This was an earth-shattering explosion.

Not just because of the enormous noise and the thrilling scene created by the blast, but because the identity of the person who was killed in the explosion was extraordinarily unique.

Sheng Jing, the Family Head of the Sheng Family, one of the Empire's Three Ministers as the Finance Minister, had been entrenched in this prominent position for nearly twenty years, with countless trusted subordinates under his command...

He was a man whose mere footstep could cause violent upheavals in the Empire's economy.

Although the Sheng Family is not one of the Nine Great Families, its comprehensive strength is not much inferior to the Nine Great Families.

Just like that, blasted to death?

Not only did Sheng Jing die, but his wife and daughter as well, their entire family turned to dust, randomly scattered.

The family line was cut off.

It was truly tragic.

Qianshan.

A small yard with a fence.

An elderly man with immortal demeanor looked at the remaining light in the distant sky and sighed heavily, saying, "Shen Wuxiang has gone mad with killing, I'm afraid we also have to make a choice."

"Grandpa..." Yu Haoran stood behind the elderly man, asked incredulously, "Did they really dare to kill Sheng Jing?"

"The facts are right in front of us, what's there to doubt? That boy in the north is causing bigger and bigger disturbances, unstoppable, he has already become a formidable force; Shen Wuxiang feels enormous pressure."

"The greater the pressure, the more worried he is about internal instability in the Empire... So he must use the most brutal means to suppress."

"A Finance Minister whose heart doesn't align with his, yet holds the lifeline of the Empire's economy... Even though they've used Shi Family's Shi Hongchuan to take over his position, is the imprint Sheng Jing left over twenty years so easily erased?"

"Who knows what other maneuvers he has? How many chess pieces has he secretly set down? That Sheng family's lady and Tang Fei have always been entangled, who knows if they will stab him in the back?"

"This move not only eliminates a serious threat but also serves as a warning... Besides, this kills a monkey, don't the other monkeys worry and feel fear? Can't they feel the danger?"

Thinking of Sheng Xinhua, Yu Haoran couldn't help but feel a wave of heartache.

Such an enchanting and elegant beauty had wandered countless times at his heart, just perished like this, truly unfortunate and pitiful.

Among the young men and women with special tastes in Phoenix City, who hasn't had different thoughts about Sheng Xinhua?

LOLI might be cute, but sister is truly charming.

Cuteness is nothing in front of allure.

Of course, now is not the time for romance.

"Grandpa, if Shen Wuxiang sends people again to try to win us over, asking us to stand out and support them... how should we respond?" Yu Haoran expressed his inner worries.

"Is Phoenix still by that boy's side?" Yu Changan suddenly asked.

"Hm?" Yu Haoran was confused, not knowing why Grandpa suddenly raised this question, he said, "According to our intelligence, cousin has always been assisting Tang Fei, helping him win over military and political old ministers, handling internal and external affairs... She holds the number two position in the team."

"They all say our Yu Family is the Phoenix Queen's House, we must trust the girls' choices."

"Grandpa..."

"My decision is made." Yu Changan interrupted Yu Haoran, speaking out, "Call your dad and uncle, have them come back for a visit. I want to discuss something with them."

Among the three brothers of the Yu Family, Yu Chenghai is the chief officer of Phoenix City, the master of the city.

Yu Chenglong serves as the military commander in the Phoenix Dance Army, already a deputy commander.

As for the youngest Yu Bainian, not worth mentioning, was ruined by Tang Fei a long time ago.

"Yes. Grandpa." Yu Haoran replied.

He knew that what Grandpa decided was unchangeable.

Because of Phoenix's existence, they might be heading down a 'extremely dangerous' yet potentially highly rewarding path.

But, how do they get past Shen Wuxiang?

Moon Island.

In the underground chamber, Shi Hongyun said excitedly, "Hongchuan, Sheng Jing is dead, he tried to escape on the Star Disc but was blasted by Bai Xingjian..."

"Ha ha, offended the Military Minister and still thought of escaping? Truly overestimating oneself."

For Shi Hongyun, with Sheng Jing dead, his family would find it easier to control that position.

After all, the position of Finance Minister was grabbed from underneath Sheng Jing.

The conflict between the two families had long been irreconcilable, with Sheng Jing dead, the Sheng Family is the biggest beneficiary...

At least in his view.

Shi Hongchuan, however, was somber, raised the whiskey glass in front of him and drank it all, his voice carrying a tired tone, saying, "So, we're left with no choice but to go to the end."

Shi Hongyun looked at his brother in astonishment, asking, "Hongchuan, you wouldn't want to play both sides, would you? The Military Minister has been good to our Shi Family, even personally raising you to that position... We can't do anything to let down the Military Minister."

Shi Hongchuan was quite speechless towards his brother.

Stick to being the dandy, drink flower wine, date celebrities, play golf... better not point fingers at national affairs.

If the Sheng Family were handed to you, it would be destroyed long ago.

"A person who can't plan for the overall situation can't plan for a single domain." Shi Hongchuan picked up the glass again and filled it with strong liquor, explained aloud, "Why did the Military Minister choose to act against Sheng Family at this moment? It is because he sensed danger, felt pressure."

"Who's bringing him the pressure? It's Tang Fei in the north. Tang Fei's side is aggressive, the Military Minister has suffered defeat time and again... Who will ultimately win is still unknown."

"To be more precise, who can achieve final victory has already become an unknown. If the Military Minister wins, naturally everyone will be happy. Our Shi Family bet correctly."

"If the boy in the north wins, what will become of the Shi Family? Does the Shi Clan have any room for survival?"

"That's why after I sat in the Finance Minister's position, I only replaced a few key position's heads with my own men instead of rooting out Sheng Jing's people completely..."

"Although I haven't communicated this matter with Sheng Jing, there was an understanding between us. He owes me a favor."

"Now, Sheng Jing is dead, the Sheng Clan is annihilated... the understanding and favor between Sheng Jing and me no longer exist."

"If eventually Tang Fei achieves final victory and becomes the new master of the Phoenix Empire, he will certainly believe we collaborated with the Military Minister, that the Shi Family took the Finance Minister's position from the Sheng Family, teamed up with the Military Minister to force Sheng Jing to death..."

"Considering that boy's ruthless behavior, does our Shi Family have any future? Confiscation and extermination aren't far away."

Shi Hongyun listened, astounded, originally thinking the Shi Family and the Military Minister were united, black is black, white is white...

Unexpectedly, the seemingly trustworthy brother had always been discreetly engaging with Sheng Jing, betting on both sides.

"Hongchuan, what should we do now then?"

"Now? Sheng Jing is dead, do we have any other choice?"

He downed the whiskey in his glass, his gaze gloomy, saying, "We can only keep going without turning back."

-------

Countless families, countless small courts, are discussing the death of Sheng Jing and the subsequent impact.

In the end, it's all about interests.

These are the senior figures who have first come into contact with core secrets.

Once the explosion of Sheng Jing's Star Disc spread online, the entire internet world followed and boiled over.

"What? The Finance Minister is dead? Star Disc exploded?"

"What era is this? Star Discs still explode? Which family's Star Disc? We must boycott all their products."

"I heard the Finance Minister was fleeing the country and got blown down by the Empire's missile..."

"Nonsense from upstairs... How could the Finance Minister betray the country? He's already Finance Minister, who could afford to buy him?"

"Exactly, when they said the Princess was selling the country, it almost made me laugh... The country belongs to them; whom would she sell it to?"

"Without talking about his character, Sheng Jing is capable... In recent years, the country's economy has steadily increased, and he has been indispensable..."

"Light a candle for the Finance Minister."

"Rest in peace, Finance Minister."

------

The eyes of the masses are sharp.

Unless someone deliberately obscures them.

However, there are times when it's impossible to obscure.

Although the officials claimed that Sheng Jing betrayed national interests and fled abroad via Star Disc, most people still couldn't believe it.

Firstly, the position of Finance Minister is too prominent, already at such a high position, what national interests could he sell? And who could afford it?

Secondly, with Phoenix as a precedent, even the Princess could betray the country... The story of the wolf coming has been told too many times, and now people don't want to believe it.

What's most important is their own feelings, over the years of Sheng Jing's governance, the country has become prosperous, the national treasury increased annually, and the citizens are very satisfied with him.

Longqing Street. Number 18.

Bai Xingjian is still standing on the street, surrounded by the Kunpeng Mecha Group and Security Bureau agents he brought, tightly encircled.

After receiving Shen Wuxiang's hint, he immediately ordered to intercept the fleeing Star Disc.

When fireworks and explosions appeared in the sky above Lingjiao Mountain, he knew the bombing mission had been successful.

The deputy walked forward in big strides, reporting in a deep voice: "Report to General, the Star Disc has been destroyed, all personnel have perished."

"Send people to search Lingjiao Mountain and make sure there are no survivors."

Zhuge's whole life was cautious, Bai Xingjian always believed in this phrase.

Caution drives the ship for thousands of years.

"Yes." The deputy took the order again and left.

In his heart, he felt a bit indifferent; the Star Disc has already been blown to pieces, could anyone inside still survive?

The Kunpeng Mecha Team is Bai Xingjian's people, everyone obeys the General's orders without question.

However, over at the Security Bureau, things turned chaotic.

What's happening?

The Star Disc exploded?

Where is the Director? Their Director was still on the Star Disc?

Blown up too?

Thinking of the Director's exploding scene, makes one feel a bit sick...

Several high-ranking officials from the Security Bureau walked over, Deputy Director Jiang Yubai looked at Bai Xingjian and said: "General Bai, the Security Bureau Director Guo Nu was held hostage as well, on the Star Disc... How could you order the attack?"

"Do you have a problem?" Bai Xingjian looked at Jiang Yubai with indifferent eyes, saying: "If you have a problem, talk to the Military Minister."

"..."

One sentence choked everyone's chest tightly.

Who dares to go to the Military Minister?

Even the Finance Minister was blown to death, what's the big deal about a Security Bureau Director?

They are not particularly respectful to Director Guo Nu, mainly because they were all promoted by him, often following him to enjoy the perks.

Those who could become the Security Bureau's high-ranking officials were all Guo Nu's stalwart loyalists... lackeys.

Sharing the money, drinking the wine, when trouble arises, they step up...

Bai Xingjian retreated the Security Bureau crowd with one sentence, then walked to the corner and dialed Shen Wuxiang's phone again: "Military Minister, the task is completed."

"Have you confirmed?"

"Star Disc destroyed, nothing can save them." Bai Xingjian said confidently: "I've already arranged for people to go over and confirm again."

"Mm. Well done, thanks for your hard work."

"About the Security Bureau..."

"You'll temporarily assume the position of Security Bureau Director, you should take care of that area." Shen Wuxiang decisively said: "Xingjian, the domestic situation has been unstable recently, I can't make it, you have to watch over it for me."

"There is a saying in the Empire: The bigger the storm, the more expensive the fish. The riskier the work, the greater the reward. If you do this job well, the future Imperial Inspection Bureau will be entrusted to you."

Bai Xingjian knows, Shen Wuxiang is drawing a pie... making promises.

The Inspection Bureau, the Empire's core power institution, the Sword of Damocles above all officials.

The Director of the Inspection Bureau is not in the Three Ministers, but his power is no less, truly the Emperor's confidant.

Such as the previous 'Mad Dog' Yan Wenli, he could bite whomever he wanted, each major minister was scared silent, even the Three Ministers had to respect him more when facing him.

He exercises the 'Emperor' power.

Bai Xingjian's eyes are firm, his back straight like a pencil, as if Shen Wuxiang is standing right in front of him, with a resolute attitude, he sincerely said: "Willing to die for the Military Minister."

"Alright, I have other matters to attend to. I'll send you a list, visit them one by one."

Then, he hung up the phone.

------

Not sure how long one experiences the darkness, the black cloth above is suddenly torn open by someone.

Guo Nu looked around, his fat face pale, trembling as he asked: "I'm not dead?"

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