CHAPTER 647: CHAPTER 397: TO SUCH AN EXTENT OF DREAD!

Tang Fei knew why Zhong Tianque had summoned him and naturally had a ready answer in his mind.

He recounted the version of the story he had told Yan Wenli, then looked at Zhong Tianque with decisive certainty and said, "I’m not sure if there will be a war, but I think the Military Minister will definitely not be able to swallow this insult... Therefore, he will surely seek restitution from elsewhere."

"Shen Wuxiang has entered the palace," Zhong Tianque felt it was necessary to share the latest information with his trusted confidant. He said aloud, "Citing the Lu family’s lawless rebellion as a pretext to commit treason, he has requested the King to declare war, intent on leveling Lu Ban Mountain to the ground."

Treason?

Tang Fei internally laughed with scorn.

They always pinned such grave and wicked accusations on those they wanted to destroy.

That was the case with the Tang family and it was the same for the Lu family.

Such an accusation was the only way to destroy and annihilate such large families that had contributed immensely to the country and its people.

Only with such an accusation would there be no backlash when they were destroyed and annihilated; instead, there would be public acclaim.

With an incredulous expression, full of disbelief, Tang Fei turned to Zhong Tianque and asked, "The King agreed?"

"He presented the request on behalf of the Military Committee, claiming it to be the result of all the members’ discussions. Even Father... he couldn’t easily refuse."

"Such a big issue... The impact must be terribly negative, mustn’t it?"

"The Lu family has given them a handle, and now Shen Wuxiang is waving the banner of justice, naturally aiming to remove the thorn in his eye."

"Shen Wuxiang... Why does the Military Minister hate the Lu family so much?"

"Hehe, where there are interests, there will be struggles. The nine major families are united against the Royal Family, like limbs of the same body, but as independent entities, they scheme against each other, biting and fighting to the death."

"Moreover, the enmity between the Shen and Lu families goes back a long time. When the Shen family took action to suppress the rebellion and execute the traitors of the Tang family, the Lu family had not failed to trip them up..."

Tang Fei felt an extreme discomfort, his heart as if stabbed with a knife.

The Tang family they talked about was his own Tang family...

Those parents hugging tightly amidst the flames and the infant they cradled in their arms...

Waking up from nightmares countless times, it was because of the scorching flames and the infant’s cries.

They were not only physically annihilated; their reputations were frequently dragged through the mud.

Traitors, rebels, conspirators, ambitious opportunists...

A general with remarkable achievements meeting such a tragic end, shouldering the curse of generations—was there no moral order or king’s justice left?

There had to be a place to seek justice, someone who could reason clearly.

The world had to be told that Tang Li was not a traitor; he was a hero.

"Speaking of which, Director Tang also has the surname Tang," Qian Taian insinuated with a sinister laugh nearby.

"..."

Filled with intense hatred, Tang Fei thought to himself that one day he would chop off this dog’s head.

It was then that Zhong Tianque remembered Tang Fei shared the surname Tang and said with a smile to clarify, "I was speaking of Tang Li from twenty years ago, a man who commanded the three armies, was arrogant and did as he pleased, even the Royal Family did not matter to him... Although you both share the surname Tang, it has nothing to do with you."

"How could I be related to such a person?" Tang Fei hastily clarified his stance, chuckling, "Such a rebellious villain who disregards king and country... deserved to die."

Zhong Tianque nodded his head, very satisfied with Tang Fei’s attitude, and said, "The Shen family has always felt that the Tang family wasn’t entirely wiped out, with many direct relatives and offspring of military leaders associated with the Tang family having escaped... and it was the Lu family that provided them with assistance."

"Therefore, the two families have been in constant conflict over the years... One controls the military, while the other holds core technology... neither is easy to deal with."

"However, the Lu family has been falling behind significantly in recent years, nearly lacking any significant figures in military and political circles... Even if the Royal Family here wanted to make use of the Lu family, with the interference from the Shen family and other families... their days are not easy."

"It is only due to Lu Dongsheng’s strenuous efforts that they are able to have a say in the center of the Empire’s power..."

"Fortunately, their technology is indeed powerful... Lu Ban Mountain is also shrouded in mystery, and no one seriously wants to completely fall out with them..."

"In that case... Why does Shen Wuxiang now want to wage war against the Lu family?" Tang Fei feigned confusion as he asked.

"Who knows?" Zhong Tianque’s gaze drifted, clearly not willing to discuss the issue any deeper with Tang Fei. "Perhaps, they couldn’t wait any longer?"

"Whose side should we take?" asked Tang Fei.

"Let’s just sit back and watch the tigers fight," Zhong Tianque said cheerfully. "For the Royal Family, a wounded tiger is the best type of tiger."

"Yes, I understand."

Zhong Tianque looked at Tang Fei with a meaningful expression and asked, "I hear you have a good relationship with that young lady from the Lu family?"

Tang Fei couldn’t help but show a mix of laughter and tears as he replied, "Just now, Mr. Sheng asked me about this too. I told her what the Military Minister had said..."

"Oh? What did the Military Minister say?"

"The Military Minister said that in the face of family interests, the little matters between men and women are not worth mentioning."

Zhong Tianque burst into hearty laughter and said, "The Military Minister hits the nail on the head; he is a clever man."

Tang Fei also maintained a smiling face.

He knew that Zhong Tianque still had his doubts about him.

Just then, a confidential secretary hurried over and announced, "Your Highness, Shen Wuxiang has sent men to surround Lu Ban Mountain."

Indeed!

Zhong Tianque’s eyes lit up as he rose abruptly.

"The battle has indeed begun."

------

Zhong Tianyi walked to the entrance of Taiji Palace and looking at Chen Fenglei asked, "Manager Chen, is the King inside?"

"Your Highness, the King is inside reading data," Chen Fenglei said with a smile.

"Could you please announce my arrival and say I need to see him for a matter?"

"I will ask for you," Chen Fenglei said cheerily. "Whether it will be successful, I cannot say."

"Thank you, Manager Chen."

"Your Highness should not say such things; this is just the duty of us servants." Chen Fenglei bowed slightly and then turned to enter the great hall.

Soon, Chen Fenglei came out, still smiling, "Your Highness, the King invites you in."

"Thank you, Manager Chen," Zhong Tianyi said humbly and politely.

"Your Highness, please come in."

The two shared a smile as Zhong Tianyi stepped into the Taiji Palace.

Since he had been confined, he rarely went out and had seldom had the chance to come to this Taiji Palace.

Even though Phoenix Palace had been his home from childhood, some places required permission to enter.

Like this Taiji Palace where the King worked and rested.

Zhong Daolong was sitting at his desk, reviewing documents as if he had not heard the footsteps outside.

Zhong Tianyi approached quietly and called softly, "Father..."

Zhong Daolong took off his glasses from the bridge of his nose, smiling, "Tian Yi has come?"

"I came to see how you are doing," Zhong Tianyi said, proactively picking up the teapot from the desk to pour him a cup of tea.

"Chen Fenglei said you had something for me... What is it?"

"I heard that the Shen Family and the Lu Family are having some unpleasant disputes; I was worried it would trouble you, Father, so I came to see if there was anything I could do to ease your concerns."

Zhong Daolong laughed heartily, "It’s enough that you have this intention. If they want to cause a stir, let them be. If heaven decides to rain or a mother decides to marry, let them be happy."

"So we won’t do anything?"

"Don’t worry, I will have someone keep an eye on it; nothing will go wrong."

"Father, you devise strategies from behind the scenes and secure victories from a thousand miles away."

"Are you here to flatter me?" Zhong Daolong seemed to be in good spirits, unaffected by the external affairs, "Don’t worry, there won’t be any issues. The Phoenix Empire has been established for hundreds of years; what kind of storm have we not weathered? What’s this little matter?"

He paused and then asked, "How has your awakening been going recently?"

"Father, I believe that one should do as much as one’s abilities allow. Right now, I solely want to focus on my own car club and tennis team... If possible, I hope to become a racing driver or a tennis athlete."

"Hmm, if you’ve thought about it, then go for it." Zhong Daolong spoke, "When you have free time, also go out more; being cooped up in a small courtyard all day can drive anyone mad."

"Thank you, Father," Zhong Tianyi thought with great joy, knowing his father had lifted his confinement.

Zhong Daolong waved his hand, "Alright, go play, I still have some documents to look at here."

"Yes, Father. You also need to take care of your health, don’t tire yourself out."

"Don’t worry, I’m fine."

After Zhong Tianyi had left, Chen Fenglei silently walked in.

"The Second Prince wishes to relieve me of worries, do you think this is a good or bad thing?"

"Of course, it’s a good thing," Chen Fenglei responded without hesitation. "The Second Prince is concerned for the King and wants to serve his father; he is a filial child."

"It’s a good thing, but it could also be bad. It depends on how one looks at it." Zhong Daolong fiddled with an electronic pen in his hand and spoke, "His coming to me shows that his heart is selfless. If he were still interested in that position, he wouldn’t have made it so obvious."

"What is the bad thing then?"

"If he still has interest in that position, then this visit is about military power, also a probe to test my attitude towards him..."

Chen Fenglei dared not respond.

Every matter has two sides; which side are you seeing?

Zhong Daolong glanced at the tea that Zhong Tianyi had just poured for him and said, "The tea has cooled, get me a fresh hot cup."

Chen Fenglei’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly picked up the teacup, "Of course, I will get you a new one right now."

To accompany a monarch is like accompanying a tiger, but a monarch is much more terrifying than a tiger.

If you encounter a tiger, you might fight it off with frantic punches.

But against a monarch, you have to be extremely cautious.

It is chilling to see such wariness even between father and son.

------

Lu Ban Mountain.

Fire Fox Tribe Chief Zhao Wenxuan looked up at the dark and deep mountain, veiled in black mist, and with a grand wave of his hand, commanded, "Enter the mountain."

Boom, boom, boom!

Above, the stars twinkled.

Countless shells were fired into the belly of Lu Ban Mountain.

Below, the war chariots roared.

Hundreds of shark tanks pushed towards the tunnel entrance.

After eighteen years of peace in the Phoenix Empire, a local war broke out, resonating like a thunderclap across the entire human world.