"Bai Xingjian?"

Sheng Jing and Sheng Xinhua shared a glance, and Sheng Jing said, "See, what did I say? Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives."

"Could there be any trouble?" Sheng Xinhua asked anxiously.

"That depends on how well we cooperate." Sheng Jing appeared contemplative, "Since they chose to send an invitation first, it suggests they want to use diplomacy before force... Let's meet them first and see what they actually want."

Mei Yuyin, who was watching TV in the living room, heard the commotion and ran over worriedly, saying, "Mr. Sheng, what's going on? Who's here in the middle of the night?"

Ever since Sheng Jing resigned from his position as Finance Minister, No. 18 Longqing Street had been deserted.

Those with distant relations wouldn't come.

Those with close relations, he couldn't let them come.

It was natural for Mei Yuyin to be worried and afraid when someone suddenly came to visit in the middle of the night.

She had spent her life performing plays about talented scholars and beautiful ladies and was well protected by Sheng Jing, but that didn't mean she was ignorant of worldly affairs.

Ever since she and Sheng Xinhua were brought back by the Security Bureau at the airport, she knew the world had changed, and so had people.

Sheng Jing stepped forward to hold Mei Yuyin's hand and smiled reassuringly, "A young person just wants to come over for a chat. Don't worry, it's nothing major."

Then he said to Sheng Xinhua, "Take your mother upstairs to watch cartoons."

"Mom, let's go upstairs." Mei Yuyin knew her father didn't want her mother involved in these political matters, so she said, "'Reversed Scale' updated with two new episodes today, we can finish watching them."

However, Mei Yuyin refused and looked at Sheng Jing, saying, "What can't I hear? Since guests have come to the house, I should stay and help make some tea."

"Yuyin..." Sheng Jing wanted to persuade her again.

"I'm not a three-year-old child." Mei Yuyin interrupted Sheng Jing, saying, "We are a family, and no matter what happens, we should stay together."

Seeing Mei Yuyin's determined attitude, Sheng Jing had no choice but to nod and say, "Alright, then sit down and listen too."

Since Mei Yuyin wasn't leaving, Sheng Xinhua naturally wouldn't leave alone.

She also wanted to hear what Bai Xingjian's visit was about.

And so, the family of three all sat in the living room, waiting for Bai Xingjian to arrive.

Bai Xingjian, as courteous as ever, entered and immediately bowed to greet Sheng Jing and Mei Yuyin, even acknowledging Sheng Xinhua.

He even brought a box of tea, smiling as he said, "Knowing the Finance Minister likes tea, I specially brought a box of my personal collection of over ten years, an old peony tea, for your enjoyment. See if it suits your taste."

At a glance at the wooden box packaging, Sheng Jing knew the tea wasn't cheap. Although the Bai family wasn't among the Nine Great Families, it was still a prestigious clan that had relocated from Blue Star. Legend has it their ancestors traced back to the poetic master Bai Juyi, who wrote the lines 'A single glance, a hundred charms arise, coloring the six palaces pale in comparison.'

"General Bai, you're too kind. I haven't done anything to deserve this favor, you should take the gift back," Sheng Jing refused outright. "Also, I've long since resigned from the position of Finance Minister, just call me Sheng Jing or Mr. Sheng."

"In my heart, the Empire has only one Finance Minister, and that's you, sir," Bai Xingjian said bluntly. "Your contributions to the Empire's economy are well-known and not easily replaced."

It was quite flattering.

It gave the impression of trying too hard.

Bai Xingjian, a confidant of Shen Wuxiang, was sent here under his orders, yet he didn't need to be so deferential.

He didn't even need to be so courteous...

If you two become close, what would Shen Wuxiang at Qi Mountain think?

Yet, Bai Xingjian was not only very polite but also brought gifts...

All Sheng Jing needed to do was leak the news about the tea gift, and it could possibly arouse Shen Wuxiang's suspicion and wariness towards Bai Xingjian...

What was he plotting?

Sheng Jing placed the brewed tea in front of Bai Xingjian and said, "Since you brought white tea, you must like it. Try this white tea I prepared."

"Thank you, Finance Minister, I'm fortunate to have this today." Bai Xingjian insisted on addressing Sheng Jing by his former title, as though he truly considered him the Empire's sole Finance Minister.

He took a sip from the teacup, savored it, and smiled, saying, "It's as silvery as snow, sweet upon entry. This tea must also have been stored for over a decade?"

"You understand tea," Sheng Jing said calmly, taking a sip as well.

He wasn't in a hurry and didn't proactively inquire about Bai Xingjian's purpose for the visit.

The butcher poised with a knife doesn't rush, so why should the lamb awaiting slaughter be anxious?

He pondered over Bai Xingjian's humbled demeanor in his mind.

Could it be an inadvertent mistake? Carelessly handing leverage over?

Sheng Jing immediately dismissed this possibility.

At such a level, there's no room for 'inadvertence.'

Everything is premeditated.

Bai Xingjian finished his cup of tea, appearing quite pleased.

He toyed with the empty cup in his hands, met Sheng Jing's scrutinizing gaze, and earnestly said, "Has the Finance Minister been comfortable living here recently?"

"Eating well, sleeping well, enjoying some tunes, playing some chess. It's been years since I've felt so at ease," Sheng Jing responded.

"The Finance Minister's life is truly enviable," Bai Xingjian praised. "If I could live like this after retirement, I'd laugh myself awake from dreams."

"General Bai, you're young and promising, it's time for your achievements, why talk of retirement?"

"That day will come eventually," Bai Xingjian laughed, "But unfortunately, Lord Military Minister hasn't been happy lately."

"Oh?" Sheng Jing feigned surprise and asked, "The Military Minister is wealthy and commands the three armies, having everything... what could possibly make him unhappy?"

"The Finance Minister hasn't read the military reports, has he? In the Battle of Brocade City, the Flame-Bathed Legion was defeated, and Tang Shengyan was captured. Our side suffered heavy losses."

"I'm a retired idle person, what do I need to read military reports for? Besides, no one sends military reports here anymore."

"That's precisely why the Military Minister is disheartened and wants to find an old friend to drink with and alleviate his worries," Bai Xingjian said brightly, "This visit is by the command of Lord Military Minister, inviting the Finance Minister and Madam and Miss to Qi Mountain for a small gathering."

Sheng Jing put down his teacup, looked directly into Bai Xingjian's eyes, and firmly refused, "It's well-known that I'm not fond of drinking. The Military Minister should invite someone else."

"The Military Minister feels deeply connected with the Finance Minister and considers you the ideal choice... Please don't make it difficult for us," Bai Xingjian implored.

"You're not making it difficult for me, you're making it difficult for me," Sheng Jing said coldly.

These people really act as hypocrites; they've barged into the house to abduct someone, yet still want others to maintain their dignity.

"The car outside is ready. Please, Finance Minister, get in the car."

"What if I refuse to go?"

"In the orders I received... that option wasn't included."

------

Weishan. Weishan Lake shore.

"Team One reporting in, successfully completed the assigned task."

"Team Two reporting in, successfully completed the assigned task."

"Team Three reporting in, successfully completed the assigned task."

"Where's Team Four?"

No response.

"Team Five?"

Still no response.

The leader in black looked grim and said in a deep voice, "Wait here. I will go to support them. If there's no response in ten minutes, leave on your own."

In the lake, there was a black submarine.

It could lead them from the depths of the water to leave Weishan Military Base, enter the Eastern Sea from Triangle Bay, and then head north all the way to Liyu Port.

"Yes," everyone responded.

Just then, the leader in black suddenly felt a chill breeze.

In an instant, he felt his hair stand on end, and goosebumps appeared all over his body.

Before his skin showed any symptoms, his body instinctively reacted.

He tapped his toes on the ground, and his body bounced back like a cannonball.

Screech!

A white streak appeared where he had just been standing.

Where the white light swept across, two Ghost Team Members were sliced into two halves.

One was cut at the chest, a head rolling off...

"Oh?"

The person who had drawn the sword didn't expect the leader in black to evade that strike and involuntarily expressed doubt.

"Who are you to hide like a rat? Come out and meet me," the black-clad leader hovered above the lake, shouting angrily.

On a protruding rocky crag, a figure in blue appeared.

The man looked to be in his forties or fifties, slender, with proud eyes and a cold expression, and he slowly uttered two words: "Wei Qing."

As if these two words should be known to the whole world.

"God slaying Sword, Wei Qing?" The black-clad leader didn't disappoint him, exclaiming immediately.

The Sword Dao is vast, speed is invincible.

With an invisible sword, slay the visible person.

Touch it and die, unpredictable by gods and ghosts.

One of the Three Sabers and Three Swords fools, the God slaying Sword Wei Qing.

"To dodge one of my swords and to know my name, it seems you are not unknown. What is your name, boy?"

"Ghost Palace, Ling Yunxiao."

"Ling Yunxiao?" The expression of the man in blue stiffened.

Ling Yunxiao is one of the Three Swords, known to the world as 'Chui Xue.'

A thousand miles of ice, ten thousand miles of snow drifting.

Extreme yin, extreme cold, chill penetrating the body, a bone-attaching disease.

This is a difficult opponent to deal with.

But, what on earth is Ghost Palace?

While thinking this, he had already voiced the question directly.

At their level, there's no need to hold back a "why" and make oneself uncomfortable.

"What the hell is Ghost Palace? Sounds intimidating."

"How dare you!"

"Insolent!"

"This scoundrel deserves to die."

------

Before Ling Yunxiao could speak, the other Ghost members accompanying him were already furious one by one.

They were all Tang Orphans, nurtured and trained by the Sunshine Orphanage, then handpicked by Bai Wuxin and secluded in desolate places to train...

Those who can join the Ghost are undoubtedly skilled, capable, and loyal.

Especially 'loyalty,' they are loyal only to the Palace Master and the Lord.

They are willing to sacrifice everything for the Lord, including their lives.

Wei Qing's public denigration of 'what the hell is Ghost Palace' breached their taboo, touching their reversed scale.

They can die, but the Ghost cannot be insulted.

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