Above the Galaxy

Chapter 1048 - 677: Are You Afraid of Pain?

Dongguo Family. Old residence by Yanqi Lake.

Fan Zhen stepped forward and said to the guard at the entrance, "I am Fan Zhen, the Director of the Special Action Group of the Imperial Security Bureau. I have some matters to discuss with Mr. Dongguo Siqi. Please convey this message."

Upon hearing the notorious reputation of the Security Bureau, the guard dared not delay and immediately relayed the message inside through their earpiece.

Unexpectedly, it was not the Family Head Dongguo Siqi who appeared, but Shen Nan, the Deputy Commander of the Palace Guard Army.

Shen Nan came from a military background and worked in the Undying Army of the Shen Family’s Direct Lineage Army, serving as an intelligence officer.

Later, when his elder brother Shen Que took over Shen Leyou’s position, he was transferred to Fengming Palace as his deputy. At critical moments, one must use their own people.

Brothers in arms against the tiger...

The same goes for Suo Long.

This promotion could be described as a meteoric rise; anyone knows that those who work under the Emperor’s watch are high-ranking officials.

It’s also the most crucial, core dirty work.

Once the Shen Family successfully over...threw the National Tripod and ascended to the throne, the future of these people would be limitless.

This palace has always been guarded by them for the Shen Family.

Shen Nan felt immense gratitude towards his elder brother and secretly vowed to meticulously complete every task assigned by him.

No matter how difficult the task, whatever the situation.

He had just been ordered to guard the old residence of the Dongguo Family; unexpectedly, the Security Bureau was the first to come knocking. What did they intend to do?

If anyone said that there wasn’t any hidden agenda, even their family’s cat wouldn’t believe it.

With a wary expression, Shen Nan looked at Fan Zhen and said, "I am Shen Nan, the Deputy Commander of the Palace Guard Army...I wonder what business you have with the Dongguo Family Head?"

Fan Zhen was somewhat displeased, looking at Shen Nan and said, "When has the Security Bureau ever needed to report to the Imperial Guard Army?"

"It’s not about reporting... only that we, the Palace Guard Army, are currently responsible for the Dongguo Family’s safety, so certain things must be clarified."

"The case we’re handling concerns national security, with confidentiality regulations, making it impossible to disclose easily. If our superiors find out, I’d be in serious trouble."

"Furthermore, Commander Shen is neither the leader of our Security Bureau nor is there any jurisdictional relationship between the Palace Guard Army and the Security Bureau... So, I have no reason or need to explain anything to you."

"I still ask for the Dongguo Family Head to come with us. Once the issues are clarified, we will naturally return him safe and sound."

"I cannot comply," Shen Nan replied coldly.

He knew the means of the Security Bureau all too well; if they truly took Dongguo Siqi away, it wasn’t certain if he would return, and even if he did, half of his life would likely be lost.

Fan Zhen’s smile disappeared. Adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose, he looked at Shen Nan and asked, "Commander Shen, what does this mean?"

"I am under orders from my superior to ensure the safety of the Dongguo Family Head, a matter also related to national security... So, until I receive a withdrawal order, I cannot let you take the Dongguo Family Head."

"Is Commander Shen intentionally making things difficult for our Security Bureau?"

"It’s my duty, and I hope Director Fan can understand."

"I don’t understand," Fan Zhen shook his head, looking at Shen Nan, "If I can’t take the Dongguo Family Head back to the Security Bureau today, it would be considered my negligence... Commander Shen, you must have heard, the rules of the Security Bureau are strict; failing a mission incurs punishment."

"Then I can’t help Director Fan."

"Men, come forward."

Fan Zhen commanded.

As the Director of the Special Action Group, he was primarily responsible for hunting down and capturing, with many skilled men under his command.

With a single order, dozens of elite members of the Special Action Group immediately surrounded the entrance of the Dongguo Family’s old residence tightly.

If the soft approach doesn’t work, then we have to use the hard approach.

Shen Nan waved, and the thick wooden door creaked open.

Rows of armored Palace Guard soldiers, holding guns, rushed out, surrounding the dozens of elite Security Bureau members completely.

Shen Nan bore the heavy responsibility of ’protecting’ the Dongguo Family members, ensuring absolutely no external contact to expose the secret of Zhong Tianque’s murder and Dongguo Chenxi’s suicide...

Therefore, when he left, Shen Que handed over a third of the Palace Guard Army for him to command and use.

Comparatively, Fengming Palace was now desolate; the Dragon had fallen, and the Phoenix had flown...

Fan Zhen did not expect Shen Nan to dare make a move against the Security Bureau, angrily shouting: "Shen Nan, do you know what you are doing?"

"I know what I’m doing, I fear it’s Director Shen who doesn’t know what he’s doing," Shen Nan retorted coldly.

In terms of authority and rank, who would the Palace Guard Army fear?

The Emperor’s Personal Army, do you think it’s a joke?

"Obstructing a Security Bureau investigation is tantamount to treason..."

"Director Fan, don’t try to pin blame on us. A clear conscience fears no false accusation; we aren’t afraid of this."

Shen Nan interrupted Fan Zhen’s threat, speaking firmly: "If I were you, I’d immediately withdraw my people. Go back to where you came from. Don’t humiliate yourself here."

"As long as I’m guarding this door, your Security Bureau shouldn’t dream of taking anyone from the Dongguo Family."

Fan Zhen was filled with anger and frustration, yet powerless.

They didn’t expect the Palace Guard Army to act dishonorably, guarding the Dongguo Family like watchdogs, even daring to stand against his Security Bureau...

They brought too few people.

"Hehe..."

A cool voice drifted over.

"Commander Shen, you surely have a big mouth."

Unnoticed, a young man in a black Security Bureau uniform appeared on the periphery.

He was elegant and slender, with sword-like brows and starry eyes. The well-tailored high-ranking official uniform made him look impressively noble.

Fan Zhen’s face lit up with joy. He immediately bowed and saluted, "Director."

Bai Xingjian ignored Fan Zhen and strode forward. The Palace Guard Army, intimidated by his presence, automatically made way, allowing him to brazenly walk up to Shen Nan.

Shen Nan furrowed his brow but still saluted proactively: "Director Bai."

He recognized the person before him, one of the Seven Stars within the March Seven Stars, the trusted confidant vigorously promoted by the Military Minister, who at a young age had already assumed the position of Director of Imperial Security Bureau.

It could be said he was riding high with unstoppable power.

If possible, he indeed did not wish to antagonize such a young power figure.

However, he couldn’t retreat; he had to guard this door.

"Get out of the way."

"Director Bai..."

Clang!

Bai Xingjian’s long sword at his waist flashed out of its sheath like lightning, transforming into a silver arc aimed at Shen Nan.

Shen Nan didn’t expect Bai Xingjian to draw his sword at just a disagreement, it was too arrogant and aggressive...

His reaction was quick enough, and as Bai Xingjian approached him, his right hand was already gripping the light saber hilt at his waist.

Once he realized Bai Xingjian was drawing his sword, he didn’t hesitate to draw his saber to block...

Unfortunately, he was still a step late.

Or perhaps just a second too slow.

Slash!

This was the sound of the blade slicing through flesh.

A slender red line appeared on Shen Nan’s forehead, stretching from the center of his brow downward, all the way to the navel...

The blood line thickened, turned red, and then blood sprayed.

Bang!

Shen Nan’s tall and sturdy body heavily crashed to the ground.

The entire scene was silent.

Bai Xingjian sheathed his sword as if he’d just done something insignificant.

"Arrest him."

"Yes."

Fan Zhen answered loudly.

This time, no one obstructed.

------

Security Bureau. Interrogation Room.

Dongguo Siqi, pale-faced yet feigning composure, said arrogantly: "Director Bai, why have you brought me to the Security Bureau without any reason? What did I do wrong?"

"Mr. Dongguo, don’t you have some idea why you were summoned? Or are you pretending not to know?" Bai Xingjian sat carelessly across from Dongguo Siqi, teasingly speaking as if a cat playing with a mouse.

Dongguo Siqi’s heart pounded wildly, thinking, could it be that the matter of Fengming Palace has been exposed?

However, if it was that issue...

Shen Que is the Military Minister’s man, I’m the Military Minister’s man, Bai Xingjian is also the Military Minister’s man. Our interests are aligned; why is he making things difficult for me over this?

Shouldn’t he protect the secret together with me?

Dongguo Siqi naturally wouldn’t be fazed by Bai Xingjian’s few words, responding calmly: "I don’t know, please enlighten me, Director Bai."

"Mr. Dongguo, confession brings leniency, resistance brings severity. Don’t believe you can find anyone who has entered the Security Bureau’s door and managed to keep their mouth shut?"

"I understand, Director Bai, this is preparing to extract a confession under duress, to persecute loyal officials? Eager to achieve merits, young people are understandable, but they must choose the right targets..."

"My Dongguo Family has stood for hundreds of years, when have we ever suffered such humiliation? Even if we take this to the Military Minister, I stand unfaltering. Don’t trust me, let’s call the Military Minister right now and ask him what his stance is?"

"Do not trouble the Military Minister over trivial matters." Bai Xingjian waved his hand and questioned, "Mr. Dongguo just returned from Fengming Palace?"

"What if I did?" Dongguo Siqi admitted readily.

His visits to Fengming Palace were recorded and witnessed by countless people, fooling the Security Bureau’s informants was unrealistic.

"I’m curious, why did Mr. Dongguo visit Fengming Palace... and immediately the Palace Guard Army stationed in your Dongguo Family’s old residence? What exactly happened inside Fengming Palace?"

Dongguo Siqi looked warily at Bai Xingjian, speaking: "To know what happened, ask Shen Que, or phone the Military Minister... everything was done under the Military Minister’s command..."

"So, something indeed happened in Fengming Palace, and it’s something serious, not to be disclosed externally..."

Bai Xingjian looked contemplatively at Dongguo Siqi, asking seriously: "Mr. Dongguo, do you fear pain?"

"..."

------

Clearly, Dongguo Siqi feared pain.

When Bai Xingjian heard the secret from the critically wounded Dongguo Siqi’s mouth and obtained a copy of a top-secret document, he felt astonished yet delighted.

Human nature is greedy and selfish; when Dong Guo Zhuohua entrusted him with a video file of her sister, he chose to align with Shen Wuxiang but kept an ace up his sleeve against Shen Wuxiang...

"This really is..." Bai Xingjian smiled, saying softly: "Given the Bai Family a shower of wealth..."

------

Brocade City. Jinxiu Hospital.

In the major surgery room, Doctor Qin Luo was tense and busy performing surgery.

On the operating table lay a man, bloodied and with closed eyes, his life hanging in balance.