Transform into a human

The National University Auditorium, a massive building that usually appears somewhat cumbersome, was packed to capacity today, yet it still maintained a solemn atmosphere.

Reporters from major media outlets were granted permission to broadcast the event live, and hundreds of billions of viewers on the ChainCrystal Network were eagerly awaiting it.

"Here it comes, here it comes."

Three councilors, dressed in different elaborate attire, appeared in a row at the hearing, each representing one of the oldest human factions.

Love Wallace, a member of the Federal Imperial Council, wore a wide-sleeved blouse with a black silk dragon pattern.

Xueji Dimitrov, a member of the Federal Imperial Diet, wore a round-necked robe with snowflake gold flowers.

Austin Song, a member of the Federal Grand Council, wore the most common black suit, which originated from the Fifth Republic.

The hastily formed committee appointed Xue Ji as the chief referee. This woman, with the characteristic aloofness of northerners, struck the gavel without much pleasantry.

"The hearing is now officially open. Everyone must maintain order."

"Let me briefly explain today's schedule."

"Due to the special nature of this case, a total of seven cases will be tried together, namely the 'Ji Yun Return Case' and the 'Malfoy Case' which are related to Chief Superintendent Grindelwald Blythe. The witnesses are Mr. Yue Lai and Ms. Li Hualei."

As she said this, she glanced at her colleague beside her. Love showed no reaction, as if the one testifying in court was not her daughter.

She continued:

"The Damian Middlech Pirates Conspiracy Case, the Winona Loan Kidnapping Case, the Middlech Unlocking the Federation Seal Case, and Miss Winona as the witness."

"In the case of Lieutenant Colonel Jin Ci's dereliction of duty, the witness is Miss Xia Du."

"And finally, in the Avery case of dereliction of duty, the witness was Wen Qing, the former deputy warden of Prison No. 14."

"The witnesses have submitted written testimonies, and this hearing will be open to the entire federal government to ensure justice."

"Now, please welcome Mr. Yue Lai to speak."

Yue Lai walked to the witness stand, glanced at the dense crowd, and then looked at Bryce, who was standing straight across from him.

The other party's expression remained unchanged, as if he were speaking on behalf of the police in court as usual, demanding that the criminals be brought to justice.

Yue Lai then spoke:

"As I stated in my written report, in order to fulfill Mrs. Casti's request, I infiltrated the Ninth Starport in an attempt to obtain the pen, but unexpectedly encountered Superintendent Malfoy, who was then torn apart by an unknown force, forcing me to leave."

He shrugged helplessly as he said this: "After all, what I was doing at the time wasn't exactly a respectable thing."

Xueji looked to the other side: "Officer Bryce, is there anything you'd like to say?"

Bryce calmly said, "I rushed to the scene with other superintendents and used the 'peeling the thread' method to trace the source. Everyone saw Ms. Nicole Moe and Mr. Yue, and the last two words Superintendent Malfoy said were 'pen'."

"To be honest, it's hard to believe that these are all just coincidences."

"Besides, Mrs. Castile is currently missing, and no one can corroborate Mr. Yue Lai's words."

Xueji: "Just a quick interruption. Regarding Miss Mo, whom Officer Bryce just mentioned, she enjoys the highest federal immunity, which is why she is not present this time."

A slight commotion arose in the crowd. Federal supreme immunity—how long had it been since they'd heard that term? The last one was from the Imperial Princess, who had passed away a century ago!

Xueji offered no explanation; this was one of the Federation's top secrets, and she had the right not to disclose it to the media.

"Yue Lai, is there anything you want to say?"

"This isn't direct evidence, is it? Perhaps Superintendent Malfoy meant to say, 'The pen is very important, please keep it safe for me.'"

Bryce nodded upon hearing this:

"Mr. Yue Lai's words make sense, which is why the police have always kept him in 'temporary detention,' but there has to be a reason for Superintendent Malfoy's death."

"Solving cases is your job, police, but what can I do? I've got a lead on Malfoy's sudden death. Would you all like to hear it?"

"Yue Lai, these are not in your submitted testimony."

This matter involves a wide range of issues, and Yue Lai naturally could not hand over the decision-making power to some unknown person.

"So I haven't said anything yet, Madam Congressman."

Xue Ji narrowed his eyes. Thousands of reporters had gathered below the stage. Regardless of whether it was in accordance with the rules, since Yue Lai had brought it up, he had to be allowed to finish speaking.

"You can continue."

Thank you.

Yue Lai turned to look at the audience:

"Everyone should be familiar with the history of the Taiyang Group. Although the company was established more than 40 years ago, it only became a giant in the Central Star System 20 years ago, all thanks to a successful interstellar exploration."

Twenty years ago, humans discovered an ancient battlefield of gods. The corpses of the gods there transformed into a massive tearstone deposit hundreds of millions of years later, ranking third among all tearstone deposits discovered by humans. Its discoverer was the Taiyang Group.

"Taiyang Group claims that the Jiming mineral cluster was discovered by their team of explorers, but this is not the case."

Xue Ji frowned. The Jiming Mine Group was deeply involved, and its influence was far greater than that of a small company like Everley. It was more like a federal judge was involved!

If Yue Lai hadn't suddenly brought it up, this matter would never have been on today's agenda, and Yue Lai would never have been able to attend as one of the witnesses.

"Mr. Victor Casti was a great explorer. After discovering the Jiming mineral deposits, he immediately wrote to share the news with his wife, which would bring them immense wealth."

"But to his surprise, the couple's commemorative fountain pen he was using had a backdoor left by Ma Liang Pen Industry, and the news was leaked."

"And Ma Liang Pens is a subsidiary of Taiyang Group!"

"Naturally, Mr. Casti died a violent death, and in order to erase the evidence, Taiyang Group destroyed almost all of the same model of fountain pen that were circulating outside, leaving only the one in the evidence room."

"You can all verify this. Although it's a commemorative edition, it was released at a price of five figures, but there aren't a single one available on the collector's market right now. What's even more alarming is..."

"None of the buyers from back then survived!"

"They died either by accident or from natural causes; in short, all the buyers have left this world."

These words struck like a thunderbolt, leaving not only the scene at hand, but also the once bustling Chain Crystal Network completely silent.

"No way..."

"How is this possible? I don't believe anyone would have such audacity!"

"How is that impossible? That's a top-three tearstone mine, enough to buy an entire inner star system!"

"I still can't believe it... Oh my god..."

If what Yue Lai said is true, this would be a mass murder involving tens of thousands of people!