Enforcer Manual
Chapter 30: Duality_1

Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Duality_1

Coming out of the large conference room, Song Lan was feeling rather heavy-hearted.

Though he had a vague notion of the current state of Zone 17, this was his first direct encounter with it.

The whereabouts of the Foster Family’s "cargo" remains a mystery. He isn’t sure if it was first whisked away by Lainal’s people, or if it is hidden among the group he is dealing with.

"Those who were taken away,"

Someone called Song Lan from the corner of the stairs, "The women were sent to pleasure venues in Zone 17, some men were made the lowest-level henchmen, and those who resist were sent to do underground boxing."

Song Lan turned around and saw Lu Xiang, arms crossed and leaning against the wall.

"I first targeted them because of a few missing person cases. Besides bringing people from outside, their other business was exporting ’cargo’ hoarded in the city. These hardcore criminals buy stuff in the city and they need someone to take care of the after-sales service for them,"

Lu Xiang’s demeanor and tone while saying these words were completely different than usual.

Or rather, this was closer to Song Lan’s first impression of her.

"The remaining people, even if they stay in Zone 17, will become undocumented residents with no identities. With no place to stay and unable to find work, they only have two choices here – to go back or to turn to crime."

Lu Xiang seemed to be more talkative today, "I have been studying the history of Zone 17 recently, and I learned something – although Chai Ke and his criminal gang were dismantled, as long as there are people outside who want in and they need someone to help them carry the city’s ’cargo’ out, a replacement for Chai Ke will inevitably appear."

She didn’t understand why she suddenly felt like sharing these things with Song Lan.

Perhaps it was because she overheard Song Lan’s conversation with the refugees outside the conference room, or maybe the lengthy criminal history of Zone 17 was making her unavoidably pessimistic.

As a leading law enforcer, Lu Xiang knew she had to present her strongest face in front of her peers.

Like a blade sharp enough to cut through all evil.

Only in this way, could she give those who follow her the courage and hope to resist evil.

Only with Song Lan, in his presence, could she allow herself to unwind.

So, how would Song Lan respond to her now?

Would he say something comforting or continue to look nonplussed?

"Every coin has two sides."

Just as Lu Xiang hesitated getting ready to turn away, Song Lan started speaking, unlike his usual relaxed demeanor, "You said someone to replace Chai Ke would appear? That’s probably not wrong. But there will certainly be people who align with your intentions, perhaps at this very moment, he is somewhere unseen, silently striving for the same goal as you."

Lu Xiang was taken aback, as she almost immediately thought about the anonymous informant who had mailed her.

A concerned citizen.

It was upon receiving this anonymous letter that they were made aware of Lainal Boyarov’s hideout.

In fact, without that letter, they would not have been able to rescue these people from Lainal’s grip, and this conversation between her and Song Lan would not be taking place now.

When they acted, Lainal and his henchmen were unable to put up an effective resistance, seemingly subdued even before they broke in.

This seems to align with what Song Lan had just described, offering her a simple yet unexpected reason for a problem that had been bothering her for long. For when dealing with criminals, her first thought is often the more complex disputes of interest.

Lu Xiang wondered, what was this anonymous person, who was waging a solitary war against Chai Ke Group, doing at this very moment?

"Speaking of which, I learned from the refugees that another person visited Lainal before we got there."

Seizing the opportunity while Lu Xiang was lost in thought, Song Lan guided the conversation back to its main track.

He opens the image he created using the Crime Portrait Generator Assistant on his tablet, and handed it to Lu Xiang.

Please help the child!

Spread the word about this, at the very least. Let the Foster Family know that he had come close to getting his hands on it.

Lu Xiang studied the screen intently for quite some time, her eyebrows furrowing. "Using a trench coat to cover the body type, the hat hiding the hair and a smiling mask on the face. The mask is a regular party accessory, easily purchasable everywhere."

This portrait hardly offers any defining features, barely hinting that it’s a male.

Lu Xiang cannot even be completely sure about the gender, considering in certain cases, female criminals trick law enforcers to misjudge their gender and thus escape investigation.

This suggests the subject has some degree of skill at disguise and counter-surveillance.

"Alright then."

Lu Xiang took the tablet from him and stated, "You can continue studying the essence of the rescuer role."

...

Five minutes later, Song Lan returned to his desk.

Just as he was about to delve into where Foster Family’s "cargo" went, a sudden uproar filled the office.

A colleague returned from the restroom with a significant piece of news.

"The Inspection Department guys are here again, definitely to claim credit!"

This bombshell brought everyone to a stop, they eagerly got up, ready to rush out at a moment’s notice.

Of all the tasks in the logistics department, keeping close tabs on international developments always ranked first.

Casually stated, watching the drama unfold.

"They’ve no shame, they let Chai Ke slip last time, now they’re back to pounce on Lainal!"

The female coworker holding her lipstick exclaimed.

Upon watching her, Song Lan concluded that it wasn’t the Inspection Department that infuriated her, rather the unruly checks of the man who came in, startling her and causing her hand to jerk, leaving a bright red mark on her face.

Nevertheless, what the coworker said was true.

The Inspection Department’s reputation among law enforcers was probably worse than that of the criminals. Theoretically, they belong to the same system, but the grim reality is that it is the law enforcers who do the grueling work. When they catch the criminals, these slick and groomed ’elites’ swoop in to claim glory under the banner of law.

The Chai Ke case is a microcosm of this reality in Zone 17. Even now, the residents of Zone 17 who are not privy to the facts think it was the Inspection Department who planned the capture.

These people not only take the credit, they are also Teflon-coated.

If something goes wrong in any part of the operation, the law enforcers are sure to take the fall.

Song Lan has to be fair, the Inspection Department is primarily responsible for the poor public image of the law enforcers in Zone 17 these past years.

"They are heading upstairs!"

Reports continue to come from the colleague at the entrance, "They are heading for Director Lu’s office."

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.