The Civilian Association and the General Bureau were, on the surface, like brotherly factions. The three major powers in Shangjing maintained a mutually supportive relationship. Being on good terms with Yuan Bei was an opportunity for Wang Ma, who was at the lower rungs of the General Bureau.
Therefore, Wang Ma's respect was a genuine and voluntary act, and Yuan Bei understood this clearly.
Seeing Yuan Bei's polite attitude, Wang Ma's heart filled with joy.
"No need to be so formal, Captain Yuan. It's a small matter."
The four were on their way to Li Chonglou's company. Due to their different statuses, Yuan Bei did not let Wang Ma use his cultivation to travel. Instead, they rode together in a dedicated vehicle from the General Bureau's Administration Department.
The General Bureau was the face of Shangjing, and its actions were naturally more cautious. Being too ostentatious was explicitly prohibited by the bureau, and this dedicated car was provided for such situations.
Dong Wen, eager to proceed, glanced at the time. It would take about twenty minutes to reach Li Chonglou's company. He wanted to ask the driver to go faster, but seeing Yuan Bei's calm expression, he suppressed the urge.
A moment of impatience could ruin a grand plan. Rushing them might draw Wang Ma's attention.
Qi Jing was also not in a hurry. He had already reattached his severed hand and wrapped it with bandages, which he wore as a fashion statement. This did not attract Wang Ma's notice.
However, not long after, the three heard Wang Ma's phone ring with a distinctive sound.
"Emergency notification?"
Wang Ma's expression changed slightly. After a quiet remark, he quickly took out his phone to check.
Although they were part of the Brotherhood Alliance, it was ultimately an internal matter of the other party. The three tactfully averted their gaze.
To their surprise, in the next second, Wang Ma suddenly shouted, "Stop the car!"
The driver in front slammed on the brakes, causing the three to lurch forward.
Yuan Bei asked in confusion, "Brother Wang Ma, what's wrong? What happened?"
Wang Ma suddenly dropped his smile. Sitting in the passenger seat, he turned his head and said in a flat tone, "My apologies, the three of you. I have something urgent. Please get out of the car."
The three were momentarily stunned. Dong Wen glanced outside. They were still on the road, in the city, with vehicles constantly passing by. Why would they need to get out of the car here?
This was clearly not a suitable place to disembark.
Yuan Bei couldn't help but frown. "Brother Wang Ma, you want us to get out here?"
"Yes, please."
Although his words were still polite, anyone could tell that his attitude had completely changed. It was as if they had been chatting amicably like friends one moment, and the next, they were strangers!
As a junior captain of the Civilian Association, his status, when compared to the General Bureau, was equivalent to that of a superior's superior for a minor employee like Wang Ma. Such a request was, in essence, an insult to Yuan Bei!
Thus, Yuan Bei's voice also turned cold. "Are you sure you want us to get out here?"
Wang Ma's voice remained level. "Yes, please."
Yuan Bei was angered but, considering Wang Ma's status, he couldn't lash out. He could only say coldly, "Wang Ma, you are, right? I and Deputy Minister Bao are like brothers who have faced life and death together. I will personally ask him for an explanation regarding this matter!"
Under normal circumstances, this would be a clear attempt to leverage his authority. But Wang Ma, at this moment, displayed unusual defiance.
"That is fine."
And so, the three were dropped off by the roadside by Wang Ma. As soon as the car door closed, and before they could even expect an explanation from the other party, they saw the General Bureau's administrative car accelerate and disappear from view.
Dong Wen could no longer contain his anger and grumbled, "Brother Bei, is he playing us?"
More than ten minutes had already passed. The person who was supposed to accompany them to prove their identities had left first. The three had essentially made a wasted trip!
Yuan Bei was also filled with frustration. Not only were they forced into such a predicament for a mere small company, but now even one of their own was treating them with such disrespect?
"I was initially thinking of just settling for anyone. It seems if we don't assert ourselves, some people will truly treat our Civilian Association as something made of paper!"
A fierce anger flashed in Yuan Bei's eyes. He immediately took out his phone and called the Deputy Minister Bao he had mentioned, who was the Deputy Minister of the General Bureau's Administration Department.
However, to his surprise, the call was directly hung up without being answered.
Yuan Bei's anger froze in his eyes. He finally realized something was amiss.
Just then, a sharp voice suddenly rang out, "Why are you all standing on the road!"
The three turned to see a police car parked not far away, with two police officers walking towards them.
Yuan Bei's gaze turned icy.
As the two officers approached, Yuan Bei, without a word, presented his Civilian Association token.
"If you don't recognize it, call your superiors!"
The two police officers exchanged glances. They were merely ordinary law enforcement officers and did not know anything about the Civilian Association. However, seeing the strong stance of the three, they took out their walkie-talkies and spoke quietly.
Then, a police officer whispered, "Forget it, we still have patrols to do. Let's just check your IDs and leave."
It was merely peculiar behavior. If it weren't for the current climate in Shangjing, they probably wouldn't even bother questioning them.
However, to their surprise, Yuan Bei suddenly spoke coldly, "I want to see your superior, now! Immediately! Just say the Civilian Association has something to handle."
As one of the three major powers in Shangjing, they possessed the authority to enlist the cooperation of police officers. Although the two officers were somewhat displeased with his attitude, they dutifully reported the matter.
Shortly after, the three were escorted by the police car to the nearest police station.
Due to insufficient authority, the police station's负责人 reported the situation to the overall supervisor, Lin Qianqian. Lin Qianqian, as the head of the police station, was somewhat aware of the term "Civilian Association."
So, she personally rushed over.
The entire process took about another twenty minutes. When Lin Qianqian arrived, Yuan Bei, with extreme dissatisfaction, coldly stated, "Can you make decisions for the General Bureau?"
The four were in the police station's reception room. Lin Qianqian, having arrived in a hurry, was clearly still catching her breath. However, she immediately responded to Yuan Bei's question.
"Personnel from the General Bureau are on their way. They should be here soon. Please wait a moment."
Dong Wen suddenly stood up with a "whoosh."
"Brother Bei, why waste time with them? We can just go to the General Bureau! That Wang Ma was blind, but I don't believe others in the General Bureau would dare treat us like this!"
Even Qi Jing, who had been waiting impatiently, chimed in, "Brother Bei, why don't we just go directly?"
Lin Qianqian, standing beside them, listened with trepidation. She only had a vague understanding of the Civilian Association, knowing that it held an equal relationship with the General Bureau and was, in a way, their own people.