Chapter 94 People from the Shen Family Arrive
Two days later, several helicopters bearing the insignia of the capital city of Shenyang landed directly in the central square of the Shuguang Base, making an even bigger show of force than before.
Following them were not only high-level healing and mental ability users, but also a middle-aged man with a cold face who resembled Shen Yao but was older and more composed—Shen Yao's cousin, Shen Zhuo, who came to handle the matter on behalf of the Shen family.
The base's highest command headquarters, conference room.
The atmosphere was so heavy it could be squeezed out of you.
Base Commander Zhou Qiming and General Chen Jichuan sat in the main seats. Opposite them were Shen Zhuo, Li Wei, and an elderly man with sharp, hawk-like eyes—a high-level psychic ability user brought by the Shen family.
At the base, Lao Xu and two other officers in charge of security investigations were also present.
Shen Zhuo cut to the chase, his tone restrained yet carrying an undeniable pressure: "Base Commander Zhou, General Chen, my cousin Shen Yao was attacked by an unknown force within your base, suffering a devastating blow to his very being, leaving him practically a cripple. This is an extremely serious matter, not only a grave provocation against my Shen family, but also a major security incident within the Dawn Base. We demand an explanation, and we must find the culprit."
Zhou Qiming adjusted his glasses, his tone calm but firm: "Mr. Shen, we deeply regret Mr. Shen Yao's unfortunate fate and understand the Shen family's concerns. The base's security department has initiated an investigation. However, as we previously communicated with Assistant Li Wei, there is currently a lack of direct evidence pointing to a specific person or event. No traces of external intrusion were found at the scene, and the residual energy is extremely weak and peculiar, making it difficult to trace."
Chen Jichuan responded, his voice even firmer: "We have already provided surveillance footage and patrol records from all areas of the base on the night of the incident, as well as preliminary interview transcripts from all personnel who may have had contact with Mr. Shen Yao. The investigation is proceeding within our authority. But Mr. Shen, Dawn Base has its own rules and regulations. We cannot, and will never, arbitrarily gather all the ability users in the base, especially those who have just returned from completing important missions for the base at great personal risk, for questioning or testing simply because of Mr. Shen Yao's status. This is not an investigation; this is disruption."
Shen Zhuo's eyes turned cold: "General Chen, do you mean to just let my cousin's matter go? Or is the base going to cover up the possible murderer?"
“Mr. Shen, you flatter us.” Zhou Qiming said neither humbly nor arrogantly. “We have absolutely no intention of covering up anything. An investigation requires clues and evidence. If the Shen family can provide more specific suspects or clues, we will definitely do our best to investigate. However, without solid evidence, it is not only unrealistic to conduct a large-scale investigation of all ability users based on mere speculation, but it will also seriously undermine the stability and unity of the base. I think this is not what the capital wants to see either.”
The elderly psychic from the Shen family suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse: "Base Commander, General. Based on Li Wei's description and my initial perception of the residual mental traces of Young Master Shen Yao, the attacker's mental strength level is extremely high, and their methods are highly professional and ruthless. People with this ability are probably few and far between in your base. Isn't the most direct approach to systematically investigate high-level psychic or suspected individuals with powerful mental abilities? Or is it that the base is unwilling to even provide this list or basic cooperation?"
Old Xu couldn't help but speak up: "Senior, that's not how it works. Mental attacks are invisible and intangible, leaving only faint traces. The culprit might not be a registered high-level mental ability user; they could be an ability user of another type with hidden mental abilities, or they might have used some unknown method. Investigate them one by one? How can we investigate? Force mental power testing? That violates the basic rights of ability users and will cause a huge backlash! Besides, if the culprit is really that skilled, would they be easily exposed during testing?"
A moment of silence fell over the meeting room, with both sides clearly holding distinct positions.
Shen Zhuo stared at Zhou Qiming and Chen Jichuan for a long time before suddenly changing the subject: "I heard that Shen Yao had a minor conflict with a female ability user named Ruan Ning in the base? Apparently, it was over her mutated beast? And this Ruan Ning happened to be one of the few teams that escaped unscathed and even gained something from this research institute mission? And the Thunder Leopard team, which had a conflict with her, was also completely wiped out in this mission?"
Chen Jichuan frowned: "Mr. Shen, what does this mean? The mission report has been submitted, and all teams acted according to orders. The casualties stemmed from an unknown high-risk mutant within the research institute. Ruan Ning's team performed excellently and completed the mission; that's a fact. As for personal friction, the base will not comment, but will never accept unwarranted accusations or implicatingments."
Li Wei added in a low voice, "Young Master Zhuo, we currently have no evidence to suggest that Ruan Ning is involved with Young Master Yao. Her registered ability is water-based, at level two."
Shen Zhu snorted coldly: "Water element? A water element ability user, carrying a third-tier mutated beast, can complete that kind of mission unscathed? Li Wei, do you believe that?"
Zhou Qiming stood up, his tone becoming serious: "Mr. Shen, speculation cannot be used as evidence. The base's investigation will continue, and we will fully cooperate with the Shen family's reasonable investigative needs. However, all actions must be carried out within the framework of the base's regulations. If the Shen family representatives, while at the base, engage in any actions that exceed the rules or target specific individuals, thereby affecting the base's order and security... then, in order to be responsible for all survivors, we will have no choice but to take necessary measures and request the capital authorities to coordinate the matter."
This is already a fairly clear warning.
Shen Zhuo's expression changed, and he finally took a slow breath to suppress his anger. He knew that even though the Shen family had a prestigious reputation, they couldn't do whatever they wanted on someone else's turf, especially since the Dawn Base was no pushover.
“Alright.” Shen Zhuo stood up. “Since the base has its rules, we respect them. But the Shen family will never let this matter rest. We will continue our investigation in our own way, within the bounds of the rules. We also hope that the base can provide a convincing result as soon as possible.”
"No need to see me out," Chen Jichuan replied curtly.
Shen Zhuo left the conference room with his men, his face grim.
Back at their temporary lodgings, Shen Zhuo immediately ordered Li Wei and the elderly psychic: "The base can't be relied on. Keep a close eye on Ruan Ning, her people, and her dog. Investigate everything about her—her past, abilities, social connections, mission records. I don't believe we won't find a clue. Also, contact our people elsewhere to see if there are any experts who specialize in tracking psychic traces or handling these kinds of 'accidents.' Shen Yao can't be wasted; whoever did it will pay the price."
Meanwhile, Ruan Ning soon heard from Zhou Min about the Shen family's arrival and the conflict at the meeting.
"Ruan Ning, Shen Zhuo from the Shen family clearly suspects you!" Zhou Min said with some worry.
Lin Yan's expression was also grave: "They won't dare to do it openly, but they will definitely try to trip us up behind the scenes."
Ruan Ning wiped the Tang Hengdao sword, her eyes calm and unwavering: "Let them investigate. They won't find any evidence. Shen Yao going mad could be due to a cultivation mishap, an old injury recurring, or him offending some hidden entity they can't afford to offend."
She looked up at her two teammates, "During this time, we'll continue taking on missions and improving our skills. Be careful of their spies, but don't be afraid. They won't dare to cause trouble inside the base. Outside..."
She paused, the blade reflecting a cold light: "Who lives and who dies depends on their own abilities."
The fire roared in agreement from the side.
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