88: Chapter 77: Preparing to Counterattack!_2 88: Chapter 77: Preparing to Counterattack!_2 “Dragon Lord?

Ashes?

Members of the Secret Council?

Political assassination?” Professor Wu sized up Li Ming with growing suspicion.

Why did he feel like he was being schemed against?

And there was that stolen detector…

Professor Wu mused to himself.

“It’s indeed troublesome.

If I were to warn them, they would probably be even more curious about you.”

“Actually, the Silver Grey Beast upheaval was caused by those people,” Li Ming pondered.

“What if I use this incident to deter them from causing trouble on Silver Grey Star?

Would that work?”

Professor Wu stared at him, his feeling of being schemed against deepening.

Everything that was occurring seemed to be within this young man’s predictions.

Show potential, recruit him, sanction Qin Xiao, counter “Ashes”, step by step.

“I kind of want to dissect you right now,” Professor Wu said coolly.

Li Ming gave a sheepish smile.

“Professor, isn’t that a bit much?”

Somewhat unexpectedly, Professor Wu chuckled.

“Forget it, it’s for the best.

It saves me a lot of worry.”

He was certain of one thing: Li Ming possessed the potential for genetic purification, and that was enough.

Those from the lower echelons must seize every opportunity to climb higher — he knew this from experience.

“Fang Biao just witnessed that scene; he might guess something,” Professor Wu stroked his chin.

“Actually, it would be best to kill him, but after all the years he’s been with me, and his parents are old acquaintances of mine.”

“Forget it…” He pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

If you really killed him, I’d really have to weigh my options in the future, thought Li Ming, slightly relieved.

No one wants to be friends with a cruel person, neither Professor Wu nor Li Ming.

Professor Wu brought up Qin Xiao again, “I’ll make a call later and demote Qin Xiao, just saying I can’t overlook it.”

“This type of person might have a pile of dirty tricks behind him.

Investigate for a month or two, and we should be able to convict him.”

To demote Qin Xiao with just a phone call?

Even a thin camel is bigger than a horse.

“That’s a bit long,” Li Ming believed, strike swiftly because delays breed issues.

Without the power, you endure; but with power, not crushing your enemies is courting death.

Professor Wu frowned slightly.

Although he had connections, things did not work that easily.

The system had its rules, which even he could not break forcibly.

“I have the evidence,” Li Ming’s words silenced Professor Wu again.

He watched as Li Ming opened his smart terminal and sifted through a plethora of files to find one about Qin Xiao.

“Professor, do you think these are sufficient?”

Professor Wu examined the evidence, then looked up with a peculiar expression.

“You weren’t just standing by when he did all these, were you?”

It was no wonder he asked, for the documents were excessively detailed: every transaction, every contact, even changes in the Black Hole Network account, were meticulously recorded.

There were also supporting videos and audio recordings.

“You jest, professor.”

“Since you’ve prepared everything, all I need to do is give it a little push,” Professor Wu knew Li Ming had secrets, and he didn’t pry.

Their relationship wasn’t that good yet.

“Right, you are not destined to stay on Silver Grey Star.

Take this data and find someone you trust and go see Secretary-General Fan,” Professor Wu advised.

“I am acquainted with her parents.

She’s too cautious.

If she gets this information, she will surely consult me.”

“Understood,” Li Ming nodded and then, changing his appearance, he left under Professor Wu’s watchful eye.

Fang Biao was still waiting outside.

Seeing the door open, his body involuntarily shivered.

The very men baring their teeth at him became instantly alert when they saw the same person who had just attacked them come out, and immediately pointed their guns.

“Put it down!” Fang Biao bellowed.

“This is…

my friend!”

The men glanced at each other but reluctantly lowered their weapons.

“The professor wants you inside,” Li Ming said to Fang Biao, who had an almost tearful expression on his near-two-meter-tall burly face, and asked cautiously, “Well… What did he say?”

“Nothing much…” Li Ming smiled slightly, and Fang Biao relaxed a little.

Under the watchful eyes of the city guard, Li Ming left the area, then found a secluded spot and dialed Yang Peng’s contact record.

“Li Ming?” Yang Peng’s voice was very low, indicating he was somewhere discreet.

“Can you speak freely?” Li Ming inquired.

“Wait a moment…” After some rustling sounds, Yang Peng’s voice got louder and more agitated, “Where are you?

This matter is indeed not that simple.

The authorities are already preparing a detention order.”

“You haven’t even been convicted, and they’re issuing a damn detention order!”

After issuing the detention order, a series of measures could be taken as per the procedure, including monitoring Li Ming’s Star Net account, checking records, and locating him.

Li Ming spoke in an even tone, merely asking, “Uncle Yang, do you believe me?”

Yang Peng seemed quite surprised and hesitated for a moment before saying, “Not really, you’ve kept a lot from me.”

Li Ming: “…”

“Then believe me this time.” Li Ming, at a loss for words, continued, “You must have a Black Hole Network account, right?”

“Uh…”

“Give me your Black Hole account, I need to send you something.” Li Ming said, concerned that using the Star Net might be risky as it could alert someone.

Yang Peng hesitated for a while but still sent over a string of code.

Li Ming sent the criminal data of Qin Xiao and then said, “Uncle Yang, I’m now going to find Qin Xiao.

You take the data I’ve sent you and go see Secretary Fan.”

Yang Peng did not respond immediately and then suddenly cursed, “Damn!”

He was probably reviewing the data and only after a couple of minutes, he barely managed to compose himself, “Li Ming, tell me honestly, where did you get these things?”

“Don’t worry about that; my life and all I own are in your hands.” Li Ming exaggerated deliberately, then terminated the communication.

Glancing at the Star Net, Qin Xiao had also sent him a few messages, roughly saying that the issue was unforeseen and asking him to cooperate, assuring that he would ensure Li Ming’s safety.

“Minister, I’m coming back now.” Li Ming drafted a message.

Then, the Mimic Mask on his face disappeared, revealing his true appearance as he headed towards the City Defense Tower.

…

“Minister, Li Ming has arrived, currently on the first floor.” Lin Yaoxian informed Qin Xiao, having returned early while Wang Ke was still escorting Wang Zhiheng and the others behind them.

At the same time, he was also deeply curious as Qin Xiao’s actions seemed quite drastic, not likely to be lenient.

“I understand.”

In the office, Qin Xiao remained calm, the high temperatures of late July making people lazy and unenthusiastic about doing anything.

Whether or not Li Ming had noticed anything suspicious or had any doubts didn’t concern him.

Because the other party had no choice but to either come to the City Defense Tower for questioning or escape.

But now with the Sixth Patrol Fleet blockading the entire Silver Grey Star and the Star Creation Company closely watching, even if he were to escape, where could he go?

This represents the terrifying power of official authority: a single document could trap a person completely.

“Should we detain him directly?” Lin Yaoxian asked further, “He wants to see you.”

“No need, we are all colleagues here, no need to be on edge.” Qin Xiao shook his head nonchalantly, “Let him come up, I’ll have a talk with him.”

“Yes.”

…

“The minister has asked you to come up,” Lin Yaoxian said to Li Ming, who was standing in the middle of the hall surrounded by fully armed city guards.

Lao Yao and Peng Gang were among them, showing complex expressions.

Li Ming nodded and was just about to step forward when Lin Yaoxian suddenly shouted, “Wait…”

“Search him.”

“Damn!” Lao Yao said annoyed, “He’s not a suspect, what’s there to search?”

“This is against regulations,” Peng Gang added sternly.

Lin Yaoxian ignored the two and sent a couple of his men with a detector to ensure Li Ming had no suspicious explosives on him.

“Let’s go.” Lin Yaoxian stepped aside, watching as Li Ming got on the elevator, following him in.

Lin Yaoxian smiled warmly, “We are all colleagues here, no need to be nervous.

Just a formality; the beast tide incident has had quite an impact, the minister has been under a lot of pressure, don’t take it to heart.”

Li Ming glanced at him but said nothing.

Lin Yaoxian continued, “Yang Peng is your uncle, isn’t he?

I heard he stood up to Minister Qin for you before.”

“Ah… too impulsive, I’m temporarily in charge of the internal affairs division, and I’ve been hesitating about how to handle it.

After all, he is also an elder, you know…”

Bang!

Without any warning, Li Ming suddenly struck, his right arm moving with incredible speed to hit Lin Yaoxian’s left cheek.

Being very close and without any guard, Lin Yaoxian received a punch enhanced with a “[Charged Strike],” the energy level burst exceeding 20E.