Chapter 403: Conflict Outside the Enforcement Department
"Just wait when you're told to wait, where do you get all this nonsense!" the white-epauleted man said with a dark face.
There were quite a few people coming and going from the Enforcement Department, most of whom ignored Xu Huo and his companion. One or two people passed by and whispered a few words to the white-epauleted man, their expressions ambiguous.
The two of them were left hanging there, and after twenty minutes, no one came out to take over the batch of instruments.
Xu Huo finished a cigarette and signaled Wan Tingfang to get in the car.
Although Wan Tingfang was puzzled, she still did as told. After they got in the car, Xu Huo directly started the vehicle and drove off.
"What do you think you're doing!" the white-epauleted man guarding them roared angrily and immediately notified the Enforcement Department players to stop the car.
This was the Enforcement Department headquarters, surrounded by players and checkpoints. Of course, Xu Huo couldn't just drive straight out. He hovered the car in mid-air, pressed the communication button, and said, "I just checked and found I took the wrong car. This isn't the shipment for the Logistics Department."
"You've already delivered it, and now you say it's not? Stop the car immediately, or we'll take measures!" That white-epauleted man also rose into the air, but he was using a prop.
Xu Huo wasn't flustered at all. "What, are you planning to rob us outright?"
The white-epauleted man was choked up. He couldn't just open the car door to check, so he could only repeat, "Stop the car! Get out!"
The Enforcement Department clearly had no intention of letting them go. Wan Tingfang said in a low voice, "What do we do? Fight our way out?"
"No need." Xu Huo opened the car window and contacted Sanyang in front of the white-epauleted man and the others. "Director, the Enforcement Department wants to confiscate our instruments."
Director Sanyang was silent for two seconds before saying, "If the Enforcement Department wants to rob you outright, leave the instruments behind. Without the unique key, they can't use this batch of instruments. Just come back. I'll handle the rest."
He cut off the communication after speaking.
Xu Huo didn't hesitate. He parked and turned off the engine, then closed the car door and prepared to leave.
That white-epauleted man and the players who came to block them were quite frustrated. Letting Xu Huo and his companion leave the instruments behind meant they couldn't use them, and they'd have to haggle with the base afterward, potentially causing even bigger trouble. But forcibly detaining them wasn't an option either—these two were tough nuts today.
Just then, a blonde man walked out of the Enforcement Department building, also wearing a white uniform, but with an extra gold badge on his epaulet.
"Captain!" The white-epauleted men immediately saluted him.
The blonde man walked over and slapped the white-epauleted man who had previously blocked Xu Huo and his companion. Without listening to any explanation or bothering to understand the situation, he directly said to Xu Huo, "Leave the instruments. You can go."
The appearance of the blonde man made Wan Tingfang involuntarily step back half a pace, but the next second, seeing the man beside her standing firm, she immediately moved back into place.
Xu Huo nodded and was about to leave, but the blonde man said again, "The key."
The other two white-epauleted men reached out to block him.
Xu Huo turned back. "The Director gave me the key. He probably expected your Enforcement Department people to cause us trouble, not trusting that we two newcomers could handle this situation."
Wan Tingfang beside him couldn't help but glance at him, then added, "We've already reported the matter to the Director. You can communicate with him directly."
The blonde man's face darkened. "The base really is a den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers."
"I wouldn't dare say that. What's the point of making things difficult for two errand runners? The instruments aren't ours, the key isn't in our hands, and the Director is waiting for us to report back. Wouldn't it be better for everyone to finish this quickly?" Xu Huo pulled out a lighter and lit another cigarette. "Look, why make trouble for no reason?"
The others aside, the white-epauleted man who had been slapped now looked at the blonde man with fear in his eyes. He couldn't help but shout at Xu Huo, "Hand over the key! Don't you want the final payment anymore!"
"No key." Xu Huo didn't budge. Of course he wouldn't give the key, and what did the final payment have to do with him?
"Want to fight?" Noticing the white-epauleted man's fist loosen, as if he was holding something, Xu Huo immediately said, "I didn't expect you were really planning to rob us outright. That takes guts."
He even gave a thumbs up after speaking.
Wan Tingfang coughed lightly. "We should get going."
The white-epauleted captain was furious. Shouldn't they know when to stop? Weren't they afraid of not being able to leave the Enforcement Department today?
The blonde man's face was gloomy. He raised his hand to signal the two white-epauleted men to step back, but his cold gaze remained fixed on Xu Huo.
Just then, Ran Ying returned with her people from outside the Enforcement Department. Dressed in a black uniform, Ran Ying looked quite spirited. She tossed her hat to Cheng Bing beside her, then walked up to Xu Huo and gave him a bear hug. "Are you here to see me? I'm really sorry, I've been so busy these days that I haven't had time to take you out. How about waiting a couple more days? When I'm free, I'll be your personal guide."
Before Xu Huo could politely decline, the blonde man behind him sneered. "I thought two newcomers from the base had such pride, but it turns out they're backed by Captain Ran. Perfect, you handle this."
"What's going on?" Ran Ying asked.
A white-epauleted man recounted the incident, emphasizing Xu Huo's stubborn refusal to hand over the key.
After listening, Ran Ying waved her hand. "Xu Huo has only been in District 011 for a few days. The base people were probably afraid he'd run off with the instruments, so they didn't give him the key. Captain Bran can just communicate with the base about this. It's not a big deal, since the final payment hasn't been made anyway."
The blonde man, Bran, said, "Captain Ran, do you have the authority to decide this?"
Ran Ying also got angry and stared back at him. "The instruments were supposed to be handled by the Logistics Department. What business is it of you white-epauleted guys? Sticking garlic up your nose to look like an elephant—who gave you the right to detain people and things? If you have no shame, don't blame others for not giving you face!"
The white-epauleted man who had been singled out trembled.
Ran Ying wasn't finished. "You're useless as a captain too. Is it because someone killed a detained wanted criminal right in front of your eyes yesterday that you're throwing a tantrum? Making things difficult for two errand-running players—the entire Enforcement Department, all those white epaulets, surrounding two low-level players. You're so impressive."
"And the black epaulets? Are they all eating shit in the bathroom?"
With her loud shout, players in black uniforms surged out of the Enforcement Department building, their numbers instantly surpassing the white-epauleted players present.
There were still white-epauleted players inside the building, but before they could come out, Bran raised his hand to stop them. His earlier anger had faded, and he calmly looked at Ran Ying. "You won't be arrogant for much longer."
After leaving behind a seemingly threatening remark, Bran led his people away. Ran Ying snorted, then turned back to Xu Huo with a smile. "Don't be afraid. He wouldn't dare do anything to you. This is your first time handling business for the base, right? I won't let you get into trouble. Go back safely. The Logistics Department will contact Director Sanyang themselves."
"Thank you very much." Xu Huo looked at this woman with gratitude. "Let's have a meal together when you're free."