457: Self-proving trap, don’t you think it’s too coincidental?

The Human Alliance General Affairs Meeting Hall was not in the same building as the Alien Management Bureau.

Lin Yang had originally intended to meet Director Song Qingfeng for a brief chat before the report.

However, as soon as he arrived, he was instructed to go directly to the General Affairs Meeting Hall, and Lin Yang immediately understood something.

After leaving the Unknown Space, on his way back to the Alien Management Bureau, he had not received any communication or messages from Director Song Qingfeng or Xiaoquan Assistant.

He had also tried to contact them proactively but received no response.

Que Tian and the other four were in the same situation; they had not received any private communications.

It now seemed evident that due to the critical importance of the intelligence from the Unknown Space and the ruins, all relevant personnel had been instructed not to make any prior contact with them after they left the Unknown Space.

“They’re really being thorough,” Lin Yang muttered softly, exchanging a glance with Que Tian before stepping into the meeting hall.

Inside the meeting hall, there were no other real people.

There were only three video projections.

Yes.

Only three high-ranking officials had come to hear the mission report, and all of them were present via video projection; their actual selves did not appear.

Seeing this, Lin Yang was secretly astonished.

For such a formal meeting, to only use projections felt like watching a sci-fi blockbuster on Blue Star in the past.

Que Tian and the others seemed to be accustomed to this; they bowed slightly towards the projections, then stood still, appearing ready to receive instructions.

Lin Yang, after taking a couple more glances, followed Que Tian’s example and bowed, but he didn’t adopt the listening posture; instead, his gaze swept directly over the three projections.

One of the projections was Director Song Qingfeng’s, who nodded slightly at Lin Yang’s gaze.

The other two projections consisted of a very capable-looking middle-aged woman in a sky-blue business suit and a middle-aged man with somewhat sinister eyes.

The middle-aged man with sinister eyes snorted coldly when he saw Lin Yang directly observing him, seemingly very displeased with Lin Yang’s actions.

Seeing this, Lin Yang immediately understood the identities of these two people.

The capable middle-aged female executive was likely the representative of the Neutral Faction for this mission report, and as for that sinister-eyed guy, it goes without saying that he was from the Old Monster’s faction.

Three people, three projections, representing the three different factions currently existing within the Human Alliance.

Lin Yang subtly turned his head and winked at Que Tian.

Fortunately, Que Tian had previously informed him about the current situation within the Human Alliance, allowing him to quickly determine the identities of these two individuals without any other effective information.

This would be of no small help for the upcoming report.

At least, it would provide clarity on how to approach these two individuals.

Just as Lin Yang made his assessment, the projection of the middle-aged female executive from the Neutral Faction spoke:

“I am Kailuo; you may call me Director Kailuo. To my left is Councilor Zhai Lin, and to my right is Director Song Qingfeng, whom you are all familiar with. This mission report for your Fourth Team will be heard jointly by the three of us.”

“At the same time, all subsequent conversations will be recorded and preserved in real-time, and other councilors will also listen in through other means.”

“You must also ensure that there is no concealment or falsehood during the mission report; otherwise, you will be punished according to the relevant laws of the Human Alliance.”

“Now, our designated personnel will report in sequence. Do you have any objections? If so, you may raise them now.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Yang and the others exchanged glances and all shook their heads, indicating no objections.

“Very well then. Cai Fei, Yuan Hao, Ding Hui, according to the information you transmitted back, none of you participated in the destruction of the Mingye Clan’s human genetic recombination and modification base. The three of you only experienced the initial Stone Statue incident and the return rescue. Is this information entirely true, without any concealment?”

Director Kailuo directly called out names to inquire.

Cai Fei and the other two nodded simultaneously, and then Cai Fei once again reported in detail their experience from entering the Unknown Space, encountering the Stone Statue, being forced to separate from Lin Yang and Que Tian, and finally the rescue situation.

“So, none of you three reached the ruins, nor do you know anything about the interior of the ruins, is that correct?” Director Kailuo asked again.

“No, Director Kailuo, after the team leader and Que Tian came out, they briefly revealed a little about the situation inside the ruins. It was roughly a completely desolate star field,” Cai Fei said truthfully, glancing at Lin Yang.

This was also what Lin Yang had mentioned to them on the way: if they were to report the mission, they could truthfully report these details.

After all, if the three of them claimed to know absolutely nothing about the situation inside the ruins, it would certainly be abnormal.

As members of the same team, after the rescue, they would inevitably be curious, and Lin Yang and Que Tian would surely have told them a little about the situation inside the ruins.

So, they couldn’t say they knew absolutely nothing; that would seem too fake.

Upon hearing this, Director Kailuo nodded slightly: “Besides that, do you know anything more about the situation inside the ruins?”

“We don’t know anything else. Although we were curious, we also knew our limits and didn’t dare to ask too many questions,” Cai Fei answered steadily.

“You are all responsible for all the content reported above. If confirmed correct, then the three of you may proceed to sign the non-disclosure agreement.”

Director Kailuo evidently wasn’t very concerned about what Cai Fei and the other two knew. After a brief confirmation, she dismissed the three of them from the meeting hall.

As for the non-disclosure agreement, it naturally meant not revealing the situation inside the ruins to outsiders.

After Cai Fei and the other two left, the atmosphere in the meeting hall became truly serious.

Director Kailuo seemed to review some documents, then her gaze, full of pressure, fell upon Lin Yang and Que Tian:

“According to the intelligence you transmitted back, you two experienced all events completely. Now, please begin to truthfully report in detail the situation inside the ruins.”

As Director Kailuo’s words fell, Que Tian immediately spoke first: “Apologies, Director Kailuo, I think I need to clarify beforehand that I did not experience all events inside the ruins. Shortly after entering the ruins, I fainted due to being unable to withstand the power of that mysterious Stone Statue, and I only woke up upon leaving the ruins. Therefore, what I have to report is very simple.”

“I only saw the team leader use the power of the Stone Statue to destroy the Mingye Clan’s super base. I fainted when the Stone Statue first caused destruction to the Mingye Clan base.”

“Therefore, I have nothing else to report. The information I know about the situation inside the ruins is no more than what Cai Fei and the others know.”

Silence!

As Que Tian spoke, the already quiet meeting hall suddenly became so silent that a pin drop could be heard.

Director Kailuo’s gaze instantly became even more oppressive.

Councilor Zhai Lin’s eyes were filled with a dangerous glint, as he coldly stared at Que Tian.

Director Song Qingfeng also showed surprise.

Evidently, all three were greatly astonished by Que Tian’s answer.

“You actually fainted?”

After a brief silence, Director Kailuo spoke: “Que Tian, are you sure there is no concealment in what you said?”

“No!” Que Tian shook his head.

“Hmph, Que Tian, this Councilor warns you, the situation inside the ruins is of great importance. If you dare to conceal or lie, you better think carefully about the consequences!”

Councilor Zhai Lin instantly snorted coldly, threatening:

“The consequences of concealing mission information are not something you can bear!”

“This Councilor advises you to reorganize your words and report again!”

Que Tian merely smiled faintly at Councilor Zhai Lin’s threat: “Councilor Zhai Lin, I truly fainted the entire time. No matter how many times you ask me to reorganize my words and report again, I can only give this answer.”

“Que Tian, you’re asking for…” Councilor Zhai Lin instantly became furious, pointing at Que Tian, clearly intending to curse him out.

But the next moment, he seemed to realize what kind of occasion this was, so he immediately forced himself to regain composure, staring coldly at Que Tian, and said chillingly:

“Que Tian, mind your tone when speaking to this Councilor. Also, you say you fainted, and you just fainted? What evidence can you provide to prove it?”

Que Tian smiled faintly again:

“Firstly, Councilor Zhai Lin, I have not disrespected you. I have always used polite language in my conversations with you!”

“Secondly, Councilor Zhai Lin, you question the content of my report. I said I fainted, and you believe I did not faint and demand evidence from me. Then, Councilor Zhai Lin, what evidence do you have to prove that I did not faint?”

As soon as these words were spoken, Councilor Zhai Lin’s face instantly darkened, and even through the projection, one could see murderous intent in his eyes.

Lin Yang silently gave Que Tian a thumbs-up.

Que Tian’s rhetorical question was excellent.

Avoid the trap of self-incrimination!

Councilor Zhai Lin stared coldly at Que Tian for a long while, suppressing his anger and saying sharply:

“You fainted upon entering the ruins and woke up upon leaving them. Don’t you think the excuse you made up is too crude and too coincidental?”