Chapter 169: She Dares to Hoard Oil? That's So Defiant!

"What? Infringing on national interests? Illegal operation?" Ning Jingli said, her face full of surprise.

She was just about to ask whether there was any misunderstanding, and conveniently Sister Shangguan Ying and two senior officials from national‑level relevant departments were present, so a clear discussion could settle it.

But Ning Yao cut in with a sneer: "Ah, my pitifully stupid cousin, you really have no idea where the problem lies. Let me give you a lesson this time, so you don't actually think you're cut out for business."

"Oh? All this fanfare and mobilizing troops, just to teach me a lesson?" Ning Jingli said with a smile.

"You can still laugh?" Ning Yao's eyes flashed with a sinister light as she lowered her voice and leaned in, "You clueless thing, I'm telling you, today is your death day!"

Ning Jingli blinked her innocent, wide eyes, "Really?"

Ning Yao gave a look as if at a fool, "These three people: one is the city chief police special commissioner leading this investigation, one comes from the city anti‑smuggling headquarters, and one from the city regulatory headquarters—this is a city‑level multi‑department joint investigation. And all three of them are my friends."

"The reporters from the news media were also invited by me specifically."

Ning Yao said, flashing her trademark smile, turned back to wave at the reporters, then looked at Ning Jingli again, "Cousin, I'm now the hottest, most prominent and youngest well‑known entrepreneur in Xinghan City. The Ning Group is about to soar under my hands. I'll use your plunge into the abyss as a memorial for my rise and as a settlement of past grudges!"

Ning Jingli gave a half‑smile, "I've been busy with my own affairs lately, had no time to watch you. So you're that impressive, huh, congratulations."

"Hehe, you've even learned to be sarcastic, but I don't mind," Ning Yao scoffed, puffed up with pride, "The Lu Family's first investment made the Ning Group earn ten hundred million. Then the Lu Family increased the investment fivefold and helped pull in three other great families. This year's last few months, the Ning Group can easily earn hundreds of billions in net profit. And you, you'll only be watching my glory on TV from prison."

At that moment Ning Yao's confidence was through the roof; just saying those words in front of Ning Jingli felt especially satisfying.

She stood as if she already controlled the whole world, able to crush Ning Jingli like a tiny ant at any moment.

So she wasn't in any hurry at all.

She even hoped the process of destroying Ning Jingli today would go as slowly as possible.

Only then could she fully enjoy the wonderful feeling the process brought.

It was like a premium feast.

It had to be savored slowly, chewing and swallowing carefully.

Ning Jingli watched Ning Yao's over‑confident grin and silently sneered in her heart.

"Fine, then I'll play along with her."

"Otherwise I'd really be disrespecting the elaborate show she's put so much effort into."

"It's not that I can't cooperate," Ning Jingli said to the special commissioner leading the investigation, "Are you planning to take me away for interrogation, or to search the factory behind me?"

The commissioner replied, "Search the factory first, then interrogate."

"Oh…" Ning Jingli nodded, "Fine, may I see the search warrant? According to the relevant laws, you must present a warrant to conduct a legal search. Of course, you're professionals, so I doubt I need to remind you."

Ning Jingli guessed they didn't have such a document.

Because once they submit a search request for this place upward, a higher‑level department would report the situation to the national‑level headquarters' head.

That head is one of the two senior officials present here.

Therefore they would neither receive higher‑level approval for a search nor be allowed to enter this special area without qualification.

Yet they have come, pretending to help Ning Yao conduct a proper search.

"Wow, I didn't expect my cousin to know a thing or two; you've made some progress after all," Ning Yao mocked.

The commissioner, face solemn and tone warning, said, "This is a city‑level joint investigation by multiple headquarters, a special operation. No so‑called search warrant is needed. If you dare to obstruct us, we won't be polite."

Ning Jingli spread her hands and shouted, "Then you have to tell me where I'm infringing national interests or operating illegally. Do you have evidence?"

The reporters a short distance away, unable to hear the earlier dialogue clearly, heard Ning Jingli's loud question and widened their eyes, perking up their ears.

The cameramen pointed all their lenses at Ning Jingli.

This group of reporters had initially only received the time and location from an anonymous tip, along with a notice that something big would happen and that the current Sect Leader of the Ning Group, Ning Yao, would appear.

So they all arrived on time.

But they didn't know exactly what would happen.

Hearing Ning Jingli's words, the reporters sensed a super‑explosive news story and went all‑out, fearing to miss any detail.

"Your factory behind you is hoarding oil! And the amount isn't small!" Ning Yao raised her voice, "That's the best evidence! Don't even think about denying it!"

The words caused a stir among the reporters.

Oil?!

Is it real?!

The importance of oil to the nation needs no explanation, so it must be controlled and monopolized by state agencies; private operation is strictly prohibited.

Yet the factory under Ning Jingli's name is clearly not a state agency.

She dares to hoard oil?! That's so defiant!

"What if I have oil?" Ning Jingli said calmly.

The reporters were even more stunned, buzzing like a pot about to explode, chattering wildly.

"Wait, did I hear that right? She actually admitted it?"

"Does she really not understand the law, or is her brain just not working?"

"If the Ning Group hadn't fallen into her hands, it would have collapsed for sure!"

"…"

Ning Yao listened to the chatter behind her, her mouth couldn't stop smiling.

"Miss Ning Jingli," the special investigation officer said gravely, "You are suspected of smuggling and selling crude oil as well as illegally processing it on your own. The case is extremely severe. I order you to open the factory gates immediately!"

Ning Jingli grinned, "Just kidding, I don't have that stuff. The factory contains confidential material not fit for display. I'll repeat my words: if you want to search, produce a warrant, and I strongly suggest you apply for one."

"Confidential not for display? Hehe, isn't that oil?" Ning Yao waved her hand, ordered the bodyguards, "Break the doors! As long as we protect national interests and eliminate harm to the people, even if I'm held accountable later, I'll take it!"

"Well done, Miss Ning Yao!" the reporters couldn't help but praise.

"Truly a savior of the Ning Group, what courage!"

Dozens of bodyguards moved at the sound and rushed toward the factory doors.

Shangguan Ying and the two senior officials from national departments had been watching silently; seeing this, Shangguan Ying gave a hand signal to the accompanying staff.

The staff accompanying the national‑level senior officials could hardly be ordinary people.

Even in plain clothes with no distinctive looks, they seemed ordinary until they got the operation order—then their eyes flashed with a sharp light and their aura shifted instantly.

As the bodyguards approached, a dozen or so plainclothes agents stepped forward, striking swiftly and decisively, and in just a few moves knocked all the bodyguards down.

Ning Yao looked stunned.

These bodyguards were all handpicked by her, far stronger than ordinary ones, and there were quite a few of them.

How could they be so easily defeated despite having the numerical advantage?

What the hell!

"A bunch of trash!" Ning Yao gritted her teeth and cursed under her breath, then shouted loudly, "Get up! Keep attacking!"

The bodyguards who had been knocked down staggered to their feet and lunged at the plainclothes agents again.

The plainclothes agents' faces showed a helpless expression.

Just now I didn't want to hurt the bodyguards, so I did my best to hold back.

Still want to come?

Bang bang bang!

The sound of fists hitting flesh rang out one after another.

Dozens of bodyguards couldn't even see their opponent's moves before being beaten black and blue, rolling on the ground, and many had their arms wrenched out of socket by the plainclothes agents' grappling techniques, their arms pinned behind their backs on the spot.

"Rioters… plain and simple rioters!" Ning Yao shouted loudly, "Ning Jinli, you're using violence to oppose the law!"

"Don't move! Hands up!" the Police Special Envoy drew his sidearm from his clothing and bellowed.

Shangguan Ying stepped forward half a pace, shielding the two other big shots at her side, and her right hand quickly moved to her waist.

However, she paused half a second, then lowered her hand.

That motion was purely a reflex; in this situation it wasn't enough to make her draw a weapon.

The plainclothes agents released the bodyguards they were holding, kept their faces unchanged, opened their arms, and slowly stepped back a few paces.

The atmosphere became especially tense; the reporters didn't even dare to breathe.

The Police Special Envoy broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead, the two other department officials beside him turned even paler, and Ning Jinli shrank her neck and stepped back a few steps.

The Police Special Envoy held his gun with one hand aimed forward, and with the other took out his phone to call for backup.

Fortunately he had prepared in advance, bringing more than a dozen fully armed special police on this operation, who were nearby right now.

However, since this was an operation without prior application, he couldn't conveniently bring more even if he wanted to, and besides, it was already a violation—disciplinary action was inevitable.

But compared to a major case of smuggled and illegally traded oil, a little punishment is nothing; he would still receive greater commendation afterward, especially since major cases demand seizing every second—submitting a search request could waste time and lose the opportunity, possibly letting someone else earn the credit.

Soon, several police cars sped over, and a well-trained special police team filed out, all wearing bulletproof vests and holding submachine guns.

Ning Jinli had originally just wanted to tease Ning Yao, never expecting things to escalate this far, so she glanced at Shangguan Ying with an apologetic look.

Shangguan Ying smiled faintly and returned a look indicating Ning Jinli could rest easy.

Then she spoke a few quiet words to the two people beside her while making a brief phone call.

"Hands on your heads, get down on the ground!" the special police team shouted at the plainclothes agents.

The plainclothes agents had no choice but to comply.

The Police Special Envoy relaxed slightly, preparing to lead some special police officers to breach and enter the factory.

Shangguan Ying and the two others then stepped forward, walking toward the envoy.

"Stop, don't move!" the envoy warned with his handgun, "What do you intend to do?!"

Shangguan Ying calmly said, "We just want to tell you our identities first."

"Your identities?" the envoy, highly alert, replied, "I think you might have problems too; whatever your identities, we can talk about it at the station."

Having said that, he had the special police handcuff the three of them.

The three national-level big shots from different departments exchanged a glance, considering they had just made a phone call and could soon resolve the situation, and since the Police Special Envoy of the municipal bureau was highly tense and shouldn't be provoked—otherwise a gun might accidentally discharge—they silently extended their hands to cooperate with the special police.

Afterward, the envoy personally escorted the three into the police car.

The two other municipal department personnel, concerned for their own safety, also walked over to the police car.

Just then, the envoy's phone rang.

He pulled it out, glanced at it, quickly answered, and after just a few seconds his face turned pale, then he spoke while wiping cold sweat:

"It's… the leader…"

"I understand, please don't scold me."

"Okay, I'll withdraw the personnel right away, calm down… I'll take all the punishment; it's all my responsibility."

After hanging up, he wished he could shoot himself in the forehead, forced a terribly embarrassed smile, apologized to Shangguan Ying and the two other big shots while uncuffing the three, and respectfully invited them to get out of the car.

At the same time, the two individuals beside the police car also received calls from their respective superiors around the same moment, and were given a "kind condolence" regarding their ancestors eighteen generations back.

The envoy ordered the special police team to immediately fall in, then he and the two others prepared to get in the police car and leave.

"Huh? Wait…" Ning Yao, seeing the situation suddenly turn odd, ran to the police car and pounded on the window, shouting, "How did you just leave? The matter isn't settled yet!"

The envoy rolled down the window, revealing a half face of despair mixed with resentment, gritting his back teeth and said, "Miss Ning, you've really screwed us three over!"

"Huh?" Ning Yao, not understanding, asked, "What do you mean?"

The other two said nothing, their faces growing uglier by the moment.

The envoy thumped his chest, then took a deep breath, "Well… forget it, I can't blame you entirely—if I had been a little less eager to make a name for myself and followed procedure by submitting the operation request first, I wouldn't have caused such a disaster."

Ning Yao listened, utterly confused, and urgently demanded, "What exactly are you talking about?!"

"From now on, don't look for me whether you have business or not—our friendship ends here." After saying that, the envoy rolled up the window.

Several police cars then drove off.

"Hey! Don't go!" Ning Yao, anxious and heedless of her image, jumped and shouted, "I swear! There really is oil of unknown origin here!"

But all she got in reply was the swiftly receding rear ends of the police cars.

Ning Yao stood dumbfounded, frozen in place.

The reporters around were also all dazed.

Wasn't it said that Ning Jinli was smuggling and selling, and illegally processing oil?

Such a serious case, and the investigators just… withdrew?

Just now they were drawing guns and deploying special police, making such a big show—what's the meaning of that?

The big news that was about to break just disappeared like that??

"Ning Yao!" The reporters came to their senses, with a clamor they all surrounded Ning Yao, "May I ask what exactly just happened?"

"Does your older female cousin really smuggle oil? Why are you so certain?"