Chapter 159: Unshakable

Chapter 159: Unshakable

Everyone had seen the surveillance footage from the study and were at a loss for words.

Zhu Zhuan said, "Everyone has seen it. Let's strategize our response. The Gong family has handled it discreetly, claiming it was a sudden illness. The Gong family's city lord has said they are willing to cooperate with our next actions and act as witnesses if necessary."

Qin Sheng said, "Let's deploy our psychic task force to obliterate the Psychic Research Institute. In these apocalyptic times, strength rules. We still have energy artillery. What can Zhongzhou possibly do to us?"

Shen Lan said, "The evidence of illicit experiments from the Dark Valley laboratory we brought back last time is already substantial. Combined with these mutated poppies and the video, if made public, it would be enough to publicly disgrace the Psychic Research Institute."

Qin Mu shook his head, "I advise against making it public. Dong Jun's absence from public view would make the video and the carefully crafted rumors more sensational. The public would fixate on the sensational details like imprisonment, control, mutated poppies, etc., and the rumors would only gain more traction, possibly even passed down through generations."

He glanced at Guan Yuanfeng, who had been silent, and Zhou Yun, who was playing with a seal as if lost in thought, feeling somewhat helpless.

Shen Lan said, "Then we'll have to retaliate in secret. Let the Phoenix Task Force teach the Psychic Research Institute a lesson first."

Guan Yuanfeng finally spoke, "I'll handle this. I'll task Xiao Jiang with drafting a report for the military with the evidence from the Dark Valley laboratory and this incident, urging the military to take action against the Psychic Research Institute."

Jiang Rongqian responded, "Yes!" But he seemed somewhat unsure, "What if they still push you to consider the broader implications?"

Guan Yuanfeng said, "Now it's their turn to consider the bigger picture."

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Zhou Yun couldn't help but laugh.

Everyone else also laughed, and the tension in the room eased.

Qin Mu, however, tactfully suggested, "But to prevent similar rumors, it would be prudent for Dong Jun to make occasional appearances in appropriate public settings—like weddings or other formal occasions."

Qin Sheng asked, "Who's tying the knot?"

Everyone looked at him as if he were an idiot.

Qin Sheng, "..." He felt like he had said something wrong.

Zhou Yun smiled, "We'll consider it. Any other topics?"

Everyone said, "No." "No."

"Then let's adjourn."

Soon, everyone left the meeting, and only Guan Yuanfeng and Zhou Yun remained in the conference room.

Guan Yuanfeng looked intently at Zhou Yun, his previously cold and stern demeanor completely changed, "Marriage?"

He had always thought Zhou Yun disliked being in the public eye, unwilling to be noticed and discussed, not bound by worldly conventions, preferring a quiet, reclusive life, only stepping out of his island for him. Therefore, he had quietly accompanied him, always by his side.

Zhou Yun smiled, "Originally, I was waiting for you to propose..."

Guan Yuanfeng immediately said, "I'll make it up!"

Zhou Yun looked at him and couldn't help but laugh. Guan Yuanfeng came over and kissed his lips. The kiss was fierce and deep, full of passion.

Zhou Yun was kissed breathless, his body held too tightly. He saw Dong Kexin flash by the conference room door, probably intending to come in for some instructions, but she quickly disappeared and silently closed the door.

Zhou Yun was somewhat moved by Guan Yuanfeng's rare display of emotion, as he was usually reserved and serious. He reached out and held Guan Yuanfeng's wrist, slowly responding. The two lingered for a long time before finally parting. Guan Yuanfeng was still somewhat excited, holding him for a while, "Thank you."

Zhou Yun, "..."

Guan Yuanfeng slowly brushed his fingers over Zhou Yun's lips, which were red from his kiss. As the rush of passion faded, he gradually calmed down: "You don't have to go along with what others want. If you don't like it, it's fine not to have a wedding. I want it to be something you truly enjoy."

Zhou Yun said, "Hmm... Since I was young, I always felt that weddings were like putting on a performance for others. But now that I have a lover, I suddenly understand the somewhat childish idea of proclaiming to the world that this person is mine." He looked at Guan Yuanfeng and smiled again: "Plus, there are gifts to look forward to."

He held Guan Yuanfeng's hand: "I'd like to hear your thoughts."

Guan Yuanfeng whispered, "It was only after meeting you that I understood what a family is like. Getting married is good."

Zhou Yun: "..." Although it was cheesy, it was indeed the kind of sweet talk Guan Yuanfeng would say.

Once they decided to have a wedding, they had to pick a date. Guan Yuanfeng, who had never been superstitious, went out of his way to privately seek out Master Xinhai and Taoist Master Yunyin, asking them to help choose an auspicious date.

Yao Huan, upon hearing this, was so surprised that his beard nearly bristled, but he still said: "In September, the Guixu Academy will start, and Little Duoduo will also be coming to stay. The place is becoming more bustling, but there are too many distractions. It would be better to focus on the wedding after the school starts and things settle down."

Zhou Yun nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Guan Yuanfeng sent someone to Zhongzhou to deliver the physical evidence and surveillance video evidence directly to General Tan Kai.

That night, a team of military police surrounded the Psychic Research Institute and raided the Ye family's residence in Zhongzhou. Poor Ye Yuqing, who had just been there when Guan Yuanfeng had chopped down a tree, now found his home surrounded again, and mutated poppies were discovered.

The next day, representatives from the Alliance government questioned the military about why they had arrested people without a trial.

The military's response was official: Both parties in the case held military ranks, and the military had the authority to investigate criminal cases occurring within the military, collect evidence, and investigate the facts. The criminal facts were clear, and the evidence was sufficient. To protect the legal rights of military personnel and maintain military order, the case had been prosecuted. Due to its involvement with classified military information, it would be tried by a military court. If they wanted to know the reasons, they could send representatives to the military court to observe the trial process or form a panel of judges, but they would have to sign a confidentiality agreement.

The military court quickly held a secret trial, and Ye Yuqing was summoned as a key witness.

He had previously been investigated as a major suspect, but Ye Yuqing quickly provided evidence of his ignorance, including a video of him being torn apart by dogs and having his eyes gouged out by Ye Shiqing. This video was found on Ye Shiqing's computer, and it was hard to imagine that he had recorded it and even watched it repeatedly for enjoyment.

When the video was played in court, some people vomited on the spot.

Ye Shiqing, however, showed no remorse. His horrifying, ugly face contorted into a crazed smile: "If I get the chance, I'll cut off your newly grown limbs again."

The courtroom erupted in boos.

The video of Wu Zhou and Gong Feiyun's secret meeting in the study was also played, but the latter half, where they were discovered and killed, was cut. Additionally, the testimony of Ye Shiqing's birth mother confirmed that Ye Zixi and Ye Li Hui had indeed conspired.

Internal photos, videos, and data from the Dark Valley laboratory were all organized and presented in court.

The two laboratories had conducted unauthorized human experiments and genetic editing experiments that violated medical and bioethical standards. They implanted genetically edited and cloned human or animal embryos into human or animal bodies and organized the sale of human organs, among other crimes.

Guan Yuanfeng, the victim, did not appear in court, but everyone present knew that if a satisfactory verdict was not delivered, the dormant lion in the south would not hesitate to initiate a reckoning.

Guixu City had become an unshakable stronghold. No one could predict what would happen if they provoked that lion, and no one knew what the Eastern Lord, who had never appeared in public but possessed terrifyingly advanced technology, would do in response.

After all, they were always so low-key.

The verdict was announced: three members of the Ye family were dismissed and sentenced to life imprisonment, Ye Zixi and Ye Shiqing were sentenced to death, and Ye Li Hui was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Ye Shiqing sneered coldly: "You ordinary people, like insignificant ants, dare to judge psychics? How could psychics be like you ordinary people, obediently accepting judgment?"

"You should know what happens when you anger a psychic. The power of a high-level psychic's crystal core explosion is immense. Let's all die together!" His face twisted with arrogance and madness as he laughed wildly, breaking free from the shadow hemp prison uniform. His entire body turned into shimmering metal, and an abnormal light began to glow. He activated his crystal core in the courtroom, causing panic. In the blinding light, people in the courtroom scattered in all directions, some crouching and crawling under the benches. The situation was extremely tense.

====

Afterward, Ye Yuqing called Guan Yuanfeng: "Now there are rumors again that we don't get along."

Guan Yuanfeng said, "That's the truth."

Ye Yuqing: "..."

Zhou Yun took the phone and smiled: "I heard that General Ye performed an astonishing light shield in the military court, saving everyone in the courtroom all by himself?"

Ye Yuqing smiled and said, "It was inspired by the light abilities shield of Dongjun and the resonance wood skills performed by many. By connecting my own crystal core with the numerous light crystal cores I carried, using volcanic spiders' silk to resonate and activate them at the same frequency, I was able to unleash an energy shield far beyond my own level."

Zhou Yun was amazed: "So, you actually carried weapons into the military court."

Ye Yuqing modestly replied, "They were just for self-defense. General Guan is right, the ant nest can breach the dam. Since the incident at my hometown, I’ve been very cautious about being in the same space as Ye Shiqing. You can’t predict a madman’s actions." And it came in handy; I almost got taken out by that lunatic again.

Ling Dingxiu mentioned that when Ye Shiqing self-destructed, his venomous gaze was firmly fixed on Ye Yuqing. When he saw the massive light shield rising from Ye Yuqing’s body, his face was filled with disbelief, twisted with anger, and he was so furious that he immediately passed away. Though Ye Yuqing didn’t see it himself, hearing about it was deeply satisfying.

Zhou Yun said, "According to this principle, if you can create an energy shield, naturally you can also unleash an energy gun. General Ye, don’t be stingy, send me a few energy shields and energy guns."

Ye Yuqing replied, "It’s still in development and can cause some backlash, similar to the recoil of a gun. Once it’s perfected, I’ll definitely send the city lord the best set."

Zhou Yun pressed on, "Approximately when? I’m getting married at the end of the year, can you make it in time for my wedding gift?"

Ye Yuqing was slightly surprised, "I’ll get it done as quickly as possible..." He pondered for a moment and tentatively said, "I’ll definitely make it in time to congratulate the city lord and General Guan on their wedding."

Zhou Yun was satisfied, "Then I’ll await the good news."

Ye Yuqing got the confirmation he expected. He smiled and said, "A hero and a scholar—nothing could be more perfect. I wish the two of you a hundred years of harmony and eternal unity."

Zhou Yun smiled, "Thank you, I hope by then your eyes will have regenerated and recovered."

Ye Yuqing laughed, "I’ll do my best to witness the grand wedding of the happy couple in person—speaking of which, I haven’t met Dr. Zhou yet. I heard from Xiao Ling that he is gentle as jade, refined, and handsome. General Guan is truly blessed."

Guan Yuanfeng took the phone and said, "Thank you, is there anything else?"

Ye Yuqing chuckled, "I won’t disturb your private time. I’ll have Xiao Ling pass on some follow-up matters to you."