Chapter 824: Report
Putting the injection away, Xu Huo walked out of the study only to find quite a crowd outside. A large number of aircraft were parked out front, with both Black Epaulets and White Epaulets present in full force. Ran Ying, acting as the leader, stood in the living room. She turned around upon hearing his footsteps and smiled. "Mr. Xu, we meet again."
Since leaving the ship last time, Xu Huo hadn't dealt with Ran Ying after returning to District 011.
Ran Ying had brought him, an outsider, onto the ship back then, and she must have known what would happen there. The superficial facade of "powerful figure" and "kept man" could no longer be maintained. However, she clearly felt neither guilt nor remorse, simply turning the page and adopting a normal work attitude.
Xu Huo glanced at the two robots behind her—Cheng Bing, the buzz-cut man Guo Yingguang he'd seen before, and the long-haired player responsible for interrogations—then walked down the stairs before saying, "Miss Ran is a rare guest. Please, have a seat."
"Mr. Dong, serve tea for Miss Ran and her colleagues."
"No need. I'm here on official business today." Ran Ying didn't sit down.
Xu Huo gave a slight smile. "Miss Ran is here to arrest me?"
"Not exactly..." Ran Ying paused, about to continue, but Xu Huo interrupted her first. "No rush then. Sit down and have some tea first. We can talk after."
"What's with the act?" a Black Epaulet behind her snorted coldly. "Only been in District 011 a few days, but you're adapting pretty well to the baron identity!"
The Black Epaulets who came with Ran Ying were clearly well-trained and showed no reaction to this remark, though the few White Epaulets present revealed impatient expressions.
Ran Ying didn't move, so naturally no one gave Xu Huo the face to sit down for tea. But Xu Huo clearly wasn't about to give the Enforcement Department that face either, sitting there waiting for Mr. Dong to serve tea.
Kitchen staff came and went, setting tea for everyone as he requested. No one drank it—that didn't matter. Xu Huo calmly savored his tea under the watch of dozens of eyes without any pressure.
"What kind of attitude is that!" The Black Epaulet who had spoken earlier strode forward, making as if to slam the table.
"Mind where you are." Xu Huo glanced at him.
The Black Epaulet's face filled with anger, but before he could speak, Ran Ying patted his shoulder from behind, signaling him to step back. She then sat down across from Xu Huo and picked up a cup of tea.
"Mr. Xu, someone has reported that you're sheltering a dangerous player skilled in pharmacology. We hope you'll cooperate with our investigation."
Xu Huo looked at the dozens of people blocking the entrance. "Bringing this many people, Miss Ran must have brought the government's authorization, right?"
For ordinary people, the Enforcement Department could search at will, but he now held noble status. Nobles were a special existence in District 011. Any matters involving nobles required the Enforcement Department to go through a special application process—at least on the surface, especially in this core city.
"I wouldn't have come without authorization." Ran Ying raised her hand, and the female robot behind her displayed the authorization.
The authorization was genuine, but it only permitted questioning. That is, the Enforcement Department could question Xu Huo but had no right to search Rose Castle or interrogate him.
Looking at the authorization, Xu Huo leaned back, folding his hands on his knees. "Supporting government work is every citizen's duty."
"I wonder what player the Enforcement Department is looking for? Do you have a photo?"
With Ran Ying's permission, the robot Cheng Bing played footage related to Dr. Deng—from his arrival in District 011, to finding work and joining Rongxin Group, and finally clips of him secretly visiting Rose Castle twice.
"The second time he entered Rose Castle, he never came out." Cheng Bing said. "And the first time, he stayed inside for quite a while."
Xu Huo withdrew his gaze and turned to Mr. Dong. "Do you remember this person?"
Mr. Dong nodded. "He came to see you twice, but you didn't have time to receive him."
There were no surveillance cameras in the castle. Even if there were, Mr. Dong, who controlled the castle, would have avoided them. So the Enforcement Department could only find footage of Dr. Deng coming to Rose Castle, not determine who received him.
"He's only been in District 011 a short time and has no connection with Mr. Xu. Why would he come to you multiple times?" Ran Ying asked.
"You should ask him that." Xu Huo gave a wry smile. "Or ask the person who reported it. Since they were watching him, they must know his purpose."
"We've been investigating this person for a while. His motives for entering Rongxin were impure. Using his identity as a pharmacology expert, he stole an important document. This document is of great significance to District 011. Since Mr. Xu plans to settle in District 011, you're also a member of this district. Harming District 011's interests does you no good." Ran Ying stared at him intently.
Xu Huo's expression didn't change at all. "As you say, I've already cooperated."
Hearing this, Ran Ying smiled instead. "Mr. Xu, cooperating with the Enforcement Department's investigation isn't just a matter of words. We need to use some special tools to verify whether what you're saying is true or false."
Xu Huo's expression darkened slightly. He didn't continue speaking, letting Mr. Dong take over instead.
This butler, who used ventriloquism and appeared refined and polite, stood nearby and said, "The authorization presented by the Enforcement Department only permits discussion with my master. If the Enforcement Department wishes to interrogate or use tools, specific approval from the government is required."
"Allow me to remind you all: my master is a baron of District 011, involved in multiple charitable projects with considerable donations. Lady Lily, on behalf of the noble charity organization, awarded my master a medal, which has been recognized by both the nobility and the government."
"To interrogate a noble with status and contributions, the Enforcement Department must go through a strict and rigorous application process. Without government authorization, forcibly detaining my master exceeds the Enforcement Department's authority, and the government will not permit it."
"District 011 has a complete legal system. As a law enforcement agency, the Enforcement Department is subject to even stricter regulations. After the fact, everyone here will face penalties including imprisonment or exile."
"Upon your arrival at the castle, I have already notified Lady Lily."
The Black Epaulets were well aware of what he said. But Dr. Deng's identity was too sensitive—even offending a duchess was worth it. Otherwise, Ran Ying wouldn't have brought so many people.
"I'll explain things to the Duchess later myself." She stood up, looking down at Xu Huo. "If you still want to return to District 011, I advise you not to resist. Once you use a ticket to escape, it means you're guilty of conspiring with others to steal secrets."
Two robots equipped with space restriction devices stepped forward. Xu Huo raised his finger slightly, about to stand up, when an aircraft sped over, charging straight into the castle courtyard. The Duchess, in ornate attire and heavy makeup, stepped out of the vehicle, coldly scanning Ran Ying and the others. "I know the Black Epaulets have been making a lot of noise lately, but I didn't expect you to be so swollen-headed as to disregard even the nobility. Given time, will you try to replace the nobility and the government as well?"
(Chapter End)