504: Nash's surrender?

The conference hall was so quiet you could hear the tense breathing of every person, each desperately trying to maintain a facade of composure, but only they knew their pant legs were already soaked with cold sweat, and their legs trembled like sieves.

Li Yang's tactic of 'beating the bush to scare the snake' was far more ruthless than directly naming names.

With a sword hanging over their heads, no one knew when it would fall; this torment was enough to crush the most stubborn sense of lucky.

"The meeting is adjourned; everyone return to your duties."

Li Yang dropped this sentence, stood up, and left. The sound of his boots on the carpet faded into the distance until the conference hall doors slowly closed, and only then did the oppressive aura begin to dissipate.

But the officials in the room remained frozen in place, as if their souls had been extracted.

After a long while, hushed discussions began to rise like a tide.

"This... what can we do?"

A stout official pulled out a handkerchief, haphazardly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, his voice trembling uncontrollably. He tugged at his colleague's sleeve.

"Are we really going to 'turn ourselves in'? That might mean losing this official uniform!"

The questioned official's face was pale, his fingertips leaving deep creases on the documents. He was silent for a long time before speaking with difficulty.

"Go... just go."

He swallowed, his voice extremely low.

"You've seen Speaker Li Yang's methods; he acted decisively on Bianlong Star, even daring to order 'direct execution.' Our matters, while not enough to lose our heads, might become serious if we wait for the Investigation Team to come knocking. By then, we won't even have a chance to negotiate."

He paused, a hint of lingering fear flashing in his eyes.

"If we turn ourselves in, at most it's dismissal and investigation. With good luck, we might even keep our positions. It's better than waiting until they investigate and we're truly charged with a 'serious offense,' not even leaving a complete corpse."

"Sigh, it can only be this way..."

The stout official sighed heavily, crumpling the handkerchief into a ball, his face filled with regret.

There were many officials like them, quick-witted and planning to confess voluntarily.

Many exchanged glances, seeing the same decision in each other's eyes.

Before Li Yang's sharp blade, that little bit of hope was too fragile.

But in a few corners, some still gritted their teeth, refusing to budge.

A tall, thin official clenched his fists and whispered to his confidant beside him.

"Why panic? How long has he been here? The Longlan Star Cluster's deep-rooted complexities aren't something he can just clear up. The people behind us might not sit idly by."

The confidant's eyes flickered, and he hesitated.

"But... but he has troops..."

"So what if he has troops?"

The tall, thin man snorted coldly, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

"If he really pushes us too hard and things get out of hand, no one will have an easy time."

The people in the conference hall gradually dispersed. Some walked with heavy steps toward Li Yang's office, while others left quickly with dark expressions, each making different choices... After the meeting, Li Yang was guided by a Staff member to the Speaker's office.

Upon entering, he was greeted by a spacious and bright room. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows was a panoramic star map of the Longlan Star Cluster, and the walls bore star emblems symbolizing power. The air was filled with a faint scent of cedarwood.

Li Yang slowly walked to the desk and sat down, his fingertips tracing the cool surface of the desk, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Compared to Speaker Ou Ben's office, which was piled high with documents, this one undoubtedly suited his style more.

He was reviewing the data on his terminal when a knock suddenly sounded.

"Come in."

Li Yang looked up, already having some premonition. After the warning he gave at the meeting, someone was bound to step forward first.

The door opened, and Nash's figure appeared in the doorway.

He wore a crisp uniform, but it couldn't hide the unease in his brows; his usual composed demeanor was completely gone.

The smile on Li Yang's face instantly receded, and a genuine flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

"Secretary Nash?"

He put down the terminal in his hand and leaned slightly forward.

"Is there any other official business that needs to be discussed?"

Nash took a deep breath, took two steps forward, and stopped in front of the desk, his voice strained and difficult.

"Speaker Li Yang... I've come to... turn myself in."

"Turn yourself in?"

Li Yang's fingertips paused. He really hadn't expected him to be the first to step forward.

Nash had been immersed in the administrative system for many years. According to the material, he had always served as the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission. Had he also gotten involved in the murky waters of Bianlong Star?

He subtly observed the other party's pale face and clenched fists, then slowly said.

"You were also involved in the Bianlong Star affair?"

Nash's shoulders imperceptibly slumped. He nodded, his voice as low as a mosquito's buzz.

"Yes... I..."

Li Yang did not immediately press for details. He simply tapped his fingertips lightly on the desk. The only sound in the office was that rhythmic tapping, like a countdown drumbeat for this sudden confession.

"Speak."

Li Yang leaned back in his chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the desktop, his gaze calmly fixed on Nash's face.

As the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of the Longlan Star Cluster, to actually admit to participating in smuggling, the intricacies involved were clearly not simple.

Nash's Adam's apple bobbed. It seemed he had made a huge decision, and his voice was somewhat dry.

"I did indeed assist with the smuggling on Bianlong Star. The previous Speaker and Vice Speaker fell into it because I arranged the connections. First, I leaked some 'reliable' smuggling channels, enticing them to taste the sweetness. Once they were deeply entangled, I would then use solid evidence to initiate an investigation in the name of the Discipline Inspection Commission."

He paused, lowering his gaze.

"You know the final punishment; it was merely a demotion and transfer. After all, I left them some leeway and didn't let the smuggling amount reach the 'death penalty line.'"

"Heh."

Li Yang's eyebrow arched slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He hadn't expected that the downfall of the previous two was actually a scheme orchestrated by this Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

His fingertips stopped on the desk, and he changed the subject.

"Since you were also involved, why couldn't they trace it back to you? With the Speaker's authority, there might have been ways to investigate a Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission."

Nash gave a bitter smile and explained.

"I never personally got involved. I merely tacitly allowed my subordinates to use my name to facilitate connections, and I never accepted any 'tributes' that were offered. The most they could find was a certain Staff member mentioning 'being hinted at by Secretary Nash,' but there was no evidence to prove my direct involvement. I never signed off on anything, nor did I receive a single cent of ill-gotten gains."

He looked up at Li Yang, his tone carrying a touch of helpless shrewdness.

"The identity of the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission is inherently the best protective charm. Even if they suspected me, without irrefutable evidence, who would dare touch me?"

After listening, Li Yang couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This method was indeed clean.

Not touching money, not showing his face, only fanning the flames from behind the scenes, even if the truth came out later, he could completely distance himself. Most people would probably be fooled by him; even he himself, at least before the meeting, hadn't suspected that this Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission would be involved.