Chapter 219: He’s My Little Brother
Chapter 219: He’s My Little Brother
Initially, many people didn’t believe it, dismissing it as a rumor. But when various broadcasters, television stations, and online video platforms began showing footage of Duxing Hospital and the New Martial Surgery Center being completely surrounded by the police, the city’s public opinion finally erupted.
Live organ trafficking had always been one of the most severely punished crimes in the Great Xia Republic, alongside drug trafficking, human trafficking, and arms dealing. Those were the four major capital crimes. Many found it hard to believe that Duxing Hospital, the most prestigious and well-regarded medical institution in the city, could be involved in such an atrocity.
"This is a blatant smear campaign."
The Ye family quickly held a press conference. Ye Guanzhen, the prominent figure who had recently been in the spotlight, appeared on countless large screens and across major media outlets in the light-network\'s virtual world.
"The Ye family has always considered the revitalization of the base city as its mission and has consistently worked for the benefit of our homeland. Since its founding a century ago, Duxing Hospital has treated over 56.4 million people. For nearly twenty years, it has paid annual taxes exceeding ten billion star coins, and its charitable activities, including free clinics, medicine donations, financial subsidies, and community healthcare initiatives, are too numerous to count!"
"The so-called live organ trafficking allegations are absolutely baseless. Duxing Hospital\'s century-long reputation can withstand any scrutiny. We are willing to cooperate fully with the city government, the Star Council, and the investigation team to conduct the most thorough, fair, and rigorous investigation into this matter and take full responsibility for any outcomes."
Ye Guanzhen maintained a composed and dignified demeanor during the press conference, delivering his statements without arrogance or fear. As one of the rising political stars of recent times, Ye Guanzhen, who had just turned thirty this year, boasted an impressive resume.
Born and raised in Liuhe Base City, Ye Guanzhen was a standout during his high school years, earning MVP honors in the regular season of the War God League for three consecutive years and FMVP in the playoffs. He had served as the captain of the city team for three straight years and led his team to the best historical performance by securing third place in the Northwest Regional High School War God League. He had even become a key member of the Northwest Regional High School battle team.
Following his high school success, he was admitted to Huaqing University, one of the top two universities in Great Xia. His university years were also filled with numerous accolades. As an exchange student, he studied in Jiepeng and the Yiggs Union, further expanding his horizons.
After graduating from university, he joined the military, where he distinguished himself in combat and earned the prestigious first class Qinling Badge. A year ago, Ye Guanzhen had returned to Liuhe Base City after retiring from the military. After a year of laying low, the current Ye Guanzhen had shed his youthful sharpness, gaining a more refined and composed demeanor.
He exuded the elegance unique to a thirty-year-old man in the footage, coupled with a maturity and steadiness beyond his years. After the Ye family made their statement, the incident garnered widespread attention across society.
It wasn’t just within Liuhe Base City; even the light-network in the entire Northwest Region was abuzz with discussion. The administrative head of the Northwest Region even mentioned the incident during an online interview, expressing his concern.
Amid this backdrop, a joint investigation team was dispatched to Duxing Hospital to begin the most thorough investigation.
The leader of the investigation team was none other than the White-haired City Leader Tan Zhenwei, whose unparalleled reputation in Liuhe Base City made him the ideal candidate. Everyone was watching this situation closely, including Li Xiaofei.
***
Atop the city wall. In Sector B12.
Li Xiaofei, clad in a titanium alloy combat suit, leaned against the cannon turret to rest. He had taken a leave of absence from school for the last week. He had then spent every day on the city walls, participating in the defense. Chen Fei had no complaints. After all, Li Xiaofei\'s strength far surpassed that of a typical high school student.
The practical cultivation courses at school had become almost meaningless for him. In contrast, the real battles on the city walls provided much greater benefits. As a result, Chen Fei merely insisted on giving Li Xiaofei online lessons every day to ensure he didn’t fall behind on his basic academic subjects.
"Thank you and your whole family," Li Xiaofei said, his eyes brimming with tears.
Who would have thought that after traveling five hundred years into the future, becoming a gang leader, a league star, and a multimillionaire, he would still need to attend online classes and do homework every day?
Is the ultimate destination in life online courses?
Li Xiaofei grumbled inwardly but understood that Chen Fei had his best interests at heart. So, he squeezed in time on his light core to complete today\'s lessons. Just as he finished, the alarm blared again. Below the city walls, a tide of beasts surged forward once more. The main attackers were almost always First Grade star beasts.
These star beasts were varied and chaotic. They almost seemed like a bunch of defective creations hastily molded by some creator using foul mud, emitting bizarre cries as they haphazardly charged at the walls. Most of them lacked the ability to fly.
Under normal circumstances, they couldn’t breach the city walls. But their overwhelming numbers allowed them to pile up until they reached the top of the walls and threatened the defenders above. If they managed to breach the city defenses and enter the city, even First Grade star beasts could inflict catastrophic damage on civilians.
Li Xiaofei once again raised his weapon to slay the invaders. Despite having set his heart on mastering the three ultimate weapons of saber, spear, and sword, he had yet to undergo systematic training in these weapons.
His lofty ambitions remained unfulfilled, for now. But Li Xiaofei was not in a hurry.
He recalled something that Teacher Li once said.
Deep roots foster flourishing branches.
Building a strong foundation would make his future cultivation in spear, sword, and saber techniques much more effective. At this moment, Li Xiaofei wielded a massive spear that weighed 500 kilograms. Each casual thrust and sweep unleashed immense power. He stood like a reaper in the B12 sector, ensuring that no star beast could breach his position.
An hour later, a strange beastly roar echoed from the depths of the wilderness. The low-grade star beasts attacking the city quickly retreated like the receding tide, vanishing from sight.
Li Xiaofei felt a bit unsatisfied, eager for more combat. However, the other soldiers and martial artists assisting in the defense were gasping for breath as they seized the moment to rest.
Suddenly, a sharp whistling sound pierced the air. A bright silver streak shot from the city wall like an arrow fired into the depths of the wilderness.
Li Xiaofei was startled. He could easily see that it was the Goddess, piloting the Battle Angel power armor, creating a stunning spectacle as she flew at extreme speeds.
As expected. Whenever a strategist among the star beasts exposed its position, the Goddess would personally intervene to carry out a decapitation strike. The direction in which the Goddess was flying was precisely where the strange beastly roar had emanated from earlier.
Recently, the Goddess had made several attempts to locate and eliminate the Yinji Moon Fox, the mastermind behind the current beast tide crisis. However, she had yet to succeed. It seemed likely that this time would be no different.
Sure enough, less than three minutes later, the silver streak returned. The Goddess landed on the city wall with a sharp whistling sound for the first time after one of her sorties. To be precise, she landed directly in front of Li Xiaofei.
The power armor she wore, gleaming with a faint silver hue, exuded a cold, metallic aura. Its design was so pristine and translucent that it emanated the artistic elegance of fine white porcelain. It looked far too perfect and graceful to be a mere killing machine.
Swish, swish, swish.
In an instant, the soldiers and martial artists, who had been either sitting or lying down, immediately stood up. All eyes were now fixed on the Goddess. However, the Goddess\'s gaze, through the visor of her power armor, was locked onto Li Xiaofei.
"A month ago, did you kill someone named Ye Liushuang in the arena?" She asked slowly.
Li Xiaofei replied, "Yes."
The Goddess’s voice remained calm as she said, "He was my little brother."
Li Xiaofei froze. At that moment, it felt as if a bright red target had appeared on his forehead.
Danger!