King of Assassins-Chapter 894 - 638: Interrogation

The majority of the cultivators at the Cloud Light Sanctuary have never had dealings with headquarters.

Yuan Ping has never been to the Central Star Realm and knows nothing about the ways of headquarters.

However, in the wake of Yuan Tiejiang's report on Yuan Youyuan, the entire Yuan family, despite their anger, has made ample preparations.

After all, Yuan Youyuan is a genius of the Yuan family's direct lineage, with great prospects. He may even have a chance to reach the Golden Core stage in the future.

Such a genius undoubtedly deserves substantial resources.

But the issue of the divine crystals is far too sensitive; although the Yuan family holds power in the Cloud Light Sanctuary, they have no influence over headquarters.

Somehow, Huang Tingdao unexpectedly sent Cao Ming to accompany the investigator here.

Yuan Ping had, of course, already received the news but didn't expect the investigator to be so domineering.

She wouldn't dare say anything since the investigator has immense authority and could punish her with just a single word.

Investigators are all affiliated with the Inspection Department at headquarters, a high-authority internal monitoring system known for its ruthless manner.

The Holy Halls in the Outer Star Realm fear nothing more than investigators from the Inspection Department.

Yuan Ping was too chastised to speak, while Yuan Tiejiang remained calm, slightly bowing his head as he said, "Black Tiger and Yuan Youyuan are both outstanding paladins of the Holy Hall. Although they may have hidden divine crystals, it is merely a possibility. They've slain numerous evil gods in recent days, with remarkable achievements. Personally, I don't think they need to be detained..."

Shui Yunling looked at Yuan Tiejiang and said, "You're quite brave. Let me ask you this: if they escape, will you take the responsibility?"

Yuan Tiejiang stood tall and declared, "I will take responsibility."

Though his voice wasn't loud, it carried great momentum.

This took Shui Yunling by surprise; this man's mind was indeed a bit abnormal.

She remembered clearly that the report was written by this man, and now he was vouching for Black Tiger and Yuan Youyuan.

Putting it kindly, he is principled. Less kindly, he is stubborn.

Shui Yunling disdained to argue with such a person and said, "Summon them immediately."

Yuan Ping cautiously said, "They can arrive within ten minutes, please, kindly wait a moment, Investigator."

Shui Yunling said nothing as she sat in the office chair, opened Yuan Tiejiang's office Light Computer, and pulled up the relevant data records.

Before coming, she had reviewed the case file, but having been on the road these past few days, she was unaware of the latest developments.

After looking through the records, she learned that in these recent days, Gao Xuan and the others had slain thirteen evil gods and acquired eleven divine crystals. Although their grade wasn't high, the quantity was astonishing.

An ordinary Administrative Star in the Outer Star Realm might only submit around a dozen divine crystals annually, and generally, their grade wouldn't be very high.

In ten days, Gao Xuan and Yuan Youyuan had already submitted sixteen divine crystals, including two sixth grade and four seventh grade.

Whether in quantity or quality, it was astonishing.

Their efficiency in slaying evil gods was even more crucial, as though evil gods were chickens or ducks they easily raised for slaughter.

Though Shui Yunling was young, as an investigator, she frequently undertook assignments in the Outer Star Realm.

She was quite familiar with evil gods and understood just how difficult it was to hunt them down.

This time, she was sent by the Inspection Department to uncover Black Tiger's background.

What kind of means allowed them to easily locate the evil gods' whereabouts?

Whoever masters such techniques could turn evil gods into mere ATMs, capable of extracting divine crystals whenever needed.

Therefore, the most urgent task was to investigate Black Tiger's situation. Whether he had taken divine crystals was not the most important matter.

Shui Yunling hoped Black Tiger had indeed stolen divine crystals, making it easier for her to manipulate him.

Arriving with such dominating presence was just a psychological tactic to pressure the other party.

Without speaking, Shui Yunling let Cao Ming begin speaking.

"The two of you are not young, yet you act without caution. Matters involving divine crystals allow for no personal feelings."

Cao Ming solemnly said: "This matter must be thoroughly investigated, to provide accountability to headquarters, the Warrior Chief, and all relevant parties."

Cao Ming is an investigator from Cloud Light Sanctuary's Inspection Department. The Inspection Department is directly managed by headquarters, existing as an entirely independent system.

The function of the Inspection Department is precisely to supervise the Holy Hall everywhere. If the Warrior Chief held management authority, such inspections would be laughable.

Though Huang Tingdao is the Warrior Chief of the Cloud Light Sanctuary, he cannot govern the Inspection Department.

However, as they all live on the same planet, despite lacking bureaucratic ties, the Inspection Department wouldn't dare disrespect the Warrior Chief.

Huang Tingdao still has significant influence over the Inspection Department. The Yuan family also has members in the Inspection Department.

Ordinarily, Cao Ming shouldn't have appeared here.

Yuan Ping now realized that Cao Ming's appearance possibly represented the stance of the Cloud Light Sanctuary.

She's nearly three hundred years old and quite experienced and knowledgeable. Calming down, she quickly realized that Black Tiger had simply drawn too much attention!

The tallest tree is always the first to be felled by the wind.

Black Tiger came from the lower ranks, yet his advancement had been rapid. The key was his ability to easily detect the evil gods' location. This ability was extremely aberrant.

Possibly, the headquarters already harbored certain thoughts regarding Black Tiger.

Aware of this, Yuan Ping couldn't help but sigh. She had advised Yuan Youyuan and the others, but unfortunately, they wouldn't heed her advice.

Even if Black Tiger weren't a problem, the issue wouldn't be resolved that easily...

While Yuan Ping was pondering, the office door opened, and Gao Xuan and Yuan Youyuan entered with their heads held high.

Both wore white ceremonial robes of the Holy Hall; Gao Xuan wasn't exceptionally handsome, yet his features were dignified and majestic.

Yuan Youyuan was dazzlingly beautiful, her face serious, yet unable to conceal that innate sweetness.

Shui Yunling, who was looking at the light screen, lifted her head and was immediately drawn to Yuan Youyuan's looks.

As a beauty, she was most sensitive to women's appearances. Even in the Central Star Realm, beauties like Yuan Youyuan were quite rare.

Particularly, Yuan Youyuan nearly perfectly combined brilliance and sweetness, possessing a uniquely captivating charm.

This charm came not only from facial features but also from personal spirituality, temperament, character, and cultivation.

Charm is indeed very subtle. Some women look particularly attractive but are forgotten soon after being seen.

Some beauties may not be that stunning, yet remain unforgettable.

Without a doubt, Yuan Youyuan was a woman whose charm was nearly at full points.

Shui Yunling unreservedly stared at Yuan Youyuan for several seconds before turning her gaze to Gao Xuan.

"Looks average, has a tall stature, displays a very stable demeanor, with eyes that seem somewhat profound..."

Shui Yunling observed Gao Xuan carefully and did not find anything too extraordinary.

As someone from the lower class, he did not bear any obvious lower-class marks.

Lower-class marks are deeply ingrained traces left on people by harsh living conditions.

Poverty naturally makes people cautious because the cost of mistakes is too high, which the poor cannot afford.

Of course, some people from lower classes have particularly defiant and arrogant personalities. This is because of scarce resources at the lower level, requiring a fierce demeanor to compete for resources.

Whether cautious or fiercely defiant, the essence is a narrow-mindedness caused by the post-natal environment.

Noble youth, on the other hand, are entirely different. They live comfortably, regardless of how rigorous their training was in childhood; their attitudes towards life and the world are more optimistic and positive.

Because they always get better and receive positive feedback, and they also receive better education.

Material and spiritual satisfaction makes noble youth more graceful, composed, and richer in depth.

This is mostly influenced by postnatal living conditions, having little to do with one's nature.

It's like tigers surviving in the wild, naturally fierce and cold, while zoo tigers laze around aimlessly.

Tigers in the wild hunt to survive, while zoo tigers hunt for fun.

Though all are tigers, their states are worlds apart.

Shui Yunling does not disregard the lower class; she merely detests the marks of the lower class on people.

Because life is hard for the lower class, they see only today and don't think about tomorrow — tomorrow is too distant for them, often making them seem short-sighted and eager for quick success.

Ultimately, it is the result of adapting to their environment.

But when people from the lower class reach the upper class, they find themselves out of place.

In Shui Yunling's view, Gao Xuan was evidently one of these people. That's why he would disregard a promising future and directly swallow the Divine Crystal!

Because people from the lower class are accustomed to seeing immediate benefits without seeing the distant future.

But upon seeing Gao Xuan himself, Shui Yunling did not detect those obvious lower-class marks. It might be because Gao Xuan was deeply thoughtful, keeping them well hidden.

Shui Yunling didn't care too much, since he was merely a Foundation Establishment Cultivator—how profound could he be?

She signaled Cao Ming to proceed with the inquiry.

Shui Yunling scorned the idea of personally interrogating; she preferred staying calm and observing from the side.

Cao Ming felt slightly excited receiving the opportunity. He came over intending to find opportunities to deal with Gao Xuan.

Whether Gao Xuan was guilty or not, he had to give him a hard time this round.

Cao Ming asked sternly, "Black Tiger, do you know your guilt?"

Gao Xuan looked at Cao Ming and said, "Who are you?"

Cao Ming was furious, "I am Cao Ming, a Level 8 Investigator from the Cloud Light Sanctuary Inspection Department."

"Oh."

Gao Xuan asked again, "Then you should understand the inquiry procedures."

He spoke leisurely, "First, the investigator must show their identification proof, second, start light computer recording, and third, a recorder must be present to make onsite records and supervise the investigator…"

The investigators indeed have significant authority, but cannot act with impunity. Over a thousand years, the Inspection Department has developed a mature and complete enforcement ruleset.

Cao Ming's direct drinking question was indeed a very amateur move.

Mainly because Cao Ming did not think much of Gao Xuan, not intending to follow regular procedures.

As a result, Gao Xuan publicly embarrassed him.

Especially with Shui Yunling watching from the side, leaving Cao Ming's face dark. The Inspection Department is directly managed by the Central Inspection Department, and Shui Yunling is his direct superior.

This was a huge blow to his reputation.

Cao Ming could not afford to lash out and retaliate; he suppressed his anger and said, "Formal inquiry requires detaining you first, I'm currently just informally questioning."

"Then, I have nothing to say to you."

Gao Xuan said, "I have a lot to deal with, so I won't linger for idle chit-chat. I'll take my leave now…"

Speaking, Gao Xuan pulled Yuan Youyuan up and turned to leave.

Cao Ming was outraged; this guy was truly defiant. But he wasn't foolish; he wouldn't lose his temper in front of Shui Yunling.

He bowed slightly to Shui Yunling, "Officer, this person is defiant; I suggest immediate detention for a formal inquiry process…"