After repeated requests from everyone, Lucas finally said, "Originally, I only wanted to provide a source of supply, not get too deeply involved. But the fact that you all came here when I called proves that you are loyal partners.
I'm reassured to hand over the goods to you, and if you want me to be the leader, I can do that too!
From now on, I am your boss, and I have only one requirement, which is very simple.
You must follow my orders. Can you do that? Don't rush to answer... this concerns your lives, so think it through carefully."
The meeting room became quiet and tense. The request was indeed simple, but upon deeper thought, it wasn't so simple.
The inexplicable pressure made all the sponsors break into a sweat.
They were all unruly individuals, but at this moment, they didn't dare to look directly at the Intelligence Bureau Inspector sitting at the head of the table, as if their lives were in his hands.
Even after leaving here, their lives would still be in his hands.
After some time, one person stood up and bowed to Lucas, "Inspector, I am willing to follow all your orders!"
The others also stood up one by one and bowed to Lucas, "Inspector, I am willing to follow all your orders!"
...
"Good, very good. This is how a smuggling syndicate should behave. Sit down, let's first discuss how to support the Mad Axe Gang..." After the new members sat down, Lucas thought for a moment and said, "We should first give our smuggling syndicate a name. How about 'Flame Sun'? What do you think?"
The new members looked at each other.
'We are involved in the black market, isn't such a bright name inauspicious?'
But since it was suggested by Inspector Meteor, who dared to say it wasn't good?
"Inspector, you are truly knowledgeable!"
With the name confirmed, the Flame Sun Smuggling Syndicate was officially established in the Intelligence Bureau meeting room in Storm City, Seawall District of the Argent Empire.
The next topic was indeed discussing how to support the Mad Axe Gang.
The Mad Axe Gang must be rescued!
This would be the Flame Sun Smuggling Syndicate's first battle to establish their dominance; not an inch of dock interests could be conceded.
The core members of the Flame Sun Smuggling Syndicate each reported the manpower they could support with, both in quality and quantity far exceeding yesterday's levels.
An army of 2,000 was easily assembled.
Lucas also brought out his own stockpile: 500 bottles of potent berserk potions, to be delivered to the Mad Axe Gang headquarters before the curfew.
And another 500 bottles tomorrow!
Five hundred after five hundred, Inspector Meteor sending such a large number to the Mad Axe Gang headquarters indicated he had a massive stockpile.
After this battle, everyone would get rich following the Inspector!
The core members of the Flame Sun Smuggling Syndicate were highly motivated, with some even deciding to personally lead the support troops for the Mad Axe Gang to perform well in front of Boss Meteor.
As the atmosphere in the meeting room was reaching its peak, Zane pushed open the door and walked in.
He placed a safe on the table.
"Inspector, we have captured the people and they are being held in the interrogation room. This is the safe you requested, found exactly where you said, under the tenth wooden plank to the left in the captain's cabin of the Lucky Princess."
Lucas said, "In a moment, you and Black Mamba will interrogate those two and get the confession from Hansel about orchestrating the assassination of the former Inspector."
Black Mamba confidently replied, "Don't worry, Inspector."
Shelley and Zane, this "golden duo," would definitely extract the confession.
As for the rest...
The safe was the size of a suitcase, painted green, and corroded with rust from the sea's humidity.
The lively meeting quieted down, everyone looking at the safe, and at Inspector Meteor.
Lucas stood up and walked to the safe. He didn't open it, but placed his hand on it and tapped it lightly, with deep meaning.
"Inside is the evidence of Hansel's murder of the former Inspector... Do you want to take a look?"
...
The new recruits began to sweat again. Did it matter if Hansel had murdered the former inspector?
No, it didn't matter!
Did they need to see the evidence? Was this something they should even look at?
No matter what was inside, if Inspector Meteor said Hansel killed the former inspector, then Hansel killed the former inspector.
Wanting to see it... meant suspicion!
"Inspector, the evidence against Hansel for the murder of the former inspector is conclusive. On your second day in office, you solved this cold case, showcasing your remarkable investigative skills.
We believe that with you in the Seawall District, stability and prosperity are just around the corner."
These were indeed the influential figures of the Seawall District, perceptive and understanding the situation well.
Lucas did not open the safe.
"Good! It's getting late, and you all need to go back and prepare to support the Mad Axe Gang, so I won't keep you for dinner. From today on, we will carve out a territory here in Storm City!"
Lucas smashed a potent berserk potion on the ground.
"We will carve out a territory here in Storm City with Inspector Meteor!"
A dozen empty potion bottles crashed to the ground as everyone left the Intelligence Bureau in high spirits, heading to their respective bases to gather their men and support the Mad Axe Gang headquarters.
In the now empty meeting room, Shelley looked at the shattered glass on the floor and the Inspector, who was lost in thought.
She couldn't help but ask, "Inspector... we are Imperial agents. According to our duties, we should suppress and eliminate them. You, as a high-ranking Imperial official, are participating in smuggling and even forming a gang. Isn't this wrong?"
Lucas took a cigarette from his pocket, placed it in his mouth, and raised his right hand. The dragon and snake tattoo extended its head, breathed a flame to light the cigarette, and then returned to his skin as a tattoo. He took a deep drag.
The spicy smoke entered his chest, warming and stimulating, quickly calming his racing heart.
"In addition to being a high-ranking Imperial official, I have another identity. Shelley, do not question me, do not question the Grand Princess, just do your job."
Lucas stood up and looked at Shelley, speaking in an unquestionable tone, "Prepare the evidence for Hansel's murder of the former inspector... case closed!"
Shelley stood at attention, "Yes, Inspector, Zane and I will have all the evidence ready before work tomorrow."
Lucas patted Shelley on the shoulder, encouraging her, "Keep up the good work!"
Leaving the meeting room, Lucas returned to his office. He had just sat down when Karina walked in.
"Inspector, the City Administration just sent you an urgent notice. Last night, a female elf named Ela purchased an item suspected to activate 'The Heart of Red Dragon Nielcolone' from the Whisperer's Mystical Shop in the central district.
The Administration requires our Seawall District Intelligence Bureau to immediately arrest Ela the elf and recover 'The Heart of Red Dragon Nielcolone' before she causes significant damage.
Otherwise..."
Hearing Karina pause here, Lucas asked, "Otherwise what?"
"Otherwise, all consequences will be your responsibility."