Lan Bing glanced at Black Shadow, who was sitting beside her. Seeing that Black Shadow had nothing to ask, she slowly opened her mouth and said, "Councilor Hou, how many years have you worked in Heaven's Pulse City?"
Hearing Lan Bing's question, Councilor Hou slowly replied, "Thirteen years."
Lan Bing nodded and coldly said, "That coincides perfectly with the Golden Sparrow Flower incident, doesn't it?"
Hearing Lan Bing's leading tone, Councilor Hou's face became even more sullen. He said in a deep voice, "I dare say I've been faithful to the federation, to Xida State! Every promotion I've earned has come from my diligent work, my accumulated achievements, without any aid from some semi-divine power!"
"Although I have many faults and public opinion of me isn't great, you can question my morals, my character, but you cannot question my ability, my loyalty!"
Listening to Councilor Hou, Lan Bing didn't say anything. In her over twenty years of work at the Security Bureau, she'd seen many people who spoke righteously during their trials, who swore on their own lives and that of their families. But experience proved that these were all useless. This world has no retribution, or rather, those capable of certain acts do not fear retribution!
So now, Lan Bing only looked at results, at evidence.
Listening to Councilor Hou, Lan Bing's expression did not waver. She looked at Councilor Hou expressionlessly and then continued to ask, "I heard that not long ago Councilor Huang and Councilor Xu visited Heaven's Pulse City?"
At this topic, Councilor Hou's cheeks twitched. He nodded.
Lan Bing asked coldly, "What did they go to Heaven's Pulse City for?"
Councilor Hou opened his mouth, wanting to conceal the truth, but seeing Lan Bing's icy gaze, he finally spoke haltingly, "Not long ago, a small family of about a dozen, fleeing from Liu Dong State, arrived in Heaven's Pulse City."
"They have the bloodline of the Spirit Realm's White Jade Spider, with beautiful appearances, slender and alluring figures, skin as white as jade, and they emit a gentle glow at night."
"Huang Yuan and the others labeled that family as fugitive criminals and had them arrested. They... they were violated for a whole day and night."
"After they left, those women were covered in wounds, barely alive, with hardly a spot on their bodies unmarred. Some even had torn... rectums."
Listening to Councilor Hou's description, Lan Bing gazed at him coldly, just staring.
A bead of sweat slowly trickled down Councilor Hou's forehead.
Lan Bing asked, "You covered this up."
Her statement invited no argument, and Councilor Hou could only admit, "Yes... yes."
But after admitting guilt, he still tried to defend himself excitedly, "I did help cover it up, but you know the Huang Family's power is immense. I'm just a minor Municipal Councilor, though I am also a council member, I am far beneath them in power. How could I dare to provoke such influential council members?"
"So, I only did it because I didn't dare cross them. I myself have no connections with them!"
Hearing Councilor Hou, Lan Bing said nothing more. She turned to look at Black Shadow.
Black Shadow, who had been silent, sensed Lan Bing's gaze. He looked at her, shook his head slightly, and softly said, "My Lady, he is not the mole."
At that moment, Lan Bing's brow furrowed deeply.
She looked at Black Shadow and said expressionlessly, "This is the last council member, are you certain?"
Seeing Black Shadow's firm confidence, Lan Bing herself wavered a bit: could it be... that special ability really belonged to Black Shadow? Otherwise, why else would he be so confident?
But! All 60 council members have been investigated, and they still haven't found the last mole. This doesn't match Fang Ze's intelligence. After investigating so many council members to no avail, how will this end?
As Lan Bing pondered this, Councilor Hou had overheard the conversation between Lan Bing and Black Shadow.
His eyes lit up, and he suddenly stood up, saying, "Councilor Lan! Am I no longer a suspect? You have found me innocent, haven't you?"
Lan Bing hadn't expected Councilor Hou to have such sharp ears. But given the situation, she couldn't falsely accuse him: even if she did, the Special Service Department would soon come to verify, and it would all be exposed.
So, she could only nod coldly, "Congratulations, Councilor Hou."
Hearing Lan Bing's confirmation of his innocence, a radiant smile instantly appeared on Councilor Hou's face. But he hadn't even smiled for two seconds before Lan Bing threw cold water over him by saying, "However, I will conduct a relevant investigation into your dereliction of duty in the White Jade Spider Woman incident. Better prepare yourself mentally."
Hearing Lan Bing, Councilor Hou's expression suddenly froze. His good mood vanished instantly...
Two minutes later, the door of the reception room opened. In the eyes of over sixty council members, Councilor Hou, the female chief, and Black Shadow slowly walked out.
Seeing the beaming smile on Councilor Hou's face, the council members almost guessed the result: Councilor Hou was also innocent!
Instantly, the corridor buzzed with chatter,
"Old Hou wasn't guilty either? What's going on?"
"What is the Security Bureau doing? They investigated all of us, only to tell us none of us are guilty?"
"Yeah. So why did we even cooperate? Could it be they had no target in mind and were just making blind guesses?"
"The Security Bureau's authority is way too great. If this continues, it will be absolutely lawless."
The Security Bureau's recent actions had already provoked dissatisfaction among many council members. Now, using this work failure as an outlet, the council members found a means to vent.
But such a scenario didn't mean much to Lan Bing. Her cold gaze swept over these council members, and she slowly said, "The Security Bureau doesn't need to explain itself to you."
"You should be thankful no evidence was found against you. Otherwise, you wouldn't be standing here talking to me."