Director Lei saw Guan Yuming as he approached. Like the Processing Bureau, the Esoteric Review Bureau was a department that had relatively little interaction with other agencies.

However, as officials from the same administrative branch, they naturally knew each other. He gave a nod in Guan Yuming’s direction and raised a hand, signaling for the Review Bureau members behind him to wait. This was clearly a gesture of respect toward the Patrol Bureau and Guan Yuming.

Guan Yuming nodded back at him. His deputy spoke up coolly, "Who’s in charge here? Someone with authority, step forward!"

The Wei Family’s butler gestured with a hand behind his back. Someone who understood the signal immediately headed toward the factory building, while the butler himself walked over to Guan Yuming. After coming to a stop, he replied, "I am temporarily in charge here. What can I do for you, officers?"

The deputy said, "I received a report that a large group of armed individuals are illegally possessing firearms here, and that they intend to harm a Wuyi Student. Is this true?"

The butler said with a smile, "Nothing of the sort. Someone must be spreading rumors. You mustn’t believe them, officers."

’They had arranged everything perfectly. The men outside weren’t carrying guns, just some crossbow arrows at most, which was permitted for security companies. As for the people with guns inside, some of them had been granted temporary weapon permits by the Administrative Affairs Hall. There shouldn’t have been any problem at all.’

’As for harming a Wuyi Student, that was absolutely not the plan. Not then, not now.’

Before the Patrol Bureau could ask any more questions, the butler proactively turned to Director Lei and greeted him, "Director Lei, and what brings you here?"

Director Lei said, "The Review Bureau received a report that an Esoteric Ritual was being held privately nearby. Since everyone in the Review Bureau draws a salary, we have a duty to fulfill our responsibilities. We cannot turn a blind eye."

The butler hurriedly said, "Director Lei, it must be a misunderstanding. There’s no Esoteric Ritual here."

’Those esoteric patterns were indeed a problem. They really hadn’t expected Lei Guangcheng to come investigate this matter, because they had already made the necessary arrangements.’

’Moreover, their lookouts on the main roads hadn’t sent any word. This meant Lei Guangcheng had likely bypassed the city, circling around to approach from the west. No wonder he had appeared on a different road. He was clearly targeting them. All the butler could do now was stall for time and hope the people in the back could clean up quickly.’

Director Lei looked at him, his voice devoid of emotion. "Whether there is or not, we’ll know after we inspect the premises."

The butler took a step forward and reminded him, "Director Lei, this is private property..."

Director Lei said, "By state decree, all individuals and organizations must provide unconditional cooperation in the apprehension of cult members. Uninvolved personnel should step aside. If our search turns up nothing, I will request punishment from my superiors myself. Now, move."

Guan Yuming glanced at his deputy. The latter held up a document and declared, "This is a search warrant from the Patrol Bureau. All Patrol Officers, on my command! If anyone here obstructs us, you are authorized to shoot to kill."

"Yes, sir!"

In unison, the Patrol Officers behind him responded, raising their guns and aiming the dark muzzles forward.

While they had been talking, most of the Patrol Officers had already fanned out to various positions, surrounding the entire factory complex. More personnel were setting up roadblocks behind them, clearly intending to let no one leave.

The butler said no more, silently retreating to the side. ’I’ve done all I can. I can’t stop what happens next. I can only hope the Young Master gets the message and wraps things up quickly.’

After the security personnel obediently stepped aside, a large group of Patrol Officers rushed toward the factory building. First, they secured all the main entrances and exits, setting up firing positions, before finally ordering someone to open the door.

As two security guards walked forward, the wide roll-up door slowly opened, and the early morning summer sun streamed inside.

The Patrol Bureau’s officers immediately rushed in, but their steps involuntarily slowed when they saw the scene inside.

Chen Chuan stood with a calm expression in the very center of the factory. He held the sheathed Snow Monarch Blade in one hand, its tip resting on the ground beside him. His formal suit was spotless. The sunlight pouring in from outside cast his long shadow across the floor behind him.

All around him—on the floor, the steel platforms, in the aisles and corridors—as far as the eye could see, were severed limbs and mangled corpses. Barely a single complete body could be found.

The still-wet blood flowed and pooled with the painted patterns on the floor, tracing their lines as if spreading out from the very spot where he stood.

The Patrol Officers were stunned. Although most of them were military veterans who had seen the most horrific scenes of battle, this was something they had never witnessed before. They involuntarily raised their muzzles and aimed at Chen Chuan.

Some of the Patrol Officers recognized Chen Chuan. Upon seeing him, they immediately pushed down their colleagues’ guns and quickly whispered a few words.

After hearing this, the Patrol Officers on scene lowered their weapons. Then, as if they hadn’t seen him at all, they fanned out to secure the perimeter.

The deputy followed them into the factory. He saw at a glance that Chen Chuan was unharmed and couldn’t help but smile. But when he took in the sight of the dismembered corpses littering the floor, he froze for a second, almost thinking he’d walked into a slaughterhouse. His reaction was swift; his expression turned grave, and he immediately turned back to give orders. "Tell the men to move the bodies out as quickly as possible. No pictures."