Brocade City.

Tang Shengyan stood in the military operations room, staring at the virtual electronic map showing the distribution of forces between the enemy and us, his face so grim that it could squeeze out water.

How long has it been and the bandits are already becoming a force?

If they capture Brocade City and connect it with Feng City, Red Moon City, and Liyu Port...

Then they would occupy vast territory in the heart of the Empire, forming expansive strategic depth.

With a city, comes population.

With population, they can spawn troops endlessly.

It's worth noting that the Lu Clan of the Mechanical Clan stands on their side.

Would weapons and equipment be lacking?

The last time I saw that kid, he was just a small director in the Monitoring Bureau, and because Qin Jianyi's squad was killed, he was forced to take a punch from me, almost killed by me...

How long did it take for him to rally a group against Shen Wuxiang?

Thinking of this, Tang Shengyan feels infinitely sighful.

Truly... ambition knows no age.

If that punch had been stronger or skimped a bit, my situation wouldn't be so awkward.

"This is a tough battle," Tang Shengyan said grimly.

As the accomplished leader of the Flame-Bathed Legion, he had retired due to age.

With war breaking out again, Shen Wuxiang invited him to come out of retirement, personally appointing him as the chief commander of the Brocade City defense battle.

Tang Shengyan is a master of city defense, known as the 'Barrier of the Empire'.

Shen Wuxiang brought out this veteran to ensure Brocade City wouldn't fall into the bandits' hands.

"Chief, we have elite troops guarding, cities protecting us, electronic defense... with reinforcements constantly arriving, what is there to be worried about?"

"In this battle, we have the advantage. I believe under the command of the veteran general, Brocade City can be impregnable."

Brocade City's City Lord, Yu Bing, smiled and said.

As the City Lord, he worries about Brocade City's safety more than anyone.

However, when the veteran general publicly states 'this is a tough battle,' it's like raising the enemies' morale and diminishing our own.

He cannot let the fear spread.

Because he knows in his heart, everyone is genuinely starting to dread the battle.

In the past, they might have dismissed Tang Fei and his bandits, but now, with allies around them defeated and fallen... even the proud Shen Xinglan was captured leading the Beihai Fleet to support them, what pride is left?

Isn't failure the inevitable conclusion?

Those below might think this way; the ones above cannot express such thoughts.

If one admits defeat before the fight, then victory is truly hopeless.

"Did Feng City not have what you mentioned? Did Red Moon City not have it? Even Liyu Port had the Beihai Fleet stationed, yet what happened? They all fell into the bandits' hands."

Tang Shengyan cast a glance at Yu Bing and said sternly, "I say this to make everyone confront the predicament and the formidable enemy we're facing."

"Tang Fei is an unpredictable guy, and his followers are willing to risk their lives."

"Especially for Brocade City beneath our feet, they must have it at any cost. Victory would allow them to push deep; defeat would leave them with nothing."

"Even if they want to retreat north of Dushan, we won't give them the chance..."

"So, everyone, fight to the death. We have no retreat."

"This battle allows only victory, no defeat. Win, and receive promotion. Lose, and face decapitation."

Leaving the operations room, the City Defense General Chen Lin approached, saluted Tang Shengyan, and said, "General, Mr. Mo Wu is here, waiting for you in the confidential room."

Chen Lin had served under Tang Shengyan, so he continued to address him as 'General'.

This both appeared intimate and reminded Tang Shengyan that 'he's one of us'.

"Mo Family?" Tang Shengyan pondered briefly, then walked toward the confidential room.

Mo Wu, Master of the Mo Family.

The Mo Family is renowned for its mechanical technology, and Tongtian Institute can resist the Heavenly Mechanism Institute of the Lu Clan.

During Zhong Daolong's administration, to suppress the Lu Clan, he pushed the Mo Family to the forefront.

Currently, the Xuanwu Defense Shield and Trisolar Government System used by major cities are both developed and maintained by the Mo Family.

As the actual leader of the Tongtian Institute, Mo Wu came to visit Brocade City at this time, and even Tang Shengyan had to treat him with respect.

In the confidential room sat a slim, white-faced, beardless middle-aged man.

In his fifties, yet well-preserved, he looked quite young, with bright eyes and an energetic spirit.

Seeing Tang Shengyan enter, Mo Wu quickly stood to greet him, "Greetings, General Tang."

"Mr. Mo Wu, I've long admired your name, glad to finally meet," Tang Shengyan stepped forward, shook Mo Wu's hand, and said with a kind smile.

"Not at all, not at all, I've long admired the presence of the General," Mo Wu responded courteously.

Though the Mo Family holds a special status, and technicians are even more valued, it doesn't mean he can act grand and rude before Tang Shengyan, the veteran general.

Tang Shengyan invited Mo Wu to sit, and the confidential secretary immediately served hot tea.

"Mr. Mo Wu, did you bring us good news this time?" Tang Shengyan asked with a smile.

Mo Wu's tea-drinking paused awkwardly, putting down his cup, he said with embarrassment, "General, I have something to report."

"What is it?" Tang Shengyan's heart sank abruptly.

Mo Wu's expression... doesn't seem like good news.

"When Feng City fell, our Tongtian Institute had a technical team in town for maintenance."

"Mr. Mo Wu means... the technical team was captured by the bandits?"

"Exactly."

Tang Shengyan's face froze, looking at Mo Wu, "What's the worst outcome?"

"They hold critical data and core parameters of the Xuanwu Defense System... if forced to provide technical support to the bandits..."

Mo Wu looked ashamed, saying sternly, "Brocade City's defense equipment and government system become futile."

The Defensive Shield gone?

The government system turned to mush?

"..."

Tang Shengyan's face turned ash-gray.

Has the battle not started yet and I'm already being stabbed from within by my own people?

"Is there a remedy?"

Tang Shengyan lit a cigarette.

Though rarely a smoker, he felt a need for a puff this time.

"We can upgrade the Xuanwu System and close the Tongtian System's backdoor channel..."

"Meaning a patch?"

"Yes."

"How effective would it be?"

"At least... at least it buys us half an hour."

"..."

Tang Shengyan drew the entire cigarette, burning to the butt, reluctant to discard.

Seeing Tang Shengyan's displeased countenance, Mo Wu hurried to comfort him, "Of course, they might not cooperate... our Mo Family has strong principles."

"Truly?"

"Absolutely."

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