He still fulfilled his duty as a subordinate, treating his superior with respect and politeness. However, upon hearing him, Liang He immediately stood up and dashed over to Chen Gu, like an enraged lion. "What did you say? At a time like this, you still think of going out because of some damn contest? You're disregarding the safety of the base, caring only for your petty personal interests!"

"We are in a state of combat readiness; no one is to leave the base! This state of readiness will continue until the cause behind the probe's reports is determined!"

"If you go out without permission, it is insubordination and disrespect! As a special agent of the Bureau of Mystic Security, you know full well the consequences!"

"Now get out of my office! I don't want to hear another word related to taking leave!"

Chen Gu turned and left.

Exiting Liang He's office, Chen Gu came face to face with Dr. Meng Ji, who was cursing angrily, "Three days and no supplies can get in! Volunteers can't get enough training resources, their progress is extremely slow, severely affecting the project's schedule! What the hell does this bastard think he's doing!"

Chen Gu wanted to greet the doctor, but Dr. Meng Ji, seething with anger, brushed past him, pushed open the office door, and soon after, the sounds of an argument echoed from within.

Chen Gu's eyes were deep and dark as he wondered to himself, Yeah, what exactly is Liang He trying to do?

「…」

At eleven o'clock at night, Chen Gu quietly left his room. It didn't take long before he arrived at an empty, unoccupied dormitory.

Chen Gu turned the knob and entered, sitting down against a wall, then overlaid Isabella Wu's memories onto himself.

In the dormitory next door lived Arlington, a senior special agent Liang He had brought from headquarters. He had been with Liang He for many years and had accompanied him to the special prison when Liang He was "exiled" there.

When Liang He made his "comeback," he brought Arlington back with him as well.

Arlington was Liang He's true confidant and, being at the Fourth Energy Level, was someone Chen Gu could handle.

Chen Gu easily used his Brain Domain Hacker abilities to infiltrate Arlington's brain, beginning the search for memories related to the incident.

It wasn't long before Chen Gu slowly withdrew his "mental tentacles" and let go of Isabella Wu's memories. He gritted his teeth. I really did think too highly of people. People like Liang He think differently than normal people; what others can't bring themselves to do, he considers perfectly justifiable!

In Arlington's memories, there was a section detailing their collusion. He and Liang He had fabricated the probe reports, using this as grounds to declare the base in a state of combat readiness.

During this process, Liang He had been very clear in telling Arlington that he wanted to "teach" Chen Gu a lesson.

Chen Gu returned to his room quietly, but the situation before him had become complicated.

The intelligence he obtained using his Brain Domain Hacker abilities could not be presented as evidence to Aviloya.

Moreover, using his professional skills to secretly investigate his colleague was misconduct. This was even considered taboo within the Bureau of Mystic Security.

If he told Aviloya about it, Valkyrie would likely deal with him, Chen Gu, first, rather than Liang He and Arlington.

But if he let someone as despicable and shameless as Liang He interrupt his winning streak, he wouldn't be Chen Gu anymore.

Although it was getting late, Chen Gu still called Bai Yunpeng.

Bai Yunpeng was excited. "Chen Gu, tomorrow you're facing 'Cataclysm' Memphisto; I'll be there to cheer you on!"

Chen Gu said, "It's precisely because of this matter that I need Marshal Bai's help."

He didn't hide anything from Bai Yunpeng. He informed him that he had used his Brain Domain Hacker abilities to investigate Arlington. Then, he asked Marshal Bai to use military channels to submit a "wartime" application to the Bureau of Mystic Security for his emergency requisition.

Bai Yunpeng pondered for a while. "While this could get you out, if you show up at the competition tomorrow night, Liang He will definitely seize on it..."

Chen Gu said, "I know this puts Marshal Bai in a difficult position..."

Bai Yunpeng cut him off. "I'm not in the slightest bit troubled. What can Aviloya do to me? It's you I'm worried about. If I were you, I would just leave the Bureau of Mystic Security and come to the Central Operations Room." He was revisiting an old suggestion.

And this time, Chen Gu didn't refuse outright. "If things really come to that, I'll have no choice but to seek refuge with Marshal Bai."

"Hahaha!" Bai Yunpeng laughed heartily. "Alright then, just wait for my good news."

「…」

The next morning, a convoy of heavy armored vehicles dashed up to the base, and elite warriors clad in light Mecha quickly disembarked.

A few warriors were visibly excited. "Soon, we're going to meet His Excellency 'Volunteer Spirit', right?"

"He's a legend! I must get his autograph later."

"Should I get him to sign 'Volunteer Spirit' or 'Fist of Justice'?"

The officer in charge of the team was a colonel, not particularly tall but with the seasoned air of a battle-hardened warrior. He and his men stood at the entrance of the base. Displaying his electronic authorization certificate to the surveillance camera, he then loudly declared, "This is a military operation. We urgently require Chen Gu. Any delay or obstruction will be considered treason!"

Liang He was in his office. He had just gotten up when he received a call from Aviloya. The Director-General informed him of this development, to which Liang He immediately objected, "Such a sudden influx of soldiers at this time! If the spies from the Star State really are outside, we'd be alerting them!"