Chapter 97 Great Purge

Chapter 97: The Great Purge

Federal National Congress

After the incident, Lin Dusheng immediately suppressed the news and then decided to convene a meeting in the Assembly Hall at 11 p.m.

Lin Dusheng occupied the presiding seat, with Levin on his left and Vice-Principal Kang Yunan on his right.

Below him sat the various legion commanders, members of the Federal Parliament, and many other powerful high-ranking officials of the Federation.

Today, half of the signals in the capital, Scott Star, were disrupted. Departments such as Public Relations, National Defense Security, and Information Engineering were swamped with work.

They had just learned about this matter, so they had a rough idea why the meeting had been called so suddenly.

Lin Dusheng, in the presiding seat, remained silent, wearing a gentle, kindly smile, but no one below dared utter a word or step out of line.

The green tea pheromones were undisguised, wafting freely through the assembly hall. Upon closer inspection, Lin Dusheng had even removed his pheromone isolation ring, though no one knew where he'd put it.

The betas and omegas were fine, but the alphas had it rough. The alluring omega pheromones swirled around them, yet they couldn't show a hint of disrespect...

Levin sat quietly beside him. He wore his pheromone isolation ring, and his pheromones kept trying to soothe Xiaoxiao, but Xiaoxiao was truly angry today—too angry to accept any comfort.

He needed to vent.

Levin tried several times but eventually gave up. He wove strands of his mental energy around Lin Dusheng, letting his Xiaoxiao know that he would always stand by his side.

Ten minutes later, more than three hundred people had gathered.

If this place were to be attacked right then, the Federation would cease to exist.

Seeing that almost everyone had arrived—the rest had legitimate reasons for not attending—Lin Dusheng decided not to wait for them.

After all, after today, they'd all learn what it means to toe the line.

After scanning the room, the corner of Lin Dusheng's mouth curved up slightly. He began by asking a question to everyone present.

"Before we officially begin, let me ask a question. How many people here are veterans who remained after the last Great Purge?"

This question sent a wave of tension through the room. No one understood why Lin Dusheng would bring this up at this juncture.

About half of the people in the room raised their hands.

Kang Yunan took a look and counted a total of one hundred and seventy-one people, reporting the number to Lin Dusheng.

After hearing this, Lin Dusheng smiled and said meaningfully, "That's quite a lot."

Everyone wondered what Lin Dusheng meant by this, but before they could figure it out, he clapped his hands to recapture their attention.

"I'll send you a surveillance clip to warm things up. The atmosphere is too cold; that's no fun."

He said, his tone deceptively cheerful.

And that surveillance clip was exactly the satellite footage of the sniper, clearly showing the person slicing off strips of his own skin and flesh.

Even though his eyes were filled with fear, his hands never stopped moving.

The military personnel were somewhat better off, only feeling a bit nauseated.

However, members of the Parliament and the National Commerce Department, who had never witnessed such a bloody and bizarre scene firsthand, couldn't help themselves, most retching in disgust.

The surveillance footage was not sped up. After about half an hour, the scene shifted to the military locating the sniper, who was pleading to be killed.

The military, of course, wouldn't kill him and cut off their only lead. Just as they were about to administer first aid, everyone's eyes suddenly glazed over, and they froze in place.

During this time, the sniper's fear, despair, and madness were clearly visible.

Until the last minute before death, the sniper's expression suddenly changed, as if suddenly overwhelmed by excruciating pain, his face twisting grotesquely.

He pleaded for mercy, tears and blood mixing together.

Yet his hands continued their gruesome task.

Finally, when the sniper collapsed in a pool of blood, lifeless, the military personnel snapped back to reality and began reporting the incident.

After watching, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

Anyone could see that this was abnormal. Even if someone were on drugs, they wouldn't be so deranged as to slice themselves into pieces...

Lin Dusheng, seeming in high spirits, said airily, "What are your thoughts, everyone? Share them, don't be shy~"

No one in the room responded, the only sounds were retching.

Lin Dusheng hadn't expected an answer anyway and continued on his own, "Let me share my thoughts first. A suspected SSSS-level mental energy user has appeared within the Federation. He seems to be a beta, and the surveillance footage just now demonstrates his power."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room broke into an uproar. Whether they were aware or not, they were all incredulous.

An SSSS-level mental energy user was truly a legendary level. After all, SSS-level mental energy users were already few and far between, and an SSSS-level mental energy user was unprecedented.

And he was a beta?

The military reacted most strongly. As the commander of the First Legion, which faced the Hive directly, Dai Mo demanded impolitely, "Really? Principal, are you sure you're not joking?"

Lin Dusheng understood Dai Mo and shook his head, "No, I'm not. Even Levin couldn't sense his emotions."

Dai Mo turned to look at Levin, as did everyone else. They didn't understand SSSS-level mental energy, but they understood Levin, an SSS-level mental energy user.

Under everyone's gaze, Levin nodded slightly.

Dai Mo asked excitedly, "Principal! Is there any chance of recruiting him?"

Lin Dusheng smiled, "There was, before today."

Dai Mo was taken aback, then remembered that Lin Dusheng was supposed to meet someone today—the person who provided the Mech Energy Tank modification technology. It had been mentioned before that this person's mental energy was above SS-level, so...

"It's the person you were supposed to meet today..."

Lin Dusheng smiled and confirmed, "Correct answer~"

Only half of those present knew who Lin Dusheng was supposed to meet today, and everyone fell silent at once.

Their intuition told them something had gone wrong during today's meeting.

Seeing that no one spoke, Lin Dusheng continued, "Some of you may not know who I was supposed to meet today. Let me explain. The 5000-unit capacity Mech Energy Tank presented by the research institute last month was provided by this suspected SSSS-level mental energy user."

The Parliament and National Commerce sides were incredulous. Someone even blurted out loudly, "How is that possible? He's just a beta. It's one thing for him to modify a Mech Energy Tank to such an extent, but how could his mental energy reach SSSS-level!"

Hearing this, Lin Dusheng's smile widened. Kang Yunan, sitting beside him, silently prayed for the speaker, hoping he wouldn't die too horribly, as it would be troublesome to clean up.

Lin Dusheng drawled, "Oh? Is that so? Is your next line that I don't deserve to sit in this position? After all, I'm an omega—how could I possibly be a leader? Hmm?"

The person realized they had crossed a line, cold sweat breaking out on their forehead as they stammered out a defense, "I... I didn't mean it that way, I was just shocked..."

Lin Dusheng smiled but didn't reply, ignoring the other party.

He looked at the people below and slowly laid out the events of the day: "Originally, the other side was still considering cooperation with the Federation. Although the chances were slim, but..." Lin Dusheng paused, scanning the room, "...someone attacked them right under my nose and even injured one of them."

Lin Dusheng spoke casually, as though it were a trivial matter, but the overwhelming pheromones in the air told everyone one thing:

He was, in fact, livid.

After his words, the military personnel were first shocked—shocked that someone dared to launch an attack under Lin Dusheng's watch, and on the capital planet, no less.

What followed was rage.

Sheer rage.

Seventy percent of the Federation's borders were surrounded by the Zerg. Out of the Federation's twelve Legions, seven were garrisoned along the Zerg front, while the other five were on standby for reinforcement duty.

Even outside of Bug Swarm periods, tens of thousands of soldiers were lost each year. Aside from the families and friends of the fallen, it was the Legion Commanders who grieved the most.

No commander wished for their soldiers to die, and they were no exception.

To reduce casualties, every Legion Commander had spared no effort. For instance, the Commander of the Fifth Legion: their Fifth Legion's defensive star charts had previously been the most frequently revised.

If star charts weren't updated promptly, it not only wasted firepower but also cost many lives. So, upon learning that a stellar cartographer from the Third Legion had married a Major General from their own Legion, the Fifth Legion Commander took it upon himself to poach them.

Although he was on the receiving end of Qi Lan's wrath for a month and still held a grudge by her—often having his military funds seized—it just meant tightening his belt a little. No big deal.

This showed just how much every Legion Commander cared about anything that could reduce soldier casualties.

Thus, in the previous meeting, they had all chosen to compromise.

Now, receiving news that the other party could not only modify Mech Energy Tanks but was also an SSSS-level psychic, it was nothing short of a godsend for this year's Bug Swarm period!

And yet! Someone had attacked them!

Their intentions were utterly despicable.

Her own psychic rating was at SS-level. Normally, she only helped soothe soldiers' mental states and emotions, but when angered, her psychic power became intensely oppressive.

Dai Mo strode past Lin Dusheng, demanding coldly of everyone below: "Who was it? At the time, it was explicitly stated that this information must not be leaked. So who disclosed it, or was it one of us here who planned the assassination?"

The military faction said nothing, their eyes roving over everyone except their own ranks, trying to identify the culprit.

The State Commerce faction was the most suspicious. Although state-owned, most shares were held by the Federation, and many personnel were federal civil servants. But profit could corrupt anyone; nothing was certain.

Moreover, the leaders of State Commerce were more accurately described as merchants than leaders.

All merchants are cunning.

The suspected State Commerce members looked displeased. Even knowing they weren't responsible, their faction was indeed the most suspicious.

Furthermore, they couldn't produce solid evidence to clear themselves and could only offer feeble protests.

"It wasn't us."

Dai Mo sneered, "What murderer would admit to being the murderer?"

One State Commerce member retorted angrily, "What, Commander Dai, are you trying to pin this on State Commerce?"

Before Dai Mo could respond, Yun Huaifeng, representing the Research Institute, spoke up as a peacemaker: "Aren't we just suspecting for now? No need to get so heated."

"Oh, and if you in State Commerce want to clear your faction's name, there's a quickest method: have His Excellency Levin read the memories of everyone present. That would reveal the culprit."

This suggestion was indeed the fastest and most accurate way to uncover the truth, but no one wanted their privacy violated. Even knowing Levin wouldn't disclose anything, it was still an invasion of privacy.

Of the twelve Legion Commanders, aside from Qi Lan, who agreed without hesitation, the other eleven hesitated briefly before promptly agreeing. The Research Institute representative followed suit.

That left the Parliament and State Commerce personnel.

One involved in politics, the other in commerce.

One managed power, the other money.

Who'd believe they had no skeletons in their closets?

If anyone here was truly clean and still held high office, then *they* should be sitting at the head, not Lin Dusheng.

For a moment, neither Parliament nor State Commerce dared to agree.

Seeing this, Lin Dusheng smiled and said, "Alright then. Since no one from Parliament or State Commerce wishes to have their memories read, we won't force it. Everything should be done willingly."

No one from Parliament or State Commerce dared to relax. Lin Dusheng wouldn't be in charge if he were that soft.

Sure enough, Lin Dusheng's next words followed: "However, all high-ranking officials from Parliament and State Commerce will have to be relieved of duty pending investigation. Once the matter is cleared, they may resume their positions."

Someone from Parliament or State Commerce snapped, standing up in anger: "Aren't you afraid the Federation's economy will collapse?"

Lin Dusheng still wore a smile, as though the disrespect didn't faze him, but his words were cutting.

"What, does the Federation lack talent? If so, then step down immediately and see if the Federation relies on you to exist."

In the next instant, the person was controlled by Levin, eyes glazed over like a puppet on strings, signing a resignation contract and surrendering all authority.

Only after everything was completed did Levin release control. Guards dragged the person out, ignoring their curses and shouts as they escorted them from the State Council.

No one spoke up in their defense.

Because the next one could be themselves.

Lin Dusheng's smile grew even more amiable, like a kindergarten teacher guiding young children, cooing, "Is there anyone else unwilling to have their memories examined? Don't be afraid, just raise your hand now."

No hands were raised.

Lin Dusheng clapped his hands together once. "Since that's the case, everyone will submit to an examination here and now. State Commerce members first, followed by Parliament, the Research Institute, and the Military."

"Who will go first?"

Everyone looked around, waiting for someone to break the ice. Finally, an elder from State Commerce, a survivor of the last major purge, stepped forward.

He strode forward resolutely to Levin and said, "I'll go first."

Levin looked at Lin Dusheng, and after receiving a nod, he began. First, he gauged his general emotional state—likely due to recent events, the elder was filled with trepidation. Then, he proceeded to read the elder's memories from that day.

Half a minute later, Levin said, "Not him."

The elder let out a sigh of relief and, once Lin Dusheng gave a nod of dismissal, returned to his seat.

Once there was a first, a second and third naturally followed. Since everyone would be investigated anyway, it was better to get it all done today rather than face being stripped of their posts for months.

Levin examined their memories one by one. Those from the National Commerce who came forward first couldn't be called completely clean, but none had crossed the federal red line.

By the midway point, the mastermind behind that day's assassination still hadn't been found, but several cases of human trafficking, severe tax evasion, and even three instances of assaulting and forcibly modifying omegas were uncovered.

Under normal circumstances, exposure would have meant dismissal, fines, and a few decades in prison. After release, they might never re-enter the center of power, but they wouldn't lose their lives.

However, being exposed at this critical juncture was a different story altogether.

"Minister Yun, I recall you've been applying for access to serious criminals and death row inmates for experimental drug trials. Now you have some ready-made subjects. Just remember not to let them die—they still need to serve their sentences."

His tone was casual, as if he were talking about having a glass of water.

Yun Huaifeng understood Lin Dusheng's intention and agreed.

When the last two from the National Commerce stepped forward, Levin sensed intense fear and anxiety from them even before reading their memories.

Levin showed no sign of noticing and proceeded to read their memories as usual.

After finishing, Levin didn't announce the result. Instead, he used his psychic abilities to control the two and said, "Found them."

Lin Dusheng glanced at the pair and asked with a smile, "Just these two?"

Levin shook his head and then named a few more: two parliamentary members and one research institute staff.

The three named didn't even dare to defend themselves. They immediately admitted their mistakes, pleading for the principal's leniency.

Leniency?

Impossible.

In the end, Lin Dusheng used his pleasant voice to deliver the cruelest words.

"You will suffer exactly what the sniper in the surveillance footage endured."

"Don't worry, federal medical technology won't let you die."

"Experiencing this a few more times will help people remember their lessons."