainly take action. Perhaps the other three people they planted in our Dragon Country will also surface. Moreover, since that mastermind could direct Chen Mo to do things, even if they aren't from Hongmen, they must have countless ties of interest with them. At that time, even if the interrogation of Chen Mo makes no substantive progress, we can continue to investigate deeply along the line of Hongmen."

After hearing the plan, Shen Zhendong and Cao Zhen looked at each other again, their eyes showing admiration.

Shen Zhendong even slapped the table in praise: "What a great idea! Captain Ye's tactic of retreating to advance and 'luring the snake out of its hole' is truly brilliant! I had long heard that Captain Ye is one of the rare female soldier kings in our Dragon Country. Looking at it now, Captain Ye not only has excellent qualities but also extraordinary intelligence!"

"Hehe, Director Shen, you flatter me." The woman smiled modestly, "Since Director Shen has no objections, let's arrange it as soon as possible. After all, this operation was somewhat hasty. If there are too many people talking and the news leaks out, it wouldn't be good."

Shen Zhendong nodded in agreement: "Mm, Captain Ye is right." Then, he looked at Cao Zhen and instructed, "Old Cao, pass the word down that Chen Mo was shot dead by our police, not arrested. Understand?"

"Understood!" Cao Zhen immediately replied, "I'll go notify Sun Yizhong right away. However, Chen Mo was hit by two bullets. Since we need to keep it secret, I think it's better to escort him to the Armed Police General Hospital for treatment." After speaking, he looked at the two of them, seeking their opinion.

Hearing this, Shen Zhendong looked at the woman, asking for her opinion.

She thought for a moment and then nodded, "Fine, let's do as Director Cao says. I'll have the brothers from National Security go to the Armed Police General Hospital to wait for the handover later."

"Alright, then I'll go arrange it now." Cao Zhen said as he stood up and quickly walked out of the conference room.

...

After Cao Zhen left the conference room, Shen Zhendong folded his hands on the table. With a warm smile in his eyes, he looked at the woman and asked softly, "Captain Ye, I wonder how the Old Chief's health has been lately?"

"Uncle Shen, there are no outsiders here now, so please don't be so formal with me. You can call me Xiao Ye or Qingcheng." The woman smiled, a gentle smile appearing on her face. Then, she continued, "Grandfather's health is still quite robust. Before I came to Modu, he specifically told me that I must visit you if I had time."

After hearing this, a flash of emotion crossed Shen Zhendong's eyes. He sighed and said with some guilt, "I'm ashamed to say, I've always wanted to go to the capital to visit Elder Ye, but I'm always tied down by affairs... It's rare that Elder Ye still remembers me."

"Uncle Shen, please don't say that." Ye Qingcheng quickly consoled him, "Grandfather said that you must prioritize your work. He's doing very well in the capital. He has nothing much to do every day, just leisurely walking his birds or playing chess with old comrades. He lives very comfortably. You don't need to worry about him."

Shen Zhendong burst into laughter upon hearing this: "Haha, Elder Ye is truly blessed! Oh, right, Qingcheng, I remember you should have a younger brother, right? By now, he should have started working too? Where is he currently employed?"

Upon hearing this, a complex expression flashed across Ye Qingcheng's face, and she said nonchalantly, "Him? He doesn't have anything serious to do. I haven't been in contact with him for a long time since I joined National Security. When I was coming here, I heard from Grandfather that he also came to Modu some time ago. I'm planning to find him for a get-together after the matters here are handled."

"Is that so? Well, how about this?" A sharp glint flashed in Shen Zhendong's eyes, "I'll host tonight. Call your brother along, and we'll all have dinner together."

Ye Qingcheng hesitated for a moment but still politely declined, "Uncle Shen, I appreciate your kindness. But I am in Modu on official business and am bound by discipline. It's really not convenient."

Shen Zhendong waved his hand dismissively, "Eh, Qingcheng, those words are too distant. Work is important, of course, but one must always eat. And there are no outsiders; it's just a family dinner at my house. Elder Ye's grandson and granddaughter have both come to Modu. As a soldier who served under Elder Ye back then, how can I not show some hospitality? If this gets back to the capital and my old comrades find out, they'll be poking me in the back and calling me ungrateful..."

Since Shen Zhendong had put it that way, Ye Qingcheng was a Junior after all. If she refused again, it would be a bit disrespectful. Thus, she could only smile and nod, "Then, I shall respectfully obey."

"Eh, that's more like it!" Shen Zhendong nodded with satisfaction.

...

Just then, the conference room door was suddenly pushed open again, and Cao Zhen walked in hurriedly.

His expression looked somewhat grave, and his brows were tightly furrowed as he reported, "Director Shen, Captain Ye, the situation at the scene investigation is not very optimistic. They searched the entire two-story building and found no evidence related to the casino or the Underground Bank. Moreover, the safe in Brother Dao's room was also empty, and even the hard drive in the computer tower had been removed..."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of Shen Zhendong and Ye Qingcheng both changed. Shen Zhendong frowned and asked thoughtfully, "Could it have been Chen Mo's doing?"

Cao Zhen stood to the side, shook his head, and responded, "Chen Mo isn't saying anything now. It looks like he's prepared to resist to the end! Sun Yizhong and the others searched Chen Mo thoroughly, including the car he drove, and found nothing except a passport, a plane ticket to the Island Country for tonight, and a bank card. Additionally, Sun Yizhong said that when he arrived at the scene, Chen Mo had already been shot in the shoulder. Two bullet heads were also found in the room. Looking at the bullet model, it should be a type 54 pistol, but strangely, that pistol was not found at the scene."

After hearing this, a hint of doubt flashed in Shen Zhendong's eyes, and he pressed, "Didn't you find Brother Dao behind the building? Is it possible that Brother Dao hid these things in advance?"

Cao Zhen nodded and said thoughtfully, "There is indeed such a possibility. Behind the Underground Bank is a forest; it shouldn't be hard to hide some things."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhendong immediately made arrangements: "In that case, have Sun Yizhong leave a team to conduct a carpet search around the Underground Bank. I don't believe it; can things just vanish into thin air?"

"Yes! I'll go see to it right away." Cao Zhen replied, turning to leave.

"Wait." Just then, Ye Qingcheng suddenly stood up.

"Does Captain Ye have any further instructions?" Cao Zhen stopped and looked at Ye Qingcheng, inquiring.

Ye Qingcheng's brow was tightly knit as she pondered and voiced her doubts: "I've been thinking just now. According to our understanding, Chen Mo has martial arts skills and is very strong. But although that Brother Dao is also aggressive and fierce, in reality, he doesn't have much combat power. Under normal circumstances, even if Brother Dao had a gun, he shouldn't have been able to wound Chen Mo so easily. Besides, don't you think there are some suspicious points here? It's understandable to hide the safe and the hard drive because they might contain evidence. But why would the gun be gone? If it really was Brother Dao who shot and wounded Chen Mo and then jumped out the window to escape, shouldn't the gun be right with him? That's his life-saving weapon! How could it not be found?"

"What does Captain Ye mean?" Shen Zhendong also had doubts in his heart, but he hadn't quite figured it out yet. Hearing Ye Qingcheng say this, the doubts in his heart became a bit clearer.

Ye Qingcheng frowned and said, "I think there should have been a third person in that room besides Brother Dao and Chen Mo."

Shen Zhendong and Ye Qingcheng's thoughts coincided. He frowned and pondered, saying, "A third person? Does Captain Ye mean it might be a case of 'black eating black'?"

Cao Zhen also nodded in agreement, "That possibility indeed cannot be ruled out. Perhaps it's a play of 'the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.' The mastermind directed Chen Mo to kill Brother Dao, and knowing that Chen Mo had been exposed, they sent someone else to deal with Chen Mo."

The three looked at each other and exchanged views. Cao Zhen continued, "In that case, I'll tell the person in charge at the scene about Captain Ye's idea and have them check more carefully to see if there are any traces of a third person."

"Mm, to be able to wound Chen Mo, they must be an expert. Tell the brothers to be careful and not fall into a trap." Ye Qingcheng reminded.

Cao Zhen gave a "good" in response and quickly left the conference room. At the same time, Ye Qingcheng also stood up and took her leave from Shen Zhendong, "Uncle Shen, I'll be going now too."

"Don't be in such a hurry. It's almost noon; let's have lunch together before you go." Shen Zhendong immediately stood up and urged her to stay.

"No, Uncle Shen. I still have to report to the Modu branch of National Security and arrange the subsequent handover work." Ye Qingcheng responded with a smile.

A warm smile appeared on Shen Zhendong's face: "Since there's official business, I won't keep you. However, you must remember to come to my place for dinner tonight. Tell me what you and your brother like to eat, and I'll have your aunt prepare it in advance."

"Haha, Uncle Shen, don't go to so much trouble. Just home-cooked food is fine. I've been trained in the military; I'm not a picky eater." Ye Qingcheng replied with a smile.

While talking, the two had already walked out of the conference room and were heading out of the police station.

...