A slight confusion arose in Su Ci's heart.
"Why do you say that? I don't think I've done anything to help Miss Qin, have I?!"
"No, Miss Su, you helped me a great deal."
Qin Shiyao shook her head and continued.
"As an Inspector, we are backed by the Relevant Authorities, punishing evil and serving the people.
But when handling some cases, we are sometimes forced to let criminals go free, even though I am the eldest daughter of the Qin Family."
"Take Cheng Mingliang, for example. A few days ago, we received a public report that Cheng Mingliang illegally purchased property from the residents of the Western District.
When I took over the case, the reporting citizens all vehemently denied that the incident had occurred, which severely obstructed our investigation.
Some victims even disappeared without a trace, and those who remained gave us no results no matter how much we questioned them.
Cheng Mingliang also pushed someone else out to take the blame, and the leads were cut off. Coupled with pressure from above, the matter was shelved."
Speaking of this, Qin Shiyao's hand, resting on her thigh, involuntarily clenched and then relaxed.
Su Ci immediately understood what was going on. Just then, the System prompt sounded again.
[Congratulations, host, for making a choice. Qin Shiyao Affection +15. Current Affection 45. destiny +3000.]
Ignoring the System prompt.
The implication of Qin Shiyao's words was clear: Cheng Mingliang was not a good person.
Knowing exactly who the suspect was, yet being unable to do anything.
Watching the suspect swagger right in front of her was like a heavy punch landing squarely on Qin Shiyao's sincere heart.
Qin Shiyao's gratitude was likely due to the fact that Su Ci had used the methods of an Ancient Martial Artist to punish Cheng Mingliang.
This allowed the pent-up frustration in Qin Shiyao's heart to be released, prompting her words.
"You're welcome. I just wanted to gain some benefits from Cheng Mingliang; it was just a matter of lifting a finger."
Su Ci didn't care about this small matter, focusing intently on massaging Lan Wanting's fingers.
It had to be said that the girl's hands were fair and delicate, and her fingernails were crystal clear, like white-and-red lollipops. He wondered what they tasted like.
She wouldn't miss a chance to raise affection, so she mentioned it casually.
"If you need it, I can also have Miss Qin legally arrest Cheng Mingliang."
"Thank you for Miss Su's kindness. According to my investigation, the interests linking those above to Cheng Mingliang are also tied to the Western District.
Now that Miss Su has obtained the development rights for the Western District, Cheng Mingliang is worthless to them. I will arrest him through my own means."
Qin Shiyao politely declined Su Ci's offer. Through Su Ci's conversation with Su Zhenguo,
she already knew Su Ci's background; resolving this small matter would be easy.
However, Su Ci either didn't know or simply didn't care how much trouble this small incident could stir up.
Judging by Su Ci's attitude towards Cheng Yang's provocation, choosing to deal with both father and son,
Su Ci possessed a ruthless determination to eliminate the roots of trouble, somewhat echoing the legendary Founding Marshal.
If Su Ci or Su Zhenguo were dragged into this,
not only would Cheng Mingliang suffer, but those above him wouldn't be able to escape either.
The Elite Families connected to them would be forced to choose self-preservation by cutting off their tails.
If that happened, Sea City's current stable structure would be completely reshuffled.
At that point, both she and Su Ci would be trapped in a situation where they were surrounded by hungry wolves.
Su Ci had Su Zhenguo, a steadfast pillar of support, but things would not go well for their Qin Family.
Qin Shiyao let out a wry smile: "If only I and the Inspectors had Miss Su's methods, we could be fearless when encountering setbacks like Cheng Mingliang."
Su Ci knew that Qin Shiyao was referring to the status of an Ancient Martial Artist, not her background.
In this world, Ancient Martial Artists can act without restraint in certain aspects.
If Official Personnel were to besiege or restrict the movements of Ancient Martial Artists without them committing a major error,
they would face retaliation from the Ancient Martial Artists. The state would not only fail to support them, but the personnel involved would also be dismissed and punished for abuse of power.
Of course, the status of an Ancient Martial Artist is not a death-exemption token.
Aside from the rule of "Ancient Martial Arts must not be insulted"—meaning they can retaliate when insulted, regardless of the fate of the offending party—
all other actions are restricted by law. If they commit a crime, they still have to Face state punishment.
Moreover, when Ancient Martial Artists use non-scientific methods and are discovered, they must resolve the public opinion issue themselves.
If they require official intervention, they must work for the state (in the positive sense).
Su Ci disagreed with Qin Shiyao's view and remained silent.
The Original Owner knew far more information than typical Elite Families.
Both the state and the Elite Families were eager to explore the path of Ancient Martial Artists from a scientific perspective.
This meant longer lifespans, healthier bodies, and ultimate martial power than ordinary people... Ordinary people had two paths to becoming an Ancient Martial Artist: one was their own Cultivation Aptitude, and the other was using miraculous pills like the marrow cleansing pill.
If they wanted to mass-produce Ancient Martial Artists, the latter path was clearly more realistic.
However, the cost of producing marrow cleansing pills was high, and mass production was impractical.
Even if they scientifically analyzed the components of the marrow cleansing pill and created a 1:1 replica product,
let alone allowing ordinary people to step onto the path of Ancient Martial Arts, it wouldn't even strengthen the body.
It wasn't that related medicines hadn't been produced, but they severely drained the human body.
They could easily cause multi-organ failure and death in the short term, so they were not circulated on the market.
Leaving aside all this, even if there were a way to mass-produce Ancient Martial Artists without side effects,
for this world, where good and bad are mixed, it would still be changing the soup but not the medicine—treating the symptoms but not the root cause.
Social order might even head toward a worse situation.
Jiang Su raised her eyes, glanced at the rearview mirror, and offered her opinion:
"I don't think Miss Qin's suggestion is good.
If too many people in this world possess privileges, it's the same as no one having them. A new System means a new order.
Although Ancient Martial Artists can solve many problems, they can also cause many problems.
We cannot praise a person's inner self just because their outer appearance is glamorous. There are plenty of wolves in sheep's clothing.
The person holding a gun in the forest isn't necessarily a forest ranger; they could be a hunter, or both."
Jiang Su paused and added, "Considering the current situation in Eastern Brightness, the order is relatively more complete compared to Foreign Countries.
It is only because of the existence of people who feign compliance while acting contrary that Miss Qin is currently troubled."
Qin Shiyao found this very reasonable: "That point was indeed something I failed to consider fully."
But her tone carried a trace of imperceptible disappointment and regret, and she slumped back in her seat.
Lan Wanting listened silently on the side, enjoying Su Ci's massage without saying a word.
"If Miss Qin truly has this need, I also have channels to acquire a marrow cleansing pill, but only for you."
Su Ci wasn't foolish; she didn't directly reveal the news that she possessed a marrow cleansing pill to Qin Shiyao.
Nor did she immediately offer the marrow cleansing pill just because Qin Shiyao needed it.
After all, she didn't want to make a transaction that had no return.
If her affection level was too low and she gave the marrow cleansing pill, Qin Shiyao might run straight to Ye Chen, and Su Ci wouldn't know where to cry.
Jiang Su: As a bodyguard, I have the duty to let the Young Miss vent her emotions. Come cry in my arms, hehehe!
"What are the conditions?"
Hearing this, the joy in Qin Shiyao's heart quickly dispersed the slight disappointment.
She wasn't completely blinded by excitement. Everyone understood the principle that pies don't fall from the sky, especially since she had only known Su Ci for less than a day.