Spring Moon Tavern had three floors. On a normal day, the first and second would be packed with diners, but now the first floor was deserted. Plates of food still sat on the tables—clearly, the guests had been driven out while eating.
The second floor is much the same.
The sounds of smashing and destruction are coming from a private room on the third floor.
"Creak! Creak!"
Ian climbed the old wooden stairs toward the third floor. Each step creaked beneath his feet.
"Crash!"
It sounded like porcelain shattering.
Then came a pleading voice: "Please, officer, stop smashing things, I beg you."
Ian had been in Mesa City for a week and had eaten here three times, so he immediately recognized Madam Spring's voice.
Finally, he reached the third floor.
He saw two uniformed soldiers standing stiffly at the door of a private room. The noise was coming from inside.
Ian's arrival made the two soldiers alert, but when they saw he was alone, their eyes grew contemptuous.
"Stop right there!"
Just as Ian was about to approach, one of the soldiers raised a hand and pointed at him, saying, "We're conducting a secret military operation here. You, leave immediately!"
A rush of chaotic footsteps sounded, and then Ryan Zhang led a squad of Special Police up to the third floor.
"Minister, we're here to follow your orders." Ryan Zhang bowed respectfully to Ian.
"Ha!"
A harsh, mocking laugh rang out. One of the soldiers pointed at the Special Police behind Ryan Zhang with disdain. "So it's you losers again. What, didn't get enough of a beating last time?"
At these words, the five injured Special Police officers behind Ryan burned with anger.
"Were your injuries caused by these two?" Ian asked.
Ian glanced at the two soldiers guarding the door, then swept his eyes over the five injured Special Police officers and asked.
"It was them!" the five Special Police replied bitterly.
"Do you want revenge?" Ian asked again.
This time, the five Special Police didn't answer right away, but looked hesitant.
Ian narrowed his eyes and scolded, "A real man should speak up. If you want it, say so. If not, say you don't. Staying silent—are you girls or something?"
Ian's eyes narrowed and he barked, "If you're angry, say it. If you want payback, say it. If not, say so. Don't just stand there in silence—what are you, cowards?"
One Special Police officer's face flushed red as he spoke.
"What's your name?" Ian stared at him and asked.
"I'm Mark Fang." The officer straightened up.
"Good, Special Police Mark Fang. As acting Minister of Mesa City Special Police Base, I'm asking you: do you want revenge?"
Under Ian's sharp gaze, Mark felt a surge of nerves—but as memories of the soldiers' arrogance and their recent taunts flashed through his mind, his anger boiled over. Eyes reddening, he met Ian's look and shouted, "Minister, I want revenge!"
Ian nodded in satisfaction. "Very good, I didn't misjudge you. Now, follow my orders—step forward!"
This time, Mark didn't hesitate at all. He strode forward and quickly reached the private room door.
"Stop!" Ian called out.
Mark immediately halted.
"Do you see your enemy?" Ian asked.
"I see him." Mark nodded, his eyes locking onto the soldier who had mocked them earlier.
Feeling Mark's stare, the soldier smirked, "Kid, what are you looking at me for? Do you think knives are going to jump out of your eyes?"
"Hit him!"
Ian suddenly shouted.
This time, Mark Fang hesitated for a moment, but then swung his fist at the soldier's cheek.
Seeing Mark throw a punch, the soldier's mocking smile grew wider. "You little cop, you're really dumb. I just beat you up, you should've learned your lesson. Now you dare take a swing at me? You're just asking for it!"
As he spoke, he casually reached out to grab Mark's wrist. He was fully confident that he could catch Mark's wrist as the punch landed, then follow up with a knee strike and easily take down this useless cop.
"Thud!"
"Ah!"
A muffled grunt and a scream rang out almost simultaneously. Mark's punch landed squarely on the soldier's nose. He put all his strength into it, breaking the soldier's nose. Blood gushed out, leaving him utterly disheveled.
The other soldier was stunned. He knew his comrade was a seventh-level Warrior.
Mark Fang was at best a fourth-level Warrior. How could he have landed a hit? Was his comrade just too careless?
Daniel Yang nearly went crazy. He'd just had his nose broken by a rookie cop. Feeling the blood pouring down, murderous rage exploded in his heart: "Die, you little cop!"
He shouted fiercely and chopped at Mark's neck with a hand-knife strike.
"Mark Fang, keep hitting him!"
Ian's voice rang out again.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Again, Mark landed his first punch cleanly, but this time he didn't stop. Blow after blow rained down, and soon Daniel Yang was beaten to the ground.
This time, Mark's first punch landed true, but he didn't stop—he unleashed a flurry of blows, driving Daniel Yang to the ground in a brutal barrage.
The second soldier's eyes widened in disbelief—a fourth-level Warrior overpowering a seventh-level, just like that? But he didn't hesitate; he lunged at Mark, hoping to rescue his teammate.
"You think the Special Police are pushovers? Trying a sneak attack right in front of us!"
Ryan Zhang shouted and sprang forward, intercepting the second soldier before he could reach Mark.
He could also see what was going on—the new minister was clearly using this confrontation to establish authority over the army, so Ryan wanted to show off.
"Thud! Thud!"
In just a few moves, Ryan Zhang knocked the other soldier to the ground.
"Cuff them all!"
Ian waved his hand, and the Special Police surged forward, roughly restraining the battered Daniel Yang and the other soldier. Their actions were a bit rough, so the two suffered even more.
"Creak!"
The private room door opened, and a young man in a lieutenant colonel's uniform stepped out. Six tall, muscular soldiers followed, all exuding a murderous aura.
It was clear—the two guards at the door were in a whole different league from these six soldiers.
Ian recognized the lieutenant colonel instantly; he'd seen him a week ago on the starship. It was Kevin Guan, Donna Dong's suitor.
"Special Police?"
Kevin Guan swept his eyes over Ian and the others, speaking slowly: "Since when do Special Police have the guts to detain my soldiers?"
As soon as Kevin spoke, the six soldiers behind him unleashed a crushing aura, bearing down on Ian's side. The pressure was suffocating—everyone except Ian and Ryan Zhang turned pale under its force.