The Bodyguard from Hell

Jinghai City, being a metropolis, granted its police force extensive authority. Despite Yongnan District being merely a sector within Jinghai City, the powers of its police department were consistent across the board.

In particular, the criminal police team, an integral part of the police department, wielded substantial authority. Rarely did they encounter a situation where they couldn’t retrieve case files.

Su Mengjia, since joining the criminal police force years ago, had never faced an instance where a suspect’s dossier was inaccessible. But presently, she found herself unable to access Lin Xiao’s file, which implied only one thing.

Lin Xiao had a unique identity.

Upon reading the four words in Lin Xiao’s file, Su Mengjia was stunned.

From her own exceptional background, she knew that in Xia Country, the identities of only a select few were beyond the reach of police scrutiny. These were either the nation’s top leaders, personnel employed at classified bases, or soldiers who had undertaken specialized assignments.

At only 22, Lin Xiao certainly couldn’t be a top leader. Given Lin Xiao’s capabilities, the most plausible conclusion was that he was a special forces soldier.

“Are you a discharged special forces soldier?”

“Take a guess.” Lin Xiao responded, laughing lightly.

He was already irritated by Su Mengjia’s nonsensical interrogation and wasn’t about to play along.

“Don’t presume I can’t probe your identity just because you’re from the special forces. The confidentiality of the special forces is hierarchical. Let me tell you, even if you are from the special forces, I can still uncover your identity,” retorted Su Mengjia, a cold smirk playing on her lips.

“Is that so?” Lin Xiao replied, smiling noncommittally.

Nevertheless, he was somewhat curious about Su Mengjia’s confidence. The secrecy grade of the special forces was not insignificant.

Su Mengjia shot Lin Xiao a frosty glance before retrieving her phone and dialing a number.

“Assist me in examining someone’s identity record. Yes, from the special forces. His name is Lin Xiao,” she promptly declared once the call connected.

This development took Lin Xiao by surprise.

He initially assumed she was merely bluffing. However, observing Su Mengjia’s self-assured demeanor, he had to concede that she might indeed be able to pull up regular special forces files. He had not anticipated that this voluptuous, seemingly inexperienced policewoman could harbor such a complicated identity.

Lin Xiao was well aware that even for a regular special forces member, there weren’t many individuals with the authority to access their files.

“Since you retired from the special forces, you must’ve heard of the legendary Dragon Sword Squad. They faced numerous obstacles and risks for our country, battling bravely on the frontlines. In comparison to someone like you, I honestly feel embarrassed for the special forces.” After she ended the phone call, Su Mengjia expressed her distaste for Lin Xiao.

Despite Su Mengjia’s words being quite jarring for Lin Xiao, he found it peculiar when she mentioned his former squad, especially when she compared him to them. Her evident admiration and longing when she spoke of them made him feel even more uncomfortable.

As for Su Mengjia’s knowledge of the Dragon Sword Squad, he wasn’t overly surprised. Almost anyone with the slightest military connection would have heard of the code name Dragon Sword Squad. However, the specifics about the members within this squad were known only to a few top-tier individuals in Xia Country.

Observing Lin Xiao’s odd reaction, Su Mengjia’s anger flared. She pointed at Lin Xiao and shouted, “Although I’m not privy to the specifics of the Dragon Sword Squad, I’m aware that every single one of its members is a gallant and iron-willed man. Especially the leader, a renowned hero who single-handedly defeated hundreds of invading mercenaries. Compared to a disgrace like you from the special forces, why is there such a stark difference within the same special forces?”

Su Mengjia gave Lin Xiao a look of scorn. When she mentioned the leader of the Dragon Sword squad, her face was filled with admiration.

Su Mengjia’s disdain and contempt ignited some anger within Lin Xiao. However, witnessing her reverence for the Dragon Sword Squad and its leader left him at a loss for words, prompting him to ask, “Is there anything else you wish to ask about? If not, I’ll take my leave.”

“Leave? Who gave you permission to leave? I’m telling you, unless you clarify everything today, you’re not stepping out of this police station,” Su Mengjia asserted, staring at Lin Xiao. Just then, the phone in the interrogation room suddenly rang.

“Hello!” Su Mengjia answered, an undercurrent of anger in her voice.

“It’s me,” came the voice on the phone. “I’ve heard that you just led a team to apprehend a man named Lin Xiao. I’m ordering you to release him immediately.”

“Director,” Su Mengjia started, her brow furrowing slightly, “he might be linked to the Hundred Seat Society, this…”

“You must be mistaken,” the Director cut her off. “Release him immediately, that’s an order.”

“Very well,” Su Mengjia reluctantly agreed, her teeth clenched. She was far from satisfied, but she had no choice but to obey. Turning to Lin Xiao, she warned him, “I’m letting you go this time, but don’t think you’re off the hook. I’m watching you. If you give me a reason, I guarantee you’ll be behind bars.”

Seeing this, Lin Xiao was both amused and exasperated. Now, he understood why Su Mengjia was fixated on him. He had never encountered a woman so obstinate, convinced he was a member of the so-called Hundred Seat Society, despite his attempts at explaining.

He also became intrigued by this so-called Hundred Seat Society. What exactly did it do to make the police station so nervous?

“Well, beautiful police officer, goodbye.”

As Lin Xiao swaggered out, Su Mengjia was left fuming. She stormed out of the interrogation room, heading towards an office. She pushed the door open, entering with a dark expression.

“Director, why? Why let him go?” Su Mengjia asked, full of anger. She directed her words at a man, in his fifties, sitting in an office chair.

It was Zhou Yong, the director of the police station in Yongnan District, Jinghai City.

“Little Su, don’t be angry. I had no other choice,” Zhou Yong said, standing up from his chair. He looked at the enraged Su Mengjia, trying to appease her.

“Director, what’s really happening? Lin Xiao was a prime suspect as a member of the Hundred Seat Society. Why let him go?” Su Mengjia’s fury subsided a bit at Zhou Yong’s pacifying words. She took a deep breath, and her expression returned to calm as she asked her question.

Zhou Yong answered: “Little Su, you may have gotten it wrong this time. Someone from the provincial military district personally called me, ordering Lin Xiao’s release. Hence, Lin Xiao is unlikely to be a member of the Hundred Seat Society.”

“What? Someone from the provincial military district personally called?” Su Mengjia asked, her tone filled with disbelief.

“Yes, and it was a leader from the provincial military district,” Zhou Yong confirmed, nodding.

At this point, Su Mengjia was taken aback. The provincial military district had personally intervened? Having grown up in a special family, she fully understood the significance of this.

A retired special forces soldier with a highly classified file, yet it seemed impossible that he could attract attention from the provincial military district. And just after she had begun investigating Lin Xiao’s file, someone from the provincial military district personally intervened.

All these facts left Su Mengjia extremely shocked.

At that moment, her cell phone started buzzing.

Jolted from her thoughts by the vibration, Su Mengjia glanced at the caller ID and answered. “Hello?”

“Mengjia, who exactly are you asking me to investigate? I just checked the person’s file you asked about. His file has the highest level of confidentiality. Apart from a select few in the government, no one has the right to access it. Moreover, any inquiry triggers an automatic alarm. Now, I’m concerned about explaining this to my superiors.”

“What? What are you saying?” Su Mengjia’s expression changed dramatically. Her pupils contracted, and her already shocked face became even more stunned.

After a moment, she found her voice, “So, you’re not in trouble, are you?”

“I’m fine.”

“That’s good then.”

After hanging up, Su Mengjia looked bewildered.

She began to think that she might have truly misunderstood Lin Xiao. A person with such a high confidentiality level couldn’t possibly be a member of the Hundred Seat Society.

But then, a realization hit her. Lin Xiao was a discharged soldier with such a high confidentiality level and his earlier peculiar expression. All these clues suggested that… perhaps… just perhaps…

Lin Xiao was a member of the legendary Dragon Sword Squad.

With that thought, Su Mengjia could no longer stay calm. She hurriedly left the office, heading for the entrance of the police station. But by the time she got there, Lin Xiao was nowhere to be found.

“Lin Xiao… Dragon Sword Squad…”

Standing at the entrance of the police station, Su Mengjia silently repeated these words in her mind.