Above the Galaxy
Chapter 362 - 232: Borrow a Rain!

Chapter 362: Chapter 232: Borrow a Rain!

Zhong Jiayuan presented the paper copy of the inspection report with both hands, addressing respectfully, "Our Science Division extracted five fingerprints from the body: three belong to Phoenix people, all over sixty years old; one old lady died last year, plus one Aus person and one Federation person..."

"Our search based on the fingerprints has determined that none of these individuals are Cultivators; they don’t possess the capability to act alone, much less break out from the tight encirclement of Monitoring Bureau’s Sector Five."

Yan Wenli took the report and tossed it onto the table, saying sternly, "They wore anti-tracking gloves; even if we got fingerprints, it would just lead us from one maze to another... They had prepared well in advance for their escape."

"Yes, I’ve asked the tech department to repair the surveillance system from that night; if we can recover the video feed from that evening, we’ll know what actually happened..."

Knowing that Yan Wenli was particularly concerned about Tang Fei, Zhong Jiayuan spoke up, "We’ve also pulled Tang Fei’s file from the database to cross-check it with the fingerprints and hair tissue samples collected; there’s nothing that matches Tang Fei... The comparative data is also included."

Yan Wenli did not touch the investigative materials; if the answer was not what he wanted, there was certainly a flaw in the line of reasoning.

Those items were just piles of junk, unworthy of his attention.

Yan Wenli looked up at Zhong Jiayuan and asked, "What? You think there’s an issue with Tang Fei?"

Zhong Jiayuan’s expression stiffened slightly as he quickly explained, "He’s the only resident of Lion Mountain region that wasn’t searched; I was concerned about missing something, so I specifically did a comparison... But the results didn’t match."

Yan Wenli nodded, saying, "I’ve looked over Tang Fei’s information; he and his brother just moved here from the Old Land, and it’s been less than a year... With no roots or background, he couldn’t possibly have ties with those bandits."

"Besides, everything he has now was given by the Royal Family, by the Princess herself... What reason would he have to betray the Empire?"

"Yes, I understand. We will shift our focus away from Tang Fei and treat all suspects equitably."

"Exactly, in everything we do, we must rely on evidence. Without evidence, how can we besmirch someone’s innocence?"

"The Director has guided us well," Zhong Jiayuan said, bowing.

"Alright, you guys have worked hard. We brought in so many people last night that the Monitoring Bureau’s prisons are full," Yan Wenli said to Zhong Jiayuan. "Interrogate those who need it, release those who should be freed... After it’s done, you and your brothers from the office should take a break and rest well."

"Being dragged out to work over the New Year is hard on everyone; I’ll arrange for the finance department to distribute an extra Spring Festival subsidy... Also, tell everyone it’s Lao Yan remembering their contributions."

"Yes." Zhong Jiayuan stood straight, responding deeply, "The brothers of Sector Five are willing to work to the bone for the Director, through hardships without complaint."

"Okay, okay, save those nice words for your wife and kids," Yan Wenli said jokingly. "As long as they don’t bother you, what use is telling me?"

He waved his hand and said, "Go back, take a couple of days off. Let’s put this case on hold for now. Since we didn’t catch anyone this time, there’s no rush. I will handle things with the King."

"Thank you, Director," Zhong Jiayuan said with a smile. "Today is the first day of the New Year; on behalf of myself and the brothers of Sector Five, I wish you, Director, a soaring dragon and leaping tiger, promotion at every step."

"I’ll take your good words. You all work hard and do your jobs well. As long as I, Yan Wenli, am here, so will your opportunities."

"Thank you, Director, for your cultivation."

Zhong Jiayuan exited the Director’s office, hands sweaty with a fine sheen of perspiration.

What did the Director mean?

When he reported to him yesterday, he could clearly feel that the Director harbored doubts and mistrust towards Tang Fei.

He even specifically had someone fetch Tang Fei’s file for review, indicating that he was under intense scrutiny.

Moreover, Ye Shenyi also suspected Tang Fei, having publicly accused him of escorting the murderer out of Lion Mountain.

Ye Shenyi and the Director were old friends with significant influence. His words carried weight with the Director.

That was also why he had Tang Fei’s data pulled from the information database for a fingerprint and DNA comparison...

But why had the Director’s attitude towards Tang Fei done a one hundred and eighty-degree turn today?

Had something convinced him internally to dismiss his suspicions about Tang Fei?

Or has someone tipped him off, and he couldn’t afford to offend the various powers behind Tang Fei?

Or possibly...

He no longer trusted himself and had entrusted the case to someone else?

At that thought, Zhong Jiayuan’s mind exploded with a ’buzz’.

There was nothing worse than this.

Zhong Jiayuan wanted to make amends but found himself at a loss for what he could possibly do.

Yet, if a superior like the Director of a powerful institution such as the Monitoring Bureau lost trust in you, life would become very difficult indeed. "Tang Fei..."

Zhong Jiayuan’s eyes darkened as he silently mouthed the name.

After Zhong Jiayuan left, Yan Wenli glanced at the investigation report thrown on the table, not bothering to read it but instead picked up a cup of hot tea and sipped slowly.