Chapter 264: The Delayed Program
Several days passed quietly. All of Zhou Ming’s energy was now focused entirely on the gains from his journey to Tamu World.
The knowledge inherited from the Hydra Rune School, as well as the research left behind by the Tower’s Master, had truly broadened Zhou Ming’s horizons.
Back when he had been inside the tower, his research had only targeted the ritual altar and the verification of whether his envisioned plan was correct. There had been no time at all for him to thoroughly delve into that knowledge.
But as Zhou Ming deepened his research, he began to truly feel the charm and mystery brought by runes.
“I wonder what results that girl would produce if I handed this rune inheritance over to her?”
Perhaps Zhou Ming’s talent points had all been invested in bloodline genetics. After immersing himself in rune research, he always felt somewhat strained.
Thus, this thought suddenly sprouted in his mind.
After all, runes were paired with Energy Crystals. Lei Yuan possessed an extraordinary talent in researching Energy Crystals and even had her own unique insights.
Back at Qinghui Scientific Research University, when Zhou Ming had exchanged ideas with Lei Yuan, he had already sensed in her words that genius-like confidence—and viewpoints he could not understand at all.
In the end, her performance had not disappointed him. Before even graduating from university, she had already produced astonishing results.
Just as Zhou Ming was thinking about Lei Yuan, the laboratory telephone suddenly rang.
The abrupt ringtone caused Zhou Ming’s brows to knit slightly. Earlier, he had already instructed Su Mei not to disturb him unless something important happened.
But knowing her personality—she would not easily defy his orders—Zhou Ming faintly sensed that something unusual had occurred. He decisively picked up the call.
Just as he had guessed, something very serious had indeed happened. The Public Security Bureau of Qinghui Base had come knocking.
After briefly understanding the reason for Su Mei’s call, Zhou Ming’s previously good mood immediately darkened.
“The Public Security Bureau is looking for me? Are they trying to seek justice for the Wildfolk?”
A sneer curled at the corner of Zhou Ming’s lips.
However, since it was the Public Security Bureau of Qinghui Base that had arrived, Zhou Ming could not refuse to receive them. After all, aside from the City Defense Army, it ranked second among the Alliance’s violent organizations within Qinghui Base.
Leaving the Lake-center Small Building, Zhou Ming soon appeared at the entrance of the camp.
“So it’s Director Zhuo of the Inner City Public Security Bureau of Qinghui Base. May I ask what guidance brings you to this humble place?”
The Public Security Bureau had not sent many people to Three Mounds Ridge this time. Though only a few, they were all Professional Beast Tamers. The leader was none other than Zhuo Xiong, who had once suppressed the conflict between the Qi and Han Families.
“Zhou Ming, we’ve received information that several years ago two elders of the Qi Family were assassinated. In addition, you have established a human experimentation laboratory here. You need to come with us.”
The moment Zhou Ming heard Zhuo Xiong’s purpose, his eyes narrowed slightly, and a trace of killing intent began to spread in his heart.
“Director Zhuo, why would I assassinate elders of the Qi Family for no reason? As for human experimentation—since when has the Alliance passed a law caring about Wildfolk?”
“Besides, you have no evidence. And even if I did it, private disputes between Professional Beast Tamers are not under the Alliance’s jurisdiction.”
“I have not harmed the Alliance’s interests, nor have I done anything harmful to ordinary people. Don’t you think it’s rather naive to expect me to go with you?”
The current Zhou Ming was no longer the same Zhou Ming who had just arrived at Qinghui Base.
As long as there was no evidence that he had harmed the Alliance’s interests, even if Zhuo Xiong himself came as Director of the Inner City Public Security Bureau, he could do nothing to him.
“Zhou Ming, murdering two elders of the Qi Family undermines Alliance unity. At a time of foreign race invasion, that constitutes harming the Alliance’s interests.”
“As for whether your human experimentation used Wildfolk, that must be verified before you can be cleared of suspicion.”
Faced with Zhou Ming’s tough stance, Zhuo Xiong did not speak. Instead, a Professional Beast Tamer beside him began pinning charges onto Zhou Ming.
“Can you represent the Supreme Council? If you want to pin charges on me, first produce a resolution from the Supreme Council of the Alliance.”
“I don’t know which faction you represent. But if you dare to continue slandering me, none of you will be leaving here today. I’ll treat it as a private dispute.”
With the other party so openly framing him, Zhou Ming immediately guessed that someone intended to deal with him—and most likely from within the Alliance itself.
If the Dark Card Organization had discovered that the destruction of the Maple Leaf Ridge Stronghold was related to him, it would not be the Alliance officials coming to trouble him.
As for the Golden Flower Group, Zhou Ming did not believe they would ignore the Duanmu Family’s warning.
Even if they wanted revenge, they would not move so brazenly just one month after the Duanmu Family had spoken.
After a brief moment of thought, he faintly guessed it might be related to Lei Yuan.
Ten years after transmigrating to Blue Star, he had never opposed a faction for the sake of a woman. Was this the delayed program?
“How bold! You dare to publicly threaten Alliance officials. Such a villain should be immediately apprehended and brought to trial, stripped of his Alliance citizenship!”
Aside from Zhuo Xiong, who coldly observed, the others immediately summoned their beasts.
Seeing this, the aura within Zhou Ming erupted like a volcano, unleashing raging winds with overwhelming force that pressed toward them like collapsing mountains and surging seas.
Aside from Zhuo Xiong, the others consisted of two High-level Professional Beast Tamers and five Mid-level Professional Beast Tamers.
Yet, facing the aura radiating from Zhou Ming alone, the seven who had been preparing to act suddenly felt their hearts tremble.
They had never imagined Zhou Ming’s strength would be so terrifying. Alone against seven, yet not falling into a disadvantage in terms of presence.
“Abusing public power—don’t think I have no backing. At the very least, I can send today’s events straight to the Supreme Council of the Alliance.”
“With your arbitrary framing of a High-level Professional Beast Tamer of the Alliance, even if I were to kill all of you here today, the Alliance would find no grounds to punish me.”
He had eaten soft rice before; eating it once more did not matter. Zhou Ming even felt he had grown accustomed to it.
And if they truly came from within the Alliance, they would naturally understand what he meant.
With Lei Yuan’s backing, he indeed had the ability to send today’s matter to the Supreme Council of the Alliance.
After all, arbitrarily framing a Professional Beast Tamer was absolutely taboo within the Alliance.
Once unchecked, such acts would happen again. A split within the Alliance would not be impossible.
At the same time, several massive rocks on a distant cliff suddenly fell away, revealing multiple autocannons.
Equipped with specially-made armor-piercing heavy machine guns, even Professional Beast Tamers would not dare ignore them.
“You…”
Seeing Zhou Ming so fearless, the man who had spoken earlier suddenly found himself unable to step down. Just as the situation was about to spiral into the worst direction, the coldly observing Zhuo Xiong finally stepped forward.
“Since Zhou Ming is so confident, it seems someone has maliciously slandered him. Once I verify the matter, I shall personally come to apologize.”
Zhuo Xiong positioned himself between both sides, releasing a thick and steady aura to isolate the conflict.
“Zhuo Xiong, have you forgotten the orders from above?”
“As Director of the Inner City Public Security Bureau, I follow evidence.”
“If you wish to fight, wait until after I leave. As for what happens then, I will pretend not to have seen it.”
With that, Zhuo Xiong turned and left immediately, a trace of anger visible. It seemed he had been forced to come here in the first place.
Now that the situation had slipped beyond control, Zhuo Xiong decisively withdrew.
The others, seeing this, could only follow him away.
Only after they had left did Zhou Ming retract his aura.
“It seems I need to properly inquire about that girl’s situation at Alliance Headquarters.”