Chapter 879: Chapter 749: Refusing to Take the Blame
Qu Jianlei got it right. When people from Celestial Handle Star landed on 8384, it was confirmed that Rhodiola rosea’s team was on the starship.
The asteroid belt is very far from Celestial Handle Star, but ultimately belongs to the Celestial Hook Star Realm.
Rhodiola rosea once assassinated Supreme Siegwa on Gedel Star Body, and it’s no secret in the entire star realm.
There are some Supremes who were on good terms with Siegwa and wanted to verify the background of Rhodiola rosea.
However, Wanmi Mining spread the news that Siegwa was impersonating a Star Thief collecting protection money, so he was eliminated.
Supremes doing such dishonorable things are subject to public contempt.
Everyone knows that many Supremes do things in private that may not be more honorable than Siegwa, but they weren’t caught, were they?
Getting caught in the act and then being accidentally killed, especially involving the Sail Consortium, just meant accepting fate.
If not for this reason, the Celestial Hook Star Realm would have already made arrangements against Rhodiola rosea, rather than ignoring it.
When Liu Yongming and others boarded 8384, they had already determined that Rhodiola rosea must be on the starship.
Everyone knows this person is very aggressive, even daring to attack the Customs Enforcement Warship, so they prepared a targeted plan.
But suddenly, another Supreme appeared, which surprised everyone.
Liu Yongming could only salute again, "Greetings to this Supreme."
He wanted to ask the other person’s identity but forcefully held back.
Because before this, he did not inquire about Rhodiola rosea’s identity, distinguishing now would be deliberately provocative.
He could pretend not to know Rhodiola rosea’s identity, it doesn’t matter, but deliberately showing it would be a provocation, wouldn’t it?
The Paranoid snorted, then asked with a sidelong glance, "Who is the Supreme in the Celestial Handle Military Region now?"
Originally, he thought he had been dormant for four hundred years. Now, discovering it had only been two hundred years, he wanted to know if there were any acquaintances.
Liu Yongming hesitated for a moment, then replied, "That master is named Liu, and has the honorific Qingyu."
"Hmm? It’s him?" The Paranoid raised his eyebrows in surprise, astonished to hear an acquaintance.
"Is it that Water Attribute... Liu Qingyu, who took almost thirty years to advance to B-level after being injured?"
This was the junior who used to follow behind him, in his forties when he advanced to B-level, but peaked at B-level a few years later.
When he was in seclusion to break through Supreme and beyond, Liu Qingyu was also poised to break through to A-level.
Because this person’s advancement to B-level was very difficult, but breaking through to A-level was short-lived, he had some impression of him.
"Oh?" Liu Yongming was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, then cautiously asked, "May I know how to address the master?"
The Paranoid glanced at him sidelong, "You are not qualified to ask for my name."
"Greetings again, my lord," Liu Yongming raised his hand respectfully, "Lord Qingyu is my grandfather!"
No wonder he dared to board the starship, it turns out he has a Supreme grandparent backing him.
Even if Rhodiola rosea is aggressive, knowing his identity may not dare to harm him.
Liu Qingyu is not only a Supreme, but over two hundred and fifty years old, he has accumulated extensive connections within the military.
Liu Yongming heard the other person clearly state his grandfather’s experiences, and immediately became solemn and respectful.
Calculating from the age of a Supreme at three hundred, his grandfather had started to enter old age, and within the Supremes, he could flaunt seniority.
Anyone daring to comment on his grandfather’s past must be quite familiar, at least.
"Your cultivation improvement seems a bit forced," the Paranoid said suddenly, glancing sideward.
But everyone understood the implied meaning — you’re fortunate to have a Supreme grandfather, otherwise resources might not keep up.
He then twisted his neck as if it were uncomfortable, though he actually meant to express shaking his head.
He then produced a special permit, flaunting it towards the other, "You know I have the proof, that’s enough."
Strictly speaking, a special permit cannot be used as identification.
But this permit can serve as an excuse — I have a classified mission, after all, the Customs Enforcement Division specifically issued a certificate?
Liu Yongming’s mouth moved, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
Qu Jianlei saw everyone staying quiet, snorted lightly, "Where’s the evidence?"
Liu Yongming hesitated briefly, responding with courage, "My lord may not know, but the Norton Family is soon to be honored by the Imperial."
"What the hell does that have to do with me?" Qu Jianlei’s face darkened, "They said I attacked the Norton Family... where’s the evidence?"
Liu Yongming raised his hand in salute, then swiftly stepped aside, revealing the casually dressed B-level behind.
"This is Zaire, Assistant to the Celestial Handle Government’s Planetary Affairs, let him explain!"
Zaire looked up, surprised as he stared at him, "Lord Liu Yongming, isn’t it you who’s leading this time?"
"Our military is merely assisting the government," Liu Yongming replied expressionlessly, "We don’t hold the relevant evidence."
Honestly speaking, the military was truly prompted by the government to cooperate this time.
The Norton Family encountered an attack on the eve of being honored, but it wasn’t organized armed assault; the attack came from a High Tier Awakened.
In terms of responsibility division, this pertains to planetary security, and even if the Imperial were to place blame, it would only fall on the government’s shoulders.
It’s an issue entirely unrelated to the military, would the military engage if the government did not step in?
Liu Yongming had even heard that certain individuals in the government had been bought off at a high price by the Norton Clan, intending to provide some protection.
Moreover, he was aware that some in the military had also received benefits, which led to the deployment of reinforcements.
However, on this matter, he had no say; the decision from above had been made, and all he could do was obey—it’s a soldier’s duty to follow orders!
When he found out there was incorrect intelligence and that the other party consisted of two Supremes, he realized things weren’t looking good.
At that point, he considered backing down—wasn’t this completely outside of the plan?
If he made decisions on his own, deciding to offend two Supremes, it was highly likely the military would put the blame on him.
—We only intended to deal with Rhodiola rosea, we never said we’d take on two Supremes!
Of course, he had a highly respected Supreme grandfather, who might not take the fall for this, but... why should he?
His grandfather was old, wouldn’t it be better to enjoy his twilight years in peace?
The key issue was, the second Supreme was likely an acquaintance of his grandfather’s, which made him even more unwilling to bear this burden.
The most he could do was insist on explaining that the "Norton Clan wanted to confer honors," which was his limit.
Any further negotiation? Sorry, that’s up to your government people, anyway, he genuinely didn’t have the relevant evidence.
Zaire was stunned for a moment before forcing a response.
"We have evidence that a factory under the Norton Clan was attacked by an Earth Attribute Supreme."
"Are you insane?" Qu Jianlei’s face darkened, "There are so many Earth Attribute Supremes, why pin it on me?"
"Because..." Zaire hesitated, steeled himself, "sir, you are the Red Supreme, right? It’s said you have a grudge with the Norton Clan?"
"Truly delusional!" Qu Jianlei sneered, "Is that what you call evidence?"
Subjective judgment is valid, but how can a mere B-level make subjective judgments in front of me, a Supreme?
Zaire’s knees began to tremble, yet he still forced himself to answer.
"Conferring honors is a significant event in the Empire, during which the Norton Clan suffered an attack, which is of great concern to the Celestial Handle Government."
"And this concern justifies framing a Supreme?" Qu Jianlei sneered, "Do you think I’m easy to bully?"
"Moreover, is the attack on a Norton factory the same concept as an attack on the clan? It might as well be industrial competition!"
He spoke with impunity because, indeed, the Earth Attribute Supreme only destroyed a factory.
Not even a single life was taken, as the workers and guards of that factory had vacated early following a street warning.
Zaire, of course, knew that he was right, but could there not be other Supremes in Rhodiola rosea’s team?
He steadied himself and mumbled in response, "But the Norton Clan was truly attacked, with heavy casualties."
"What does that have to do with me?" Qu Jianlei looked at him coldly.
He then mockingly questioned, "Is it also because there was an Earth Attribute Supreme involved in the attack?"
"That, there wasn’t," Zaire admitted honestly, the attacker that day was a Gold Attribute Supreme.
However, evidence suggested that the Gold Attribute Supreme was likely a member of the Rhodiola rosea team.
Moreover, the fact that the other party could ask such a question suggested they were certain no Earth Attribute Supreme was involved that night.
In this sense, the suspicion on Rhodiola rosea had actually increased.
However, even though he understood the cause and effect, could he use it as rhetoric?
With the government backing, he could utter some plausible words, but he couldn’t afford to think of anything else.
A mere B-level could bully ordinary people but truly had no right to be presumptuous before a Supreme.
In the end, he had prepared to face one Supreme, but never imagined there were two Supremes on this starship.
More critically, the sudden appearance of this Supreme had dispelled the military’s morale.
Seeing the other side too intimidated to speak further, Qu Jianlei frowned slightly, "Then why are you still here?"
"I..." Zaire, filled with shame, guilt, and fear, found his mind blank.
"Might as well just kill him," the Paranoid side-glanced at him.
"Farewell," Zaire forcibly suppressed his inner terror, honestly bowed twice, and turned to flee chaotically.
The other plainclothes C-level didn’t dare utter a word, quickly following him out.
Liu Yongming remained somewhat calm, regardless, this Supreme with the sidelong glance was a friend of his grandfather’s.
He raised a hand and respectfully stated, "Sir, my grandfather would be quite happy to hear news of an old friend."
"You don’t need to tell him," the Paranoid still glanced sidelong, "I have no interest in seeing him."
No interest... Liu Yongming was taken aback by the remark; how was this tone akin to one of authority speaking to a subordinate?
He felt somewhat disgruntled, his grandfather was highly respected throughout the entire Star Realm’s military.
But with the current presence of two Supremes, no matter how unwilling, he couldn’t act out under absolute power.
So he nodded, "I will report to my grandfather. Farewell, sirs."
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