Dragon Head Supreme Chapter 176
Chapter 176: Can You Shoulder This Responsibility?
The sudden twist in events brought the rehearsal to an abrupt halt. Everyone turned, eyes wide with shock.
Especially Zhang Qiang and the others sitting beside Chen Xue Wen—seasoned figures in the cultural scene, old hands who had seen their fair share of trouble. They weren’t big-time players, but they knew enough to recognize when it was time to step back. And right now? Nobody wanted to be caught in the crossfire.
Zhang Qiang, in particular, moved discreetly to the side, pulling out his phone to make a call. He needed to find out exactly what was going on. After all, Chen Xue Wen had just donated a cool million and brought in a pile of prizes for the event. If something serious was going down, Zhang had to cut ties immediately. But if this was just a misunderstanding? Well, then he couldn’t just stand by and let the benefactor of their cultural performances be dragged away. Who would dare to sponsor them in the future?
Meanwhile, Chen Xue Wen remained calm. He rose to his feet with a slight smile. “Since the law enforcement squad is here, of course, I’ll cooperate fully.”
His tone was courteous, but there was an edge to it. “However, before we go any further, I’d like to see your identification. Would you mind showing me?”
The leader of the squad stepped forward and flashed his badge. Chen Xue Wen glanced at it, then nodded politely. “Ah, Captain Li. Good to meet you.”
“Your credentials check out,” he continued, “but I’d still like to see a formal arrest warrant.”
Captain Li’s face darkened. He had no such warrant. They were only here to investigate a case and had heard that Chen Xue Wen was involved in the abduction of Quan Ding Kun the night before. They figured they could just take him in for questioning.
But an actual arrest warrant? That hadn’t been processed. They had no solid evidence linking Chen Xue Wen to the crime.
His voice grew colder. “Chen Xue Wen, we need you to come with us for questioning. What’s with the attitude?”
Chen Xue Wen merely shrugged. “Captain Li, requesting an arrest warrant isn’t ‘giving you attitude.’ It’s a perfectly reasonable legal requirement. Where’s the problem?”
Captain Li clenched his teeth, clearly irritated. “You looking to make this difficult for me? Fine!”
Taking a step closer, he lowered his voice menacingly. “We are officially issuing a public security summons. That doesn’t require an arrest warrant.”
His squad members moved in, ready to enforce the order.
But Chen Xue Wen remained unfazed. His smile never wavered. “Gentlemen, you’re with the Three Rivers County Law Enforcement. Yet you’ve crossed into Peaceful City’s jurisdiction to summon me. Did you get authorization from the Peaceful City squad?”
Captain Li froze. He had no response.
A public security summons was one thing, but operating across regional lines without approval? That was a direct violation of procedure.
Seeing Captain Li’s hesitation, Chen Xue Wen pressed on. “If you don’t have that approval, then I’m afraid I can’t comply.”
The captain’s face twisted in frustration, just as Zhang Qiang reappeared, stepping forward smoothly. “Captain Li, correct?”
He extended a hand. “I’m Zhang Qiang, Director of Old Square Community Affairs.”
Captain Li shook his hand, but his frown remained deep.
Zhang Qiang smiled, keeping his tone light yet firm. “Captain Li, I know how hard your team works. I respect that. But I need to point something out.”
He gestured toward Chen Xue Wen. “This man is a pillar of our community. A top sponsor for our cultural events. Today, we’re rehearsing for the New Spring Cultural Performance, an event he fully supports.”
He paused deliberately. “And this rehearsal? It’s being recorded for review by city officials.”
Captain Li’s expression changed. Zhang Qiang was playing the political game, throwing weight around with city-level backing.
Taking a deep breath, Captain Li tried to stand his ground. “Director Zhang, Chen Xue Wen is involved in a serious criminal investigation in Three Rivers County—”
“Captain Li!” Zhang Qiang cut him off sharply. “You do realize the gravity of what you’re saying?”
His gaze turned cold. “That case you’re referring to? The real culprit has already been identified. Chen Xue Wen has no connection to it. If you insist on making baseless accusations, tell me—”
“Can you shoulder the consequences of being wrong?”
But Zhang Qiang was a seasoned old fox, well-connected in Peaceful City. If someone tried to mess with him, he had ways to make sure they regretted it. If Captain Li really forced his hand, this responsibility would be too much for him to bear.
Captain Li quickly backpedaled. “I… I didn’t mean it like that! I just want him to cooperate with the investigation.”
Zhang Qiang smirked. “Cooperation? No problem. We’re all about working with the law here.”
“But the law has to be followed properly.”
He took a step closer, his voice turning sharp. “Captain Li, either you bring me an arrest warrant, or you get the Peaceful City Law Enforcement Squad to issue a summons.”
“Showing up unannounced to take someone away? What’s the meaning of this? You think the Peaceful City Law Enforcement Squad is full of idiots who can’t handle their own business?”
That last line hit like a hammer. Zhang Qiang’s gaze turned cold and piercing.
Captain Li flinched. That was dangerous talk. He waved his hands frantically. “Director Zhang, no, no, that’s not what I meant!”
By this point, the people rehearsing for the event had taken notice. They crowded around, their voices rising in protest. Captain Li and his men were being accused of breaking the rules, disrupting the rehearsal, and making a mess of things.
These weren’t just any bystanders—they were community workers, some with real connections. Today, Chen Xue Wen had handed out solid gifts, and Zhang Qiang had invited all the right people to show up and collect their share.
Now, seeing Captain Li on the losing end, the crowd was getting riled up. If Chen Xue Wen got taken away, the rehearsal would be interrupted. That alone wasn’t the real issue, though.
The real problem? Would the gifts still be handed out?
They weren’t here for the show—they were here for the loot. If the gifts didn’t come through because some outsider decided to play tough guy, that wasn’t going to fly.
The rising tension made Captain Li’s face burn with embarrassment. He was from Three Rivers County, completely out of his element here. He didn’t dare offend anyone in this place. In the end, he had no choice but to retreat with his men, tails between their legs.
Watching the scene unfold, Chen Xue Wen couldn’t help but chuckle to himself.
Lawyer He’s advice had worked like a charm.
It was clear as day that Zhang Qiang wasn’t the type to stick his neck out for nothing. Before helping, he had made sure to gather all the details. He had reached out to the Peaceful City Law Enforcement Squad, confirming that Three Rivers County had already issued warrants for Lu Jin Po’s two henchmen, proving that Chen Xue Wen wasn’t on the hook for anything. Only then did Zhang Qiang step in to back him up.
If there had been any doubt, Zhang Qiang wouldn’t have lifted a finger.
And that just proved how smart Chen Xue Wen had been to have Little Yang and the others pose as Lu Jin Po’s men.
Now, everyone’s focus was on those two fugitives, which meant far less trouble coming his way.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation