"We suspect you of treason and collusion, and selling intelligence. Come with us."
Several men in Black Star uniforms surrounded a middle-aged man with a receding hairline at his workstation.
The man was silent for a moment, then suddenly lunged, attempting to stab one of the uniformed men with an electromagnetic dagger.
However, he was quickly subdued and dragged away after being knocked unconscious.
This was the third person taken away this week.
Fu Yafang sat at her corner workstation, filled with unease.
After the Ninth Bureau was attacked by Guya and Miracle, the Black Star Empire had tightened its intelligence security protocols.
Subsequently, military actions against the Black Star Empire erupted worldwide, and the Military Intelligence Department was severely understaffed.
Fu Yafang was inadvertently transferred to the Military Intelligence Department.
The period of stability was short-lived, as the department began an internal investigation of its members.
Although Fu Yafang had no negative records, she couldn't be sure what the all-seeing Military Intelligence Department might uncover.
"Hey, what are you spacing out for? It's not you who was arrested, just focus on your own work."
A voice came from behind her. It was her "best friend."
Her name was Lei Xi Bing Chang, a newly developed friend of Fu Yafang's, used to conceal her identity.
In the Military Intelligence Department, not having friends could easily lead to being targeted by colleagues.
After a long period of observation, Fu Yafang had ascertained Bing Chang's background; she was also a foreign agent.
Given the current grave situation, Fu Yafang felt she had to find a way to eliminate this "best friend" to protect herself.
"Why are there so many spies in our department?" Fu Yafang asked casually. "Is it because we can't access core secrets, so the vetting is relatively simpler, attracting so many?"
Bing Chang quickly covered Fu Yafang's mouth and whispered, "Don't talk nonsense, or we'll both be taken away. I heard that many of the people arrested were long-term employees who weren't colluding. Ever since we evacuated the capital city, the Military Intelligence Department has arrested many people."
Fu Yafang nodded, but her mind was already plotting how to eliminate this friend who had just warned her.
Two weeks ago, after Black Star Mountain was invaded by Guya,
Everyone in the Black Star Tower was secretly relocated overnight to the deeper parts of the Black Star Mountain range.
Here stood an underground fortress, even grander than the Black Star Tower, capable of housing all employees with ample space to spare.
The Black Star Mountains had replaced the Black Star Tower as the central territory of the Black Star Empire.
Hundreds of thousands of Black Star mechs were ambushed within the mountain range.
Giant mechs were a common sight,
And squadrons of sentinel mechs constantly patrolled the skies on reconnaissance missions.
The entire area, both above and below ground, was bustling with activity.
Bing Chang couldn't help but add, "Hey, here's some secret news for you: the Grand Commander's daughter-in-law is also a foreign spy. She was arrested last night."
"Ah? Is that true! How rampant!" Fu Yafang exclaimed.
Bing Chang nodded and said, "It should be true. I also heard that foreign spies have infiltrated our country's ruling bodies at all levels. It sounds terrifying!"
Fu Yafang nodded thoughtfully and said, "Then we really should investigate thoroughly. The more we investigate, the more beneficial it will be for our country. Here are the documents I've finished compiling. Could you please take them to the leadership for me, Bing Chang sister? Heh heh!"
Bing Chang nudged Fu Yafang and said with a laugh, "Dai Lian sister, you're really addicted to being lazy, always making me deliver them! You should show yourself more to the leadership."
Then, Bing Chang lowered her voice and said tentatively, "You're so low-key, you're not a spy, are you?"
"Go, go, go! Sister, stop joking!" Fu Yafang laughed. "You know I don't like to get involved in the hustle and bustle."
Bing Chang smiled sweetly. "Yes, yes, beautiful Dai Lian remains untainted by the mud. I'm off!"
The moment Bing Chang left, Fu Yafang followed close behind.
In a dark, narrow corridor used for storing miscellaneous items,
Bing Chang cautiously looked back for a moment, took out the documents Fu Yafang had compiled, and recorded each one with a miniature holographic camera.
Unbeknownst to her, a few meters away, Fu Yafang hid in the shadows, also recording her "evidence."
During the lunch break,
Several men in uniform escorted Bing Chang away.
As they passed Fu Yafang's workstation, Bing Chang cast a look of despair and contempt at her.
Fu Yafang couldn't help it; for the sake of the mission and self-preservation, she had no choice but to sacrifice others.
In the afternoon,
Fu Yafang, who was working, was approached by several men in uniform.
"Fang Yue Dai Lian, someone has reported you for seeking illegal benefits through your position. Come with us."
Fu Yafang calmly stood up, walked out of her workstation, and left the office with the men.
"Seeking illegal benefits through one's position..."
As soon as Fu Yafang heard this, she knew Bing Chang must have retaliated, smearing her name.
Since the military couldn't find any evidence of Fu Yafang's collusion with the enemy, they fabricated a pretext to bring her in for questioning.
"It should be fine," Fu Yafang reassured herself.
Upon arriving at the interrogation room, Fu Yafang sat down calmly. She wasn't even handcuffed, which further solidified her belief.
Shortly after, a man and a woman entered the interrogation room, sat down, and smiled kindly. "Don't be nervous. You were instrumental in reporting Lei Xi Bing Chang, and she falsely accused you. To ensure the rigor of our work, we brought you in for questioning."
Fu Yafang naturally agreed, saying softly, "I... I also suspected... because Bing Chang was always very enthusiastic towards me and often helped deliver my documents. And my documents happened to involve military secrets. So... so I..."
The woman smiled kindly. "We have already investigated and confirmed that what you said is true."
Suddenly, the door to the interrogation room was pushed open.
A burly young man strode in.
His presence made everyone in the small interrogation room feel as if a mountain had descended upon them.
A powerful and cold aura emanated unrestrainedly from the man, making those around him struggle to breathe.
The male and female interrogators immediately stood up, trembling, and spoke in hushed tones, "Your Excellency Lai Jing..."
Upon hearing the name "Lai Jing," Fu Yafang instantly tensed up, lowered her head, and remained silent.
The man named Lai Jing scanned the three of them, his gaze finally settling on the well-built and beautiful Fu Yafang.
"What offense has she committed?" Lai Jing asked in a commanding voice.
The male interrogator explained, "Fang Yue Dai Lian successfully reported an enemy spy, but the latter falsely accused her. We are bringing her in for routine questioning..."
"Fang Yue Dai Lian..." Lai Jing repeated the name and then said, "Continue."
He then turned and left.
All three simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.
The male interrogator lost all interest in interrogating Fu Yafang and chased after him.
The female interrogator wiped the sweat from her brow and remarked, "I truly admire Lai Jing Feng Gong's ex-wife. To have lived with such a person for so long before exposing him, I wouldn't have lasted a day."
Fu Yafang then realized that the person who had just entered was Lai Jing Fa Nan's eldest son, Lai Jing Feng Gong, who was highly likely to become the next Grand Commander of Black Star.
No wonder he exuded such an imposing presence!
Fu Yafang asked tremblingly, "Why did the eldest son of Lai Jing come here?"
The female interrogator replied, "Why else? Our Military Intelligence Department is the most infiltrated department by foreign powers. His ex-wife was just arrested, and now is a critical time for the nation. He must show his dedication to the Grand Commander to avoid disappointing him."
"Therefore, he voluntarily transferred to the Military Intelligence Department to strictly investigate all acts of collusion! Alright, alright, hurry back to work! They might create trouble for you even if there's none!"
Fu Yafang was ushered out of the room by the female interrogator.
On the way back to the office, the painful screams echoing through the corridor made it difficult for Fu Yafang to concentrate.
A nearby door opened, and two uniformed men dragged out a woman in tattered clothing.
It was Bing Chang, who, after just a few hours, had been tortured to the brink of death, battered and bruised.
Fu Yafang sidestepped to avoid them, her heart devoid of any pity.
Suddenly, a cold gaze shot out from the interrogation room, making Fu Yafang shiver.
Inside the interrogation room, Lai Jing Feng Gong sat in the chief interrogator's seat, his eyelids half-closed, staring intently at Fu Yafang.
Fu Yafang bowed her head slightly towards him and quickly walked away.
"Lai Jing Feng Gong..."
Fu Yafang murmured to herself,
"Gather as much information on him as possible, analyze his personality, and utilize it..."