Weishan Lake. Weishan District.

This is the residence of the senior members of the Flame-Bathed Legion and the founding place of the Weishan Military Academy.

The reason the Weishan Military Academy was established here is, firstly, to facilitate the senior military officers and retired veterans of the Flame-Bathed Legion who can conveniently come to lecture the young officers in the military, imparting battlefield command experience, and to nurture batch after batch of outstanding active-duty soldiers for the Imperial Army Department.

Secondly, the Military Academy is heavily guarded, surrounded by considerable military force.

Their presence also protects the senior members and retired veterans of the Flame-Bathed Legion, and one could say they are mutually dependent, benefitting each other.

Thirdly, the air of Weishan Lake is fresh, the scenery beautiful, who wouldn't want to live and retire here?

In any era, those who can reside in a place of such beauty are either high officials or celestial beings...

The air is filled with a nearly extravagant stillness, with occasionally the cries of Three-eyed Eagles and Moonlight Birds piercing the night sky.

High up on Weishan, at the back mountain of the Military Academy.

In a hidden cave, a group of people in black silently gather together.

The leader of the group issues orders through an encrypted channel: "Team One, report status."

"Team One in position."

"Team Two, report status."

"Team Two in position."

"Team Three, report status."

"Team Three in position."

"Team Four..."

------

Hua Juan, who is Kong Yinghan's wife, was sitting on the sofa in the living room with a worried expression.

Her eyes were swollen, clearly indicating she had been crying for a very long time.

Her second son, Kong Sheng, and third daughter, Kong Ziye, were accompanying her on either side, while her eldest son, Kong Rui, was with his father, serving as a secretary to gain experience.

"Little Sheng, did you find out any news? Is the entire Flame-Bathed Legion annihilated?? Are your dad and the others really gone?" Hua Juan said in a hoarse voice.

Shen Wuxiang did not want the Battle of Brocade City known to the public, as it would undermine the morale of the military and even the trust of the people.

Indeed, it was an ugly war.

So he ordered the news department to impose a degree of information blackout on the battle.

Because of this, Hua Juan and the others only had a partial understanding of the actual situation and battle results of the Brocade City Battle.

What made matters worse was that they wanted to contact their family members on the front line, but found they were unable to reach them at all.

The problem wasn't on the other side, it lay with them.

The entire Weishan district's signal was completely jammed, calls couldn't be made, and messages couldn't be sent out.

Every means of communication was tried, yet all in vain.

The Weishan Lake District seemed to have turned into an isolated island.

They were like guardians of the island battered by wind and rain.

Kong Sheng tore off the scarf around his neck, took a large gulp of the tea in front of him, and said, "I went around Grandpa Tang's house, Uncle Wang's house, Uncle Li's house, and Aunt Hong's house... They are controlled just like us."

"No phone calls, no messages, we can't contact the secretary deputy——I feel something major has happened."

"Brother, don't we know something major has happened? We just want to know, exactly how big is this thing. Are dad and them... still around....." Kong Ziye impatiently urged, her temper flaring.

Do you mean to tell me you went out for half a day and found nothing out?

"Do you think I don't want to know how big this issue is? I can't find out. Nobody knows, can I make up a result out of thin air?"

"They are as anxious as we are, Aunt Hong even said... if there's any result on our side, we have to inform them promptly..."

Upon hearing Kong Sheng's words, the house descended into silence once more.

The uncertainty of life and death was the most nerve-wracking.

After a long while, Kong Ziye furiously said: "I just don't understand, even if my dad died on the battlefield, it would be sacrificing for the country... why shut us out? It's as if we committed some huge mistake."

Kong Sheng glanced at his mother, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Little Sheng, just say what you have to say. Why the secrecy among family?" Hua Juan noticed her son's expression was not natural and asked.

"Mom, I heard from Aunt Cai... the reason they sealed off our district and banned us from contacting the front line might be because... someone high up in the Flame-Bathed Legion has defected."

"Defected?"

The mother and daughter cried out in surprise.

They were military families and well aware of the severe consequences 'defection' could mean.

"Shh!" Kong Sheng made a silencing gesture, lowered his voice and said softly: "Keep it down, don't let anyone hear. I heard all our homes are being monitored..."

"Did you hear... which family defected?" Hua Juan's heart raced and she asked in a trembling voice.

If Old Kong indeed defected, then their entire family... would likely have no way to survive.

At that moment, two men in black sneaked in.

Before the Kong Family could scream, they identified themselves: "We were sent by General Kong, mainly to safely transfer you..."

As they spoke, one of the men in black pressed a phone projection device on his wrist, and General Kong Yinghan's virtual image appeared right in the center of the living room.

At the same time, similar events were unfolding in other courtyards of the Weishan District.

-------

Yanqing Street. Number Eighteen.

After Sheng Jing resigned from the position of Imperial Finance Minister, he started living in seclusion, almost never leaving his home.

This led to a lot of speculation from the outside world; some believed that it was a strategic retreat, with him controlling the Empire's economic power from behind the scenes. Others thought he had fallen out with Shen Wuxiang and become a discarded pawn, with the Sheng Family completely removed from the center of power.

There were rumors that Sheng Jing had been imprisoned, subjected to daily torture. And some said he had been killed, for why else would he remain unseen for so long...

Sheng Jing himself appeared elegant and composed, staying at home every day listening to his wife sing little songs, playing chess with his daughter, and sometimes drinking a couple of stiff drinks with his brother.

Previously, he never drank alcohol; in his professional domain, he was a man so strict and meticulous that he seemed almost rigid.

He believed that those involved in the digital economy should abstain from alcohol, as even a slight indulgence could alter the numbers in one's mind.

Every little change in a decimal point could trigger a financial tsunami.

Now retired, he could indulge himself a bit to ease his worries.

Yes, although he appeared calm, he was indeed worried inside.

The one who took over the Finance Minister position was Shi Hongchuan, who had been highly favored. He was not aligned with Sheng Jing, and upon assuming office, was expected to brutally purge those originally loyal to Sheng Jing.

This was the usual method employed by everyone.

However, for reasons unknown, Shi Hongchuan did not resort to drastic measures, merely transferring Sheng Jing's allies from key positions to idle departments.

This was quite dignified.

Sheng Xinhuai, meticulous by nature, placed a white piece on the board, then looked at her father, who was pondering with his head lowered, and asked, "Has there been any movement from Shen Wuxiang lately?"

"Movement?" Sheng Jing calmly placed a piece, smiling as he said, "Rather than saying there's movement from Shen Wuxiang, it's more like that youngster Tang Fei is stirring things up."

"Oh? What big move has he made now?" Sheng Xinhuai beamed with a delighted expression.

For some reason, just mentioning that man brightened her mood.

Perhaps being trapped for so long made life feel too dull and tedious.

"Tang Fei amassed an army and breached Brocade City, the Flame-Bathed Legion was defeated, and Tang Shengyan was captured..."

Pausing, Sheng Jing continued, "It's said that the vice commander of the Flame-Bathed Legion, Kong Yinghan, voluntarily surrendered, influencing many of the legion's generals to follow suit."

"This is an extraordinary victory. After taking Brocade City, Tang Fei connected Feng City, Red Moon City, and Liyu Port, forming a natural defensive line."

"In front of Brocade City lies the fertile central heartland of the Empire. Behind it is the vast Northern Border Plain."

"He can advance and attack or retreat and defend. With the Qin Family of Zhao Ling and the Lu Clan of the Barren Land complementing each other... Tang Fei's influence is firmly established."

"From here on out, it's uncertain who will emerge victorious."

Tang Fei's achievements brought a sweetness to Sheng Xinhuai's heart akin to tasting honey.

He was the man she valued, the one she had always entrusted with her utmost faith.

As expected, he was as outstanding as she had imagined.

Unfortunately, they were confined and couldn't witness his success firsthand.

Sheng Xinhuai tried to hold back but couldn't.

Thus, a smile bloomed on her face like a fully bloomed rose, as she coyly asked, "Mr. Sheng, who do you think will win?"

Sheng Jing glanced at his daughter and sighed deeply inwardly.

You, a mere outsider... No, a bystander, what are you so happy about?

Foolish, like an idiot.

Shen Wuxiang could block the ordinary people from knowing the truth, but he couldn't influence those of them who were in high positions.

They had their own channels of information.

Phoenix had always been by Tang Fei's side, standing with him again and again in her capacity as Empire Princess, and now she even held the extremely important position of 'Prime Minister'...

They were the true pair, so where did that leave her?

Thinking of this, Sheng Jing felt a bit of a toothache.

"Tang Fei." Sheng Jing answered aloud.

He knew this was the answer his daughter wanted to hear.

"I think it's Tang Fei too..." Sheng Xinhuai was thrilled, tossing the chess piece in her hand into the chess box, rushing to sit beside Sheng Jing, her face flushed as she said, "Just think, since he arrived at New Star, when hasn't he succeeded?"

"He's someone who keeps creating miracles; nothing he does will surprise anyone."

"You shouldn't only care about them, also think more about yourself..." Sheng Jing couldn't help but remind.

"Myself? What about myself?" Sheng Xinhuai asked, confused.

Forget it, this can't be reasoned through...

Sheng Jing changed the subject, saying, "With the defeat at Brocade City, Shen Wuxiang's situation has become even more precarious. Even the Flame-Bathed Legion, one of the three ace legions, lost, with Tang Shengyan and Kong Yinghan surrendering... Unrest is sure to rise within the Imperial Army Department."

"To control the situation, Shen Wuxiang will no doubt increase his grip on the internal affairs of the Empire... If he cannot address external animosity, then he will manage internal conflicts..."

"So, we must prepare... prepare for the worst..."

"Mr. Sheng, are you worried that Shen Wuxiang will harm our family?" Sheng Xinhuai anxiously asked, "The Finance Minister position has been resigned, the power has been handed over, and we've been enclosed... Isn't he assured of us yet?"

"When people are restless, a warning example is needed." Sheng Jing looked at his daughter, speaking in a somber tone, "Finding a sufficiently weighty example is not an easy task."

"Shen Wuxiang is truly despicable," Sheng Xinhuai said, biting her silver teeth in resentment.

"Don't worry too much..." Sheng Jing didn't want his daughter living in constant fear and worry, softly comforting, "If Shen Wuxiang indeed resorts to such means, we won't let him have an easy time..."

"He may have strategies, but I have my ladders. We are barefoot now... why should mud-clad feet fear those wearing shoes?"

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