91: Chapter 91 The Infernal Affairs of the Nest City

Knife Cheng was hooded with a black mask and escorted all the way to the dungeon of the Security Forces branch.

Security Officer Cheng Yu had already brewed a pot of good tea and had been waiting there for a long time.

The hood was ripped off, and the intense incandescent light made it impossible for Knife Cheng to open his eyes for a moment.

"Knife, drink some hot water to moisten your throat first," Security Officer Cheng Yu said with a smile.

"Come on, boss, you call me back like this every time; hey, this time was really dangerous. That guy with the gold-rimmed glasses was so strong, I almost touched that jade. You afraid I'll turn into a 'Titan Flower'?"

Knife Cheng complained while gulping down two cups of tea.

"I called you back because there's a big case, of course," Security Officer Cheng Yu smiled. "A chance for a great achievement!"

"Pfft!" Knife Cheng scoffed disdainfully. "No matter how big the achievement, you're the one getting the award. With a salary of a few tens of thousands a month, you want me to risk my life?"

"So, are you going to do it or not?" Security Officer Cheng Yu had already slammed the case file onto the table.

"I'm a soldier earning my keep, so of course I'll do it. Give me a raise, boss!"

Knife Cheng bypassed the file folder, but the contents inside left him dumbfounded.

Zachary, the First Secretary of the Necron Embassy, had colluded with two of Clone No. 3's trusted subordinates, intending to overthrow Governor Ducalia's rule over the Liu Fei Planet.

The method was to directly assassinate Governor Ducalia and his wife to create a fait accompli, and they had even already selected a candidate to replace Governor Ducalia.

No matter how Cheng Yu chose, they would ultimately select the person they recommended.

"Th-th-this... doesn't Cheng Yu know?" Cold sweat broke out on Knife Cheng's forehead. He had thought he was just doing his daily anti-smuggling checks. If he had known... actually, turning into a girl and getting married wouldn't have been so bad.

"Nothing can be hidden from the original," the Security Officer lit a cigar and took a satisfying puff. "Cheng Yu isn't intervening, which means he can accept any outcome."

"The Emperor has the entire universe in his heart. Governor Ducalia played a significant role during the founding of the Empire, but now she is no longer that important. Whether she lives or dies, Cheng Yu simply couldn't be bothered to care."

Knife Cheng calmed down slightly. "Then what is our stance on this?"

"Thirteen Offices will naturally handle whether Governor Ducalia lives or dies. However, find a way to track the whereabouts of those two subordinates of Clone No. 3; he wants to clean up his own house."

"Fine, how am I supposed to make contact with those two?"

"Once you get to the detention center, someone will make arrangements for you." Security Officer Cheng Yu tapped the table. "Take Knife Cheng away!"

...

"Yucai" Hive City, Upper Hive commercial district.

The things sold here aren't necessarily better than those at the Mid-Hive docks, but they are definitely more expensive.

Furthermore, in the Upper Hive, you almost never see Security Officer Cheng Yu. The dignitaries here dislike the cops even more than the gang members do.

Clone No. 3 was shopping in a high-end fruit store in the commercial district, accompanied by his favorite concubine, Victoria Dukaria.

Someone of his status certainly doesn't need to buy groceries or cook for himself; he was simply accompanying Victoria to enjoy this "romantic feeling of being a couple."

"Third Master, try this."

Victoria peeled a grape and was about to feed it into Clone No. 3's mouth... his smart dentures could taste richer flavor substances, even more accurately than a liquid chromatograph.

Just then, a shop assistant—a Cheng Yus Clones—who was taking oranges out of a paper bag nearby, suddenly pulled out a micro-submachine gun.

Several couples nearby who were pretending to shop for fruit also suddenly drew weapons and fired wildly in the direction of Clone No. 3.

"Rat-tat-tat!! Rat-tat-tat!!"

Clone No. 3 and Victoria fell into a pool of blood.

"Old man, you deserve to die too!" The Cheng Yus Clones who was taking out the oranges fired another burst of bullets at the two, then signaled for everyone to retreat.

Round oranges scattered all over the floor... News of the assassination of Imperial Baron and "Jinmen" Group leader Clone No. 3 hit the trending topics an hour later.

The Security Forces and the secret agents of Thirteen Offices reacted extremely quickly. By the time most people were still reading the news, they had already detained all the executives of the "Jinmen" Group.

Fortunately, Clone No. 3 had undergone very thorough physical modifications, so a single volley was not enough to kill him on the spot. He had already been sent into a stasis field to save his life.

As for Victoria, she didn't even receive a fatal wound because the assassins used ordinary firearms, which could not penetrate the strong body of an Eldar; it just looked bloody and miserable.

As the most serious criminal case since the founding of the Empire, this heavy burden once again had to be carried by the Nine Gates Commander, Drake. No one else was stupid; no one wanted to take this case.

"How would I know who the murderer is?"

Drake was on the verge of a breakdown. He was recently busy organizing his sister's wedding and had to take care of his father, who had suffered a stroke. He was already under immense emotional pressure. This, this, this... what is going on every single day?!

Fortunately, he still had Advisor Cheng Yu, otherwise Drake himself might have had the thought of feminizing and getting married.

Being a man is so hard, so tiring. If this case isn't handled well, I'm afraid the next one buying oranges will be me!

Advisor Cheng Yu stroked his beard and fell into deep thought.

On the surface, Victoria Dukaria was the most suspicious. The assassins clearly didn't want to kill her, which is why they used ordinary firearms.

But if Clone No. 3 died, could Victoria inherit the "Jinmen" Group?

Obviously not. Victoria was just one of Clone No. 3's more favored concubines and had never participated in the group's business operations.

After Clone No. 3 died, she would just be a pretty widow; she couldn't inherit a damn thing.

"The murderer can only be one of Clone No. 3's two trusted subordinates. Only they have the possibility of inheriting Clone No. 3's assets. Whoever is the biggest beneficiary is the murderer," Advisor Cheng Yu judged.

When Clone No. 3 was buying his noble title, he had purchased three Baron titles in total—one for himself and one for each of his two trusted subordinates.

One of them was called "Three-Hand" Cheng Yu, because he had drunk water from Warp, which caused a physical mutation, giving him one more arm than a normal Cheng Yu.

There was another one called "Betel Nut Teeth" Cheng Yu. This Cheng Yus Clones loved chewing betel nuts soaked in lime water and had to change into a brand-new set of dentures every month.

Because these two men held Baron titles, they could not be subjected to torture. They were currently being politely interrogated by secret agents in the dungeon of Thirteen Offices.

"Why not leave it to the Emperor to decide?" Drake asked.

"The Emperor couldn't be bothered with such trivial matters. Now, the various expeditionary forces capture an average of one planet a day; such a report wouldn't get a response even if it were written up," Advisor Cheng Yu advised.