But Ye Xiu remained unruffled. The Internal Affairs Department, with Chen Yi and General Anxi, was a case apart. So, although Chen Yi's face was somewhat dark, he glanced at Ye Xiu and immediately interjected to state his position.

"My Internal Affairs Department does not interfere in the internal affairs of each state; we only follow the Federation's arrangements. However, if you all continue to be indecisive, the ones who suffer will not be us, but you..."

Chen Yi didn't elaborate, but his meaning was clear. This was an internal matter for the Southwest states, but it was also a concern for the Federation. So, even if this issue could only be decided by the Southwest States Unified Conference itself, Chen Yi still felt compelled to express his attitude. Quite categorically, he also supported Ye Xiu and hoped that the Southwest states could produce a charter as soon as possible. After all, they were people of the Federation. He just wasn't as confrontational as Ye Xiu.

At this, someone immediately responded with an ingratiating smile, "Yes, yes, yes, our apologies for troubling General Chen Yi and General Ye Xiu. We will all hurry!"

But while verbally admitting fault, their tone suddenly shifted. "Of course, the current situation with friend and foe is unclear, and we don't know what's truly happening in the Ming State Underground City. Why don't you give us some time to discuss and draft a charter? You gentlemen can review it afterward. What do you think?"

Chen Yi nodded, his expression taciturn.

Ye Xiu, however, eyed the crowd with open irony, scoffed, and said no more.

For a moment, this meeting, which had just begun, fell into a strange silence. Only the State Governors, still communicating privately behind the scenes, continued their clandestine discussions.

Thus, on the surface, it was supposed to be the Southwest States Unified Conference. In reality, it had devolved into one childish game of house after another.

"...Everyone, how should we handle this? In my view, neither of these generals is to be trifled with. I'm afraid negotiating with them will be difficult. If we respond inappropriately, what are we to do then...?"

At that moment, this question hung before them all. Calm on the surface, a storm was brewing underneath.

"As I see it, General Ye Xiu is clearly asking us to draft a charter to mobilize the army, isn't he? The problem is, gentlemen, can any of you truly guarantee your own hands are clean...?"

"Exactly. That old fellow Ye Xiu has always abhorred evil and enjoys leading the charge, especially when there's military merit to be gained! But he's no simple character. If we invite him into our own territory, one misstep could be like inviting a wolf into our house. The Underground City, already bloodbathed once, might suffer another massacre..."

"We can't let this drag on. If we continue to make such a fuss, word will surely spread throughout the Federation that we scoundrels have designs on the Underground City! By then, never mind solving the problem, the Federation's investigators will be the first to arrive..."

Where there are people, there are power struggles. It was naturally the same where these influential figures were concerned.

Therefore, even though they knew perfectly well that inviting Ye Xiu and Chen Yi to mobilize the Military Department and station troops in the various Underground Cities would be an easy matter. Moreover, regardless of who was scheming in the lower levels, those cheap kinds would have no choice but to surrender when faced with the Federation's Military Department.

But therein lay the problem. The complications were simply too great! So great, they might become uncontrollable.

This was not to mention that they would be held accountable for violating the Federal Constitution by unilaterally initiating hostilities against the Underground City.

Furthermore, if the now-quiet Underground City were to be thrown into turmoil again, it would be akin to severing its roots. Originally, people could still retreat to underground cities, but now there would be nowhere to go. People could die in the underground cities, and at the hands of the Federation, no less, which could then label the deceased as thugs. If that happened, the states' future responses would become incredibly difficult!

Besides, once the underground cities were gone, who would provide a reliable reserve of manpower for the surface cities in times of emergency?

So, without a doubt, Ye Xiu's proposal was absolutely unacceptable to them.

But if they couldn't devise a solution, how would this affair conclude?

Suddenly, one of the State Governors was struck by an idea. "Everyone, the Underground Cities in our regions have gradually stabilized! The only remaining concern is potential chaos or a recurrence of the previous disturbances. Moreover, the Ming State Underground City is a significant destabilizing factor; we must get a clear picture, or no one will be at ease. That being the case, why don't we establish a Special Operations Team in the meantime? We can continue to encircle Ming State on one hand, effectively fighting on two fronts! This would reduce the incident's impact and nip any unfavorable developments in the bud..."

The others were startled, then realization dawned.

"Right! We were too influenced by that old fellow Ye Xiu's initial strong stance. We don't need to expend too much of the Military Department's energy; we just need to control the risks..."

"Indeed, indeed. No matter how we discuss it, unless we deploy the Military Department, those who massacred the Underground City could massacre us too! Besides, we don't have the authority to issue such orders without prior consent from the Federation. Since that's the case, it's better for our respective state cities to gather personnel and cooperate with the Military Department to form a Special Operations Team. This way, we can investigate the situation in the various underground cities while also stabilizing the situation, preventing further chaos, and controlling the forces involved..."

Controlling the forces meant controlling the risk.

Undoubtedly, they were weaving a very convenient narrative for themselves.

As for Jin Botao and the others, they remained silent while this discussion unfolded. It had been this way for many years; few cared anymore, as they had grown accustomed to it. Perhaps no one knew that their choice to remain silent this time was largely because they had decided to simply go with the flow.

Old fox, you're lucky this time. Damn it, if there had been just one more hawk among them, whatever ridiculous scheme you were still cooking up would have been completely wasted!

Jin Botao nodded, his eyes profound.

From the Federation's perspective, this group was composed of incompetent fools. Not only were they indecisive, but the solution they finally concocted was, at best, a belated attempt to fix things—hardly wise. Nevertheless, they were still pleased with themselves!

But from his current standpoint, such a development was more than welcome. With everyone busy making up for past mistakes and muddling through, things naturally fell into place according to Jin Botao's calculations. He didn't even need to intervene; everything was being handled for him.

However, only Jin Botao himself knew what was truly in his heart. He couldn't help but let out a quiet sigh. Wang Zhan, oh Wang Zhan, where on earth are you, kid! For your sake this time, I've even tossed aside my conscience. You haven't actually run off with it, have you? Indeed, as long as Wang Zhan hadn't entirely stolen away his conscience, he was truly, willingly doing this.

No one paid him any mind.

It was only after such twists and turns during their private deliberations that the twenty-seven states of the Southwest finally produced a charter and were about to vote on it.

Among them, State Governor Wei Yang, the temporary spokesperson for the twenty-seven Southwest states, who had put on such a display of initial arrogance followed by utter deference before the Generals, once again spoke fawningly, "Generals, we have drafted a charter. I shall now read it aloud for you, esteemed Generals, and all our colleagues to consider!"

Then, Wei Yang announced with a serious expression, "Firstly, the unrest in the Underground City originated in Ming State City! Governor Yaotian, you acknowledge this point, do you not?"

Yaotian nodded helplessly.

Wei Yang looked around with a solemn expression. "Therefore, if we wish to thoroughly investigate the massacres that have occurred in the underground cities of the Southwest states, our top priority is to ascertain the internal situation of the Ming State Underground City and the origin of those ten Martial Kings!..."

Ye Xiu sneered. Chen Yi remained indifferent.

"...Thus, as the spokesperson elected by all of you, I, Wei Yang, hereby propose that the esteemed Generals of the Martial Management Bureau and the Internal Affairs Department immediately mobilize members of the Military Department to be stationed in Ming State City..."

Yaotian forced a bitter smile. It was a foregone conclusion! It seemed Ming State could not escape this calamity, no matter what. It was destined for this tribulation.

Yet, compared to other cities, Ming State City's situation was particularly unique. It would be more accurate to say that Ming State was a vassal of the Ming State Underground City, rather than the other way around! He, Yaotian, had no say in the affairs of the Ming State Underground City. So, what power did he, Yaotian, have to object?

However, old General Ye Xiu, who had initially been somewhat excited, his eyes brightening at the news, completely cooled down upon hearing Wei Yang's next proposal, his heart filled with sarcasm.

"...However, the members of the Military Department also work tirelessly. Therefore, after our careful deliberation, we have unanimously agreed that the best course of action is for the Generals to take the lead, with our respective cities following up, to jointly form a Special Operations Team..."

Well, now! A Special Operations Team, you actually managed to think of that!

Without a doubt, the actions of these State Governors were simply creating problems for the Internal Affairs Department and the Martial Management Bureau, while being unwilling to make any genuine commitment themselves. They'd greet you with smiles when they needed something, but tell you to get lost when they didn't. This truth was crystal clear to the Generals; no one was fooling anyone.

After all, they originally wouldn't have needed to go to such lengths. Even a simple tour of the Underground Cities with Military Department teams would have likely sufficed to handle the matter effectively.

Therefore, Ye Xiu snorted coldly, glaring at the assembly. "Since that's the case, it seems I've worried needlessly. You all can discuss the specific operational steps! Forgive an old fellow like me for not staying any longer. If anything arises, you can discuss it with my adjutant. Farewell!"

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