Chapter 382

Lin Dongfan set out from the capital; this time he chose not to fly or take the train, but to drive over two thousand kilometers to Haishan City in Baiyue Province.

Translation: Lin Dongfan set out from Jingcheng; this time he did not choose to fly or take the train, but chose to drive over two thousand kilometers to Haishan Shi in Baiyue Province.

We should retain the phrase "over two thousand kilometers" unchanged.

Just treat it as a self‑driving trip to relax the mind and body.

Translation: Just treat it as a self-drive trip, relax the mind and body.

The black Audi A6 sped to 130 km/h on the expressway; the veteran driver gripped the steering wheel with one hand, openly violating regulations, while the car played classic Hong Kong‑Taiwan golden oldies.

Translation: The black Audi A6 sped to 130 km/h on the expressway; the veteran driver gripped the steering wheel with one hand, openly violating regulations, while the car played classic Hong Kong-Taiwan golden oldies.

The black Audi A6 sped to 130 km/h on the expressway; the veteran driver gripped the steering wheel with one hand, openly violating regulations, while the car played classic Hong Kong‑Taiwan golden oldies.

The scenery outside the window kept changing all along the way.

Translation: The scenery outside the window kept changing along the way.

From the endless plains of the north to the lush hills of the south, the landscape gradually transitioned to a coastal zone with a salty, fishy aroma.

Translation: From the endless plains of the north to the lush hills of the south, it gradually transitioned to a coastal region with a salty fishy smell.

When he lowered the window, the wind blowing on his face carried a damp, salty fish smell.

Translation: When the car window was lowered, the wind blowing on the face carried a damp salty-fish scent.

There were still fifty kilometers left to Haishan City.

Translation: There were still fifty kilometers left to Haishan Shi.

After two years of detached study, he was parachuted from the capital's anti‑corruption bureau to the anti‑corruption frontline of Baiyue Province, only to inherit a hot potato—the former bureau chief, Comrade Liang Wei, who had died an unnatural death!

Translation: After two years of detached study, he was parachuted from the Jingcheng Anti-Corruption General Bureau to the anti-corruption frontline of Baiyue Province, taking over a hot potato—the former Bureau Chief Liang Wei, who died an unnatural death!

We must retain the specified English translations for the given Chinese phrases.

Both person and car plunged from the overpass, shattering to pieces.

Translation: Both person and car fell from the overpass, smashed to pieces.

Haishan City's official report called it merely an unfortunate "traffic accident". This kind of "downplaying major incidents" report left both Li Mingtang and Lin Dongfan doubtful.

Translation: The Haishan Shi authorities announced it was merely a regrettable "traffic accident". This kind of "downplaying major incidents" report result, Li Mingtang did not believe, and Lin Dongfan likewise did not believe.

We will keep the quoted terms as "traffic accident" and "downplaying major incidents" using English double quotes.

As Li Mingtang said:

Translation: As Li Mingtang said:

Haishan City is a place with fierce local customs, where officials and businessmen collude, and corrupt officials abound.

Translation: Haishan Shi is a place with fierce local customs, where officials and businessmen collude, and the waters are deep with many turtles!

"Haishan…"

Translation: "Haishan..."

Lin Dongfan savored the name quietly, a hint of amusement curling at the corner of his mouth.

Translation: Lin Dongfan softly savored the place name, a hint of a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

He was fighting alone!

Translation: Lone army combat!

This time, the challenge was indeed quite difficult.

Translation: This time the challenge difficulty is indeed somewhat high.

Having lived two lives, Lin Dongfan was not unfamiliar with some of Haishan City's local customs and major cases; the fragmented memories of his past life, like the scenery flashing past the window, sped through his mind.

Translation: Lin Dongfan, who has lived two lives, is not unfamiliar with some of Haishan Shi's folk customs and major cases; the fragmented memories of his past life, like the scenery outside the window, flashed through his mind.

The Sea Dragon Society:

Translation: Sea Dragon Society:

A colossal entity entrenched in the docks, fisheries, and even the gray economy.

Translation: A colossus entrenched in the docks, fisheries, and even the grey zone.

Sea Dragon Society chairman Zheng Canghai, known as the "Dragon King", appeared on the surface as a business association leader guiding fishermen to prosperity and a member of the municipal political advisory council, regularly engaging in charitable deeds and devoutly worshiping Mazu.

Translation: Sea Dragon Society chairman Zheng Canghai, nicknamed the "Dragon King", on the surface is a chamber of commerce leader leading fishermen to prosperity and a member of the municipal political consultative conference; he usually does good deeds, worshipping Mazu with utmost devotion.

In reality, he was ruthless and held the lifeline of Haishan's underground order.

Translation: In reality he is ruthless and vicious, controlling the lifeline of Haishan Shi's underground order.

His "righteousness" extended only to those useful to him, and his "piety" concealed the dirtiest deals; in Lin Dongfan's past‑life memories, this man ultimately seemed……

Translation: His "righteousness" applies only to those useful to him, and beneath his "devotion" lie the dirtiest deals. In Lin Dongfan's past-life memory, this person ultimately seemed……

The outcome remains unknown!

Translation: Outcome unknown!

Yet his deeply entrenched power had caused several who tried to interfere with his interests to suffer major setbacks.

Translation: But his intricately intertwined power once caused several who tried to touch his interests to suffer a major setback.

Mazu faith:

Translation: Mazu faith:

In the Haishan area, Mazu is the spiritual refuge of many ordinary people, which opportunists have exploited, turning it into an invisible shackle and a perfect cover.

Translation: In the Haishan Shi area, Mazu is the spiritual reliance of many ordinary people; thus it is exploited by well-intentioned individuals, becoming an intangible shackle and a perfect cover.

Temples big and small dedicated to Mazu flourish with thriving incense and numerous devotees.

Translation: Big and small Mazu temples, with thriving incense and numerous believers.

The immensely powerful Ocean God Foundation exists precisely because it relies on Mazu faith.

Translation: A massive foundation——the Sea God Foundation——exists relying on Mazu faith.

The Ocean God Foundation works like a huge filter, sifting countless illicit gray‑area incomes into "devout offerings" and "charitable expenditures".

Translation: The Sea God Foundation is like a huge filter, turning countless unseen grey incomes into "devout offerings" and "charitable expenditures".

It is essentially a money‑laundering machine cloaked in the guise of faith.

Translation: It is nothing but a money-laundering machine cloaked in the guise of faith.

Fisherman's Port New City:

Translation: Fisherport New City:

A massive project advancing at full speed—reclaiming land from the sea, expanding the port, adding supporting businesses—beneath the huge profit cake, how much forced eviction, fraud, and power‑money trades are hidden? Just how fierce is the blood‑soaked turmoil surrounding this project? Could it rival the fury of a typhoon strong enough to tear off roofs?

Translation: A colossal project being pushed forward at full speed, involving land reclamation from the sea, port expansion, and supporting businesses…… Beneath the huge profit cake lie how much forced expropriation, fraud, and power-money transactions? How fierce is the blood-and-storm surrounding this project? Could it be even fiercer than a typhoon strong enough to lift roofs?

Because he is not a local.

Translation: Because he is not a local.

In his previous life, Lin Dongfan had only learned about related cases at a political‑law warning education conference; now, even his past‑life memories yield little substantive information, and what he knows is quite limited.

Translation: In his past life, Lin Dongfan only learned about related cases at the Political and Legal Warning Education Conference; now, his past-life memory also fails to dig up much shocking information, and the information he knows is quite limited.

One thing is certain: he is now steering into the center of a massive vortex.

Translation: One thing is certain now: he is steering into the center of a massive vortex.

The former bureau chief, Comrade Liang Wei, his death was certainly no accident!

Translation: The former Bureau Chief Liang Wei, his death is definitely not accidental!

According to the information currently held by the bureau, Liang Wei had touched the core interests of the Sea Dragon Society, after which a car accident occurred, causing him to fall from an overpass several meters high.

Translation: According to the information currently held by the General Bureau, Liang Wei had touched the core interests of the Sea Dragon Society, then a car accident occurred, and he fell to his death from an overpass several meters high.

"One Dragon King, three hands—the Sea Dragon Society, the Ocean God Foundation, and Fisherman's Port New City—what a lot of influence!"

Translation: "One Dragon King with three hands, the Sea Dragon Society, the Sea God Foundation, and Fisherport New City—these claws are truly many."

Lin Dongfan's eyes narrowed slightly.

Translation: Lin Dongfan's eyes narrowed slightly.

Li Mingtang's worries were not unfounded; the waters of Haishan City are murkier than anyone imagines. Without the protection of local officials, how could the Dragon King run so rampant?

Translation: Li Mingtang's worries are not unfounded; the waters of Haishan Shi are murkier than anyone imagines. Without the protection of local bureaucrats, how could the Dragon King be so arrogant?

Before the former Liang Wei's blood had even dried, Lin Dongfan plunged headfirst into this vortex.

Translation: The former Liang Wei's blood had not yet dried, and Lin Dongfan plunged headfirst into this vortex.

So what?

Translation: So what?

Although he styles himself as the top anti‑corruption official, Lin Dongfan still retains a fighter's stubborn spirit; his two‑lived experience makes him not only unafraid but actually a little excited.

Translation: Since he regards himself as the top anti-corruption official, Lin Dongfan still retains a bit of a fighter's stubborn spirit; the experience of living two lives has made him not only unafraid but actually feeling somewhat excited.

"Young master, I'll see just how deep this dragon's pool and tiger's den really go!"

Translation: "Young master, I'd like to see just how deep this dragon's pool and tiger's den really is!"

Lin Dongfan continued to grip the steering wheel with one hand, playing the classic old song "Only by Striving Can We Win", and the drive remained relaxed and pleasant.

Translation: Lin Dongfan still gripped the steering wheel with one hand, and played the classic old song "Love Struggle Will Win", the whole way relaxed and carefree.

At 4 p. m., the old dock of Haishan City.

Translation: Four o'clock in the afternoon, the old dock of Haishan Shi.

A salty sea breeze blew in, mingling with the smells of fish, diesel, and damp wood.

Translation: The salty sea wind blew in, mixed with the smells of fish, diesel, and damp wood.

The setting sun dyed the sea a shade of orange‑red.

Translation: The setting sun dyed the sea water a stretch of orange-red.

Fishing boats packed tightly at the berth; the shouts of unloading, the haggling arguments, and the roar of engines wove together into a noisy market symphony.

Translation: Fishing boats crowded the berths, the shouts of unloading, the haggling quarrels, and the engine roars intertwined into a noisy market symphony.

Lin Dongfan parked his dust‑covered Audi a short distance away and received a call from Chen Jian of the Baiyue Province Procuratorate, who asked why he hadn't arrived yet.

Translation: Lin Dongfan parked his dust-covered Audi A6 a bit farther on the roadside, and received a call from Chen Jian of the Baiyue Provincial Procuratorate; Chen Jian asked why he had not yet arrived.

Following the normal route for taking office, Lin Dongfan should first report to the anti‑corruption bureau of the provincial procuratorate.

Translation: Following the normal appointment route, Lin Dongfan should first go to the Provincial Procuratorate's Anti-Corruption Bureau to register.

Lin Dongfan replied over the phone: "The trip from the provincial capital Yuezhou to Haishan City is quite long; I couldn't be bothered to go back and forth, so I came straight to Haishan City. I'm now by the sea, smelling the salty fish smell."

Translation: Lin Dongfan replied on the phone: "From the provincial capital Yuezhou to Haishan Shi, the road is quite far. I don't want to run back and forth, so I came straight to Haishan Shi. Now I am at the seaside, smelling the salty fish."

Saying this, Lin Dongfan smiled.

Translation: Speaking, Lin Dongfan laughed.

Over the phone came Chen Jian's sigh: "Director Lin, you're really young—fearless of heaven and earth. But you really ought to first make a trip to the province to get a sense of the situation there."

Translation: From the phone came Chen Jian's sigh: "Director Lin, you are really young, fearless of heaven and earth. Anyway you must first make a trip to the province to understand the situation there."

"I like to make surprise moves; let's leave it at that for now—I'll call you back once I've settled in."

Translation: "I like to launch surprise attacks; let's do this for now, wait until I settle down then I'll call you back."

A shrill cry and arrogant abuse rang out from the salty‑smelling shore; Lin Dongfan hastily hung up the phone and looked in that direction.

Translation: A sharp crying shout and arrogant insulting voice came from the shore full of salty fish smell; Lin Dongfan hastily hung up the phone and looked over.

"You old bastard! How many days have you delayed this month's Ocean God money? Are you treating Shui Ge's words as a fart?!"

Translation: "Old immortal! This month's Sea God money has been delayed how many days? Is Water Brother's words just fart?!"

A bald, muscular man with a ferocious scar across his face—Scarface Strong—wearing a floral shirt, his arms covered in tattoos, kicked over Old Man Fu's fish basket with one foot.

Translation: A bald muscular man with a ferocious scar on his face—Scarface Strong, wearing a floral shirt, his arms covered in tattoos, kicked over the fish basket beside Old Man Fu with one foot.

Fresh fish and shrimp scattered across the ground, struggling in the muddy water.

Translation: Fresh fish and shrimp scattered all over, struggling in the muddy water.

Fu Bo's heart was also struggling.

Fu Bo looked to be over sixty, his skin dark, his body thin, that old face full of wrinkles already covered by a look of panic.

The so-called sea god money was actually just protection money in disguise.

Fu Bo originally wanted to protect the fish basket.

But he was violently shoved by Ba Lian Qiang, stumbling and falling to the ground.

"Brother Qiang... Brother Qiang, please..." Fu Bo's voice trembled, sounding like he was about to cry: "These days the waves have been high, I really haven't caught anything good... give me two days, give me two days and I will..."

"Fuck your mother!"

Ba Lian Qiang spat a mouthful of thick phlegm onto Fu Bo's face, his fleshy cheeks trembling.

He boldly warned Fu Bo: "If you have no money, you still have a granddaughter, right? That little lass is quite spirited; sending her to the Dragon Palace Banquet to wash dishes would also work."

As he spoke, Ba Lian Qiang's lecherous gaze turned to the girl beside Fu Bo.

A seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl—Xiao Yu—had just helped Fu Bo up, but Ba Lian Qiang's lecherous gaze frightened her so that her face turned deathly pale and her body trembled like a leaf in the wind.

"No! Brother Qiang, please! Xiao Yu is still young..."

Fu Bo instinctively shielded Xiao Yu behind him.

"Get lost!"

One of Ba Lian Qiang's henchmen roughly grabbed Xiao Yu's arm and pulled hard outward. Xiao Yu let out a piercing scream, struggling desperately: "Let me go..."

The surrounding fishermen and dockworkers stopped what they were doing, watching the scene with complex expressions.

Whether angry or sympathetic, they all remained silent, no one daring to step forward. Ba Lian Qiang was a capable enforcer under Shui Ge, and Shui Ge was the son of Zheng Canghai, the leader of the Sea Dragon Society.

On this dock, Shui Ge's word is law.

Seeing Xiao Yu about to be dragged away, Fu Bo desperately lunged forward and clung to the thug's leg, only to be kicked away.

Just as Fu Bo was in despair.

Not far away, Lin Dongfan's shout rang out: "To the hand!"