Let them offer their loyalty!

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, the expressions on all the investigating officers present involuntarily revealed a startle.

After all, the charge that Qiu Tu had labeled Zheng Tao with was no small matter.

Colluding with criminals, moreover, those involved in major cases. Not to mention Zheng Tao, the newly promoted Deputy Division Chief—even Jia Shu, before his dismissal, would have been subjected to an investigation by the Disciplinary Department had he been reported to the higher-ups.

'Chief Qiu is really playing a tough hand here. He's ready to splash the dirtiest water directly onto Director Zheng's back.'

There were quite a few clear-eyed agents present, so they immediately grasped the implications of Qiu Tu's statements as soon as he spoke.

Zheng Tao also clearly discerned Qiu Tu's intent. He certainly could not let this dirty water douse him.

So he quickly responded head-on, "Chief Qiu, one might eat indiscriminately, but one mustn't speak carelessly."

He looked at Qiu Tu with a stern face and explained, "My request for interrogation was completely legal and compliant."

"It is work that falls within the scope of my authority. I was conducting the interrogation in accordance with the rules and regulations."

"Whether during the transfer or the interrogation, there were always more than three agents present the entire time."

"The interrogation was also recorded in both audio and video the entire time."

"If you have any doubts, you can apply to review the interrogation records."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu was in no way disrupted by Zheng Tao's reply: or rather... it was Zheng Tao's explanation of this issue that thoroughly handed over the rhythm of the conversation.

So, with a smile that was not quite a smile, Qiu Tu looked at Zheng Tao and said, "Director Zheng, the Political Department itself deals in spying and counter-spying."

"Who among us doesn't know that reminding a criminal, passing on a message, doesn't require direct dialogue?"

"A simple action, a simple secret sign. Even mere appearance in front of someone can already convey enough information to the other party."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Zheng Tao's face had already turned ashen.

He asked in a harsh tone, "Then what exactly does Chief Qiu want me to do to prove myself?!"

"According to what you're saying, doesn't that mean I already have no way to prove my innocence?"

Actually, by this time, the agents present had gradually realized that Qiu Tu completely controlled the entire conversation.

Zheng Tao, because of the procedural loophole grasped by Qiu Tu, had already fallen into a disadvantageous position.

Following their line of thought, Qiu Tu should be taking advantage of his victory, kicking the enemy while he's down. He should finish the job in one fell swoop.

Who knew, however, that Qiu Tu would chuckle lightly, then suddenly changed his tone, "Director Zheng, you're not wrong. From the moment you took my suspect, you were already in a melon field beneath a plum tree, unable to clear yourself."

"You've also worked at the Political Department for many years, and you should know why one shouldn't act rashly with someone else's suspects—to avoid the very situation you're in now!"

Having said this, Qiu Tu looked at Zheng Tao with a smile that was not quite a smile, "As for how you want to prove yourself. Actually, it's quite simple."

"It's to clear up the case, isn't it?"

Qiu Tu gestured towards Jia Wei, who was propping up his body and watching the scene, and said, "As long as you can interrogate and get a confession from the criminal, you'll naturally prove your innocence."

"If you can't manage it... heh."

Quiet fell over the scene upon hearing Qiu Tu's words.

It wasn't because what Qiu Tu said was too outrageous, but rather... it was too "light". Experience more tales on My Virtual Library Empire

Letting Zheng Tao continue the interrogation, and moreover, demanding that Zheng Tao produce results from the interrogation.

Was this purposely making things difficult? It sounded more like a concession, didn't it?

After all, with Qiu Tu's ruckus, even an originally somewhat illegal interrogation by Zheng Tao had now become completely legal.

Moreover, once Zheng Tao truly obtained a confession, much of the credit for the case would be his, and Qiu Tu would have to cede the primary authority over the case.

'Is Qiu Tu getting timid?'

More than one agent thought this way. They looked at each other, thinking there was more to the matter than met the eye.

But what exactly the problem was, they did not know.

Zheng Tao felt the same.

Having had many dealings with Qiu Tu, he felt he understood him quite well.

He knew that Qiu Tu had a strong character and was very assertive, never compromising on his own initiative.

Therefore, the presence of any concession meant there must be a trick!

But, because Qiu Tu controlled the entire conversation, he was now put on the spot by Qiu Tu, with no way to step down.

So... even knowing there was an issue, he had to reluctantly agree.

He said with a deep look, "Fine! Then thank you, Chief Qiu, for the opportunity!"

"I'll proceed with the interrogation now!"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu indeed interrupted him, revealing his trump card, "Then, Director Zheng, please set a time limit."

"We can't just keep the criminal at your place forever, causing the case to be indefinitely stalled, can we?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Zheng Tao's face went through subtle changes, as if he were considering what time to give.

Eventually, he did not dare to push his luck, and instead proposed a rather generous time, "Today, 6 PM, before the end of the workday."

Qiu Tu laughed, "No problem. Then, Director Zheng, please go ahead. I wish you a swift and decisive victory."

After finishing, he gestured with his hand, then turned and left the interrogation room.

After leaving the interrogation room, Qiu Tu swept a cold gaze over the many agents who were onlookers, and then said to Chen Feng, Cao Dabiao, and others clustered around him, "Now, arrange for someone to stake out the door of the interrogation room."

"From now on, until 6 PM, report back every hour to inform me of the progress of the interrogation!"

Having said this, Qiu Tu's voice was loud enough almost for everyone present, including Zheng Tao, to hear, "I want to see if the so-called strongest interrogator of the Interrogation Section can really extract a confession from my criminal!"

He smirked condescendingly and sneered, "Daring to forcefully take over the case based on status alone, interrogating the suspect, trying to snatch the credit without even having a clear understanding of the case or the criminal's identity!"

"I really want to see how some people will lose face when the time comes!"

Having said that, Qiu Tu left with a flick of his sleeve!

Upon hearing the harsh words Qiu Tu had thrown out, the onlooking investigators exchanged glances, suddenly "understanding" what Qiu Tu was thinking.

They felt that Qiu Tu simply did not believe in Zheng Tao's abilities.

The previous action of throwing dirt at Zheng Tao must have been said in anger. But now, demanding that Zheng Tao interrogate the suspect within a limited time was Qiu Tu's real stratagem!

The two wagered on this interrogation as their battlefield.

Qiu Tu bet that Zheng Tao would spend a day unable to break the psychological defenses of that criminal.

As for Zheng Tao, he bet that he could break through the criminal's psychological defenses within one day.

If Zheng Tao obtained a confession, he would be entitled to share the credit for the case;

If Zheng Tao failed to extract a confession, however, his attempted credit-grabbing stunt would become his biggest ridicule, spread across the entire Investigation Bureau, and any further issues with this suspect could likely become his burden to bear.

'A somewhat unfair gamble?'

This thought briefly crossed the minds of many investigators.

Because this wager seemed a bit too simple for Zheng Tao. After all, who didn't know about Zheng Tao's reputation. His interrogation techniques were truly something!

'Qiu Tu may be overconfident...'

It was because of this very thought that when various departments within the Investigation Bureau learned of the wager between Qiu Tu and Zheng Tao, the majority of the investigators, section chiefs, and division chiefs actually believed that Zheng Tao was highly likely to win.

They felt that Qiu Tu was underestimating the elite of the Investigation Bureau.

Zheng Tao, after all, had undergone professional training at the Sanctuary and even learned various interrogation techniques from Jia Shu, an interrogation expert.

How could he possibly fail to pry open the mouth of a suspect?

At this moment, however, Zheng Tao was not as confident as everyone thought.

Ever since he had agreed to Qiu Tu's wager, a subtle unease had lingered in his heart.

He always had the feeling he had fallen into some sort of trap, but he couldn't see through what kind of trap it was.

So, he could only sit with a gloomy expression, saying nothing.

While he remained silent, Jia Wei, who was tied to the interrogation chair, started talking.

He laughed hoarsely, "Hehehe," his voice rough as midnight gravel.

"You're finished. Qiu Tu is obviously using you as the 'chicken' to warn the monkeys."

"He wants the whole Investigation Bureau to know, even if you have Yan Chen's backing, crossing him will not end well!"

"He's making an example, so others will think twice before opposing him in the future!"

"So, the moment you agreed to this bet, you were destined to lose."

"After all, I won't say anything. Hehehe...."

Upon hearing Jia Wei's words, Zheng Tao's gaze sharpened, and he looked at Jia Wei with a dark expression.

He slowly stood up, wrapped his hand with a wet towel, walked toward Jia Wei, and then cast a fierce look as he fiercely pummeled Jia Wei's abdomen several times!

As he struck, he rebuked, "Not talking?!"

"You know how many punishments are there in the Political Department?!"

"No one has ever made it through all of them!"

As he spoke, he grabbed Jia Wei's hair with one hand, his face full of anger, and menacingly said, "So, I guarantee you'll talk!"

After speaking, he turned to the nearby investigators and barked, "Bring the potion! Start water torture!"

"He's a Second-Order Cataclysmic Awakened, don't worry about his life or death!"

"Yes!" Hearing Zheng Tao's order, several confidants promptly responded....

...

The wager between Zheng Tao and Qiu Tu could be said to be tugging at the heartstrings of many in the Investigation Bureau.

Some supported Qiu Tu, wanting to see his triumph in humiliating others; some disliked Qiu Tu, hoping to see Zheng Tao put him in his place; and then there were those who were just there for the spectacle.

But regardless, this bet was indeed the biggest news within the Investigation Bureau for these two days. Countless eyes were attracted to this wager....

Sure enough, an hour passed quickly.

Chen Feng glanced at the still tightly closed door of the interrogation room and instructed Ding Xiaoliu, "Tell the chief, the first hour of interrogation has not ended."

"Yes!" Hearing this, Ding Xiaoliu saluted and then hurriedly ran back upstairs to deliver the report.

And as he rushed to report, the various departments of the Investigation Bureau quickly received the same message as well: In the first hour, Zheng Tao had not broken through the prisoner's psychological defenses....

But they were not concerned. After all, to break through the psychological defenses of a significant criminal within one hour was indeed quite difficult.

So, they continued to watch and wait.

The time ticked by, second by second.

Soon, the second hour arrived.

Chen Feng looked at the still closed door of the interrogation room and said to Ding Xiaoliu, "The second hour, still a failure."

------

3 updates, 10,000 words haha. Continuing tonight with another 10,000. During the double Monthly Ticket period, seeking the minimum Monthly Tickets!