Jiang Shen, along with his twelve most formidable warriors, stormed into the hotel. The main force maintained a tight perimeter outside, ensuring not even a bird or a dog could escape the premises.
The hotel management was utterly terrified. They complied with Jiang Shen's every demand without a hint of resistance, fearing a bullet might end their lives at any moment.
Jiang Shen led his men into the elevator, ascending to the fourth floor.
Simultaneously, the stairwells were also guarded, making escape through them impossible.
With a 'ding,' the elevator arrived at the fourth floor.
The elevator doors slid open.
Jiang Shen and his men exited the elevator, glancing left and right. To the east was 402, and to the west was 404. After noting the room numbers on both sides, he didn't hesitate, leading his men directly towards room 404 to the west.
They reached the doorway.
The twelve warriors simultaneously drew their firearms, adopting a ready stance.
Jiang Shen took a step back and ordered, "Charge!"
Immediately.
One warrior unleashed a flying kick, shattering the door open!
Following suit, the other warriors swarmed into the room, quickly encircling the twenty-odd individuals present. Each of the twelve warriors held a gun, forming a tight ring around the people in the center.
Not a single one could escape!
Jiang Shen strode into the room with a hearty laugh, exclaiming, "Su family, aren't you arrogant? Show me some more of that arrogance! Heh, you've only dealt with four good-for-nothings and you dare to hold a celebration feast? You clearly have no regard for me, Jiang Shen!"
As he spoke, he drew his pistol, intending to shoot someone to establish his authority.
But to his surprise, someone suddenly shouted, "Jiang Shen, are you insane?"
Hmm?
Even facing imminent death, were the Su family members still this defiant?
The voice continued, "Jiang Shen, open your damn eyes and see clearly, who am I?!"
Jiang Shen frowned. The voice sounded so familiar. Could it be that there was an old acquaintance at this banquet?
He sneered, thinking to himself, "They probably think they can use the same tactic against me as they did against Zhang Ying. Heh, do they think I'm as easy to deal with as Zhang Ying? No matter who they've invited today, I won't let the Su family off!"
Furthermore, Jiang Shen made a firm decision to kill the familiar person first, to avoid being bothered by them.
And so.
Without a second thought, Jiang Shen aimed his gun in the direction of the voice, preparing to fire.
Just as he was about to pull the trigger, he opened his eyes and saw the speaker clearly.
What?
He... is?
BANG!!!
After seeing the other person's face, Jiang Shen was utterly dumbfounded. The one who had shouted at him was not someone from the Su family, but the Mayor of Mist City, Cheng Zirong!
The Mayor of Mist City was no ordinary individual. If he were shot, the entire central army would be annihilated, and even Fan Wentao would be implicated.
This was because the authorities would never allow anyone to arbitrarily shoot a high-ranking official.
However, it was too late to retract.
Jiang Shen, with the fastest speed and greatest force, jerked his pistol upwards.
With a 'bang,' the gunshot echoed. The bullet flew past directly above Cheng Zirong's head, embedding itself into the wall—narrowly missing Cheng Zirong!
The room fell silent.
Jiang Shen and Cheng Zirong, along with everyone else, were panting heavily, both sides gripped by fear.
Cheng Zirong feared being shot; Jiang Shen feared having shot him.
Upon confirming Cheng Zirong was unharmed, Jiang Shen breathed a sigh of relief and shouted to his warriors, "Everyone, lower your weapons and stand down!"
With a rustle, the warriors lowered their guns.
Although they didn't understand what was happening, they knew that threatening the Mayor of Mist City with force was absolutely forbidden and would lead to grave consequences. Even the supreme commander of the central forces dared not openly challenge the authorities.
Jiang Shen took several deep breaths and asked, "Mayor Cheng, why are you dining with people from the Su family?"
Internally, Jiang Shen had cursed the Su family a thousand times over.
So, the Su family had invited Cheng Zirong to dinner, which explained their audacity. This clarified why the Su family dared to hold a public banquet without any fear.
They had found a backer!
However, he was mistaken.
Cheng Zirong's expression changed, and he roared, "Jiang Shen, what nonsense are you spouting? The Su family? When have I, Cheng Zirong, ever dined with the Su family?"
Huh?
They still deny it?
The evidence was right before his eyes, so why deny it? Jiang Shen couldn't understand.
He gestured around and said, "Aren't these people from the Su family? Mayor Cheng, what else do you have to argue? You, you've been used by the Su family. They wanted to use you as a shield. You shouldn't have been so careless."
Heh heh!
Cheng Zirong, both exasperated and amused, pointed to the people beside him, introducing them one by one: "This gentleman to my left is the Deputy Mayor, Chang Wenguang. To my right is my secretary, Yang Zaitong. Over there sits Minister Jiang from the Propaganda Department, and that one is Director Xue from the Construction Bureau..."
With each introduction, Jiang Shen's face grew grimmer. He never imagined the Su family possessed such an extensive network, having invited nearly the entire leadership of Mist City.
After introducing over ten people.
Cheng Zirong looked at Jiang Shen and said, "Alright, I won't introduce the rest. What I want to say is that everyone sitting in this room is part of Mist City's leadership team, and not a single one of them is from the Su family! So, Jiang Shen, I ask you, what did you mean by saying I was dining with the Su family just now? Why are you slandering me?"
Uh...
Speechless, truly speechless.
Jiang Shen was so cornered that he couldn't utter a word. At this moment, he was beginning to sense a hint of conspiracy.
Something was wrong, but he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.
Suddenly.
Everyone heard the sound of police sirens from downstairs.
Sharp-witted Jiang Shen immediately realized the danger. They had dared to storm into Cheng Zirong's banquet armed, and the entire leadership of Mist City was present. The authorities would certainly take this very seriously.
If the entire leadership of Mist City was in danger, official troops would undoubtedly be mobilized, and the police wouldn't stand by. All available forces in Mist City would be deployed.
Although Jiang Shen was the most powerful supreme commander of the central forces, in the face of the formidable official military, he was insignificant!
This was bad!
Before Jiang Shen could figure out what was going wrong, he heard a loudspeaker announcement from downstairs: "Jiang Shen, you are surrounded. Immediately cease resistance! Release Mayor Cheng and the others! Otherwise, you will face the most severe punishment!"
It was over. The authorities were serious now.
Jiang Shen walked to the window, pulled back the curtains, and opened the window to look down. There were masses of official troops and numerous police personnel.
The men Jiang Shen had brought were all surrounded.
Jiang Shen was like a caged bird, with no escape!