The force of the impact sent the flying door panel soaring like a small mountain about to crush down.

It could turn Zhong Tianyi's delicate frame into minced meat.

Chen Fenglei didn't care about that.

The timing was the problem.

Zhong Daolong was still alive.

Chen Fenglei kicked out.

Crack!

The thick wooden door shattered, sending splinters flying in all directions.

Phoenix appeared at the doorway, wielding the Phoenix Whip, imposing and bristling with murderous intent.

"Zhong Tianyi, what are you doing?"

There were quite a few people in the room, but her gaze locked onto Zhong Tianyi immediately.

First, Zhong Tianyi was a Prince.

If anyone was staging a coup, it would certainly be done in the Princes' names.

Their involvement would lend a legitimate claim to those plotting.

After all, it would still be someone from the Zhong family on the throne—what difference did it mean whose direct line it was, as long as it remained within the Zhong bloodline.

Second, Zhong Tianyi was aiming a gun at their father, whose chest was already stained with fresh blood...

What was this beast trying to do?

Zhong Tianyi was stunned; he hadn't expected Phoenix to show up at this time.

Hadn't Chen Fenglei told him that the entire Phoenix Palace was under control and all important personnel were 'detained'?

How did Phoenix manage to get out?

He could have shot Zhong Daolong, and for this, he had mentally prepared himself countless times.

But, if his own full sister was standing there as a spectator...

He just couldn't bring himself to do it.

The psychological burden doubled.

Guilt +10086.

Unless he also killed his own sister.

In ancient times, there was an emperor who had killed his own brother and went on to accomplish a great and illustrious reign.

If others could do it, so could he.

Yes, he definitely could.

"Phoenix, how did you get here?" Zhong Tianyi asked.

"Why shouldn't I be here? This is the Phoenix Palace, our home..." Phoenix knew what Zhong Tianyi wanted and what he was doing.

So, in such a situation, she could only play the 'family card'.

She knew the temperament of her second brother—hesitant, selfish, paranoid, and prone to hysterical extremes.

She couldn't provoke him; she needed to relax his mood while dispelling his reservations.

Otherwise, he would flip the table.

If he couldn't live, then no one would.

"Second brother, do you even realize what you're doing? That's our father... the one who gave birth to you and raised you."

"Think about it, if you really go to extremes and shoot our father... even if you get that position, could you ever be at peace?"

"How would you explain yourself to the Imperial Family, and the billions of citizens? If you tarnished your reputation like that... could you still securely hold that position?"

"If the public outrage grows too severe and the scandals become too rampant... they wouldn't mind replacing the puppet..."

"Whoever does it still must obey; they just need a puppet... so why not choose someone obedient who can also satisfy the public?"

"Phoenix..."

Zhong Tianyi clenched his teeth.

He thought Phoenix made sense, but he also hesitated whether he should shoot her as well.

Even the most reasonable words...

If no one spoke them, his ears would finally be at peace.

Besides, at this point, he had no way out.

If he let go of Zhong Daolong, let go of his own father, then all his plans would be wasted.

His father would support his older brother, Zhong Tianque, and he would end up confined in a cold palace, to die quietly on one acceptable night.

Those who stood with him would quickly sever ties, and then violently spit on his corpse.

As for whether the new emperor would purge their ranks, that was their story.

It had nothing to do with him.

He once thought he had much, but in the face of such a dire situation, he felt he truly had nothing.

He had no power or authority, nor the loyalty of a Direct Lineage Army.

He relied solely on the bloodline of the Royal Family, a member of the Zhong Family.

He knew that even if he ascended to power, he would still be a vassal to those people.

They would decide what they wanted and then voice it through the mouth of the "King," issuing the orders in the name of the Empire.

Now, he realized that even being a puppet was so difficult.

"Brother, put down the gun..." Phoenix's eyes were moist as she softly persuaded, "Mom is gone, and it's just the few of us left in the family..."

"If you kill Dad, my brother and I will not forgive you, and you'll be all alone..."

"I will persuade Dad not to blame you... if he wants to punish you, then I will bear the punishment with you..."

"Brother... you can't keep making mistakes..."

"Phoenix..." Zhong Daolong looked at his precious daughter with a face full of affection.

At the critical moment, it's always the snug little cotton-padded jacket that provides comfort.

As for these two sons...

Ha!

Zhong Tianyi turned his face to Chen Fenglei; at this moment, he needed someone to firm up his convictions.

He needed stronger support.

Chen Fenglei and those behind him...

Phoenix clearly understood the deep meaning behind Zhong Tianyi's look.

She looked at Chen Fenglei, her face expressing thick affection and trust, and said softly, "Grandpa Chen, If I remember correctly, you entered the palace with my mother..."

"Mom said you saved her life many times... If it weren't for you, she would have been long gone..."

"She got it the other way around, if it weren't for the Empress... I would have been dead a long time ago," Chen Fenglei's heart softened.

Thinking of that gentle and wise woman, a warm current surged in his heart.

"When Mom passed away, she said that after she's gone, I could seek your help in any trouble I encounter..."

"You were the person she trusted the most... I believe, the spirit of Mom in heaven also wouldn't want such a thing to happen..."

"Grandpa Chen, I have never asked you for anything... This time, could you please help me?"

"Ah!"

Chen Fenglei sighed deeply.

Ever since Phoenix appeared, he knew the direction of things had changed.

Zhong Tianyi lacked both courage and strategy; everything was arranged for him, and the stage was set, yet he couldn't handle the last "shiver".

More importantly, it was Phoenix.

The darling of the Empress's heart...

Could he really let Zhong Tianyi kill Phoenix as well?

If he did that...

What had he been enduring for all these years?

------

"What's the situation now?" Shen Wuxiang stood in front of the holographic electronic display of Phoenix Palace and asked in a deep voice.

"Military Minister, Phoenix Palace has been sealed off from the inside, unless we send troops to force our way in, there's no way to get in..."

"We sent several groups over, but none of those people have come back, they might have met with misfortune."

"We tried to make contact with the people inside, but the entire Phoenix Palace area is signal-blocked... our messages can't get in, and their messages can't get out..."

Information Director Wang Guangming reported.

"Military Minister... something must have happened inside the palace..." Zhong Tianque was frantic with worry as he urged, "Send someone to attack by force, no matter what, we have to rescue my father..."

Originally, Zhong Tianque was representing the Imperial Family at a business banquet held by the foreign affairs department when Shen Wuxiang's secretary suddenly rushed over and brought him to the Military Department.

Only then did he find out that something had happened at Phoenix Palace.

He tried to contact his father, but no one responded.

He tried to contact Chen Fenglei, but no one responded.

He tried to contact everyone, but the palace was dead silent, no sound came forth.

He didn't know what had happened inside, but he knew that the second son must be involved.

He worried about his father's safety, and even more about his younger brother taking control of the situation...

In that case, his own situation would be dire.

A prince who doesn't want to be the King is no good prince.

A prince who has tried and failed to become King is sure to be a dead prince.

Shen Wuxiang waved his hand, signaling everyone around him to withdraw.

The war room was then left with only Shen Wuxiang and Zhong Tianque.

Then, he looked deeply at Zhong Tianque, his piercing gaze as sharp as needles, seeming to bore into his body and pierce the depths of his soul, "Do you really want to send troops to attack at this time?"

"..."

Zhong Tianque's pupils dilated instantly.

He opened his mouth to speak, but found he couldn't make any sound.

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