Bai Xingjian is of medium height with an ordinary face, the kind that easily gets lost in a crowd.

However, his eyes are gentle, his demeanor steady, with a subtle scholarly air about him, like a piece of blank rice paper that makes people pause and want to paint their vision of a beautiful country upon it as they pass by.

He is the only young talent not among the Nine Great Families who could still rank among the Seven Stars.

Oh, and there is also Tang Fei.

Tang Fei is also known as the 'Star Picker' master, having almost wiped out the Seven Stars…

In the past three months, one month has also fallen to his hands.

He doesn't just stir up fortunes but also toys with the stars and moon.

Bai Xingjian stood at the door and knocked. Upon hearing the voice saying 'Come in' from inside, he pushed the door open and walked in, seeing Shen Wuxiang standing by the window, he said aloud, "General, you called for me?"

Shen Wuxiang turned to look at Bai Xingjian, smiling, "Yes, there's something I need you to attend to."

"Just give the order, General, Xingjian will follow without hesitation."

Bai Xingjian responded, his voice firm and loyal.

He didn't even ask what it was about; as long as it was entrusted to him, he would find a way to complete it.

Who wouldn't want to use a subordinate like that?

Who wouldn't want to promote a subordinate like that?

Shen Wuxiang looked into Bai Xingjian's eyes, seeing his own reflection clearly in the pupils.

This is someone he has always valued and nurtured.

To be called a 'person' by Shen Wuxiang is rare among the young generation.

Bai Xingjian, Tang Fei, Qin Jianyi, and the former Shen Xinglan and Shen Leyou...

Thinking of this, his heart ached faintly again.

Shen Xinglan doesn't even deserve to be compared to Tang Fei?

But, what right does he have to compare with Tang Fei?

Tang Fei, who is even younger than him, has already led a team to seize a large territory... while he is still hiding in the Cold Pond for healing.

"The fall of Brocade City, General Tang Shengyan's defeat and capture, you are aware of these developments, right?" Shen Wuxiang asked aloud.

"I just read the battle report at headquarters."

"How do you view this matter?" Shen Wuxiang asked, looking deeply at Bai Xingjian.

Bai Xingjian raised his eyebrows slightly but did not speak.

How could he view such a matter?

"It's alright, speak your mind. In this room, it's just the two of us." Shen Wuxiang encouraged with a smile.

"A loss is truly a loss, but a surrender might not necessarily be a true surrender."

"Oh?"

"The intelligence indicates that after the Flame-Bathed Legion's defeat and the fall of Brocade City, General Tang met with the bandit leader Tang Fei. He proposed that the Flame-Bathed Legion's members lay down their arms and surrender in exchange for the bandits sparing the remnants of the Flame-Bathed Legion and the officials and civilians in Brocade City."

"You find this unreasonable?"

"General Tang is the veteran commander of the Flame-Bathed Legion; his willingness to preserve the Legion's core isn't something I can't understand or accept." Bai Xingjian hesitated briefly, knowing that speaking ill of a senior military figure could lead to a difficult position within the army should word get out.

But, this was a request from the General; not speaking would mean disobeying him.

"However, given the combat capabilities of the Flame-Bathed Legion, even if the city was hard to hold, retreating… would be difficult for the bandits to completely wipe them out."

"Your thoughts align with mine." Shen Wuxiang nodded, no longer putting his trusted subordinate in a difficult position, and spoke up, "Tang Shengyan leading the Flame-Bathed Legion to surrender was essentially giving the bandits a complete military structure; they only need slight reorganization to form a new army."

"Moreover, with the vice commander Kong Yinghan defecting, they can use him as a breakthrough to accept all high-level officers of the Flame-Bathed Legion… without even needing to replace commanders."

Bai Xingjian looked at Shen Wuxiang and asked, "What does the General mean?"

"Tang Shengyan, that old fox, can't be moved for now; gather his family and friends, put them under surveillance. But as for Kong Yinghan… since he dared to defect, we will use his family as an example."

"Once people lose their sense of fear, they tend to do foolish things."

"I understand." Bai Xingjian replied solemnly.

He knew that this meant he was to clean house.

If he undertook this task, it would mean never-ending conflict with the Flame-Bathed Legion and other military high-ups.

But, did he have a better choice?

To revitalize the Bai Family, he could only tightly cling to Shen Wuxiang's power, hoping for a chance to achieve something great.

Otherwise, with the Bai Family's current capability… a regimental commander was as far as it could go.

"Also, go to Phoenix City."

"Hmm?" Bai Xingjian looked at Shen Wuxiang, unsure of what more he had to instruct.

"Invite Sheng Jing's family to Qi Mountain; I wish to play chess with him."

Bai Xingjian suppressed the turbulent waves inside him and replied solemnly, "Yes, General."

------

When someone encounters joy, the spirit is uplifted.

Encountering joy continuously brings constant upliftment.

Seizing Brocade City, Tang Shengyan's surrender (name crossed out)…

Kong Yinghan's defection.

Tang Fei didn't just acquire a group of battle-hardened, wolf-like soldiers but also an entire, intact Flame-Bathed Legion that could be immediately fielded with just some minor reorganization.

How many legions does Tang Fei command in total?

The Flame-Bathed Legion has a long history and a glorious record, it is a resplendent banner.

It's one of the Empire's Three Ace Armies, and now it's fallen into his hands like this?

Tang Fei really wanted to give Tang Shengyan a hard kiss. This old father... the old general has given me a tremendous favor.

If it weren't for his help and cooperation, they could have broken through the encirclement with the remaining Flame-Bathed Legion.

With the Empire's depth of reserves and rapid troop deployment, in less than three months, they could pull out a new Flame-Bathed Legion to fight against us.

However, he chose not to do so and decided to stand with us...

"How does that saying go? Those who gain the Way have many helpers; those who lose the Way have few. I am someone who does many good deeds." Tang Fei raised his wine glass and said sincerely, "Come, old general, let me toast you again."

Tang Shengyan picked up his wine glass and clinked it with Tang Fei's, glanced at Tang Fei and said, "Have all the serious matters been completed? You have the leisure to accompany an old man like me for a drink?"

"Professional matters are left to professionals. As for battlefield cleanup, city consolidation, and troop reorganization, I know nothing about them. That's left to Phoenix and the staff generals of the staff department, I only need to accompany you well." Tang Fei said with a smile.

Tang Shengyan looked at Tang Fei with agreement and said, "I used to wonder, you don't have three heads and six arms, how come so many people are willing to follow you?"

"No need to mention that Phoenix girl, riding alongside you with the status of a princess, repeatedly stepping forward to support you."

"Shen Qingping is of the Shen Family's direct lineage, yet chose to abandon family and ancestors to serve under you as a Du Shan General..."

"The Qin and Lu Families are two of the Empire's Nine Great Families... The Qin Family holds military power, the Lu Clan has technology. And the Lu Clan is a millennium-old family, yet they recklessly bet on you..."

"I don't understand, I really can't figure it out. Why? Aren't they afraid of losing the bet? Aren't they afraid the final result will be a total loss, nothing gained?"

"Those at the bottom labor with their bodies, those in the middle labor with their minds, those at the top labor with people. These few simple words, yet truly understanding them, truly comprehending them, and putting them into practice..."

"You are a born talented leader, destined to manage others... as long as you use people well, there is no task that cannot be completed in this world."

"Gosh..." Tang Fei deliberately feigned being flattered, speaking out, "Old general, you put me in such a high position, do you intend something against me?"

"I'm a retired old man, what plot could I have against you?" Tang Shengyan puffed his beard and glared, speaking angrily, "You should arrange the families of those high-ranking in the Flame-Bathed Legion properly, find ways to ensure their safety. Hide them if you can, transfer them if possible, I dragged an army for you, Shen Wuxiang's side will not stand idly by. He surely won't take a loss quietly."

"Old general, not to hide from you, we are like heroes seeing eye to eye going through the same thing. Before the war in Brocade City truly broke out, I had already sent people to protect your family..."

"I think, we fight our fights, but shouldn't let outsiders harm the families of our Flame-Bathed Legion brothers, and most definitely not harm the family of the old general... After all, you are my lifesaver, your family is like mine."

"Hmm?" Tang Shengyan's expression stiffened slightly, then pointed at Tang Fei and cursed vehemently, "You bastard, your intentions are really sinister..."

He knew, this wasn't about protecting his own and Flame-Bathed Legion's family; it was about 'imprisonment' and 'monitoring'.

If the war went smoothly, he could use this to coerce these people into joining his camp.

If the war didn't go smoothly, with the Flame-Bathed Legion advancing aggressively, those people would become his 'hostages' and 'puppets'...

General, you wouldn't want to see your family hurt, right?

It's just so wild and violent.

How do we fight this battle? How do we fight?

"Old general, you really misunderstand me, it's not what you think." Tang Fei hurriedly explained, "You know, my father was a respected general, I come from a military family background, I have deep admiration for soldiers in my bones..."

"I have nothing but respect for you, and sincerely invite you warmly... Absolutely no intention of harming your family at all. If I lie, let lightning strike me."

"You really dare to swear?"

"Of course. If you walk upright, you're not afraid of shadows leaning; right feet isn't afraid of crooked shoes."

"If Flame-Bathed Legion beats you to pieces, what then?"

"Then I would request your kin to convey a word, considering we are all Phoenix people, could they let us off the hook."

"That's still a threat, isn't it?"

"How is that a threat? It's a request. They can choose to refuse as well."

"Refuse and still stay alive?"

"Of course, I'm not someone like Shen Wuxiang who indiscriminately kills innocents."

"..."

Tang Shengyan breathed heavily, unable to speak for a long time.

Finally, he took a long gulp from his wine glass, speaking, "For people like you to succeed, there is simply no justice."

"Saying that hurts my feelings."

"But, Shen Wuxiang will definitely lose to you."

"I've always admired the old general's judgment of people, let me toast you again."

"..."

The wine couldn't be consumed anymore, Tang Shengyan put down the wine glass, saying, "Quickly get busy with your own affairs, give those who follow you a good end, and a bright future. I don't need you to accompany me here, the more you stay, the more angry I become."

"Rest assured, I definitely won't disappoint your expectations."

Tang Fei rose, bowed deeply to Tang Shengyan.

Then, walked out of this luxurious titanium-built prison.

Tang Shengyan watched Tang Fei's figure fade away, picked up his chopsticks and grabbed a piece of old tofu from the sauerkraut pot, took a bite and carefully chewed it in his mouth, then sipped the small wine:

"Sauerkraut stewed tofu, the emperor cannot compare to me. The ancients indeed did not deceive me."

------

Tang Fei walked out of the prison, Bai Wuxin silently followed, expression cold, voice ethereal, as if without roots: "Our people have already taken action in Phoenix City, will transfer those marked important figures out in the shortest time."

"Mm." Tang Fei nodded and spoke, "Shen Wuxiang's side will certainly be prepared, is there a backup plan?"

"The intelligence team has devised three plans, the assassination group is responsible for execution. If the situation becomes too dangerous... we will initiate the city burning plan." Bai Wuxin said expressionlessly.

Tang Fei lightly sighed and said, "Hope everything goes smoothly."

"On Shen Wuxiang's side, there will certainly be a grandmaster defending, do you need me to go for support?" Bai Wuxin asked.

Tang Fei shook his head, saying, "Your focus should still remain on the Beihai Fleet side, the Aus people also cannot be ignored... Don't worry, if anything truly happens in Phoenix City, there will be someone to assist."

"Understood."

Tang Fei didn't say who would help, and Bai Wuxin didn't ask.

He only did what he should do.

But he was clear, tonight Phoenix City would once again become the center of the storm.

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