"Dead pigs aren't afraid of boiling water, and too many lice won't bite."

Hmm, how could such thoughts arise?

Shen Wuxiang quickly expelled these negative emotions from his mind.

As the Commander of the Three Armies and the (false) ruler of a nation, he must always maintain a calm and steady psychological state, and possess the Qi Cultivation Skills to remain unfazed even if Mount Tai collapses right in front of him.

Frequent outbursts such as smashing teacups and smashing bowls and chopsticks would make the outside world think he couldn't manage the situation...

Thus, before Mo Wu entered, Shen Wuxiang's office had already been cleaned spotlessly by cleaning robots, as if nothing had happened.

"Military Minister, Mr. Mo has arrived."

"Invite him in."

Mo Wu held Shen Wuxiang in high esteem and deeply bowed upon meeting him, "It's a pleasure to meet the Military Minister."

"Dean Mo, no need for formalities, please have a seat," Shen Wuxiang responded warmly.

Mo Wu is the Mo Family Master and the current Dean of Tongtian Institute. The Empire is in dire need of people, and Shen Wuxiang was very polite to him.

After inviting Mo Wu to sit on the sofa, he even warmly asked what he would like to drink.

"Military Minister, I have come to apologize to you," Mo Wu said solemnly.

"Apologize?" Shen Wuxiang's heart skipped a beat, subtly examining Mo Wu, and comforting him, "I am already aware of the battle at Brocade City... This battle wasn't your fault, so there's no need to apologize."

He thought Mo Wu was apologizing for the defeat at Brocade City, yet worried it wasn't the full extent...

The one truly responsible for the outcome was the Marshal of the Flame-Bathed Legion, Tang Shengyan, and it should be him coming to apologize instead of Mo Wu, who managed mechanical defense and information warfare.

He could only assume secondary responsibility...

"It's not just the Brocade City battle..." Mo Wu said, looking embarrassed.

"..."

Indeed, the 'bad news' stone in Shen Wuxiang's heart heavily sunk.

Murphy's Law?

Under Shen Wuxiang's keen gaze, Mo Wu gritted his teeth and said, "Military Minister, during the battle of Feng City, the bandits captured our Mo Family's Mo Qingfeng and an entire Tongtian Institute information team..."

"Yes, I'm aware of that," Shen Wuxiang nodded expressionlessly.

After every battle, real-time reports were submitted to his command headquarters.

Since Tongtian Institute is a core operational department, every information technology personnel there is considered invaluable, so Shen Wuxiang would pay attention to those reports as well.

"The bandits might have turned Tongtian Institute's information combat personnel, enabling them to seize Brocade City's system control in a short time and open the Xuanwu Defense Shield deployed at Brocade City..."

"I am aware of this too."

In such an important battle, there's no way he wouldn't know the real combat situation...

The Flame-Bathed Legion suffered a heavy defeat, Brocade City fell, Tang Shengyan was captured...

The Empire's reputation was being completely tarnished.

Even more severe were the subsequent impacts, which were the problems he needed to address moving forward.

"And... Mo Qingfeng is the primary developer of the Empire's Xuanwu System, fully familiar with the system's core parameters. If he also defects, the entire Xuanwu System faces a risk of being infiltrated by bandits."

Mo Wu dared not call it the 'Mo Family's' Xuanwu System in front of Shen Wuxiang and could only call it the 'Empire's'.

After all, only this way could the Empire bear the brunt, instead of directing all hatred towards the Mo Family.

"..."

Shen Wuxiang's face turned ashen in an instant.

His fists clenched and relaxed, then he stared dead-on at the uneasy Mo Wu sitting across.

If circumstances permitted, he truly wanted to punch this rotten fellow.

How dare they?

He knew Mo Wu rushed over urgently, implying something bad had happened.

But he never imagined things escalated to this level.

He presumed the battle began and ended at Brocade City.

He thought it was just one rotten apple, but it turned out the entire orchard was decaying.

Shen Wuxiang forcefully suppressed the violence in his heart and asked Mo Wu, "Is there any solution?"

This person could not be killed, and not only that, he had to rely on him to solve the issue.

Because experts are needed for expert work, and without the Mo Family's Tongtian Institute, it wouldn't work.

This explains why mechanical technology talent is held in such high regard by the Empire...

Scientific and technological prowess is the foremost productive force and combat strength.

Mo Wu quickly stood up and reported gravely, "Military Minister, I have already devised a plan on the way. First, we will carry out a large-scale upgrade of all national administrative systems and the Xuanwu Protection Shield to enhance its defensive capabilities and security."

"Second, we will develop Xuanwu 7 swiftly and implement it nationwide. Mo Qingfeng hasn't participated in developing Xuanwu 7, thus unable to assist bandits in breaking our administrative systems and Protection Shield."

"Third, we will internally cleanse the Mo Family, revoking Mo Qingfeng and others' login permissions, subsequently expelling them from Tongtian Institute..."

The first two address the problem, the third addresses those causing the problem.

Essentially ensuring Shen Wuxiang feels reassured and satisfied.

Shen Wuxiang's expression eased slightly, and he asked, "When approximately can Xuanwu 7 be implemented?"

"It's originally almost ready, but some crucial details require finalization... I already issued tasks to Tongtian Institute en route, demanding they overcome the last hurdle within a week, enabling Xuanwu 7's deployment across all Empire cities."

Upon hearing Mo Wu's response, Shen Wuxiang realized Xuanwu 7 must be the 'backup' Mo Family had reserved, to be deployed after maximizing Xuanwu 6's usage value, followed by the seventh or eighth generation...

Institutes like Tongtian wouldn't possibly lack technical reserves.

Even companies like Apple know to research the eighteenth-generation system while launching the sixteenth onto the market.

"Three days," Shen Wuxiang remarked firmly, "I'll only give you three days. Within three days, I want to see Xuanwu 7 fully online."

Understanding the habitual practices of these tech companies, Shen Wuxiang naturally wouldn't be courteous with them.

He couldn't risk the Empire's safety to toy with them.

Mo Wu hesitated slightly but ceased pretending, nodding and agreeing, "Fine, within three days, Xuanwu 7 will be launched nationwide."

Only then did Shen Wuxiang feel satisfied, saying to Mo Wu, "Dean Mo, you may return to your work, I look forward to your good news."

"Yes, this time I won't let the Military Minister down."

After bowing once more, Mo Wu turned and left.

Upon arriving at the courtyard, a gust of wind swept through, making him realize his clothes were soaked through.

This ordeal was finally over.

Shen Wuxiang stood by the window, observing the sky where dark clouds rolled and a storm was about to strike.

After a moment of silence, he spoke, "Have Bai Xingjian come in."

"Certainly," the confidential secretary replied.

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