Chapter 36: Questioning of Form

Deep within the base, a makeshift interrogation room was encased in cold, metallic gray walls. It contained only a single table, two chairs, and a harsh, blinding overhead light that cast large, distorted shadows against the walls.

The air was thick with the sterile scent of disinfectant and the cold tang of metal.

Xu Yan sat on the frigid metal chair, his back ramrod straight. Opposite him sat Zhou Zheng and a young inspector responsible for taking notes. Shen Shanli had not come himself, yet his intangible pressure seemed to permeate the narrow space, seeping through the very walls.

Thick files lay spread out before Zhou Zheng, alongside an open portable terminal displaying complex waveforms and data on its screen.

"Team member Xu Yan," Zhou Zheng’s voice was flat and devoid of emotion, like a machine-generated synthesis. "According to the preliminary statement provided by Captain Jing Zhimin, the 'Cocoon' project was under his personal leadership, and you were responsible only for executing specific tasks. Now, please describe in detail your specific duties in this project, as well as all operational procedures. Focus on explaining the design principles of the core energy field weaving structure and the technical details and origins of the portable force-field device you utilized during the 'Storm Tower' operation."

The questions were like a cold noose, tightening precisely around the core of the matter.

Xu Yan’s hands, resting on his knees, curled slightly. He could clearly "sense" the icy, distrustful scrutiny radiating from Zhou Zheng—like countless tiny needles of ice pricking at his nerves.

What unnerved him even more was the young recorder sitting nearby. Though the man tried to remain composed, his heart rate was noticeably elevated, and his fingertips were unconsciously tapping a rhythm on the recording pad—a cadence betraying both tension and anticipation.

Just as he prepared to speak, ready to recite the "script" provided by Jing Zhimin—

*‘Under the folder to the left of the recorder, on the edge of the third page, there are residual fluctuations from a micro-bio-electric sensor. The question is a trap; your answer must avoid the core algorithm of the energy field generation.’* The stream of consciousness from Jiyu flowed into Xu Yan’s mind like icy water!

Simultaneously, a subtle, almost imperceptible ripple of perception, like an invisible tentacle, brushed gently over the seemingly ordinary watch on Zhou Zheng’s wrist—it was emitting an extremely faint, shielded active scanning signal!

A trap! They were not only listening; they were monitoring his physiological reactions in real-time!

Any subtle fluctuation caused by a lie or concealment could be detected!

Xu Yan’s pupils contracted imperceptibly, and a layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.

He forcibly suppressed the surging turmoil within him, maintaining a well-trained facade of calm on his face. He adjusted his posture slightly and met Zhou Zheng’s gaze with a candid expression.

"Reporting to the investigator," Xu Yan said, his voice steady and his tempo measured. "My duties primarily involved assembling equipment, laying out conduits, calibrating energy nodes, and recording system tests based on the design blueprints and parameter requirements provided by Captain Jing."

"The design principle of the core energy field weaving structure is a top-secret project matter; Captain Jing did not explain it to me in detail. My operations were limited to physical implementation and basic debugging according to the topological structures and preset parameters indicated on the blueprints."

He paused, then continued: "As for the device used at the 'Storm Tower,' it was one of several prototypes I built under Captain Jing’s guidance during the project's early phase, while we were verifying the feasibility of a miniaturized field generator."

"The technical details are a simplified version based on the main design concept of the project. The energy source was high-density military-grade batteries, and the core field generator utilized discarded test parts from the project."

"Its principle was to create a short-lived, small-scale directional energy density distortion layer, forming a temporary pressure buffer zone through interference."

"It was extremely unstable, effective only for a very short duration, had a limited protective radius, and carried a severe risk of overload."

"Its use in the field this time was a serious violation; it was a desperate measure taken under emergency conditions. I accept any disciplinary action."

His response was watertight, positioning himself perfectly as an operator who simply followed instructions and was "completely ignorant" of the core technology.

At the same time, aided by Jiyu’s perception, he precisely controlled his heartbeat, breathing, and even the subtle dilations of his pupils, ensuring they matched the physiological reactions expected of an ordinary team member who had been dragged into a high-level project and was now nervous and regretful due to his misconduct.

Zhou Zheng’s sharp gaze swept over Xu Yan’s face like a searchlight, his fingers tapping gently on the table. The recorder beside him scribbled furiously. The only sounds in the interrogation room were the scratching of the pen against paper and the stifled breathing of those present.

Suddenly, the door to the interrogation room was pushed open. Ouyang Nan stood in the doorway, her face pale, but her eyes burning with extraordinary resolve. A gray-clad inspector tried to block her.

"Report!" Ouyang Nan’s voice was clear and forceful, shattering the silence. "I have important information to report to the investigator! Regarding team member Xu Yan!"

Xu Yan’s heart sank.

Zhou Zheng’s gaze snapped toward the door, sharp as a hawk’s. "Let her in."

Ouyang Nan walked in and glanced at Xu Yan. Her expression was incredibly complex—a mixture of scrutiny and inner struggle, eventually replaced by a sharpness born of firm decision.

She stood still and spoke to Zhou Zheng, every word measured: "Investigator, I have doubts regarding Xu Yan’s role in the 'Cocoon' project, and his personal... state!"

The air in the interrogation room instantly froze. Everyone’s gaze shifted to Ouyang Nan.

"Oh?" Zhou Zheng leaned forward slightly, his interest thoroughly piqued. "Tell me more."

Ouyang Nan took a deep breath, locking eyes with Zhou Zheng: "During the 'Storm Tower' operation, when Xu Yan used that unknown device, his reaction... it didn't look like he was using an unfamiliar weapon; it looked more like... instinct! Furthermore, when the device took effect and we were protected, the way he looked at the injured comrades..."

She paused, seemingly searching for the most accurate description, before finishing with a hint of chill, "...was like he was evaluating the performance parameters of the equipment, rather than showing concern for the life or death of his comrades! This is not a normal battlefield reaction!"

Her words were like a bomb detonating in the confined space!

Zhou Zheng’s eyes turned instantly piercing, like a viper that had spotted its prey, locking onto Xu Yan! The recorder beside him stopped writing, looking at Ouyang Nan and Xu Yan in shock.

The pressure descended like a physical boulder! Xu Yan could even "feel" the cold, tangible air of inquiry and suspicion rising from Zhou Zheng!

At this critical juncture, Xu Yan suddenly lifted his head. His gaze was no longer calm; instead, it ignited with the indignation of the misunderstood and the candid, smoke-stained grit of a true soldier! He looked at Ouyang Nan, his voice rising sharply with the force of an interrogation:

"Ouyang Nan! Evaluating equipment performance? That’s because I knew that damn thing was going to blow at any second! Its stability was being measured in seconds! I had to judge how much longer it could hold before it collapsed, to determine if we could get out before we were crushed or shaken to death! Do you think I wanted to watch Captain Zhao and Ming Jie get hurt?!"