CHAPTER 700: CHAPTER 431: ALL THANKS TO THE DEAN’S CULTIVATION!

"Our competition?"

"What does he compete with me for?"

Shen Xinglan pondered slightly, instantly grasped the meaning of the second grandpa, and asked, "What’s the situation outside now? Is grandpa alright?"

"There are some issues, but nothing major," Shen Boyu sighed gently.

According to the previous plan, by taking advantage of the royal family’s internal chaos, when the two brothers were killing each other, the Shen Family would be pushing from behind.

Abandon the royal family, annihilate the Lu clan, kill Tang Fei and those important figures behind him, surround and annihilate the Great Grandmaster...

Multi-line operation, advancing simultaneously.

When Zhong Daolong died at the hands of the traitors, the remnants of the Tang Family were to be captured all at once, and it would naturally be the right time for the Eldest Prince, Zhong Tianque, to ascend.

Controlling the state by holding the Emperor.

Like that old guy who loved someone else’s wife back in the days.

At that time, the Shen Family would truly be able to control one state.

Becoming the real power behind this vast empire.

After three to five years, when the time was ripe, they could change the household, and Zhong Tianque would die in a way everyone could "accept," to be replaced by the bloodline of the Shen Family.

After another ten or more years of management, people would only know of the Shen, not the Zhong.

What a pity, what a pity.

Now there were two emperors, no, three...

What to do?

"Originally, we wanted a complete victory, but now, we only have partial victory."

Shen Xinglan’s face slightly darkened, partial victory also meant there were partial failures.

And he belonged to the part that had failed.

His pride did not allow him to be the useless piece in a game of chess.

Or the weak link in the whole team.

If he killed Tang Fei, then perhaps many obstacles would be easily removed?

He was well aware that Tang Fei was a crucial figure in this game.

He could be said to be the core of the conflicts, the eye of the storm.

"The situation is not entirely clear yet, but it’s confirmed that the Second Prince, Zhong Tianque, has colluded with Chen Fenglei and others to revolt, locking down the Phoenix Palace... The King, Zhong Daolong, has fallen into their hands."

"Is the King... still alive?"

Shen Xinglan knew the enormity of the question he’d asked.

But wasn’t there even more monstrous deeds that had been done by others?

"Yes, the signal jamming inside the Phoenix Palace has been lifted, and our people have gotten in touch with those inside the palace."

"Was it our people who cracked it?"

"No, they removed it themselves. They also need to send signals out," Shen Boyu said with a bitter smile, "The Lu clan’s technology is far ahead, not something that can be hacked at will, not even by the state team or the Security Bureau... It’s too far off."

"This is a hidden danger," Shen Xinglan frowned deeply.

Everyone knew that interstellar wars are fought with weapons and information technology.

Given the achievements the Lu Clan has made in mechanics and information, if they were to stand on the opposite side, it would indeed be distressing.

This was also why, before the situation became unstable, grandpa had dispatched a large army to completely encircle Lu Ban Mountain.

I won’t fight you, nor will I kill you.

But you won’t be allowed to leave or join this storm.

Once the situation stabilizes, whether to fight or make peace, the Shen Family would have the absolute say.

Obey and you’ll be greatly useful.

Disobey and you’ll be purged before being reused.

The Lu clan could be destroyed, but the technological achievements of Lu Ban Mountain must not be lost.

Whoever holds the state mantle needs advanced mechanical techniques to compete against neighboring nations.

Can’t be done fighting internally, only for outsiders to start attacking...

"Isn’t that the truth?" Shen Boyu also shared the same concerns, "But let’s leave it to your grandpa to worry about. This situation isn’t new, and he definitely has a grasp on it."

"Alright," Shen Xinglan nodded.

Though he was a Martial Arts Grandmaster, faced with this situation, he, too, had no solution.

Especially since he hadn’t even dealt with Tang Fei.

Oh, why bring up Tang Fei again...

"Zhong Daolong is still alive, I heard it was Phoenix who intervened to save him... but even so, he has been imprisoned," Shen Xinglan’s gaze pain slightly.

Thinking of Phoenix, he grew up with her, they were child friends in the eyes of others.

Back then, he thought, if he were to love and marry someone in his lifetime, it would definitely be Phoenix.

But once Tang Fei came out, his fantasies shattered.

Now with the situation having developed to this, his father being imprisoned, his two brothers killing each other...

She must be in a lot of pain, right?

"If I’m not wrong, they will take the opportunity to push Zhong Tianyi out to confront us in the arena... The best strategy for them is for Zhong Daolong to stand up in support of Zhong Tianyi, designating him as the Crown Prince."

"Doesn’t that let them occupy the moral high ground?"

"Yes," Shen Boyu said with a sense of helplessness, "This is also where we miscalculated, not expecting Chen Fenglei to betray as well... they say Zhong Daolong’s wisdom is as vast as the sea, proficient in the ways of power play, it looks like that’s not the case, though."

"Can’t even control his own Phoenix Palace, the closest people can betray him... hey, that’s a pathetic King."

"..."

Shen Xinglan could not continue on this topic.

The royal family and the Shen Family joined forces to rectify the chaos and cut off those obstructive branches.

And what was the result?

The Shen Family also betrayed.

Remaining idle during the critical moment, that wasn’t much better than what Chen Fenglei did.

But, saying that... Zhong Daolong really couldn’t control the situation.

For those below him, no one wished for a powerful King...

Zhong Tianque and Zhong Tianyi were just fine.

"Since they’ve already controlled the King, then why don’t they just directly push Zhong Tianyi forward to succeed?" Shen Xinglan asked doubtfully.

Achieve it in one step, then stand out and address the nation, saying the Shen Family has committed treason...

"How does the way this story unfold seem so familiar?"

"Hmph, of course, they would want to do that. But if it really came to that... would the Shen Family do as they wish?"

"With most of the national military forces under the control of the Shen Family, things Tang Li and his cohorts didn’t dare do back then, we wouldn’t mind trying once."

"At that time, as the Empire crumbled and fell apart, who would stand to benefit?"

"In the end, it would still be our Shen Family’s world... just at a greater cost."

As for who the cost would be...

It goes without saying.

"Besides, Zhong Daolong is not a fool. If he really did that, it would simply mean adding fuel to the fire for his second son, making the brothers’ fight even more brutal."

"And what would be the final outcome? He would die, and both his sons would die... the Zhong Royal Family would collapse and disintegrate even faster."

"So, he can only save one, and that would be Zhong Tianque... the Zhong Family can have only one Crown Prince and one voice."

"With that, they could last a few more years, have a few more opportunities..."

"At least that’s what he thinks."

Shen Xinglan knew the human heart was unpredictable; his dislike did not mean he didn’t understand.

Zhong Daolong had ruined a good hand; now they were the knife and he the fish, with no better options left.

"Right, there’s another thing I need to tell you... Tang Fei’s identity has been confirmed."

"Tang Li?" Shen Xinglan’s eyes flickered like flames as he asked in a deep voice.

"Yes, exactly as we speculated. He’s Tang Li’s son..."

"That fire?"

"That fire was extinguished by Lu Yu and Chen Fenglei; with a traitor like Chen Fenglei, wouldn’t it be easy for Lu Yu to switch out a child?"

"Moreover, I heard that the late Empress Yu Sineng had a hand in this matter..."

"What?" Shen Xinglan exclaimed in shock, "So afterward..."

"This is just my personal speculation. The real truth might only be known by very few."

"I understand." Shen Delan calmed his astonishment, saying aloud.

Yes, if that was the case, then everything would have a trail to follow.

Three years after the case of exterminating Tang ended, Yu Sineng died of illness.

When Shen Xinglan was young, he had a good relationship with Phoenix and often ran to the Phoenix Palace to play, where he developed a fondness for the beautiful and dignified Empress.

Kind and gentle, her voice soft and tender, she busied herself daily in the garden, caring for the exotic flowers and plants, and then picking those to make various tasty cakes for him and Phoenix.

Truly delicious.

She didn’t seem like someone who would die young.

Besides, with today’s medical standards, how could her illness have gone undetected?

And once detected, how could she have suddenly died so abruptly?

It’s too dirty!

"Grandpa Shen, what can I do?" Shen Xinglan asked aloud.

"You’ve also worked hard for most of the day. Rest well," Shen Boyu patted Shen Xinglan on the shoulder again, consoling, "There’s still time. One failure isn’t the end. We aim for the long term."

"I believe, in the end, the victor will surely be you."

"Grandpa Shen..." Shen Xinglan resisted, looking up at Shen Boyu with a firm and profound gaze, "I can accept failure, and I have accepted it."

"I’m ready now... At this time, as a member of the Shen Family, I must step forward."

Shen Boyu looked directly into Shen Xinglan’s eyes, then burst into hearty laughter, his smile bright and joyous, "Since you’re ready, I’ll assign you a task."

"When Director of the Supervision Institute, Yan Wenli, was capturing Shang Xiulin, the head of the Imperial First Military Academy, he was seized by files under the control of Black Knight General, Yan Jinnian..."

"Yan Wenli’s death is no loss, but Shang Xiulin is very important. He has taught and nurtured for decades, producing countless students who have significant influence in various fields and levels throughout the Empire."

"This man, if he can be of use to us, that’s best. If he can’t be of use to us... he should not be able to speak for others either."

"So..."

"I understand." Shen Xinglan stood up, his demeanor calm and assured, "I will bring him out."

"Mm, go ahead."

------

Beehive Number Nine.

When the Shen Family wanted to locate Yan Wenli and Shang Xiulin, they had already been secretly moved into the Phoenix Palace by Yan Jinnian.

Currently, the only temporarily safe place in the entire Phoenix City was the Phoenix Palace.

This was because the Shen Family’s forces tacitly did not attack the Phoenix Palace.

When they felt everything was under their control, they might be more gentle, worrying that such aggression would disrupt a certain healthy order.

After all, in their subconscious, what’s destroyed belongs to themselves.

However, when the situation spun out of control and they felt they could not maintain their hold, and even faced danger, they wouldn’t hesitate to resort to some barbaric and violent methods.

Winning is what mattered most.

The First Military Academy could not remain, and the protecting forces of the Supervision Institute were also insufficient.

At a time when all sides, or perhaps multiple sides, were scrambling for chips, all they could do was to protect their own chips from being taken by others.

Such as Shang Xiulin.

Such as Yan Wenli.

For the Shen Family, Yan Wenli was of little use.

The head of the Monitoring Bureau attached to the King, even if they were to assume power, would need to replace this position with one of their own immediately.

The Shen Family had abundant talented individuals who would undoubtedly covet this position, which was nearly on par with the Three Ministers.

Yet, for Tang Fei, he hoped to win over Yan Wenli’s assistance and control over the Monitoring Bureau’s extensive network of inspectors and intelligence agents throughout the nation.

Thus, Tang Fei went to visit Yan Wenli right away.

The electronic door made of new materials slowly opened, and Tang Fei, dragging a chair behind him, walked into the detention room.

Tang Fei looked at Yan Wenli, who was sitting on the chair, his body lean and wearing his Supervisory Director’s uniform at the time of his capture, looking neither crushed nor frail, his spirits quite good.

Tang Fei slightly bowed to Yan Wenli, as if he was still a leader under his command, smiling and greeting warmly, "Director, I’ve come to see you."

Yan Wenli’s gaze stayed on Tang Fei’s face, as if sizing up some novel character.

Abruptly, he grinned.

His thin face wasn’t attractive, and his wrinkles bunched together when he smiled.

Then, with his distinct hoarse voice, he said, "You won."

Tang Fei bowed again, humbly saying, "All thanks to your cultivation, Director."

"..."