Chapter 4: The Difficulty of Distinguishing Loyalty from Treachery

"Who is responsible for the defense of the city gate?" he asked coldly the group of central army officers who had already taken shelter to the side—although Luo Minghai was a civil official, his uniquely chilling demeanor had always commanded great respect from the officers, or rather, it could be said that they were more fearful of him.

The ever-somber face of Chief of Staff Luo Minghai appeared at the door, and Zichuan Xiu exclaimed in his heart: "Not good!"

They are all with our esteemed President!

Ge Yingxing smiled: "We will meet again, definitely!" He cast his gaze towards Bai Chuan beside him: "This young lady is quite brave; you must take good care of her tonight!"

Yang Minghua smiled with satisfaction, secretly thinking: "This group of despicable fools, if I don't show them a thing or two, they truly won't know what fear is"

He mediated: "Alright, alright, this is not the time to argue. Sterling, if we keep fighting, the dead won't rise again. At most, we can bring incense to pay our respects on holidays and the first and fifteenth of the month."

Leixun could no longer contain himself and lifted the lid of the box, only to be stunned: the box was completely empty.

Ah, Mingyu, I can't open this door!

However, as a public official, it is truly inconvenient for me to accept your kind offer! (Do not use those worthless magic stones and shining gems to brush me off! I do not want worthless items!)

Zichuan Xiu withdrew his knife, and Sterling stepped back a pace. They were both seasoned warriors, not unfamiliar with killing, but the ambush and the tactic of overwhelming the few with the many made them both uneasy— in short, they were reluctant to meet Lei Xun's large, expressive eyes.

Di Lin entered the office and respectfully saluted Lei Xun, showing none of the usual arrogance and swagger, which made Lei Xun feel somewhat more at ease.

Almost simultaneously, a soldier to the right of Lei Xun lightly punched his shoulder, so gently that Lei Xun could barely feel it. However, a wave of numbness began at his shoulder and instantly spread throughout his body. Every blood vessel, pulse point, and breath in Lei Xun's body was momentarily frozen and solidified, even the slightest bit of true energy he had temporarily summoned in preparation for a counterattack was sealed off.

Our situation ... ... Now everyone understands, right? In Zichuan Ning's home, Zichuan Xiu gathered his subordinates, including Roger, Baichuan, and Mingyu, to speak.

No! The city defense is guarded by the central army of Lei Xun, and there is no reason to let us in. In fact, Yang Minghua has already given me orders to lead a team to hunt down Ge Yingxing. Right now, my troops and I should be on our way to the Far East.

Some astute officers noticed that the atmosphere on the podium was somewhat off. Unbeknownst to them, at some point, the commander of the Far East, Ge Yingxing, had already positioned himself behind President Yang Minghua, using Yang Minghua's body to shield half of his own figure.

Zichuan Xiu turned around: "Lord Drey, it has truly been a long time since we last met"

Sterling said in a sarcastic tone: "This is merely your own imagination! For your own selfish interests, can you justify the wanton slaughter of loyal family members?"

The hero's courage and passion stirred deep emotions, and Bai Chuan was already moved to tears beside them. She could only bow deeply to Ge Yingxing to express her gratitude for the life-saving grace.

Zichuan Xiu turned around and explained: "This door is made of safe materials. It seems that none of you have left, which truly comforts me: true feelings are revealed in times of danger, and loyalty is recognized in openness. In this critical moment, your unwavering loyalty to me, Zichuan Xiu, deeply moves me... I am almost brought to tears!"

Zichuan Xiu reproached Diling, saying: "This is all your fault! Yang Minghua asked you to teach De Ke a lesson, why didn't you just stab him in the buttocks or thighs? Why did you have to stab him in the chest!"

Sterling did not ask Zichuan Canxing why he could state the number of Yang Minghua's guard in one breath, as this should be extremely confidential information, even unknown to the Emperor. He was well aware of the boundaries that a subordinate should maintain and refrained from saying anything that should not be said

Ge Xin shouted angrily: "Shut up! Zichuan Xiu, you do not have the authority to issue a dissolution order! This is my decision to make..."

Sterling ordered: "Do not pay any attention to them, but keep a close watch."

The commander of the border defense forces, Ming Hui, looked at Yang Minghua with a cold smile and said, "I also very much agree with the opinion of His Excellency Ge Yingxing!"

It turns out that extreme ferocity can also become a form of authoritative power! Sterling thought painfully, the image of that boy, whose eyes remained wide open until death, kept surfacing before him: unblinking in death

Ge Xin: "Your mother..."

Vice Commander Mi Haiyi tugged at Ge Xin's clothing and whispered, "His background is unclear; let's not argue with him for now"

Everyone gathered with a variety of complex emotions, lining up from 7:30 until nearly 10:00, yet Lei Xun did not appear, nor was there anyone with sufficient authority to tell them what to do. Just as they were feeling lost and anxious, Deputy Commander Zichuan Xiu arrived, holding the order for troop deployment

A guard of the venue stumbled in, shouting in panic: "It is the Far East Army! The Far East Army has surrounded the venue!"

No wonder some say that A Xiu is the most difficult to deal with! Di Lin nodded in satisfaction, saying, "This little rascal is truly cunning!"

Luo Minghai cast a strange glance at Zichuan Xiu, as if he had already seen through Zichuan Xiu's intentions. He cautiously maintained a distance of five meters from Zichuan Xiu, which was precisely the range at which Zichuan Xiu felt most confident in making a move

Sterling whispered: "Retribution! Deputy Commander Drey and Flag Officer Deco should be able to rest in peace"

Zichuan Xiu nodded slightly, as the Inspector General Xiao Long has always maintained neutrality; only he can uphold order in a way that both sides can accept

I scoff! What plan are we still clinging to? With everyone facing doom tonight, isn't a glimmer of hope better than waiting for death?

Along the way, the two individuals discovered that the once peaceful capital city had now become a scene of chaos and alarm.

Upon exiting the Central Military Headquarters, the three of them let out a sigh of relief, only to realize that their thick uniforms were already soaked with sweat on their backs

Di Lin smiled mysteriously: "It is absolutely unprecedented, my lord. May I request that your servant in the waiting hall bring the items up?"

Do not speak carelessly! That is the founder of the family, His Excellency Zichuan Yunge!

It hurts so much, what kind of door is this! It's so hard!

Several officers from the Black Flag Army have risen in indignation, and a thunderous sound like a loud explosion reverberated through the conference hall, causing everyone's eardrums to ache and their heads to spin

Sterling hesitated: "However, this plan does not align with Lord Zichuan Canxing's 'Cavalry' plan, and it is also too risky, with a low probability of success..."

Sterling was overwhelmed with emotion, tears welling in his eyes, and said to Zichuan Xiu: "Justice resides in the hearts of the people"

"Sir," the secretary knocked on Commander Lei Xun's office door, "Deputy Commander Di Lin requests an audience."

Everyone feels a sense of relief: this is the most solemn oath of the Zichuan family officers, and Zichuan Xiu has always had a good reputation; no one has ever heard of him breaking an oath.

Next ... ...

All eyes in the audience were directed towards Xiao Long, who was seated in the front row, to see how he would respond to the accusations against Bai Chuan.

The officers were intimidated by Lei Xun's imposing presence and did not dare to take action

The officers, with a sense of decisiveness and hesitation, ultimately almost all stepped forward, leaving only Ge Xin and a few others standing still in place

Ge Yingxing felt no surprise at all; this answer had long been anticipated by him. He extended his hands to the two of them: "Tonight in the imperial capital, many people will lose their heads, take care!"

Luo Minghai took out his hand: without a weapon, he held an envelope and handed it to Zichuan Xiu

Dilin, why would you do such a thing

A profound silence enveloped the scene, leaving everyone at a loss: what on earth could be happening

One, two, three, ... ...

Sterling said: "At the same time, I want to see if there are any senior officers who dare to oppose him!"

Zichuan Xiu accurately assessed the mindset of these mid-level military officers: they were unwilling to follow Yang Minghua in rebellion, yet they lacked the courage to quell the uprising. The best course of action for them was to quietly sit here and wait for the storm to pass

The foremost expert of the Zichuan family, the once illustrious commander of the Central Army, Lei Xun, stood there with wide-open eyes, having died upright. As for whether he understood the reason before his death, that will forever remain unknown.

"He is talking nonsense! Kill him!" Ge Xinhao finally came to his senses and loudly commanded his subordinates

A delicate voice called out from the entrance: "Stop!"

Vice Commander Ge Xin angrily scolded: "Zichuan Xiu, what are you doing?"

The Far East Army is the largest military group of the family, and at this moment, nearly half of the attendees in the venue stood up. Lei Xun, Xiao Long, and others changed their expressions dramatically, turning to look at Yang Minghua on the podium, puzzled as to why he did not make any gesture to stop it

At the entrance of the park, Diling had already arrived and appeared quite impatient while waiting

He is not wrong; this is indeed the central military headquarters. As soon as the sounds of fighting begin, if the outside troops are alerted, not a single person on Zichuan Xiu's side will return alive

No one is paying attention to Ge Xin's orders anymore; everyone is contemplating the new situation: Yang Minghua and Lei Xun are dead, and the troops from the Far East have already arrived... What should one do now?

Next, the Chief of the Imperial Guard, Pigou, and the commander of the Black Flag Army, Gongfang Jing, left without uttering a word, followed closely by their subordinates. In an instant, the once bustling conference hall, filled with a crowd, was left with only about a hundred officers from the Central Army, each appearing anxious and somewhat at a loss.

Zichuan Xiuhua and Sterling were both stunned, unable to respond

Upon exiting the venue, they saw the white clouds in the sky outside, and both Zhichuan Xiu and Sterling felt a sense of relief as if they had been given a second chance at life: that was truly perilous!

The red-clad samurai paused: "But this is an order..."

This was the first time Dekor spoke in such a grand setting, addressing a figure of such high status. He was so anxious that he almost stuttered as he said: "I am—am the Black Flag Army's Dekor. Please do not take offense, Your Excellency. I have no—no ill intentions. It is possible that Your Excellency may have inadvertently taken the wrong seat. However, in my view, Your Excellency should have stood up to give way to the Chief Minister just now, after all, according to the system..."

He mechanically raised his head to look at Dillin: "You ... ... "

Ge Yingxing's voice seemed quite surprised: "Your Excellency, this misunderstanding is far too great! I have no such rebellious thoughts! These are all my subordinates; seeing that I haven't returned for so long, they came to pick me up. " He lowered his voice: "Moreover, the red carpet is not suitable for being stained with blood!"

The ringtone sounded, and the meeting began. Six leaders were already seated at the podium: Luo Minghai, Ge Yingxing, Lei Xun, Fang Jin, Ming Hui, and Pi Gu, but the positions of the President and the Chief were still vacant. The Chief, Zichuan Canxing, had not attended a general meeting for a long time, so everyone did not expect his presence this time.

Yang Minghua understood that he had just uttered a meaningless statement. How could an experienced veteran like Ge Yinxing, who had faced life and death on the battlefield multiple times, be intimidated by such a trivial threat? He surveyed the surroundings; below, Zichuan Xiu and Sterling's group were in a standoff with the gendarmes from the Inspection Bureau, and his capable assistants, Diling and Leixun, were also present. The fact that he was being held hostage had not yet been noticed by everyone; only a few commanders seated on the podium understood what was happening. Chief of Staff Luo Minghai let out a 'humph' and attempted to move closer to provide assistance, while the Border Defense Army commander, Minghui, smiled and subtly shifted his chair, inadvertently blocking Luo Minghai's path. The commander of the Black Flag Army, Fang Jing, had a grim expression, revealing no emotion, and even that old fellow, Pigu, was staring at him with a very angry gaze.

Come, come, everyone take a portion of food, choose what you like—hey, you over there, you've taken two portions, you can't take more! And you, don't let your saliva drip on my magazine, these books are very expensive!

Sterling smiled and said: "How can Yang Minghua rest assured to let us maintain order? Today, the order is being maintained by the gendarmerie of the Inspection Department."

Ge Yingxing smiled and said to everyone: "My brother is not feeling well, so I would like to take my leave from today's meeting. May I ask if the esteemed President would grant his permission?"

Yang Minghua said softly, "Understood. Now let me respectfully escort Commander Ge back to the residence!" As he spoke, he stood up. His face was beaming with a smile, and his movements were very slow, fearing that any sudden action might lead to misunderstandings from behind and provoke a fierce attack

Zichuan Xiu wiped his nose

Yang Minghua calmed down and reflected that the original intention today was merely to establish authority and create an impact, without any intention to kill. The situation has now spiraled somewhat out of control. Fortunately, Xiao Long did not truly follow orders to carry out a massacre; otherwise, it would have meant an irreconcilable blood feud with the entire armed forces of the Zichuan family. Even if he managed to seize the position of the chief, it would not be stable.

Sterling's face turned pale; he had already guessed Xiao Long's position: How did the sword of Diling get into the venue

The shouts suddenly ceased, and everyone looked in disbelief at the troop deployment order in Zichuan Xiu's hand. Someone whispered, "Impossible, it must be fake, right?"

Zichuan Xiu, with a mischievous smile, said: "Young man, you are quite handsome, almost catching up to me! Lord Drey, is he really your son? I don't see the resemblance!"

Next, we are going to act separately! Sterling looked at Zichuan Xiu anxiously, "Ah Xiu, your task is the most dangerous. Why don't you take charge of commanding the Imperial Guard, and let me..."

Please ask him to come in

"Dilin, you have gone too far! You have killed an innocent young officer!"

Troops are frequently dispatched back and forth, all under the banner of the Central Army. The few mounted police from the Ministry of Internal Affairs announce on the streets: "By order of the Commanding Office, a curfew will be imposed in the capital after 8 PM tonight! Anyone who goes out will be killed without exception!" Passersby hurriedly avoid the area, creating a scene of chaos and disorder.

The Chief Commander’s reception room was designated as a temporary command center, with Sterling taking charge of the operations. Even the usually reclusive Chief Commander, Zichuan Canxing, made an appearance to oversee the situation.

Zichuan Xiu felt an uncontrollable chill in his heart. The depth and cunning of Zichuan Canxing were truly terrifying! Only Luo Minghai could be considered his true confidant; he, Sterling, and Diling were merely pawns in his hands.

Your Excellency, the President, I apologize, but you may be in the wrong seat

Zichuan Xiu was stunned: What does Luo Minghai want to do? Is he planning to let the army of Diling enter the city? But Yang Minghua has already ordered Diling to pursue Ge Yingxing, so he shouldn't know that Diling's troops are still outside the city! Could it be that Yang Minghua has other hidden troops outside the city?

An Ning interjected, saying: "Does Your Excellency Xiuchuan understand the current situation?" (The implication being, if we let go at this moment, will the Chief of Staff spare us?)

"Dear Sir, the journey has been exhausting; please take good care of your health!" Zichuan Xiu sincerely said

A light laugh from Ge Yingxing came from behind, indicating his happiness, yet the murderous aura pressing down on Yang Minghua showed no sign of diminishing: "What do you intend to do this time, Commander?"

Deputy Commander An Ning also said softly: "Having stood for so long, everyone is tired; it wouldn't hurt to take a break."

The last image before Lei Xun's consciousness faded was of Di Lin holding a bloodied sword, grinning menacingly at him. He suddenly felt that this scene was so familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before

The three deputy commanders wore expressions of uncertainty, their minds filled with a single question: "What should we do?" An Ning suggested, "Why don't we just wait and see how things unfold?" He had never been particularly enthusiastic about the idea of rebellion; he had only come under pressure from Lei Xun. Now that Lei Xun was not present, it could not have been better.

I accuse! A female voice interrupted his words, "I accuse, the Deputy Commander of the Far East Army, Di Lin, has deliberately murdered the Black Flag Army's Commander, Ben De Ke! I accuse, the Commander of the Central Army, Lei Xun, has deliberately murdered the Deputy Commander of the Black Flag Army, De Lei! I accuse, the Family President, Yang Minghua, has orchestrated these two cold-blooded murders from behind the scenes; he should be held accountable for this crime! I, Bai Chuan, Assistant of the Administrative Office, hereby formally submit this accusation to His Excellency, the Family Inspector General, Xiao Long. I accuse, the Family President, Yang Minghua, has orchestrated these two cold-blooded murders from behind the scenes; he should be held accountable for this crime! I, Bai Chuan, Assistant of the Administrative Office, hereby formally submit this accusation to His Excellency, the Family Inspector General, Xiao Long. If this is false, I am willing to bear all responsibility!

Oh no, that scoundrel has locked the door

The officers below were also met with a chorus of curses

Yang Minghua appeared on the podium punctually, but to the surprise of Zichuan Xiu and Sterling, Diling appeared alongside him and found a seat in the middle.

President Yang Minghua responded warmly: "Please, Commander, take care of yourself, as you are not in good health!"

Hello, Sterling, could you please refrain from cursing me? It was I who killed Deco; let him rest in peace, isn't that...

Dre laughed heartily: "When will you have that tongue of yours cut off, then our family will be rid of a significant portion of its misdeeds!"

Nine

The esteemed adult is wise, as you have said, but they will likely have to wait for quite a long time

No one believes you!

Yang Minghua said fiercely: "Don't be too reckless! Just because there are many people below making a lot of noise, a single word from me can turn this place into a river of blood"

At that time, my only way out was to kill that talkative samurai; otherwise, Yang Minghua would immediately suspect me, and all our years of hard work would be in vain

Yang Minghua sat calmly in the chair specially prepared for the commander, positioned beneath the portrait of Zichuan Yun, with a smile on his face, as if this were the most natural thing in the world

Xiao Long let out a low shout: "Come here!" The main door swung open, and a group of gendarmes armed with crossbows and spears surged in, surrounding Zichuan Xiu and Sterling's group with a menacing aura. Dozens of drawn bows were aimed at them...

Having endured grievances for so long, I finally have the opportunity to repay them

"How magnificent!" Roger, attending the family meeting of high-ranking officers for the first time, was awestruck by the solemn grandeur of the family assembly hall. The spacious and imposing hall comfortably accommodated over 1,000 senior officers, adorned with a uniform high-quality red carpet. The relief sculptures on the walls were vividly lifelike, and the ceiling soared to a height that made one hesitant to look up. Countless crystal chandeliers hung like stars in the sky.

A wave of unease swept through the venue, as senior officers looked at Yang Minghua with disbelief in their eyes, their minds racing with the same thought: "Has he gone mad?"

However, after verification by the three deputy commanders, the result is indeed true

An Ning and Mi Haiyi exchanged a glance, and An Ning nodded, saying: "I hope Lord Xiuchuan will keep his word." He changed his address for Zi Chuan Xiu from "Your Excellency" to "Lord," indicating his willingness to obey Zi Chuan Xiu's commands.

Such a large operation, the Central Army is waiting for Lei Xun to issue the mobilization order

Everyone turned to look at the sun, as the evening glow, like blood, cast a crimson hue over the entire city of the imperial capital

Zichuan Xiu did not know which side to stand on. Rationally, he understood that Diling's actions were necessary, but emotionally, he found it difficult to accept Diling's cold and indifferent demeanor after killing.

Zichuan Xiu and Sterling exchanged a glance, and Zichuan Xiu shook his head, saying: "No, my lord, we must stay."

A red-clad official stepped out nervously: "I am, I am the commander of the city gate defense..."

Mihai sneered: "The situation is unclear; acting blindly now is equivalent to a swift death. Rebellion may benefit you, but it has nothing to do with me! Losing means disaster for your family, and winning brings no advantage. You can go ahead and do such foolish things yourself."

Alright, everyone, do not act impulsively! I will give everyone the freedom to choose. I will turn around and count to ten; those who do not support me can just leave the room, and we can part amicably. Those who remain after ten counts will be considered as resolutely following and supporting me—Hey, Roger, I haven't even started counting yet, and you are already running away. Isn't that a bit disrespectful?

A faint cough came from behind, yet the killing intent pressing down on him grew increasingly intense

The spirit of the Emperor rises: "I have brought back 50,000 soldiers from the Far East, and they are absolutely obedient to me! As long as I shout 'Kill', even the Heavenly King and his followers would dare to rush forward and take action, stationed just outside the capital!"

This is the result of your esteemed leadership and the deep support of the * book * by everyone—after today's meeting, he also understands that Yang Minghua is truly unpopular. Yang Minghua is indeed too foolish, hastily expressing his intention to rebel.

Even the number of officers in the hall far exceeds the guards of Zichuan Xiu, and they are all fully armed

As long as Luo Minghai exposes Zichuan Xiu's lies, indicating that Yang Minghua is not dead and that the Far East Army has not arrived, and then issues orders in his capacity as Chief of Staff, this group of indecisive Central Army officers cannot be guaranteed not to betray once more, at that time ...! ... both he and his subordinates will face a fate without burial grounds

A sudden upheaval erupted, causing an uproar throughout the venue! The officers could hardly believe their eyes; in such a solemn occasion, Yang Minghua and his group actually dared to openly commit murder, killing two senior military officers from the De family!

Oh! Yang Minghua raised his eyebrows slightly and said nonchalantly, "This colleague seems unfamiliar. Are you saying I am sitting in the wrong seat?"

"Nonsense?" Zichuan Xiu threw something in front of Ge Xin and said: "You take a look yourself!"

Dilin sighed helplessly and said, "I could kill everyone in the world—except for the two of you." For someone as proud as him, this was already a form of concession and apology. In fact, every time the three of them had a disagreement or argument in the past, it always ended with Sterling winning, and the other two yielding, because Sterling was always the one who was right.

Di Lin sneered: "Whose blood will stain the long streets of the imperial capital tonight?"

Zichuan Sanxing stamped his foot and turned to exit the conference hall.

With a sharp "swish," his left hand was severed at the wrist, and the force of the blade was slightly impeded, deeply cutting into the carotid artery beneath his neck.

Four, five, ... ...

The three of them swaggered out while carrying an iron box, and no one questioned them, as Di Lin walked in front with an air of arrogance, who would dare to cause trouble

"So, can you guess who the first person to die is?" Ge Yingxing paid no heed to Yang Minghua's threat, "Moreover, my lord, do you think a despicable person like me would come alone to attend a meeting?" As if to complement Ge Yingxing's words, a resounding sound of hooves, the synchronized marching of troops, and the clanging of weapons and armor echoed from the direction of the conference hall entrance.

"It is my fault! I apologize to you, my lord." Deku said, his face flushed with embarrassment, not even knowing the reason for his apology, "I..."

Everyone fell silent as if struck by a chill

Di Lin sighed: "Is the life of a flag bearer more precious than the lives of the three of us and the future of the entire Zichuan family? For my safety and the safety of everyone, he must die"

The date of the meeting was March 26, 779 of the Empire Calendar. This day would later be recorded in the family annals as the "Night of Blood in the Imperial Capital." ... The hot blood that flowed like a small stream in the conference hall during the day would, by late evening, converge into a vast ocean, drowning everyone in its depths ...

Zichuan Xiu hesitantly took it, stepped back a few paces, and opened it to read: "For the benefit of the family, this document holder, His Excellency Luo Minghai, shall act according to my orders and do what he is supposed to do. All civil and military officials of the family must cooperate in this matter. Zichuan, Year 773 of the Star Empire."

The familiar object, which does not require verification, is known to everyone as the most treasured and important command seal of Leixun

Yang Minghua's complexion suddenly turned pale: the guard of Ge Yingxing has arrived! Although he commanded a powerful central army, he had not anticipated such a situation. Help from afar cannot extinguish a fire nearby; in the event of a conflict, he would be the first to suffer. He whispered, "Kill me, and you won't be able to leave the Imperial Capital! Within ten minutes, the central army can annihilate all of your several thousand men!"

Dilin worshipped Leixun as if gazing up at a towering mountain: "Your Excellency, Commander Lei, your noble character truly commands the admiration of us younger officials! However, these humble gifts were originally prepared solely for you, so I kindly ask you to accept them for the sake of my face!" He leaned closer to Leixun's ear and whispered, "This is not something one encounters every day; it was seized from a noble of the demon race who could never escape after I captured Kashlai, and it is absolutely priceless!" Dilin wore a face full of flattery.

We cannot go out! He never intended to let us out!

Sterling also gratefully said: "Your Excellency, your life-saving grace is beyond repayment. Please take great care on your journey!"

Go to Central Park to meet Dilling!" Sterling replied, his face already showing signs of displeasure

Almost everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that no conflict had erupted on the spot, thankful that the illusion of peace could be maintained, and relieved that they did not have to be forced to make a choice immediately

Mi Haiyi gently said to Zichuan Xiu: "Your Excellency Xiuchuan, let us speak frankly and openly. What exactly do you want us to do?" His tone had softened considerably compared to the beginning

What kind of person!

Where is the remaining small portion?

This is a placeholder text.

Leixun instructed the guards to let him pass

He sighed, ordered the gendarmerie to withdraw, and followed them out.

The two exchanged a glance, both aware that Yang Minghua would make his move tonight, their hearts heavy. Zichuan Xiu felt a deep concern for Ge Yingxing, hoping he could safely leave the city soon

Oh, I originally thought these decorative gold blocks could be pried off, but who would have known they are embedded so tightly

Sterling glanced at him without responding; the death of that young man had always been a thorn in Sterling's heart

Sterling suddenly stood up: "How many people?"

They formed a human wall, encircling Baichuan, preventing the gendarmes from approaching.

Zichuan Xiusu Rong replied: "I dare not, I only hope that everyone will not go out tonight, but rather wait here until tomorrow morning."

Oh? If it were you, what would you do

Seven, eight

With a few loud thuds, several guards from Zichuan Xiu were thrown in, landing on their backs with their legs in the air

The year 773 is the second year since Zichuan Xiu's decisive defeat of the Liufeng Army, and it is also the first year that Zichuan Canxing assumed the position of Chief. This was three years earlier than when Diling infiltrated Yang Minghua as an undercover agent. As soon as Zichuan Canxing became Chief, he had already placed a spy beside Yang Minghua

***

Yang Minghua cursed fiercely, "Idiot!" and spat forcefully onto the precious red carpet

Oh, I see. Lei Xun felt somewhat displeased. That young brat Di Lin, still wet behind the ears, is increasingly favored by Yang Minghua. Relying on a few victories against the demon clan, he has become arrogant. At just over twenty years old, he has already been appointed as the deputy commander, and who knows, he might surpass my position in the future

"Yes, yes, I will execute it immediately, execute it immediately..." The officer in red, almost unable to stand, hurriedly ran outside, completely disregarding the previous order from Zichuan Xiu not to leave the room. This clearly indicates that the officers, under the accumulated authority of Luo Minghai, had no thought of resistance.

The officers attending the meeting were all taken aback. Who among them had the audacity to voice the thoughts they had kept hidden in their hearts? Everyone turned to look at the source of the voice, and a young flag bearer, still innocent in appearance, stood up and spoke shyly. Both Zichuan Xiu and Sterling were startled: he was Dre's son, Deco

Mr. Xiuchuan, what are you doing squatting in the corner?

"Hehe, Your Excellency, you are truly too courteous!" With a flash of movement, Ge Yingxing had already emerged from behind Yang Minghua, also wearing a beaming smile

"Dilin, what time is it now? You should go do something serious! Do you need something from me?" What Lei Xun referred to as serious business was to go after Ge Yingxing.

At this moment, the only ones still seated at the podium were Yang Minghua and his confidant Luo Minghai

Oh dear, if everyone doesn't believe it, then I have no choice but to speak the truth! The reason is that the moonlight is beautiful tonight, and Commander Lei suddenly felt inspired and wants everyone to enjoy the moon together!

Seeing that he could not persuade the other two deputy commanders, Ge Xinyi gritted his teeth and stomped his foot, preparing to leave the conference hall. His own troops numbered nearly 50,000 and could similarly influence the overall situation

The officers present were already aware of the events from the meeting earlier in the day and had received instructions from their direct superior, Lei Xun: "1. Assemble the troops at the southern headquarters, fully armed, and prepare for battle. 2. At 7:30, all officers of the rank of deputy flag officer and above are to gather in the conference hall to await my final orders!" Even the most foolish person could understand what was about to happen

Sterling gazed into the pitch-black silence of the southern city, murmuring, "It's all up to you, Ah Xiu"

Stop! The guards of the Zichuan Xiuwai team at the entrance issued a warning

Deco is a very young lad, with only a fine fuzz growing at the corners of his mouth. It is evident that he is somewhat shy and introverted. After greeting Zichuan Xiu and Sterling, he was at a loss for words and simply smiled innocently.

Ge Yingxing smiled and said, "As a person of great responsibility for the nation's fate, you must also take good care of your health!"

He smiled as he introduced his son, Dekqi, to Zichuan Xiu: "This is my son, Dekqi. It is his first time experiencing such a grand occasion. In the future, I hope you, Brother Xiu, and Lord Sterling will provide him with more guidance."

Sir, if I were Yang Minghua, I would not allow the officers of various troops to leave the capital so easily

***

Sterling murmured: "The number one expert of the family truly lives up to the reputation!"

Zichuan Xiu carefully looked around; the meeting had not yet started, and over a thousand senior military officers were wandering about, chatting in disarray. He asked Sterling, "Isn't your guard supposed to maintain order at the venue today"

Yang Minghua immediately understood Ge Yixing's meaning: in today's gathering of all senior officials from the family, neither Ge Yixing nor he should engage in a massacre, as it would not only have a very negative impact but also leave an indelible stain on their reputations in history

Sterling, the Inspector General Xiao Long just came to see me and submitted his resignation letter. He promised that he would not intervene in the conflict between Yang Minghua and me tonight

At the high-ranking officer meeting of the Zichuan family, over one thousand distinguished men present felt ashamed and embarrassed for the justice and courage of a woman

He immediately understood that any slight movement on his part would instantly provoke the most fierce and terrifying attack from behind! He felt regret in his heart: "I actually never took precautions against this seemingly dying consumptive!"

Zichuan Xiu fully understood their concerns and raised his right hand to swear: "I swear by the grave of my father, Zichuan Xiu, that as long as the members of the Central Army can stay here tonight and not leave this room, I guarantee that all of you will be safe. Should I violate this oath, may God strip me of my life, honor, and property"

Sterling's hands clenched, producing a sound like "gege": the master suffers, the minister is humiliated; when the master is insulted, the minister dies. He truly could not bear to see the Chief being subjected to such humiliation and was ready to rush forward to fight Yang Minghua to the death. A pair of steady hands pressed down on his shoulders just in time, and Zichuan Xiu's calm voice rang in his ears: "Preserve this life, and I shall await the opportunity to achieve something great"

Mi Haiyi stood to the right of the hall: "I accept Lord Xiuchuan's terms. Those who agree with me, please step forward."

"All right, the meeting will continue," announced Yang Minghua

Xiao Long's stern face was ashen, resembling a mask. In the face of everyone's expectations, he slowly spoke in a low voice: "There is no murder case; there is no need for an investigation, and accusations will not be accepted"

Zichuan Xiu listened at the office door and turned back to say: "There has been no discovery outside yet"

He glanced at the time; it was already 7 PM. In another hour, the curfew would begin, and the operation to besiege the General's Office would also commence. Why has Di Lin come at this moment?

Cigarettes, beer, eight-treasure porridge, beverages, and peanuts

Di Lin appeared quite relaxed as he wiped the blood from the sword with Lei Xun's clothing, joking softly, "What first-rate expert? We can take him down like a chicken! Look at him, his eyes wide open in death!"

Two soldiers, their hats pulled low, struggled to carry an iron box that was more than half a person tall. In his mind, Leixun pondered: What could be so large? Diamonds? Gold? A rare magical treasure? Seeing how hard they were straining, it must be quite heavy!

As he watched Ge Yingxing's cavalry depart, Zichuan Xiu asked Sterling, "Where are we going now"

In an instant, hundreds of voices shouted in unison: "Yang Minghua—get lost!" The collective sound surged like a massive wave towards the podium

... ...

Di Lin: "As soon as the sun sets, the central army will close the city gates. Let us commence our actions at that moment"

Sterling praised, "Your son is full of vigor and talent; he is sure to have a boundless future ahead!"

Another deputy commander, Mi Haiyi, raised a crucial question: "How did you get in? Where are the guards?"

"No need!" Zichuan Xiu said to Sterling, "Second Brother, you are the backbone of the Imperial Guard. Yang Minghua is going to attack the General's residence tonight; your presence there is indispensable!"

Di Lin saw Zi Chuan Xiu and hesitated, coming to a stop, feeling somewhat at a loss.

Leixun's tense face immediately relaxed, and his tone became much smoother: "Oh, in that case, Your Excellency Diling is truly too courteous and considerate." (Who doesn't know that you have been scraping the demon clan's territory in the Far East, leaving no grass growing, and of course, you have reaped a lot of benefits!)

On the sidelines, numerous officers from the Far East Army, the Black Flag Army, the Border Defense Army, and the Imperial Guard gathered around Zichuan Xiu, whether they were acquainted or not, standing fearlessly to block the path of the gendarmerie's arrows with their bodies

Only with a swift strike of the thunderous blade, he would kill Luo Minghai before he could utter a word! ... In Zichuan Xiu's heart, the urge to kill began to stir, and secretly, his hand had already tightly grasped the hilt of the knife ...

Sterling sighed. Putting oneself in another's shoes, if it were oneself in such a situation, it would indeed be difficult to find a second path to take

Zichuan Xiuzhe murmured, "That definitely has nothing to do with me. I have anemia and don't have enough blood to be used as paint for the roads! I heard that Yang Minghua has high blood pressure!"

They are confronted by a vast and furious ocean.

Dilin smiled gently and pressed forward towards Baichuan

All the subordinates nodded in agreement, indicating their understanding

He understood the difficulties and struggles that Di Lin faced as an undercover agent, and he could no longer bear to blame him. He asked, "How is your situation now?"

A sudden upheaval!

His father, Dreyman, immediately stood up and scolded him: "Aco, are you crazy? What nonsense are you talking about! Hurry up and apologize to the President and sit down!"

In the grand conference hall of the Central Army, filled with an atmosphere of solemnity and tension, over three hundred officers of the Central Army could hardly believe their eyes: a young man dressed in the uniform of a deputy commander pushed a cart filled with food, calling out as he entered

Ten

The box was placed on Leixun's desk, and Diling mysteriously closed the office door before gently unlocking the box's padlock, smiling as he said, "You will know once you open it, my lord."

Alright, I will start counting: one, three, five, six, eight ... ...

Di Lin did not hesitate: "As long as I can survive, I can kill everyone in the world"

Everyone smiled heartily, and Dre left to socialize with other officers

Zichuan Xiu raised his vigilance to guard against any sudden attacks from him

Everything was under his control, and Yang Minghua was feeling triumphant. Suddenly, his expression changed dramatically: he realized that the Eastern Commander, Ge Yingxing, who had been silent until now, had stealthily moved behind him, lightly resting a hand on his shoulder. A chilling and intense aura of murderous intent emanated from behind, enveloping him and making him feel as if he were in the coldest ice cave.

A soldier standing to his left suddenly drew his sword and slashed at his neck! It was an ordinary strike, one could say it lacked any form or technique, with the only distinguishing feature being its speed! So fast that it was beyond comprehension, swifter than lightning, quicker than light! Even more terrifying was that the attack came without any warning; there was no visible movement, and in an instant, the gleaming blade was already at Leixun's throat, as if a sword had sprung forth from the air!

"Shirakawa, quickly use the master key to open the door!"

Leixun summoned his last ounce of strength, wanting to cry out, but he only felt a chill in his throat, unable to produce a sound... In a flash, Diling thrust his sword into Leixun's throat, severing his windpipe

Even the commander of the Imperial Guard, Pigou, who had long been thought to be too old and confused, trembled as he stood up to express his protest

I lost the key in the room, there is no time left, Roger, you are big, quickly break down the door!

The streets are sparsely populated, cold and desolate, clearly because the curfew time is approaching

An officer from the Far East Army immediately stood up and raised his hand in support of Ge Yingxing: they had long been outraged by Yang Minghua's atrocities, but just now, lacking a leader, they did not dare to speak out. Now, inspired by Ge Yingxing's prestige, they were emboldened to step forward.

Elder brother, those fifty thousand troops of the Far East will only listen to your command, so you cannot leave.

The three of them let out a sigh of relief. This is the headquarters of the Central Army. Just now, if Lei Xun had let out even a slight scream or if there had been the faintest sound of a struggle, the experts within the Central Army, numerous as they are, would have been unable to escape, no matter how skilled they were in martial arts.

"No, it is useful." Zichuan Xiu revealed a mysterious smile, "I have a method, let everyone take a look at it, how about that?"

Di Lin also nodded: "I also think that A Xiu is being too reckless. Let me handle it; I am a trusted confidant of Yang Minghua, and they will not suspect me for the time being"

Roger: "We have no grievances or enmity with President Yang Minghua..."

Sterling smiled and said, "I don't know either. However, there is a legend that once a samurai leader brought an infantry division here for a meeting. The samurai leader was late, and after searching around without finding anyone, he left. The next day, his subordinates told him that in fact, the entire division of over 3,000 men had been sitting in the left corridor of the conference hall waiting for him... The next day, his subordinates told him that in fact, the entire division of over 3,000 men had been sitting in the left corridor of the conference hall waiting for him..."

It is quite easy to close the city gates and carry out a massacre, but such actions would turn the Far East Army, the Border Defense Army, and the Black Flag Army into mortal enemies of Yang Minghua. His purpose today is merely to establish authority, and he does not wish for things to escalate to that extent. With over eighty percent of the military opposed, even if he were to seize the position, he would not be able to maintain it.

"Alright, Dekqi, I understand your point. But please do not disrupt the proceedings of the meeting; this is a very serious occasion!" As he spoke, Yang Minghua gave a meaningful and ominous glance to Diling.

Ge Xin's expression changed, and Zi Chuan Xiu spoke to him gently: "Your Excellency Ge Xin, those who recognize the times are the true talents. My promise holds the same weight for you. The major mistake has not yet been made; it is still not too late to turn back!"

However ... ...

Sterling firmly stated: "This is a good omen; the righteous will surely prevail"

Yang Minghua began to speak: "Dear colleagues, we will now commence this year's general meeting." He announced the start of the meeting as if nothing had happened.

Sterling's worried gaze turned south, where the Central Army's southern camp was located: "The only thing I am concerned about is the Central Army! Just now, the scouts reported that all the Central Army troops on the streets suddenly withdrew to gather at the southern camp, and the camp gates are tightly closed..."

Only Ge Yingxing is Yang Minghua's arch-enemy, so he has already arranged for Diling to pursue and kill him. As for the others, Yang Minghua can gradually divide and win them over after he ascends to the position of General Secretary; this approach is far more sophisticated than a massacre.

Yang Minghua wore a face full of displeasure. He truly despised Baichuan; clearly, everyone had submitted, yet this oblivious woman was still here causing trouble! He cast a second glance at Diling.

Yang Minghua stood on the platform, surveying the venue with an imposing gaze, as if searching for the next foolhardy individual daring to challenge his authority. No one dared to meet his aggressive stare; even Zichuan Xiu and Sterling instinctively averted their eyes

Zichuan Xiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief: "It is not easy to have finally secured the neutrality of the central army! The Sterling Guards will not find it difficult to defeat Yang Minghua's private armed forces; the situation is already settled for tonight"

The clear and crisp voice of Shirakawa, slightly trembling due to nervousness, echoed in the silent conference hall

Leixun is also a top-notch expert, but in the face of such a terrifying strike, he could only rely on his instincts to react: his body tilted to the right, and he instinctively raised his left hand in an attempt to block.

The staff officer entered the temporary command post to report: "Your Excellency, a large number of armed individuals in black have appeared around the headquarters, and the defense commander requests instructions."

Yang Minghua remained seated, his face ashen, yet he did not utter a word. The other commanders appeared unusually tense, as if they were all extremely anxious... No one could have anticipated that, unbeknownst to them, Commander Yang Minghua had already been taken hostage by Ge Yingxing

Under the instigation of Zichuan Xiu, the officers who had been standing in formation for nearly three hours were already exhausted. Given that there was an authoritative figure like Zichuan Xiu (who was the deputy commander and held the power to mobilize troops) issuing orders, and that these orders were indeed quite pleasant (rest and refreshments), coupled with the fact that the three deputy commanders present had no objections, it was clear that Commander Lei Xun's order merely instructed everyone to wait, without specifying how to wait. With a sudden "whoosh," the orderly formation dispersed, and everyone began to chat and laugh, enjoying food and drink. The previously tense and solemn meeting room instantly transformed into a festive gathering.

Alright, everything is fine, everyone can just relax and enjoy themselves! Feel free to eat whatever you like, friends who enjoy reading magazines can come here to read, as long as no one goes outside, it doesn't matter what everyone does...

The commander of the Black Flag Army, Fang Jin, stood up without saying a word, his expression shifting between dark and light: the ones who were killed were all members of the Black Flag Army, his subordinates, and he was extremely furious

The two could no longer continue the conversation and both turned away in anger, saying, "Hmph!"

"How big is this conference hall?" Baichuan asked Sterling beside him

"At that time, we were standing in front of Baichuan. Why didn't you kill us as well, so that Yang Minghua would trust you more?" Sterling said coldly

Where has Lord Xiuchuan gone?

Hmph! Luo Minghai's snort was already filled with anger

We will also unhesitatingly seek refuge with King Yama

Shirakawa: "However, since he is your enemy, my lord..."

The three men shook hands tightly: "See you tomorrow!" This is a very ordinary farewell phrase, but can these three brothers, each bearing a mission and uncertain fate, truly witness the sunrise of tomorrow together

Four thousand eight hundred and twenty-one people. The response surprisingly came from Zichuan Canxing, "That is Yang Minghua's personal guard"

Indeed, do not mention Yang Minghua; if we say that you, Zichuan Xiu, have a grudge against hell...

Ge Xin was sulking and fell silent

Some are joyful while others are sorrowful, but the majority of people feel anxious and uneasy. As family officers, although they do not hold a high loyalty to the current Commander-in-Chief, Zichuan Canxing, they also do not wish to bear the stigma of being traitors. Moreover, throughout the two hundred years of their family's history, there has never been a good outcome for those who have rebelled... However, Lei Xun is their direct superior, and his orders must be obeyed. Furthermore, if he succeeds in his rebellion and they do not participate, their own fate would be extremely tragic

Sterling said with disappointment: "We can't enter the city... then it's useless. Is it possible to force our way in?"

Alright. Sterling also made up his mind, "Then let's damn well do it!" He rarely swore.

Amidst a large entourage of guards, Ge Yingxing approached Zichuan Xiu and Sterling: "Sterling, Ah Xiu, I am leaving the city immediately to return to Valen. Do you want to come with me? If we delay any longer, Yang Minghua might close the city gates!"

The hand-written order by Zi Chuan Canxing, stamped with the official seal of the General Commander

Suddenly, the situation reversed, and Yang Minghua became calm instead. He quietly and slowly said to the captor behind him, "What do you want?"

Ge Xin chuckled and turned back with a smile, saying, "Lord Xiuchuan, is it a bit lacking to come to our Central Army with just this few people?"

It will be easier from here on. Place Lei Xun's body into the iron box and clean up the bloodstains from the fight—this is quite simple, as under Sterling's icy true energy, the blood within Lei Xun's body had frozen and congealed before it could even flow out. Pry open the drawer of the desk to find the commander’s seal and the central army's troop transfer orders—there were also many banknotes and valuable treasures in the drawer. Of course, Zichuan Xiu would not be polite, but Sterling stopped him, saying: "No! We did not kill Lei Xun for personal vendetta! Your actions would insult our mission!" Pry open the drawer of the desk to find the commander’s seal and the central army's troop transfer orders—there were also many banknotes and valuable treasures in the drawer. Of course, Zichuan Xiu would not be polite, but Sterling stopped him, saying: "No! We did not kill Lei Xun for personal vendetta! Your actions would insult our mission!"

Fortunately, both negotiators were exceptionally composed and formidable figures, capable of calmly weighing the pros and cons, thus reaching a sort of non-agreement that maintained this illusory peace.

Yang Minghua was nervously contemplating: "This is not good. I am now isolated and helpless. Should I call out for help to Lei Xun and Di Lin, my trusted aides? It would be utterly disgraceful for the President to be taken hostage in such a situation. Moreover, will they be able to return in time to rescue me..."

Someone came over to greet Zichuan Xiu: "Long time no see, A Xiu!"

A unified sound of rising filled the audience, with nearly everyone standing up. Waves of angry gazes were directed at Yang Minghua on the podium—his tyrannical cruelty had already incited public outrage! Even among Yang Minghua's loyal faction in the Central Army, many stood up to express their protest

He lowered his voice and said, "You are so rude to me, do you not fear that I will take your head?"

No, think about it. Before the meeting, Yang Minghua had the following forces: the 170,000 Central Army of Lei Xun, the 50,000 Far East Army of Di Lin outside the city, the gendarmerie of the Supervisory Office, his own guard, and the police force of the capital. Yet we only have your 10,000 Imperial Guards—he is not foolish, but rather overconfident! This is such a great opportunity for rebellion; it would be a pity not to seize it

This fellow really knows how to navigate social situations! Ah, Lord Diling, you truly put me in a difficult position... You must understand that I absolutely do not accept gifts (because they are usually too trivial). Well, for your sake, I will make an exception this time. What is it that is so rare? By the way, this will not become a regular occurrence!

Dre is the deputy commander of the Black Flag Army and fought alongside Zichuan Xiu in the counterattack against the Liufeng family six years ago

Zichuan Xiuliangliang's order to mobilize troops: "I used this to bribe the guards"

Sterling and Dilling could not help but smile

Oh, I heard that everyone in the Central Army has been working very hard lately, standing here for punishment in the middle of the night without rest. I have come to express my condolences to you all

Whose martial arts are so formidable and domineering? At this moment of life and death, Lei Xun could only think of one name: Sterling! Since he has come, it is certain that I will die, but at the very least, I must inform the people outside

Di Lin said irritably: "Try using 50,000 people to attack the heavily fortified imperial capital, which is garrisoned by 170,000 elite troops."

Zichuan Xiuran replied, "Yes." He then put the items back and secretly kept half of them.

Behind, Zichuan Xiu said leisurely: "Such a clear breeze and bright moon, where is Lord Ge Xin in such a hurry to go?"

A burst of cheers erupted in the venue, when suddenly someone shouted, "Yang Minghua—get lost!"

The content of the words is more shocking than the volume filled with true energy, leaving the officers trembling and unsteady

Oh, my lord, the situation is as follows: during my time in the Far East, I had some notable achievements in battles against the demon clan. I now wish to present these as tribute to you, as a small token of my appreciation.

All the officers breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they were going to have to fight Yang Minghua; this condition is acceptable

Zichuan Xiu recalled Di Lin's evaluation of Luo Minghai: "Profound and unfathomable"

At the command of Shirakawa, the guards of Tsukikawa Hidetaka advanced to surround them.

Di Lin has returned, yet he has not contacted me... The two exchanged glances, both recognizing the worry in each other's eyes

Seeing Sterling's imposing demeanor as he came to question him, Dilling spoke first: "What’s wrong? Why do you look so angry?"

The venue was momentarily enveloped in an awkward silence, as the officers glanced at Zichuan Canxing, who was trembling with anger at this blatant provocation and insult; then they looked at Yang Minghua, who remained calm and composed, showing no intention of standing up to give way... This uncomfortable silence seemed as if it could last indefinitely

Luo Minghai walked towards Zichuan Xiu, his hand reaching into his pocket

Sterling was fully focused on every move of Raxton, fearing that he might employ the same trick again and launch another surprise attack

The venue, which had been filled with noise just moments ago, suddenly fell silent. The attending officers turned their astonished gazes towards the calm and composed Far East Commander Ge Yingxing standing on the podium. Everyone was taken aback, their minds racing with the same shocking thought: "Is a military coup about to happen?" After all, shouting "Down with Yang Minghua" was one thing, but actually instigating a bloody street battle in the capital was quite another. No one was mentally prepared for such a scenario, leaving them at a loss for what to do.

Faced with the suddenly empty hall, although the threat behind him had been lifted, Yang Minghua did not feel any sense of relief; instead, he was overwhelmed by an inexplicable sense of loss. Lei Xun leaned in and whispered, "My lord, the central army is still in our hands! Should we close the city gates immediately and deal with them once and for all?"

Ge Xin could no longer contain himself: "May I ask, Your Excellency Xiuchuan, where is our Commander Lord Lei?"

Zichuan Xiu thought for a moment: "Yes, yes... Tell her to stop wearing those ultra-short skirts; her figure is like a bamboo pole, not sexy at all, and it's not suitable. Also, when you get home tomorrow morning, ask her to make me some egg porridge—remember to put in more eggs. I can't keep eating one ton of rice, one ton of water, and one egg; it's so bland that I'm losing my appetite. ... Hey, where are you two going, big brother and second brother? I haven't finished my instructions yet. Tell her to quickly return those hidden yellow books to me, or I will really be rude to her! ... I'm serious..."

The entire Longfu Palace is under a state of high alert, with over 10,000 elite guards fully armed and assembled. Not only are there heavy troops stationed at the periphery, but the orderly ranks and the flickering blades create an atmosphere of solemnity. Inside, there are sentries every three steps and watchmen every five steps, with the sound of commands echoing continuously. Everyone understands that the long-standing struggle with Yang Minghua will culminate in a decisive outcome tonight, filling the hearts of many with a tense feeling as if a storm is approaching.

At this moment, the main door of the venue swung wide open, and the figure of the Chief of the Zichuan Canxing appeared at the entrance

Wow! Mingyu exclaimed, "Who is that very handsome and somewhat rogue-looking long-haired man in the large portrait hanging in the center?"

He could no longer speak, as a slender, sharp sword pierced his young, warm, and broad chest like lightning, and just as swiftly withdrew, bringing forth a spray of blood. He stared blankly at the gradually expanding bloodstain on his chest, then looked at Di Lin, who was leisurely wiping the blood from the sword in front of him, unable to believe it, his eyes wide open. He fell straight down like that, ... his wide-open eyes still filled with innocence and longing ... He stared blankly at the gradually expanding bloodstain on his chest, then looked at Di Lin, who was leisurely wiping the blood from the sword in front of him, unable to believe it, his eyes wide open. He fell straight down like that, ... his wide-open eyes still filled with innocence and longing ...

I am a mortal enemy of President Yang Minghua, which side do you choose to stand on

Zichuan Xiuhua, Roger, and Mingyu immediately stood up, blocking Di Lin's path.

"Your Excellency Xiuchuan, may I inquire about your esteemed purpose?" asked the Third Deputy Commander An Ning.

The murder incident that occurred right in front of him, with two bodies still lying there, and he actually said, "Murder does not exist"

Zichuan Xiu whispered to Sterling: "He is creating a momentum for his own rebellion!"

At this moment, the position of the Inspector General, Xiao Long, is of paramount importance. It is not because of his high status as the seventh leader of the family, ranking above the other six leaders; nor is it due to his significant power, as he independently oversees inspection affairs without being controlled by the leadership office or President Yang Minghua; nor is it because he usually handles matters fairly, enforces the law rigorously, and is highly respected and admired within the family. It is solely because he commands the more than 3,000 garrison troops controlling the venue entirely by himself. As long as he leans towards one side, the thousands of fully armed elite garrison troops will align with that side, and in the event of a conflict, no matter how exceptional your skills or martial prowess, you would be unable to withstand it. Moreover, everyone had undergone a security check before attending the meeting, leaving them completely unarmed, making them no match for the numerous, well-armed, and organized garrison troops.

Zichuan Xiuyi chuckled and suddenly shouted with a voice like thunder: "Yang Minghua has conspired to rebel, an act of utmost treachery, and has been executed! Lei Xun, in collusion with the conspiracy, has committed heinous crimes and has also been put to death! The 400,000 loyalist troops from the Far East, led by Lord Ge Yingxing, have arrived in the imperial capital! The path forward is for you all to choose! Anyone who wishes to accompany Yang Minghua and Lei Xun to the grave is welcome! They are quite lonely down there!" The 400,000 loyalist troops from the Far East, led by Lord Ge Yingxing, have arrived in the imperial capital! The path forward is for you all to choose! Anyone who wishes to accompany Yang Minghua and Lei Xun to the grave is welcome! They are quite lonely down there!

His father, Deputy Commander Drey, let out a roar and lunged desperately at Di Lin. However, he was struck hard from behind, causing blood to spurt out immediately. With a loud "bang," he fell to the ground, clearly on the brink of death. Unbeknownst to him, Lei Xun had stealthily approached his side and delivered a fatal blow using the "Wind Thunder Divine Skill".

Oh, when I saw him just now, he was at Xishan in the north of the city, but he may have already arrived at Qingshoushan in the south of the city. That place has beautiful scenery and is very suitable for moon viewing—do you want to go and enjoy the moon with him? No need, actually the environment here is quite nice as well, with the gentle breeze and bright moon... Alright, since everyone is silent, it means there are no objections! You are free to disperse! Go enjoy the moon!

At this point, everyone had already understood Xiao Long's position. Historically, the Inspector General has held the authority over criminal laws and supervision. As long as he states "there is no murder," it becomes as if there is none, even if it actually exists.

No, no, you are counting too fast and cutting corners! I haven't even had the chance to run yet! Do it again!

Zichuan Xiuzhe curled his lips and said, "It's not much different from a fan; he is suspended in mid-air, so let's just call him a ceiling fan!"

The people below do not understand what has happened, but several leaders on the podium have clearly heard the conversation between Yang Minghua and Ge Yingxing just now, each of them sweating profusely. If the tense situation that just arose had been handled even slightly poorly, the conference hall would now be a scene of carnage, and the entire capital would have turned into a battlefield of civil war

Zichuan Xiuhua and Sterling tightly held the frail yet warm hands of Ge Yingxing, feeling a wave of warmth. They did not understand what had transpired on the podium today, but they were clear in their hearts: it was Ge Yingxing who had protected them once again. This frail and sickly person was truly the backbone and invaluable treasure of the family! Now he must rush back to the Far East, not out of fear for his life, but to gain control of the military, enabling him to better contend with Yang Minghua. Just as Zichuan Xiuhua and Sterling chose to stay, it was all for their unwavering loyalty to the family.

Zichuan Xiu sarcastically remarked: "Yes, justice is like a little girl afraid of ghosts; it only dares to show itself when there are enough companions. I rarely see justice standing alone."

Zichuan Xiu interrupted his speech: "Hey, Deputy Commander Ge, how can you say that I have no authority to issue orders? I hold the military command token, and we are both of the same rank as deputy commanders. How can I not have the authority to issue orders? At the very least, I am more qualified than you!"

Upon seeing Ge Yingxing's resignation, the commander of the border defense forces, Ming Hui, also stood up with a smile and asked Yang Minghua, "Your Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief, my migraine has suddenly flared up. May I be granted permission to return and rest?" Although he framed it as a request for permission, he did not wait for Yang Minghua's response and directly walked towards the door. The officers from the border defense forces also stood up and followed their commander out of the meeting.

Inspector General Xiao Long was contemplating: this is no longer a matter concerning a specific individual from the Far East Army or the Black Flag Army. If action is taken against these over one thousand senior officers, who come from various legions and almost represent the entire armed forces of their families, the consequences would be extremely dire, and the ensuing retaliation would be exceedingly brutal. As the commander of the massacre, there would be no place for him to hide in this vast world. Moreover, among these more than one thousand individuals, there are certainly many experts, and his gendarmerie may not necessarily prevail. It is truly unnecessary to wade into this murky water with Yang Minghua.

Sterling could no longer contain himself: "A Xiu, do you have anything you would like me to convey to Miss Ning? She has always been ... ... "

Open the city gate immediately

Elder brother, you must remember: the red light is the signal! When you see three red lights lit on the city wall, immediately lead the troops to charge in!

Shirakawa, Roger, and others led more than forty guards of Zichuan Xiu to secure the entrance of the conference hall

Faced with this outburst of anger, the well-trained elite gendarmerie of the family also began to retreat

The three spoke in unison: "Support the President, overthrow Zichuan Xiu!"

Bang! The sound of Roger's door slamming.

Oh, it is like this: recently everyone has been very busy with work and has been working hard! I have heard that many people have developed hemorrhoids, gastric ulcers, and so on. Commander Lei Xun has asked me to express our gratitude to everyone by organizing a Heart-to-Heart Gala, so that everyone can relax a bit!

Not necessarily. Zi Chuan Canxing shook his head, saying, "Yang Minghua is not a fool. Since the Central Army did not arrive at the agreed time, he will naturally send someone to take over Lei Xun's troops."

The entire assassination process took less than one second, and it was not until this moment that the left hand, severed by Zichuan Xiu, fell to the ground with a "thud".

Ming Yu: "Then we will certainly choose without hesitation ... ... "

Sir, these are merely a rabble, so there is no need to be concerned. Furthermore, the police force of the Ministry of Justice and the gendarmerie of the Inspection Bureau are equally insignificant. As long as the Imperial Guard is under the command of the officials, I assure you that they can be completely eliminated overnight

Tension is palpable, ready to erupt at any moment

The two individuals exchanged pleasantries with smiles, their manners impeccable, and no one could discern that less than a minute ago, they had been threatening and intimidating each other in a life-and-death struggle. Ge Yingxing strode towards the entrance of the conference hall, where a large group of guards from the Far East military awaited him. A considerable number of officers from the Far East silently rose to follow Ge Yingxing out of the venue. Zichuan Xiu exchanged a glance with Sterling, and the two led their subordinates to join the throng exiting as well. Ge Yingxing strode towards the entrance of the conference hall, where a large group of guards from the Far East military awaited him. A considerable number of officers from the Far East silently rose to follow Ge Yingxing out of the venue. Zichuan Xiu exchanged a glance with Sterling, and the two led their subordinates to join the throng exiting as well.

Lei Xun stood proudly in the center of the conference hall, his body resembling a colossal source of storm, emitting a whirring sound of "whoosh" as powerful air currents swirled within the hall. Those close to him were forced to squint and struggled to maintain their footing, while the tightly shut doors could not withstand this terrifying force, bursting open with a "bang". Even more astonishingly, he levitated into the air, looking down upon everyone from a great height, a formidable killing intent enveloping the entire venue. This was the terrifying state of the "Wind Thunder Divine Skill" reaching its peak.

Therefore, only I can undertake this task

A calm and steady voice echoed throughout the conference hall, capturing everyone's attention: "Just now, regarding the complaint about the White Flag, Inspector General Xiao Long believes there is no need for an investigation, but I think otherwise. This matter certainly warrants an investigation! I propose that we hold a vote; those who believe an investigation is necessary, please raise your hands!" His words were delivered with great skill, as he merely suggested a vote on "the necessity of an investigation" without directly accusing "Yang Minghua of being the culprit," thus avoiding putting too much pressure on Yang Minghua and allowing him an avenue for retreat.

Ge Xin murmured a few words softly: "Thank you, Lord Xiuchuan, for your generosity..." He also moved to the right side, and all of his subordinates followed suit

Faced with this raging sea, Yang Minghua realized for the first time how insignificant he was. The contemptuous anger instantly clouded his mind; disregarding that Ge Yingxing was right behind him, he made a gesture to Xiao Long: a swift motion of his hand across his neck, the meaning was clear: kill

Zichuan Sanxing asked with great interest: "Why is that?"

Roger, hurry up and crash, or we won't make it in time—we'll fall into the hands of that villain, Zichuan Xiu, again!

Oh, what you care about is...

Poor Yang Minghua, who prides himself on being clever, has been unaware for six years that nearly all of his trusted aides, both civil and military, have been sent by Zichuan Canxing.

The tragic legend of the Zichuan family, spanning a century, will commence on this crimson night

Ge Xin opposed: "How can this be? The timing is so precious now!" Lei Xun had already given him a heads-up beforehand; if successful, he would become the new commander of the Central Army.

Can your troops enter the city