408: The persistent investigation team

He changed the subject, a sharp glint in his eyes.

“I didn’t expect such a big fish to be hiding.”

“Then Secretary Li, what should we do?”

The Investigation Team’s duty was to focus on the major safety incident itself. If it was ultimately determined to be due to accidental factors like technical failure or operational error, they would issue a report according to procedure, and subsequent handling would be left to the relevant functional departments.

However, if issues like official corruption, which fell outside their jurisdiction, were uncovered, regulations stipulated that it must be transferred to a specialized Discipline Inspection and Supervision.

Now that Li Yang and Ou Ben had clearly pointed out the corruption clues behind the incident, this should have been the point of transfer, with Li Yang, the Secretary of the Disciplinary Committee and supervision director of This Galaxy Cluster, taking over the lead.

“Go back.”

Li Yang suddenly spoke, his voice low, uttering only two words.

“What do you mean?”

The Investigation Team Leader frowned slightly, clearly not following his line of thought.

“Are you saying… you want us to end the investigation and return now?”

They had come with a mission, and withdrawing before a thorough investigation was clearly illogical.

Li Yang tapped his fingertip on the light screen, bringing up a starship navigation record.

“When your Investigation Team entered This Galaxy Cluster, those hidden in the shadows probably already received the news and are watching our every move. Your arrival itself might have alerted them, causing them to tighten their tails and destroy evidence.”

He looked up at the Investigation Team members, his tone becoming more emphatic.

“But if you publicly announce that, after initial verification, the Kolos Planet incident was indeed an accident caused by equipment malfunction, and you return directly after completing the procedures according to regulations, those people will surely relax their vigilance, thinking the storm has passed, and will no longer deliberately hide.”

At this point, his gaze was as sharp as an eagle’s.

“By then, the rest will be handled by our Discipline Inspection and Supervision. We are familiar with the local connections and procedures, and we can take advantage of their relaxed guard to quietly set up a net and uproot this chain of corruption.”

The data on the light screen continued to flow silently, Li Yang’s plan clearly laid out before everyone.

To retreat in order to advance, to use the conclusion of “accident” to lull the opponents, and then launch a secret investigation with swift and decisive force.

The Investigation Team members exchanged glances, their confusion gradually fading.

“This is impossible!”

The Investigation Team Leader slammed his hand on the table, making the documents rustle loudly.

“The regulations clearly state that after a non-accidental incident, a thorough investigation must be conducted according to procedures. How can we falsely report the conclusion? This is a serious violation!”

The Deputy Leader also stood up immediately, his face ashen.

“The Leader is right! Not to mention that the red line of regulations cannot be crossed, just considering the issues involved behind this incident, since we have found clues, there is no reason to give up halfway!”

He deliberately emphasized the words “we,” his gaze sweeping over everyone present, carrying an undisguised persistence—everyone knew how important a merit such a case would be for the Investigation Team once it was thoroughly investigated, so how could they willingly hand it over to others?

Li Yang watched their agitated expressions, slowly stood up, and gently rubbed his fingertips along the edge of the table.

“I understand your concerns. Regulations and merits, neither can be taken lightly.”

He paused, his gaze deepening.

“But have you ever thought? The clues on the surface now are at most a few small fish. The real big fish have probably already heard the wind and are watching our every move. The longer you stay here, the more time they have to destroy evidence and weave their networks of connections. By the time you really start to investigate, all you will face is an impenetrable net.”

He walked to the window, looking at the starships shuttling outside, his voice lowering.

“Taking a step back now may seem like a concession, but it’s actually loosening their bonds—making them think the danger has passed, allowing those hidden in the shadows to breathe a sigh of relief and continue their activities. Only this way can we follow the cracks in their relaxed guard and uncover deeper clues.”

“As for regulations…”

Li Yang turned around, his eyes as sharp as knives.

“Once the real mastermind is caught, I will submit a report to the higher-ups in my personal name, taking full responsibility. But now, compared to rigidly adhering to rules, letting the truth sink into oblivion is the biggest dereliction of duty, isn’t it?”

“If we proceed with the normal investigation process, not to mention whether we can catch those people, the time and effort alone would be several times more than now.”

Li Yang’s voice was calm but carried an undeniable weight.

“Since those people dared to tamper, they must have been prepared long ago. Under layers of concealment, every step we advance will require dismantling a layer of deception. By the time we truly reach the core, we would probably have missed the best opportunity.”

“That being said—”

The Investigation Team Leader pushed up the glasses on his nose, a hint of stubbornness in his eyes behind the lenses, and his tone hardened.

“But regulations are regulations. If we end the investigation now on the grounds of ‘accident,’ and you later truly uncover a corrupt syndicate, what would our Investigation Team become? Accomplices who covered for them? By then, not only would we lose face, but the reputation of our department would also be affected, and our superiors would probably question our capabilities and stance.”

The Deputy Leader next to him also nodded in agreement.

“The Leader is right. We cannot bear the blame for dereliction of duty.”

Li Yang had anticipated their concerns, and he gently tapped the table twice with his fingertips, speaking slowly.

“You can rest assured about this. I will immediately draft a report, detailing the situation, and send it directly to the Virgo Supercluster Administrative Center, clearly stating that you are temporarily withdrawing from the overt investigation to assist us in collecting covert evidence, in order to cooperate with a deeper investigation. This way, you will not be ‘derelict,’ but rather participating in the case in a different way, and your contribution will naturally be recorded in the subsequent Merit Book (book of merits).”

He looked up at the two men, his gaze sincere.

“Ultimately, our goal is consistent: to thoroughly uncover the shady dealings behind this. The form is not important; what matters is getting things done, isn’t it?”

Despite Li Yang’s thorough analysis of the pros and cons, the Investigation Team members remained unmoved.

The Investigation Team Leader, at the forefront, pushed up his glasses, his tone firm.

“Secretary Li, we appreciate your good intentions. But investigation procedures have clear regulations, and we must participate throughout to ensure every step is open and transparent. Unauthorized withdrawal from the overt investigation does not comply with our work principles.”

Another Team Member added.

“Moreover, this case is far-reaching, and an extra force provides an extra layer of assurance. Our presence can at least offer clues from different angles; it’s better than you fighting alone.”

Li Yang looked at their taut profiles, understanding dawning in his heart.

They spoke of “procedures” and “principles,” but deep in their eyes, there was a hidden obsession with merit.