64: Chapter 64 Tripartite Review: Not a Trial, But a Seizure of the Right to Define

"The Tripartite Review has been moved up."

"It starts tonight."

After these words fell, the atmosphere in the old classroom, which had just stabilized, tightened once again.

Chen Ye's first reaction was to look at the blackboard.

"Didn't they say within three days?"

"Can this be moved up too?"

Zhou Heng's face was cold, his voice very low.

"The Department of Education won't give us three days to prepare."

He had just hung up the phone with Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue, and he was now more sensitive to the Department of Education's procedures than anyone else.

Shen Tingxue looked at the teacher at the door.

"Where is Gu Changye?"

The teacher replied:

"Outside the Forbidden Building."

"He brought the Abyss Processing Bureau's containment boxes and the contamination detection team."

Qin Shanhe stood up.

"Let's go."

Teacher Xu Wenzhou also stood up from the testimony seat.

His face was still pale, but the silver-gray sealing line on his neck had faded significantly.

The testimony completeness displayed on the blackboard stopped at 68%.

Incomplete.

But at least it was enough to stand before the review table.

Lin Jin picked up the rule correction wrench, just about to put it away, when the blackboard suddenly wrote another line of text.

[Hint: During the Tripartite Review, all definitions may be contested again.]

[Please carry the Mutual Proof Contract records.]

The gray-gold marks on the four tabletops lit up simultaneously.

It was as if to remind them that the Mutual Proof Contract they had just established was not just for show.

Lin Jin raised his hand and pressed the Rule Maintenance Special Class badge on his chest.

"Let's go."

Outside the Forbidden Building, the night wind was cold.

Gu Changye stood below the steps.

He was still in his dark uniform, with the Abyss Processing Bureau's insignia on his shoulder straps, followed by six handlers.

Each person held a black containment box in their hand.

The surface of the boxes was plastered with yellow and black warning strips.

[Temporary Containment of Rule Contaminants]

[Risk Associated with No. 9 Forbidden Zone]

Seeing Lin Jin come out, Gu Changye's first sentence was not to ask about his injuries, nor to ask what happened in the Forbidden Building.

Instead, it was:

"You've provoked a big one again."

Chen Ye couldn't help but say:

"Captain Gu, this time we really didn't provoke it on purpose."

Gu Changye glanced at him.

"I know."

"That's why I came."

Lin Jin looked at those containment boxes.

"Why was the review moved up?"

Gu Changye's expression became serious.

"The Department of Education just submitted an emergency disposal application."

"The reason is that the main wreckage of No. 9 Forbidden Zone has already reverse-located you."

"They believe that if you remain in the academy, you will bring the risk of No. 9 Forbidden Zone into the real teaching area."

Shen Tingxue's voice was slightly cold.

"So they want to take Lin Jin away tonight?"

Gu Changye nodded.

"Originally, yes."

"But I used the Abyss Processing Bureau's authority to suppress that opinion."

"Associated objects of No. 9 Forbidden Zone cannot be taken away unilaterally by the Department of Education; the Abyss Processing Bureau must participate in the contamination assessment."

Chen Ye breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good then."

Gu Changye, however, shook his head.

"It's not good."

"This just changed 'immediate transfer' to 'immediate review'."

"If they can't take the person away, they will start by fighting for definitions."

Lin Jin's eyes flickered.

"Fighting for definitions?"

Gu Changye looked at him.

"The Tripartite Review is not a trial."

"It's more like re-establishing your file."

"Are you a new student of the academy, or a high-risk contamination source."

"Is the file in your hand a correction copy, or evidence of illegal theft of secrets."

"Is the rule correction wrench accident evidence, or regulatory asset."

"Once these definitions are written into the official review record, it will be very difficult to change them later."

As soon as these words were spoken, all four of them fell silent.

They had just experienced too many similar things in the Forbidden Building.

Patients.

Samples.

Illegal possession.

High-Risk Corrector.

Each definition seemed like just words.

But in this rule system, words can turn into chains.

Qin Shanhe said coldly:

"Who is the Department of Education sending?"

Gu Changye glanced at him.

"Inspector Han Su is on the way."

"There is also an online observer seat."

Qin Shanhe narrowed his eyes.

"Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue?"

"He is on the list."

Zhou Heng's face darkened instantly.

His fingers tightened slightly, and the Barrier Breaker Position badge on his chest lit up gently.

The Mutual Proof Contract seemed to sense his emotional fluctuations; although the tabletop marks were not in front of them, that faint gray-gold pull still emerged.

Lin Jin glanced at him.

"Stay steady."

Zhou Heng said coldly:

"I don't need you to remind me."

Lin Jin nodded.

"Fine."

"Then I won't remind you a second time."

Zhou Heng's face looked even worse, but he didn't refute.

Gu Changye swept his gaze over the four of them, his eyes pausing on the Rule Maintenance Special Class badges on their chests.

"Mutual Proof Contract?"

Lin Jin was somewhat surprised.

"You can tell?"

Gu Changye said:

"The Abyss Processing Bureau deals with contaminated identities, memory displacement, and rule replacement every day."

"This kind of contract is rare, but I recognize it."

"You are lucky."

"During tonight's review, it can help you block some divide-and-conquer tactics."

Chen Ye immediately asked:

"Then can we win?"

Gu Changye was silent for two seconds.

"Not necessarily."

Chen Ye: "..."

Gu Changye continued:

"But at least you won't lose as soon as you enter."

The review location was arranged in the academy's old conference hall.

Not the administration building.

Not the Forbidden Building either.

Instead, it was a small gray building between the two.

Gu Changye explained that this was to prevent any party from using venue rules to gain an advantage.

The academy's administration building favored the academy.

The Forbidden Building favored old accidents.

The Department of Education's remote seat favored procedural suppression.

The Abyss Processing Bureau requested a neutral venue.

The three-party formation had already been set up at the entrance of the old conference hall.

On the left was the Academy seat.

Qin Shanhe represented the Academy.

On the right was the Abyss Processing Bureau seat.

Gu Changye represented the Handling Bureau.

Directly in front was a silver-gray projection wall.

That would connect to the Department of Education's remote seat.

Lin Jin and the others sat in the middle.

Not the defendant's seat.

Nor the student seat.

Gu Changye had specially changed the name.

[Review Object and Mutual Proof Squad Seat]

Chen Ye saw the sign and whispered:

"Captain Gu is quite thorough."

Lin Jin nodded.

"He is helping us fight for the first layer of definition."

If the sign said [High-Risk Object Seat], then as soon as they sat down, they would have already lost a point.

If it said [Reviewee Seat], it would be the same.

Review Object and Mutual Proof Squad.

It at least acknowledges them as a whole, rather than individual targets waiting to be disposed of.

At eight o'clock in the evening sharp.

The projection wall lit up.

Inspector Han Su's figure appeared in the center.

He still had the same cold and hard expression from the day.

And beside him, another translucent image appeared.

The man was about forty years old, with a steady face, and his eyebrows and eyes were 30% similar to Zhou Heng's.

He was not wearing an inspector's uniform, but the black regular uniform of a senior official of the Department of Education.

The silver emblem on his chest was more complex than Han Su's.

Zhou Heng stared at that face, his breathing noticeably heavier for a moment.

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue.

Deputy Director of the Special Career Development Division of the Department of Education.

A Barrier Breaker Position of the Rule Maintenance Special Class twenty years ago.

An anomaly in File 104.

And also his second uncle.

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue's gaze first fell on Zhou Heng.

"Zhou Heng."

"If you withdraw now, it's not too late."

The conference hall fell silent for a moment.

This was the first blow of the opening.

Not against Lin Jin.

But against Zhou Heng.

Zhou Heng sneered.

"Before the review starts, you're already advising me to withdraw?"

"Second Uncle, are you in a rush?"

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue looked at him.

"I am giving you a chance."

Zhou Heng did not answer.

He raised his hand and pressed the badge on his chest.

The gray-gold Mutual Proof Contract lit up.

"I am participating in the review as a Barrier Breaker Position of the Rule Maintenance Special Class."

"Not as a younger member of the Zhou Family."

After saying this, a record was automatically generated on the review table.

[Zhou Heng confirms: Participating in mutual proof as a Barrier Breaker Position of the Rule Maintenance Special Class, does not accept being taken away by the family separately]

Gu Changye took a look and nodded.

"Record established."

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue's eyes finally turned a degree colder.

Lin Jin suddenly understood what Gu Changye meant by "won't lose as soon as you enter."

The Mutual Proof Contract helped Zhou Heng stabilize the first blow.

Inspector Han Su spoke.

"Since everyone is here, let's begin the review."

"First item."

"Confirm whether Lin Jin should be defined as a high-risk contamination associated object of No. 9 Forbidden Zone."

A document appeared on the projection wall.

[Basis 1: The main wreckage of No. 9 Forbidden Zone has completed reverse localization on Lin Jin]

[Basis 2: Lin Jin possesses a rule correction wrench]

[Basis 3: Lin Jin is blood-related to Lin Shoushan]

[Recommended Definition: High-Risk Contamination Associated Object]

Chen Ye's face darkened.

"Here we go again."

Shen Tingxue looked at Lin Jin.

Zhou Heng also looked over.

The Mutual Proof Contract was glowing faintly.

Lin Jin was not in a hurry to use the wrench.

He just placed the academy admission record, the Forbidden Building test evaluation, and the identity anchor badge on the table.

"I admit that No. 9 Forbidden Zone has located me."

"I admit that I possess a rule correction wrench."

"I admit that I am Lin Shoushan's son."

Inspector Han Su's eyes flickered.

He couldn't deny these three points.

It was better to admit the facts first.

And then dismantle the conclusion.

Lin Jin continued:

"But I do not admit that 'High-Risk Contamination Associated Object' can be derived from these three points."

"Because when No. 9 Forbidden Zone located me, it attempted to define me as a Second-generation Maintenance Sample successor."

"This definition has already been corrected and failed by me."

Gu Changye looked at him.

"Evidence."

Lin Jin took out the last page of the correction copy.

[Second-generation Maintenance Sample offspring confirmation: Failed]

[Lin Jin: Independent Correction Variable]

[Secondary localization: Interrupted]

After checking, Gu Changye said in a deep voice:

"The Abyss Processing Bureau confirms that the localization of No. 9 did not complete entity traction."

"Currently, only residual localization traces can be determined, which is insufficient to define a high-risk contamination source."

Inspector Han Su frowned.

"The contamination risk still exists."

Shen Tingxue suddenly spoke:

"The existence of risk does not mean the person is a contamination source."

She raised her hand, and frost condensed a medical building test data report on the table.

"Lin Jin's contamination erosion is 43%, and the academy identity anchor suppression is effective."

"Ward round marker is dormant."

"The localization trace of No. 9 is not activated."

"If one were to be transferred just because of existing risk, then everyone who has been to the Forbidden Zone should be defined as a contamination source."

Chen Ye immediately added:

"The Abyss Processing Bureau would have to arrest itself first."

Gu Changye glanced at him.

Chen Ye immediately shut his mouth.

But this sentence did indeed loosen the tense atmosphere in the conference hall for a moment.

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue finally spoke.

"Lin Jin is different from ordinary Forbidden Zone survivors."

"He possesses rule correction capabilities."

"Once this ability is contaminated, the harm is far higher than that of ordinary professionals."

Zhou Heng suddenly looked at him.

"So you listed him as a Second-generation Maintenance Sample three years ago?"

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue's eyes turned cold.

"Zhou Heng, now is not the time to talk about family matters."

"This is not a family matter."

Zhou Heng slammed the copy of the blackboard record on the table.

[Pre-awakening assessment of Lin Jin listed by the Department of Education as a Second-generation Maintenance Sample]

"This is testimony."

"It is also evidence that your Department of Education has long been defining Lin Jin as a project."

Lin Jin glanced at Zhou Heng.

This was the first time Zhou Heng had taken the initiative to speak up for him.

Although his tone was still very aggressive.

But the direction was right.

Gu Changye took the record and scanned it.

"Source of this testimony?"

Teacher Xu Wenzhou stood up from the side.

"Me."

Inspector Han Su frowned.

"Teacher Xu Wenzhou's testimony lacks completeness and does not have independent validity."

Lin Jin said calmly:

"So we didn't say it was independently effective."

"We said it is sufficient to prove that the Department of Education's definition of Lin Jin has a conflict of interest."

"Since the Department of Education once listed me as a Second-generation Maintenance Sample, the Department of Education's current recommendation to define me as a High-Risk Contamination Associated Object cannot be taken as a neutral conclusion."

As these words fell, the review record above the conference table paused for a second.

Then it was automatically written:

[Department of Education definition recommendation has project association, need to lower unilateral weight.]

Inspector Han Su's face finally changed.

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue's gaze also darkened.

Gu Changye looked up.

"For the first item, the Abyss Processing Bureau recommends defining him as: Residual localization associate of No. 9 Forbidden Zone, observed under academy supervision."

Qin Shanhe immediately followed up:

"The Academy accepts supervision and observation."

"But does not accept transfer."

The review record automatically summarized.

[First item tentative definition: Residual localization associate of No. 9 Forbidden Zone]

[Disposal recommendation: Academy supervision, Abyss Processing Bureau regular testing, Department of Education may not take him away unilaterally]

Chen Ye secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Lin Jin, however, did not relax.

Because the first item was just the beginning.

Inspector Han Su quickly opened the second document.

"Second item."

"Confirm the ownership of the rule correction wrench."

On the projection wall, the image of the rule correction wrench was magnified.

[Department of Education opinion: No. 9 Forbidden Zone project regulatory asset, should be transferred immediately.]

[Academy opinion: Old tool of the Rule Maintenance Special Class, should remain at the school for teaching supervision.]

[Abyss Processing Bureau opinion: High-risk rule tool, needs to be sealed for assessment.]

The three-party opinions truly conflicted for the first time.

Gu Changye also looked at Lin Jin.

"On this matter, I cannot side with you."

"The rule correction wrench is indeed dangerous."

Qin Shanhe's face also darkened.

Because this wrench was too critical.

If it was taken away by the Department of Education, the initiative Lin Jin had just regained would be reduced by more than half.

If it was sealed by the Abyss Processing Bureau, it would be safe in the short term, but the clue to the second wrench would also be broken.

If it remained at the academy, the Department of Education would not agree.

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue said calmly:

"There is no problem with the tool itself."

"The problem is the holder."

"Lin Jin just entered the academy, contamination erosion is 43%, and he has already been located by No. 9."

"He does not possess the stability to hold the rule correction wrench."

This sentence was hard to refute.

Because part of it was fact.

Lin Jin was indeed unstable.

The rule correction wrench would indeed increase the risk of No. 9 localization.

The conference hall fell silent.

Just at this moment, the rule correction wrench in Lin Jin's hand suddenly vibrated gently.

Not an attack.

Not an alarm.

But a new line of hints.

[Ownership dispute detected]

[Do you want to start the tool holding qualification self-test?]

[Hint: If self-test fails, the tool will be automatically sealed.]

Chen Ye saw that Lin Jin's expression was off and asked in a low voice:

"What's wrong?"

Lin Jin looked at the hint and slowly looked up.

"It wants to test me."

Inspector Han Su frowned.

"What?"

Lin Jin placed the rule correction wrench in the center of the conference table.

"Since you cannot agree on the ownership."

"Then let the tool verify it itself."

The rule correction wrench floated up.

The gray-gold light illuminated the conference hall.

The next second, the same question appeared in front of everyone.

[Holding qualification self-test initiated]

[Question: When a correct rule would harm someone you want to protect, would you still execute it?]

The conference hall went silent instantly.

Qin Shanhe's face changed.

Gu Changye also frowned.

Deputy Director Zhou Chengyue looked at the question, and for the first time, a trace of imperceptible anomaly appeared in the depths of his eyes.

And before Lin Jin's eyes, the Hand of Rules slowly popped up a hint.

[Warning: This question has no standard answer.]

[Your answer will determine whether the rule correction wrench continues to recognize you.]