674: Chapter 674 Solo Interrogation

Lu Dongni subconsciously pointed at himself and asked blankly.

"Then what about me?"

"comrade Lu Dongni, your interview room is on the other side of the hallway. Please follow me."

The officer replied expressionlessly.

Individual talks? Separate interrogations?

These six words were like a thunderclap, exploding in the hearts of Liam and Lu Dongni.

The two suddenly looked at each other, seeing the exact same panic and unease in each other's eyes.

If it were truly just a matter of accountability for dereliction of duty, the two of them could have been questioned together to explain in person and corroborate each other's stories.

But the Inspection Team insisted on separating them completely for individual interrogations. What did this mean?

It meant that the Inspection Team wasn't just following the standard procedure for accountability, but had planned this all along!

It meant the Inspection Team likely already possessed some kind of clue and was using a "divide and conquer" strategy to incite mutual suspicion and break through their psychological defenses!

In an instant, the composure they had barely maintained completely collapsed, and a piercing chill rushed from the soles of their feet to the tops of their heads.

Liam's expression instantly became even uglier, and his clenched fists trembled slightly.

Lu Dongni's legs went weak, the last bit of luck in his eyes vanished, leaving only undisguised fear.

They finally realized.

From the very beginning, the Inspection Team hadn't intended to only investigate the crime of dereliction of duty, but was coming for the numerous felonies stained with corruption on their bodies.

Before Lu Dongni could recover from the panic of "separate interrogations," two Soldiers from the Security Assurance Division stepped forward and quietly led him to the other side of the hallway.

Liam watched his companion being led away, his heart turning cold. However, he was powerless to resist and could only force himself to stay calm as he pushed open the door to the interview room in front of him.

The door closed softly behind him, cutting off all external sounds, leaving only an oppressive silence in the enclosed space.

The room was simply furnished, with a long table across the center. The light shone down from above, appearing exceptionally bright and piercing.

Sa Deli was sitting behind the table, his expression solemn and his gaze sharp, exuding the Inspection Team's unique majestic aura.

Seeing Liam enter, he slowly stood up and motioned toward the empty seat in front of the table.

"comrade Liam, no need to be nervous. Please, have a seat."

Liam pursed his lips slightly and made no sound. With heavy steps, he walked to the designated chair and slowly sat down.

His back was ramrod straight, his hands unconsciously placed on his knees, and his eyes met Sa Deli's scrutinizing gaze. Every second felt like an excruciating ordeal.

Meanwhile, in the independent interview room at the other end of the hallway, another interrogation had already begun.

Lu Dongni was led into the room by the Soldiers. When he looked up and saw the person sitting in the main seat, his face turned deathly pale, and even his breathing hitched for a moment.

Sitting before him was not an ordinary Inspection Team staff member, nor was it Deputy Head Sa Deli, but the highest person in charge of The 33rd Inspection Team—Li Yang!

It was that impartial Li Yang who made all corrupt officials tremble with fear.

Lu Dongni's heart instantly began to pound wildly, and an ominous premonition, like cold vines, tightly gripped his entire body.

"comrade Lu Dongni, sit."

Li Yang didn't even intend to stand up. He just calmly looked up at him, his tone flat and emotionless, yet carrying an irresistible pressure.

His fingertips tapped lightly on the table, his gaze as calm as water. But the more expressionless he was, the more Lu Dongni felt his skin crawl, as if all his secrets had been seen through at a glance.

By now, no matter how afraid Lu Dongni was, there was no way out.

His legs trembled slightly as he forced himself to stay calm, moving step by step to the chair, sitting down properly and cautiously, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Li Yang watched him settle in before slowly speaking, his voice steady yet every word hitting Lu Dongni's heart.

"comrade Lu Dongni, I didn't call you here today for anything else. I just wanted to hear you, the supervision director, personally talk about your views on the landslide-style corruption from top to bottom, with so many officials in the Xiapu Star Cluster being exposed for serious violations of law and discipline in such a short time."

One sentence directly struck the most fatal core.

Lu Dongni felt his whole body tighten at Li Yang's question. A layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead as he stammered, trying to brush it off.

"Uh... this matter, this matter happened too suddenly. I myself am also very shocked and distressed. The internal disciplinary supervision and daily checks within the Galaxy Cluster are generally led and handled by the Discipline Inspection Commission. My side focuses on administrative supervision, and I really didn't notice such deep-seated problems normally... B-but I also understand that with something this big happening, as the supervision director, I certainly bear an inescapable leadership responsibility."

He deliberately spoke ambiguously, pushing the main responsibility onto the Discipline Inspection Commission while lightheartedly admitting he "had responsibility," trying to characterize the issue as dereliction of duty and malfeasance rather than participation in corruption, shielding, and connivance.

But after hearing this, Li Yang only gave a cold laugh, his eyes sharp as knives, having no intention of letting him off.

"Merely 'having responsibility'?"

Li Yang's voice slowed down, but it carried a bone-chilling pressure.

"In the entire Xiapu Star Cluster, hundreds of mid-to-lower-level officials were caught at once; it has rotted into a complete den of thieves. For so many years, from top to bottom, with such deep-rooted and rampant corruption, do you dare say your supervision System and the Discipline Inspection Commission were completely unaware and clean from beginning to end?"

Having said this, Li Yang deliberately paused and didn't continue. He just placed his fingers lightly on the table and tapped it rhythmically, one after another.

"Tap... tap... tap..."

The dull and regular tapping sound was exceptionally clear in the quiet interview room, each one sounding like it was knocking on Lu Dongni's heart.

His face instantly turned pale, his heart pounded uncontrollably, and his mind roared wildly.

Why did he say that? Does he know something? Could it be... our affairs have been completely exposed?

Countless thoughts raced through his mind, making his hands and feet cold, and he almost couldn't control the panic on his face.

Lu Dongni opened his mouth, wanting to make up more excuses and argue forcefully, but Li Yang didn't give him any chance to continue his sophistry. Without even turning his head, he called out calmly toward the door.

"Come in."

As soon as he finished speaking, the door to the interview room was pushed open softly.

Two solemn-looking investigators wearing the Inspection Team's standard uniforms walked in, carrying electronic recording tablets and audio recording equipment.