Chapter 1073: Chapter 699: Suicide!
Shen Jianping did not struggle, nor did he scream.
Because he knew that when Song Huaijin made a decision, these actions were meaningless.
As a member of the Shen Family, a Minister of Culture of the Empire, he still needed to maintain his dignity.
Even though his heart was filled with anger and unwillingness, his body felt like it was about to explode.
What use is an attack? What use is an accusation?
What use is talking about past favors?
When you can no longer provide them benefits and shelter, they discard you like trash.
This is politics, and this is human nature.
Song Huaijin looked at his long-time friend in front of him and said in a deep voice, "I’m sorry, I have no choice."
Shen Jianping’s body was weak, and his gaze was dejected.
He also had no choice.
At the same time, the Yu Family’s forces began to mobilize as well.
Yu Chenghai, the former administrative chief of Phoenix City, wielded considerable power and immediately mobilized the police force to begin managing and controlling the entire city.
Yu Changlong, the deputy commander of the Phoenix Dance Army, led his direct lineage army to clear the outskirts of Phoenix City and forcibly take over and station in the three major cities of Qing City, Sea City, and Yingtian City, showing a posture of defending the Capital.
Respected Mr. Yu, having wielded power for many years, had numerous protégés and former subordinates. After receiving orders, these people immediately acted in various positions and domains, wanting to present themselves as loyal subjects to welcome the new king’s ascension.
The spring river water is warm, the early birds know it first; the city walls change, the king’s banners flutter.
------
Blue Star. Henshan Base.
Under He Xiaohua’s command and leadership, the scale of Henshan Base became increasingly large, almost engulfing half of Henshan when viewed from a high altitude.
Clearly, the intention was to use Henshan as the core and then radiate to other regions of Blue Star.
Not only that, but with the cooperation of the Flame Shrine, the Asian Base and American Base were under construction, and planning had also begun for the European, African, and Pacific bases.
Blue Star will be the Blue Star of Flame Shrine, and will also be the Blue Star of Flame God Tang Fei.
Blue Star indeed has many problems: radiation, acid rain, thunderstorms, mutant beasts...resource scarcity, and people whose hearts are like ghosts.
While others discard it like worn-out shoes, Tang Fei felt it was still salvageable.
This is also why, during extremely tense military operations, he was unwilling to deploy forces from here and instead had the Qin and Lu Families continuously provide aid to this side.
Firstly, he grew up there, and thus still has some feelings for Blue Star.
A child doesn’t find fault with a mother’s ugliness, a dog doesn’t dislike its home being poor...
Tang Fei did once dislike it.
But after leaving, he repeatedly dreamed of returning to the Old Land.
Additionally, it is to leave a way out for them.
If the war is lost and Tang’s Army is unable to resist Shen’s Army, then they will retreat to Blue Star.
Using Blue Star as a sub-battlefield, they will resolve the fight once and for all...
Of course, Tang Fei knew that if he couldn’t win on New Star, returning to Blue Star would present even fewer opportunities.
No weapons, no equipment, and no way to establish a complete industrial system...
Soldiers might even face starvation.
Under such circumstances, how can you confront well-armed elite units with starship battleships from New Star?
Guerrilla warfare?
Sorry, when the Death God Energy Blast comes crashing down, perhaps not even a living rat will be seen in this entire mountain.
The base gate opened wide, and several modified heavy trucks rumbled over.
An Ning, wearing a red Holy Daughter robe from the Flame Shrine with a flame totem embedded at the chest, got down from the passenger seat and strode into the depths of the base.
"Greetings, Holy Daughter." A young man in black strode over and respectfully saluted An Ning.
An Ning glanced at the young man in black, knowing they were members of the Ghost, Tang Fei Brother’s most trusted Hidden Guard organization.
She also had several Ghost girls by her side, closely guarding her safety.
A woman who presides over the largest organization on Blue Star will always have some who don’t know their limits and seek to take risks...
Yet, the high-levels of the Shrine don’t harbor such greedy thoughts.
Because they all understand how terrifying and wicked this woman is.
An Ning nodded and asked, "Does General He know I’m here?"
"General He says she’s busy and won’t meet the Holy Daughter."
"Hmm." An Ning nodded, thinking that this avoidance was appropriate.
She herself had no concerns.
For the sake of Tang Fei Brother, she is willing to do anything.
Led by the young man in black, An Ning walked towards the heart of the base, passing through numerous checkpoints until she finally stopped in front of an underground cell.
The young man in black opened a cell door and gestured invitingly.
"You all may leave."
"Yes."
The young man in black and the two young girls in black who had followed her inside silently retreated.
An Ning looked at the middle-aged man sitting quietly reading by the window, silent.
Zhong Daolong waited for a moment, realizing the visitor had no intention of speaking first.
He closed the book, raised his head, and thoughtfully scrutinized An Ning.
"Do we know each other?" Zhong Daolong asked aloud.
"I know you; you don’t know me." An Ning replied calmly.
She certainly knew who the man before her was—a former ruler, a key figure in the military and political affairs of a nation.
If she didn’t know who he was, she wouldn’t have come here at all.
"To reach here, you surely have more purpose than just taking a glance at me?" Zhong Daolong’s expression was steady, looking at An Ning as he said, "Since we are strangers, let’s dispense with the pretense and cumbersome etiquette...state your business."
An Ning nodded, looked at Zhong Daolong, and stated, "Tang Fei won."
Zhong Daolong had always been imprisoned here, cut off from outside news, clearly not understanding the meaning of this sentence.
Won? Where did he win? To what extent?
A victory in a city or territory cannot be called a win.
"Won?"
"Yes, won."
An Ning said confidently.
Thus, Zhong Daolong ceased to speak further.
I don’t even know what to say.
He was transferred here very early, stuck in deep prison, isolated from the world, completely unaware of what was happening outside.
No one would reveal anything to him about the situation of New Star.
He didn’t know if Zhong Tianque could uphold the regime, wasn’t clear when Shen Wuxiang would show his ambition, and was even more clueless about the choices and arrangements of other factions...
Completely in the dark.
An Ning considered Zhong Daolong’s situation and explained: "Shen Wuxiang is dead, Tang Fei won. Now the army is pressing at the borders... Qi Mountain can’t hold on."
Zhong Daolong’s pupils constricted, his face expressing incredulity:
"Shen Wuxiang... is dead?"
No one understood Shen Wuxiang better than him after years as monarch and minister.
This was a combination of jackals and tigers, with both the rugged skin of a soldier and the dark cunning of a politician...
Under his leadership, the Shen Family had long become the largest family of the Phoenix Empire.
The power he wielded was even more deep-rooted and terrifying than the Tang Family they had toppled years ago.
Previously, Shen Wuxiang was a knife in his hand, but later on...
The knife grew formidable and began to bite its master.
Even he was deeply afraid of Shen Wuxiang, yet helpless.
This was also why he had been balancing the interests of various parties, never willing to completely eliminate families like the Lu Clan and Qin Family.
But, he died...
Died at the hands of a new knife.
A knife he had intended to diligently sharpen and then personally break.
"Yes."
"Died by Tang Fei’s hand?"
"Yes."
"What about Shen Boyu? He is a Great Grandmaster."
"Lost, defeated by Xuanyuan Mingjing and Zhong Daoling."
"Zhong Daoling..."
Zhong Daolong’s gaze sank; had his cousin, who preferred cultivation over plots, finally made a move?
"He died."
"...Zhong Tianque?"
"He is dead too, killed by the Shen Family."
An Ning bluntly informed; although she guarded the Old Land, she had maintained contact with New Star through the Netherworld Intelligence Group.
Thus, the information she held was richer and more accurate.
"..."
Zhong Daolong fell silent again.
Zhong Tianque was his son.
He was angry with his son, even hated his son, but upon truly hearing the news of his death, his heart ached.
For a long time.
For a long time.
Zhong Daolong looked calmly at An Ning and said, "Tell me... I want to know what exactly happened out there... since I left..."
This was expected, An Ning did not refuse.
So, according to the information she held, she recounted in detail the bizarre events after Zhong Daolong left New Star.
She did not embellish or fabricate, as she felt it no longer made any sense.
Especially for the man in front of her, knowing the truth...
Was her only respect for him.
It was a very long story, also a very long history.
Indeed, they will become history, might even be studied and understood by students or fully recited.
An Ning’s narration was captivating, Zhong Daolong listened attentively.
No one knew how much time passed before An Ning’s voice stopped.
Zhong Daolong hung his head, muttering, "Tang Fei won... it was Tang Fei who won..."
Shock, regret, remorse...
And an overwhelming, unyielding frustration.
His heart surged, feelings were mixed.
Countless restless nights, he had simulated the situation of New Star over and over again.
He knew Shen Wuxiang would win, even fantasized about Zhong Tianque winning... and even imagined the Qin Family or Lu Clan winning.
But in all his simulations, Tang Fei’s name never appeared.
Why did he win?
An Ning just stood quietly there, as if waiting for something.
After all, having been a ruler once, Zhong Daolong’s confused eyes soon became clear and firm again, he smiled at An Ning and said, "I understand what you mean. Could you give me some time?"
An Ning nodded and turned to walk outside.
------
He Xiaohua was inspecting the construction of the new base when his aide hurriedly ran over, urgently reporting: "General, General... Prisoner Number One has committed suicide..."
"What?"
He Xiaohua’s expression was frightened.
After thinking for a moment, he quietly said, "I understand."
He had no mood for inspection anymore, He Xiaohua got into the Star Disc, took out his phone, hesitating how to report this ’bad news’ to the higher-ups.
------
Brocade City, City Lord Mansion.
Phoenix hung up the phone silently upon hearing the news.
Sheng Xinhua saw Phoenix’s pale face, quickly ran over, and asked urgently, "Phoenix, what’s wrong? What has happened?"
"My father... committed suicide," Phoenix said hoarsely.
Sheng Xinhua’s expression stiffened, after a moment of silence, he still moved forward to hold Phoenix’s hand tightly, softly comforting, "I know, this is very difficult for you...
"But don’t blame him."
