684: Chapter 684 Entering the Guard Division's Base

Ever since his subordinates reported that both Liam and Lu Dongni had confessed and revealed all the inside information, Rowan had shifted from his initial dizziness and desperate breakdown to a state of complete, heart-dead resignation.

He knew very well that with two core internal members turning against him and millions of words of ironclad evidence forming a closed loop, he, as the leader of the entire corruption ring, had long since had no way to escape or any tricks left. Any resistance, sophistry, or delay would be nothing more than a futile struggle.

Seeing Rowan so cooperative and calmly submitting to the law, Li Yang gave a slight nod in his heart and didn't say another unnecessary word.

He silently raised his hand and gave a light wave to the Soldiers beside him, signaling them to proceed with the arrest.

Truthfully, Li Yang found it quite easy to deal with fallen high-ranking officials like Rowan, who had completely recognized reality and directly accepted their fate.

People of this type usually wouldn't put up a last-ditch struggle or act unreasonably; during subsequent interrogations, evidence verification, and the filling in of internal details, they would be exceptionally straightforward and cooperative, saving a great deal of unnecessary trouble and conflict.

A Soldier stepped forward, took out standard-issue alloy handcuffs, and gently clicked them onto Rowan's wrists.

Without the slightest struggle, Rowan slowly stood up, followed the Soldier, and stepped out of this Speaker's office where he had held power over the region for many years.

...

Meanwhile, at the Xiapu Star Cluster Guard Division Station, the atmosphere was starkly different from that of the Administrative Center.

This military restricted zone, garrisoned by hundreds of thousands of regular troops and filled with armaments and fortifications, was currently shrouded by a massive fleet that had suddenly appeared in the starry sky.

Beneath the dark and deep starry sky, starship after starship lined up in neat combat formations, completely blockading the station's airspace.

The conspicuous Imperial Security Assurance Division insignia on the hulls were particularly striking under the starlight, looking completely different from the Guard Division's standard livery; the sense of pressure was overwhelming.

Inside the station's control towers, ship cabins, and ground outposts, countless Guard Division officers and Soldiers on duty looked up at the densely packed unfamiliar fleet, their faces filled with confusion and unease as low-voiced discussions rose and fell.

"Strange... the numbers and livery on those starships aren't in our Guard Division's sequence at all!"

"Not only that, even the models are elite military versions... they look like... Security Assurance Division units!"

"How did the Security Assurance Division end up at our station? This is a Galaxy defense restricted zone; without transfer orders and coordination requests, external fleets are strictly prohibited from approaching!"

"Shh... keep it down! Look at this display; they haven't come with good intentions. Could it be... they're really here to arrest someone?"

"Arrest our people? Who?"

"Who else? The Inspection Team has been investigating the people at the top lately. Did you forget that the General Commander and Deputy Commander have both been restless recently?"

For a moment, panic spread, and the officers and Soldiers looked tense. Yet, they didn't dare to act without authorization and could only stand by, their eyes fixed on the fleet that was closing in step by step in the starry sky.

Before the station could fully react, several starships had already scrambled into the air, forming a temporary interception line in front of the Security Assurance Division fleet in a state of high alert.

Almost at the same time, inside the Security Assurance Division flagship's Command Center, the central light screen suddenly lit up, connecting to the Guard Division station's emergency communication.

A solemn Guard Division officer with the rank of Major appeared on the screen. He sat bolt upright, his tone serious and carrying strong wariness and warning as he spoke in a deep voice.

"Attention! This is the Xiapu Star Cluster Guard Division's exclusive military restricted zone. You have led a fleet into our defensive airspace without notification, coordination orders, or approval, which is a violation of the Imperial Galaxy Defense Regulations! I order you to immediately identify yourselves, state your purpose, and withdraw from the station's vicinity; otherwise, we will treat this as an invasion and activate the station's highest defense protocols!"

The officer's voice was sonorous and his attitude firm. Clearly, he did not yet know that the case had already broken internally and that the entire high-level leadership was involved; he was still performing his defense duties according to regulations.

Facing the firm-looking Guard Division officer on the communication light screen, Xikufu's expression was cold and his tone solemn. Without beating around the bush, he directly stated the purpose of their visit.

"We are acting under the formal orders of the Imperial Central Thirty-Third Inspection Team. We have come to the Xiapu Star Cluster Guard Division Station to carry out a unified arrest mission for General Commander Kova, Deputy Commander Haran, and dozens of involved mid-to-high-level officers."

"This is the emergency arrest warrant and judicial verification documents issued by the Inspection Team. There is now sufficient evidence to prove that you are suspected of serious corruption, dereliction of duty, and harboring criminal groups. Please cooperate immediately and do not obstruct law enforcement actions!"

These words were like a clap of thunder, exploding in the ears of the Guard Division officer on the other side of the light screen.

He was stunned on the spot, the seriousness and wariness on his face instantly turning into utter shock and bewilderment. He was completely dazed, even doubting for a moment if he had misheard.

Arrest? Their Guard Division's General Commander, Deputy Commander, and a large group of core officers?

Those were the highest-ranking members of the entire Galaxy Cluster's armed forces, their direct superiors, and the Inspection Team had actually ordered their arrest?

This officer was merely a mid-level officer in charge of security; his rank was not high and his authority was limited. He had never seen such a massive upheaval that shook the entire Galaxy's military high command.

He instantly panicked. He didn't dare to directly oppose the Security Assurance Division, nor did he dare to take it upon himself to let them through, fearing that one wrong step would bring trouble upon himself.

He hurriedly squeezed out a panicked smile and waved his hand urgently.

"Everyone... everyone please wait a moment and calm down! This matter is of too high a level and is of great importance. I have no authority to make a decision and must immediately report to my superiors for instructions. Please give me a little time!"

After speaking, without waiting for a response, he hastily and temporarily cut off the communication, wanting only to quickly escape this massive trouble.

Meanwhile, deep within the Guard Division station, in the most strictly guarded General Commander's office, the atmosphere had already reached a breaking point of oppression.

General Commander Kova and Deputy Commander Haran sat side by side, their faces ashen and brows furrowed as they stared intently at the external surveillance light screen in front of them.

On the screen, the Security Assurance Division's starship formations in space were closing in from all sides, their dense silhouettes almost blockading the entire airspace. The fully armed troops could forcibly land at any moment.

The two men looked at each other, both seeing the heavy solemnity and unease in the other's eyes.

Haran was the first to lose his composure, his voice kept extremely low and carrying an irrepressible sense of panic and anxiety.

"Old Ko, what do we do now? They've brought their fleet right to our doorstep. It's clear they've come prepared; they must have an ironclad grip on the evidence..."

Kova's face was grim, his fists unconsciously tightening as a chill settled in his heart.

Looking at this display, it was no longer a simple inquiry or investigation.

With an entire elite fleet pressing down, it was clearly a thunderous net-closing operation that left no room for retreat.