As the group approached the Bureau of Superpowers, the Bureau was already on high alert, which surprised everyone at the Bureau's headquarters. However, this was not unexpected. If the Bureau of Superpowers didn't even know that the other party had come to them, then there was no need to continue; they could simply disband.
Wesh and Tang Tiejin faced each other silently. Both were the strongest individuals in the world and leaders of the most powerful organizations. Naturally, they couldn't act impulsively like their subordinates and had to consider things more rationally. Therefore, their main purpose in coming here was to seek an explanation from the other side and resolve the matter through negotiation. Otherwise, starting a war would have consequences that neither of them could bear.
However, what worries the two strongest individuals is that things have developed to this point, and they alone are no longer able to suppress the anger of their subordinates. The situation is spiraling out of control, which is undoubtedly the last thing they want to see.
"Weish, can the Superpower Bureau give us an explanation regarding Xia Lan's abduction?" After a long silence, Tang Tiejin finally spoke. As the administrative head of the Superpower Headquarters, he could not help but represent the Superpower Headquarters' force field. In fact, Weish and Tang Tiejin had a fairly good personal relationship, and neither of them wanted to take this step.
"Tang, what did you say? Xia Lan was kidnapped? You mean the Supernatural Abilities Bureau did it?" Weishqi asked. He was completely taken aback, never expecting Tang Tiejin to ask such a question.
Suddenly, as if he understood something, Wesh turned around and swept his eyes across the faces of his subordinates like knives. The title of the strongest was well-deserved. Even the deputy directors couldn't help but feel a chill when they were swept by Wesh's imposing gaze.
"Among you, has any one of you secretly kidnapped a friend from the Superpowers Headquarters behind the backs of the Superpowers Bureau?" Wesh asked slowly. This question was pointless; no one could possibly answer it. But what Wesh wanted wasn't answers, but rather everyone's reaction. Tang Tiejin wouldn't lie to him. Since Xia Lan had been kidnapped, it meant either there was an internal traitor within the Superpowers Bureau, or an external super-powerful individual who could break through the Bureau's barrier and frame the Bureau for Xia Lan's abduction.
Neither scenario was acceptable to Wish. He recalled the two people who had rampaged through the Bureau of Supernatural Abilities and then fled one after the other. Wish couldn't help but smile bitterly. One of those two people was definitely Xia Lan, and the other super strong person had clearly come to rescue Xia Lan. At that time, he was unaware of this and even led everyone to block him with all their might, almost hurting that super strong person. It could be said that he almost deepened this grudge.
If Ling Yun and Xia Lan had revealed their identities earlier, this situation would never have occurred. But the question is, could they have been trusted back then? In any case, it is a fact that Xia Lan is trapped in the Superpower Bureau. If the Superpower Bureau has no evidence to refute this, then it can only swallow this terrible result and face the accountability from the Superpower Headquarters.
No one answered. No one would be foolish enough to admit that they had kidnapped Xia Lan. Even if it was the American Bureau of Supernatural Abilities, this was not the time to admit it. Not only should they not admit it, but they should also turn around and accuse someone else, muddying the waters so that they could shirk responsibility.
Wesh glanced at everyone's expressions but didn't notice anything unusual. He couldn't help but frown. This didn't mean that the Superpower Bureau was doing nothing. More likely, the spy was very well hidden, and might even have kept it from him. Although he was the strongest, it didn't mean that Wesh had seen through everything.
"What evidence do you have to prove that we kidnapped Xia Lan? If you don't have any, it only proves that you are slandering her." After a moment of silence, Hans couldn't help but ask the question that had been on his mind.
He was furious at the aggressive attitude of the Superpowers Headquarters. The Superpowers Bureau hadn't even investigated the Chinese for destroying the underground base's barrier yet, and he had intended to hold them accountable first. Unexpectedly, this group of Chinese actually came to their door and aggressively questioned the Superpowers Bureau. They were really shameless.
As the deputy director of the Superpower Headquarters who controls the barrier, he is very familiar with every detail of the Superpower Bureau's underground base. It's unbelievable that he wouldn't know that Xia Lan, a grown woman, was kidnapped here. Although Tang Tiejin spoke very solemnly and seriously, Hans was still half-believing and half-doubting.
Several deputy directors and more than a dozen mid-level experts also shouted, "Produce evidence! Don't slander us if you don't have evidence!"
Wish was about to wave his hand and say no, he believed Tang Tiejin's words, just as Tang Tiejin believed his. But seeing the indignant looks on everyone's faces, Wish hesitated and remained silent. It would be better to let everyone see the evidence; otherwise, although he could force the order, it would only intensify their resentment.
Tang Tiejin glanced at Xia Lan, who understood and walked between the two massive camps. She first recounted the events in a clear and melodious voice.
The people at the Superpower Headquarters had heard her say this several times before, so they weren't surprised at all. But the people at the Superpower Bureau had quite interesting expressions as they listened, and some of the superpowered individuals even started whispering among themselves, utterly astonished.
Almost everyone present from the Superpower Bureau had experienced the pursuit of Ling Yun and Xia Lan, but this grand chase ended in a complete failure. Even with all the super-strong individuals mobilized, the two who had been spying on the underground base's secrets still managed to escape. This operation was considered a humiliating disgrace by the entire Superpower Bureau. Since its inception, the Bureau had never suffered such a crushing defeat. What was even more appalling was that not only did the enemy escape, but the Bureau members didn't even know who the enemy was—a truly disgraceful defeat.
One crisis after another, it seemed even fate was against the Superpowers Bureau. Before they could even recover from this humiliating defeat, a neutrino bomb destroyed the very barrier the Americans were so proud of. These two events combined fueled a burning rage within the Superpowers Bureau staff, who desperately wanted to find the two fugitives and the organization that attacked the headquarters, seeking only a cataclysmic revenge to vent their anger.
Hearing Xia Lan recount the story, everyone from the Superpower Bureau was stunned. It turned out that the two people they had intercepted weren't spies trying to spy on the Bureau's bio-cloning secrets, but rather Chinese superpowered individuals who had been kidnapped beforehand. The super-strong individual who came later was clearly just there to rescue his companion. Ironically, they were all unaware of this and had even fought with the other party, which had created a deep grudge.
After Xia Lan finished speaking, she ignored everyone's reactions and used her memory technique to reenact the entire process. This so-called memory technique was merely a replay of what had been recorded at the time; in reality, Xia Lan was in such a panic that she hadn't bothered to preserve any evidence. The majority of the evidence consisted of fragments of the mental energy field that Ling Yun had transmitted to her.
After reading the report, everyone remained silent. The people from the Superpower Headquarters were naturally arrogant, while the people from the Superpower Bureau looked ashamed. The evidence of Xia Lan's abduction was conclusive, and the records showed that she was indeed in the Superpower Bureau's underground base. The Superpower Bureau had nothing to say. If they could not explain it, the Superpower Bureau would have to bear the consequences.
This time, the Bureau of Superpowers has really suffered a huge loss. Not only has it become a laughing stock after a humiliating defeat, but it also has to compensate others for their losses. Moreover, the secret of cloning superpowered individuals has been leaked as a result, and the losses are immeasurable.
Xia Lan has escaped from the underground base of the Superpower Bureau and is now in the Superpower Headquarters. Obviously, everyone in the Superpower Headquarters knows about the Superpower Bureau's cloning secret. It's just that Tang Tiejin didn't say it because of Wei Shi's face. The secret of cloning is actually not a big secret, because governments around the world are working on this behind closed doors. In comparison, the cloning of the US Superpower Bureau is only in the experimental stage. It was just unlucky to be exposed. However, the United States has been a hegemon for a long time, and other countries will at most condemn it. They won't really take action. They're just a little embarrassed.
The members of the Supernatural Abilities Bureau immediately felt their faces burning with shame. Not only had they been humiliated, but they also had to bear the responsibility for kidnapping someone. It was truly humiliating.
Deputy Director Mike suddenly stepped forward, his cold gaze fixed on the group at the Superpowers Headquarters. He said calmly, "Although Xia Lan was discovered at the Superpowers Bureau's base, it doesn't mean it was done by our people. It's very likely that someone with ulterior motives framed her. Besides, Xia Lan has come out unharmed now, and you haven't suffered any losses. On the contrary, you've spied on many secrets of our underground base. So, let's call this even."
"Even?" The hot-tempered Deputy Chief Instructor Tie Li immediately shouted, stepping forward from the front of the line and glaring defiantly at Mike: "Hey Mike, is it okay for you to look at things so subjectively? You just brushed off the kidnapping of Xia Lan with a few casual words? That's too easy! Besides, Xia Lan was rescued by Ling Yun, not released by you. If it weren't for Ling Yun, Xia Lan might have died in your underground bird's nest long ago. You say it was someone else framing you? Fine, your Supernatural Abilities Bureau, show us the evidence, and we'll settle accounts with the people who set this up!"
Seeing that things were not going well, Loki also stepped forward: "Mr. Iron, you are making false accusations first. After all, your superpower headquarters suffered no losses, while we not only leaked the secrets of the underground base, but also had our barrier destroyed by your neutrino bomb. Who will take responsibility for this?"
"We bombed your barrier with neutrino bombs?" Before Tie Li could answer, Luo Panxi came out again, frowning as he looked at Loki. "Deputy Director Loki, you need to have solid evidence to back up your claims. You represent the Superpowers Bureau. Accusing Superpowers Headquarters of using neutrino bombs is the official stance, and it could easily cause political turmoil."
Another deputy director stepped forward: "Of course we have evidence. You don't think you're the only ones with evidence, do you?"
This time, everyone at the Superpowers Headquarters looked at each other in bewilderment. When they first heard Loki say that, they thought he was just spouting nonsense. Only Tang Tiejin's face changed color, and he glanced at Wesh.
Wesh nodded calmly in confirmation. Tang Tiejin said nothing, but his brows furrowed just like Wesh's, and his eyes showed a thoughtful expression. It seemed that someone was targeting the Superpower Bureau and the Superpower Headquarters. At the same time, they were framing each other and deliberately provoking a conflict between the two super organizations, with the aim of profiting from their rivalry.
In situations like these, it's crucial to remain calm and devise solutions.
At the prompting of several indignant deputy directors, Powell also presented evidence of the neutrino bomb destroying the barrier, including the words spoken by the superhuman who ultimately self-destructed. Before they could even finish reading it, the people at the Superhuman Headquarters shouted angrily, "This is a frame-up!"
Mike said slowly and deliberately, "Frame-up? Then please provide your department's evidence. If there is no evidence, then we can only assume that it was your department's doing. It is true that the person who kidnapped Xia Lan from your department was here, but Xia Lan is now unharmed, while our Special Abilities Bureau's barrier is completely destroyed. I think everyone can make a fair judgment in their hearts about which is more important, right?"
The deputy chief instructors were speechless. They had just used this reason to interrogate the other party, and now it was the other party's turn to interrogate them. How should they answer? They looked at each other, at a loss for words.
The issues between the two sides have now been clearly explained, and almost everyone understands that it's a frame-up. But the problem is, where is the evidence? If the person who framed them can't be found, then even if both sides understand this, it's useless.
Mike sneered at the people at the Superpower Headquarters: "If Xia Lan was captured by us, then she has now been returned unharmed. We can compensate Xia Lan, as long as she is willing. But who will compensate for the damage to our barrier? You? Will you use your Skynet barrier technology to compensate us?"
His shout immediately ignited the anger of everyone at the Superpower Headquarters. The two massive camps each took a step forward, and the atmosphere became strange and tense.
Chapter 417 Tensions Rise (Part 2)
Xia Lan said loudly, "Deputy Director Mike, my safe return is not because you let me go, but because my colleague Ling Yun rescued me. You all witnessed the process. If it weren't for Ling Yun, I might already be dead in your underground base. Your casual remark of 'returning me intact' cannot absolve you of responsibility. Moreover, I just reviewed your records. If the neutrino bomb was released by the Superpower Headquarters, then Ling Yun and I were both inside at the time. If the Superpower Headquarters wanted to attack your barrier, they should have considered our safety, at least waiting until we were rescued before attacking you. This is clearly a frame-up. You all know the truth. We should sit down and negotiate properly to find the real third party who is damaging the relationship between the Superpower Bureau and the Superpower Headquarters, instead of making baseless accusations while pretending to be ignorant."
Her words were forceful and reasonable, causing everyone at the Superpower Headquarters to nod in agreement, and even the members of the American Superpower Bureau fell silent. In fact, most superpowered individuals were skeptical of the attack on the Superpower Headquarters. Xia Lan's words hit the nail on the head, were logical and well-founded, and the anger on both sides temporarily subsided.
Tang Tiejin and Weish looked at Xia Lan. Weish smiled slightly and said in a low voice, "Tang, this girl is quite good. It seems that the training at your Superpower Headquarters is very effective."
Tang Tiejin nodded with considerable pride, "I couldn't have explained it any better myself. If we could negotiate calmly and peacefully, perhaps we could resolve this dispute without any further conflict."
“It’s hard to say.” Wesh shook his head. “I will do my best to suppress my subordinates, but Congress just put pressure on me. I have to give the government an explanation in a short time. The development of the matter is not something that you and I can control. Even if we negotiate, it will be useless. Without evidence, there will be no result in the end. I just observed, but I couldn’t find any mole hidden in the Bureau of Superpowers.”
Tang Tiejin's face also darkened quickly: "The Military Commission also spoke with me, and asked me to force you to make a public statement. I think if the final result cannot avoid that last step, then let the two of us represent our respective organizations to resolve it privately. This way, we can give an explanation to both the Chinese and American governments. I just don't know if it will work."
Wish remained silent for a moment, then finally sighed heavily, "Alright, we'll do it your way."
The top leaders of the two super-organizations fell silent, simply standing aside and watching their subordinates negotiate. This was not to let things go unchecked, but to allow everyone's emotions to be released. If only the two top leaders were negotiating, then everyone's emotions would be hidden, making it difficult to control.
Deputy Director Mike sneered. He was a super strongman, experienced and knowledgeable, how could he be stumped by Xia Lan, a mere greenhorn? "Ms. Xia, what I just said was the result. Regardless of the process, at least you are standing here unharmed now, understand? As for why your department didn't care about your and your colleagues' lives when you attacked us, hehe, it's obvious that your department wanted to sacrifice your lives. You are just a victim of this political incident."