King of Assassins-Chapter 179 - 168 Answer

The center area of the empty performance hall had a large section missing from the wooden floor.

Law Enforcement Minister Tao Guang stood on the bare ground, his expression deep as water.

A group of senior officials from the Law Enforcement Department surrounded him, each with a serious demeanor, none daring to meet Tao Guang’s gaze.

Xu Mountain from the Response Department was also present; he was not under Tao Guang’s command, so he could relax a bit.

But given the situation at hand, Xu Mountain found it hard to remain at ease.

Superstar Luojia had disappeared, and it happened within the performance venue. There were numerous patrol personnel arranged by the Law Enforcement Department in the vicinity.

Even more frightening was the fact that not only Luojia had disappeared; all the staff went missing together.

These individuals might not be important, but there were at least a hundred of them. How could so many people vanish silently!

According to responses from peripheral law enforcement personnel, they all saw a flash of intense white light above the performance hall.

It was apparent that Luojia’s disappearance and the white light were related.

With current technological power, it’s not easy to perform a spatial transfer of a group of people. Thus, it must be the power of marvels.

Such marvels are sure to leave traces, yet the venue is too large to thoroughly investigate easily.

Xu Mountain had a vague foreboding, since the Space Fortress just fired a shot from its main cannon, targeting Cloud Wood Mountains.

This incident had the upper levels of Pegasus Star in an uproar. Yet, the reasons for it were unclear, as well as the extent of the loss.

Now Pegasus Star is conducting media control, strictly banning the dissemination of this news online.

The powerful Light Computer has blocked all related information.

In front of the Light Computer, human cunning is meaningless. Any implicit expressions are prohibited.

The main cannon’s blast hit a remote and uninhabited mountain area, even though many people saw the bright light from the main cannon tear through the night sky, none know what happened.

Most people won’t be concerned with outside affairs. This matter is contained within a very small scope.

The Space Fortress’ highest commander, Mu Guofeng, has communicated with all parties, asserting he has complete control of the situation, and no one needs to worry.

He has also promised to thoroughly investigate the incident and provide an explanation to all parties.

Originally, Xu Mountain’s rank did not qualify him to be privy to these matters. The incident occurred in Mingjing City, providing him the chance to learn relevant details due to his position as Deputy Minister of the Response Department.

Xu Mountain had a strong feeling that the main cannon strike on Cloud Wood Mountains might be linked to Luojia’s disappearance.

Because the timing of the two events was too closely connected.

Tao Guang clearly thought of this too, hence his particularly unsightly expression.

The reckless firing of the Space Fortress’ main cannon represents an exceptionally grave matter. Should the fortress go out of control, it could potentially annihilate Pegasus Star.

However, this matter is out of his jurisdiction. Furthermore, Mu Guofeng, the highest officer of the Space Fortress, is very assertive; all parties have no means against him, leaving only to await his explanation.

Public opinion has been sealed off, and the populace remains entirely oblivious, leading to the absence of any movements regarding this matter.

Nonetheless, Luojia, a Star Realm Level superstar, could not have her disappearance concealed.

Since the incident happened at the performance hall, the Law Enforcement Department is certainly taking the blame. And there’s no way to deflect this responsibility.

As Minister, Tao Guang is bound to suffer as a result, causing him increasing agitation.

He suggested to Xu Mountain: "Deputy Minister Xu, shall we visit Cloud Wood Mountain together?"

"Sure." Xu Mountain, equally curious about Cloud Wood Mountain’s situation, gladly accepted the invitation.

The two boarded a flying ship, with only the two of them in the cabin, while other guards and attendants went to the aft cabin.

"Deputy Minister Xu, who do you think did it?"

Tao Guang sincerely asked, "Let’s just chat casually."

Xu Mountain chuckled wryly, realizing Tao Guang was under immense pressure, resorting to seeking casual chats with someone practically unfamiliar.

However, this sort of matter doesn’t lend itself to casual conversation.

After a pause, Xu Mountain said, "Currently, there is no evidence, so I cannot make any guesses."

Tao Guang was displeased with this answer, feeling that Xu Mountain, as a local noble family member from Mingjing City, should at least have some insider knowledge despite not having precise information.

Xu Mountain understood Tao Guang’s intention; he was indirectly probing if the Blood Shadow was behind it.

Unfortunately, Tao Guang did not grasp that despite the close relationship between the Xu Family and Wei Family, it was not to that extent.

Furthermore, the Xu Family was internally divided into many factions, and Xu Mountain particularly disliked Wei Yue. Wei Yue was well aware of this. Their relationship maintained basic courtesy.

Even if this matter was executed by Blood Shadow, Wei Yue might not know. Even so, Wei Yue definitely wouldn’t share it, especially not with him.

Xu Mountain could only shake his head.

Tao Guang’s face grew even darker, foreseeing his own tragic outcome.

Unless, unless he could catch the mastermind, or rescue Luojia!

The flying ship arrived above the river beach, with several drones emitting strong light, illuminating the scene like daylight.

From the flying ship, a bottomless giant pit is clearly visible below.

Tao Guang and Xu Mountain both felt their scalps tingle; the power of the Space Fortress’s main cannon was too strong.

Terrifying plasma temperatures like this turn people directly into flying ash; not even traces of DNA can be found.

Moreover, trying to find remains of a human body in such a huge pit means an enormous workload.

Both Tao Guang and Xu Mountain have had experience in grassroots work and know that such matters, once delayed, will cause grassroots workers to become slack.

Even if there are real traces, they might not even be found.

The two got off the flying ship, and Minister Zhang He was standing with his arms crossed next to the pit, looking thoughtful but calm in demeanor.

Tao Guang sneered inwardly; of course Zhang He could remain calm.

The issues with the Space Fortress couldn’t be pinned on him no matter what.

The Combat Department is responsible for external combat, wielding powerful armed forces, but during peace times, it’s the most relaxed department.

Zhang He was busiest during the annual autumn exercises. Apart from that, he spends the other time playing mahjong and drinking.

Among the high-level officials in Mingjing City, Zhang He has always been the most relaxed.

Just like this time, Zhang He was merely here to check the scene. He only needed to report the situation honestly to the higher-ups; everything else was irrelevant to him.

Tao Guang originally looked down on Zhang He, believing that this fellow has a lot of room for maneuver with his heavy power. He’s just too lazy, and too incompetent.

Now, however, Tao Guang was somewhat envious of Zhang He.

Zhang He noticed Tao Guang and Xu Mountain coming, turned his head, and nodded as a greeting.

"The Space Fortress’s main cannon, ah. I’ve known since I was little that this thing is incredible, but it’s my first time seeing the power of its main shot."

Zhang He said with great emotion: "This shot went thirty kilometers underground; tsk, really terrifying."

Tao Guang and Xu Mountain lowered their heads for a look; despite their cultivation, they felt somewhat dizzy facing the bottomless pit.

With their cultivation, they might die from a fall if they jumped down.

Tao Guang asked in a low voice, "Minister Zhang, is there any news?"

Zhang He smiled at Tao Guang. His rough appearance and neat uniform didn’t hide his looseness as he appeared slightly sloppy and lazy.

That smile, however, was somewhat meaningful.

Tao Guang felt awkward too. He used to underestimate Minister Zhang. Now, eager questioning makes him appear to be a joke.

"I’ve heard that the Space Fortress was hacked, and there was an internal accomplice, hence the main cannon was activated."

Although Zhang He disliked Tao Guang’s arrogance, given such a major incident, there was no need for Zhang He to be fussy. He relayed what he knew.

"Hacked, with inside support?"

Tao Guang found it hard to believe; activating the Space Fortress’s main cannon with such ease seemed too trivial.

Such a shot might not have much impact on Cloud Wood Mountain. But if aimed at Mingjing City or Zhongjing City, then what?

Don’t these bigwigs on the ground fear being blasted one day by the Space Fortress’s main cannon?

Tao Guang felt he was in over his head in these matters and was disinclined to ask further.

Xu Mountain, having a decent relationship with Zhang He, curiously asked, "Then why did they fire? Who was the target?"

Zhang He shook his head: "This, we don’t know. However, remnants of a Flying Shark Type V Combat Flying Ship were found at the scene. Having been directly hit by the main cannon, a sixty-ton ship now has only a few kilograms of metal remaining."

Tao Guang and Xu Mountain were somewhat astonished; recognizing the warship model from just a few kilograms of remnants, this Old Zhang was impressive.

"This flying ship is not part of the Mingjing combat sequence."

Zhang He said, "However, such level ships must belong to the combat department. Detailed information will be easily checked."

Tao Guang was delighted; that’s right, just knowing the warship’s condition could lead to finding more clues.

But the matter isn’t as easy; the combat department is a separate system, making investigations by the Law Enforcement Department difficult.

Tao Guang thought about Luojia possibly being dead, bringing his heart quickly to despair. Whatever the investigation results, his future was finished.

For ordinary people, just closing and opening their eyes, a night passes.

The next day, the sun rose as usual over Mingjing City.

The roads were filled with long streams of cars, and all sorts of public transportation were loaded with people.

The city’s morning rush hour came as expected. For ordinary people, it was just an ordinary and peaceful day, with nothing special.

At eight in the morning, Mingjing City’s official media released news of Luojia’s disappearance.

Mingjing City was in an uproar, East Continent was in an uproar, and Pegasus Star was in an uproar.

With the news spreading, the Twelve Star Domain was in an uproar.

Everyone was asking: Where is Luojia? Who did it?

All the high-level dignitaries were also anxiously waiting for answers; who fired the cannon? Who was killed?