Above the Galaxy

Chapter 1050 - 679: Accusation Under Real Name

"Ha!"

Bai Xingjian sneered repeatedly.

"Only we, the Security Bureau, can invite people in; no one can take someone out from our Security Bureau."

"Dare to boast on the Security Bureau’s turf... ask our Security Bureau brothers if they’ll agree?"

"No, they won’t!"

The Security Bureau guards beside Bai Xingjian shouted in unison.

As soon as the words fell, a large number of Security Bureau agents in suits rushed out from within.

These individuals usually stay low-key, assigned everywhere to execute various secret and critical missions.

However, each agent is extraordinarily skilled, able to climb airplanes, dive into deep seas, enter extreme cold lands... just like Tom Cruise in "Mission Impossible."

Both sides drew their guns, a confrontation on the verge of erupting.

A slight misstep could lead to mutual destruction.

"Bai Xingjian..."

Shen Que’s eyes were about to shoot fire; this man killed their senior officers, seized an important person they were guarding, yet showed no fear...

Does he even know what he’s doing?

Is he not afraid of punishment from the Military Minister’s side?

Thinking of the Military Minister, a bad premonition arose in his heart.

He called the Military Minister, but there has been no answer until now.

He also dialed Shen Xinglan’s phone, similarly without response...

Could something have happened to the grandfather and grandson?

Soon, he drove such absurd ideas from his mind.

Given the Shen Family’s influence and their personal cultivation realms, who could possibly kill them in this vast empire?

As long as they don’t wish to die... they absolutely won’t.

But now, what could be done?

Could the Palace Guard Army truly clash with the Security Bureau?

If so, regardless of victory or defeat... both parties would be held accountable.

As department heads, both he and Bai Xingjian would bear primary responsibility.

If work leads to fame and fortune, who wouldn’t want to do it?

"Shen Que, don’t think you can do whatever you please just because your last name is Shen..." Bai Xingjian, not easy to deal with, swiftly pinned blame on Shen Que.

Everyone knows, the Shen Family is the true ruler of this country, you, Shen Que, want to use power to oppress others? No way.

"Who exactly is acting recklessly? Who is seizing and killing people?"

Shen Que nearly fell apart with rage from Bai Xingjian.

You commit wrongdoing, and I bear the bad reputation?

"As the Palace Guard Army’s commander, you dare surround the Security Bureau, assault national power institutions... Do you know what this behavior is? It’s treason, it’s betrayal. If I behead you publicly... I’d still have a reason."

Shen Que secretly operated the Qinglian Purification Technique, suppressed his inner resentment, and said in a deep voice, "Bai Xingjian, you publicly executed my Palace Guard Army’s Commander Shen Nan — I’ll settle this score with you later... when we take it before the Military Minister."

"Now, immediately hand over Dongguo Siqi and his family; once I receive them, I’ll leave promptly... or, I don’t mind mutual destruction alongside you."

"Then let it burn." Bai Xingjian said mockingly.

He intended to escalate matters, triggering an open confrontation between the Security Bureau and Palace Guard Army.

The chaos within the empire isn’t enough yet; the more chaotic, the better, ensuring they can derive more benefits.

Also making it easier for the northern side to capture the people’s hearts.

People’s hearts are peculiar; often useless, but when you need their utility... they turn into public sentiment.

This was direct provocation.

Shen Que couldn’t avoid fighting; that many brothers were watching, losing face...

At this moment, two flying cars descended from the sky.

The doors automatically extended upward like gull wings, and Shen Jianping, dressed in a black Zhongshan suit, swiftly approached surrounded by his secretary and bodyguards.

Nominally, Shen Jianping was Assistant to Minister Su Zhanlie of Culture, but due to Su Zhenlie’s old age and delegation, he almost solely handled empire affairs.

Once Su Zhenlie fully retired, he could naturally succeed as Minister of Culture, becoming the ’First Prime Minister’ among the Imperial Three Ministers.

This was why Zhong Tianque’s orders struggled to exit Fengming Palace; the one truly presiding outside was Shen Jianping.

Without Shen Family members signing off, any policy or plan faces implementation hurdles.

With a stern expression, Shen Jianping angrily rebuked, "What are you doing? What are you doing? Is the world turned upside down?"

"Greetings, Vice Minister."

"Greetings, Vice Minister."

Bai Xingjian and Shen Que bowed to Shen Jianping.

Though Shen Jianping doesn’t oversee the Military Department, he represents the Shen Family’s stance, especially Shen Wuxiang’s, demanding their utmost respect.

"Is this still the empire’s territory? Are you still the empire’s soldiers? Fighting like this — what is it like?"

"Vice Minister, as you can see, Shen Que led the Palace Guard Army encircling our Security Bureau, severely impacting our operations..." Bai Xingjian applied the ’bad guy cries first’ trick.

After all, the facts were clear to see.

"Vice Minister, Bai Xingjian bullied us excessively; he forcibly took the important hostage guarded by the Palace Guard Army and personally killed our Palace Guard Army Commander Shen Nan... The brothers were filled with righteous indignation, hence running to the Security Bureau to demand explanation." Shen Que quickly explained.

The truth favored him, but the situation didn’t...

Who deployed the Imperial Guard Army to launch an attack now?

"I will find out the truth myself. In such a vast Empire, where is the place to argue?" Shen Jianping’s gaze swept across Bai Xingjian and Shen Que’s faces, and he said in a deep voice, "Shen Que, let the Imperial Guard return first. How can such an important place as Fengming Palace lack manpower?"

"Yes." Shen Que didn’t hesitate and immediately instructed his subordinates to return: "Commander Shen Nan’s body..."

"Bring the body back too." Shen Jianping glanced at Shen Nan’s body. He was also a member of the Shen Family, not part of the direct line, yet a key figure the family had heavily invested in. Was he just slaughtered by Bai Xingjian with a single blow?

Bai Xingjian was directly promoted by the grandmaster and became an indispensable confidant. How could this young man rise to such a high position and act so arrogantly? Even the Shen Family was disregarded?

Shen Jianping felt somewhat dissatisfied with Bai Xingjian, yet he knew that Bai Xingjian’s current position was extremely crucial and not easy to replace lightly.

Even if he wanted to punish this person, it would require the grandmaster to take action personally.

"Yes." Shen Que waved his hand, and Shen Nan’s body was carried away by the others.

"Bai Xingjian."

"Vice Minister, if you have any orders, please feel free to give them."

"Withdraw your people as well?"

"Yes." Bai Xingjian gave the order, and the Security Bureau guards and elite agents dissipated instantly.

In front of the Security Bureau, it suddenly became empty, yet the atmosphere on site became even more tense.

"Director Bai, since we’re at the place of your Security Bureau, why not have a cup of tea in your office?"

"It would be my honor to host you. The Security Bureau would be graced by your presence." Bai Xingjian smiled and made an inviting gesture.

Shen Que was unwilling but had no choice.

Once the Vice Minister had spoken, how could he refuse to go in?

Thus, led by Bai Xingjian, they all sat in Director Bai’s office.

Shen Jianping looked around, smiling as he said, "The working environment of the Security Bureau is pretty good."

"Mainly it relies on the care from the Military, and the Vice Minister’s support... The brothers in the Security Bureau work in life-threatening conditions, so indeed, our finances are quite affluent, and our brother departments have never been stingy with us." Bai Xingjian said modestly.

Shen Que sneered repeatedly, thinking, "Which department would dare to choke the Security Bureau’s neck? It would be like an old man eating poison... tired of life!"

After staff served the tea, Shen Jianping sipped a bit before looking at Shen Que and Bai Xingjian sitting opposite, saying, "Let’s talk it through. What exactly happened?"

Then, from their respective perspectives, the two recounted the ins and outs of the affair.

After listening to their statements, Shen Jianping frowned deeply and said, "The conflict stems from Dongguo Siqi... What exactly did our Dongguo Family Head do to warrant the Imperial Guard’s personal involvement in guarding the place? And cause the Security Bureau to make great efforts to remove him?"

Shen Que remained silent; he wasn’t sure if Bai Xingjian had broken down Dongguo Siqi’s defenses and obtained any crucial information, also hesitating about revealing the death of Zhong Tianque and Dongguo Chenxi’s suicide to Shen Jianping.

After all, the matter was of great significance.

Shen Jianping wasn’t Shen Wuxiang, nor was he Shen Xinglan.

Bai Xingjian, on the other hand, looked at Shen Jianping with a respectful expression and solemnly reported, "Vice Minister, here’s the situation: the Chief of Division One reported to me, stating evidence proving that the Dongguo Family Head, Dongguo Siqi, is involved in consorting with enemies..."

"Their family company, Tai Feng Mining Company, sold a large amount of rare minerals to the Lu Family, aiding them in the production of weapons and equipment... I then instructed the Special Action Group to invite Dongguo Family Head to the Security Bureau for a discussion. Unexpectedly, Commander Shen Nan stood guard at the door, refusing to cooperate and even threatening us with ’get out of here’ attitude."

"The Vice Minister also knows, rare minerals pose a serious threat to national security, and Commander Shen Nan’s behavior aroused my suspicion... The Imperial Guard is responsible for guarding the court, how did they become a private bodyguard for a family? Are they in cahoots? Otherwise, how can they serve as running dogs?"

Shen Que’s eyes were sharp as a knife, and he shouted, "Slander! How could our Imperial Guard be involved in smuggling..."

"Then Commander Shen, explain the reason?"

"..."

Shen Que was left speechless.

"Since Commander Shen is unwilling to speak, shall I continue? Due to the suspicious behavior of the Imperial Guard, I had to discharge my duty, executing the obstructive individual on the spot to serve as a warning to others..."

"Then, Commander Shen Que led a group to attack the Security Bureau... The rest of what happened, the Vice Minister has seen it all."

After listening, Shen Jianping nodded, looking expressionlessly at Shen Que, he asked, "Shen Que, tell me, why were the Palace Imperial Guards appearing at the Dongguo Family? What are you guarding?"

Shen Que remained silent for a moment, looking at Shen Jianping, he said, "Vice Minister, can we... talk privately?"

"Nothing can’t be discussed in public. Just speak here. Clarify any misunderstandings on the spot." Shen Jianping said firmly.

Shen Que knew he had to make a clear statement.

Otherwise, this ’Number Two figure’ of the Shen Family might have opinions about him, even doubting his loyalty.

Thus, he gritted his teeth and said, "Zhong Tianque was executed for treason, and Dongguo Chenxi committed suicide to escape... Dongguo Siqi and his wife and daughter are key witnesses. To prevent any leaks, I had them imprisoned."

"What?" Shen Jianping exclaimed.

"What?" Bai Xingjian echoed.

Both looked astonished, their pupils dilated.

Shen Que carefully observed the change in their expressions; Shen Jianping not knowing was understandable.

But Bai Xingjian... was he pretending? Could it be that Dongguo Siqi truly withstood the security bureau’s cruel methods and revealed nothing?

------

Aus Empire. Baihua Palace.

Prince Philip was riding a horse in the racetrack when his PR Manager, Maxwell, hurriedly came in.

Prince Philip rode over and asked, "Mr. Maxwell, what has happened?"

"Your Highness, NCC News has received an extremely important video file... they reported the file to me, and I believe you ought to see it."

"Is that so?" Prince Philip dismounted and said, "Let’s take a look."

Maxwell did not hesitate, immediately clicking the play button.

Before them appeared a multidimensional virtual projection of Zhong Tianque sitting in front of a desk.

"Hello everyone, I am Zhong Tianque, the first-in-line heir of the Phoenix Empire Royal Family."

"I am now, in my personal capacity, accusing Shen Wuxiang of seizing power through sinister and bloody means, plotting to overthrow the state regime, among a series of illegal acts..."