The first question silenced Tuoba Zhiyin.

"I allowed you to ask questions, but I didn't allow you to hit where it hurts."

Seeing Tuoba Zhiyin fall silent, Tang Fei spoke, "Miss Zhiyin, trust is the basis of cooperation. The answer to this question is very important to me."

"If I say it's unrelated... would you believe me?" Tuoba Zhiyin countered.

"If you dare to say it, I dare to believe it," Tang Fei declared without hesitation.

Believing in your heart is one thing, but at least verbally, you have to "believe."

Tuoba Zhiyin looked at Tang Fei with surprise; evidently, she hadn't encountered such a form of conversation before.

After a slight pause, she spoke, "This matter has nothing to do with me personally, but it involves the Carefree Palace..."

"What do you mean?" Tang Fei was confused by this answer and asked, "Does it have to do with it or not?"

"The person was indeed sent by the Carefree Palace," Tuoba Zhiyin explained, "A priest from the Carefree Palace named Bai Zhu took on this task on his own..."

"Later, the assassination mission failed, and Princess Xiu Xue safely returned to New Star..."

"He might have been worried about royal retaliation or implicating the mastermind behind the scenes, so he just disappeared without a trace."

With a rueful smile, Tuoba Zhiyin said helplessly, "So, is this matter related to the Carefree Palace or not?"

Tang Fei seemed thoughtful as he scrutinized Tuoba Zhiyin, pondering the truthfulness of her words.

"If I were personally in charge of such a significant case..." Tuoba Zhiyin clearly understood what Tang Fei was thinking and explained, "At least, I would have sent an assassin of Xie Pianxian's caliber."

"Because I am very clear that in such a situation, it's all or nothing... there absolutely can't be any mistakes."

"Princess Xiu Xue has returned, and we no longer have any breathing space on New Star. We must ensure a lethal strike and leave no traces for the Hua Royal Family to follow."

Tang Fei shook his head and said, "You can't say it like that, many things, timing is most important."

"At that time, Phoenix was seriously injured, escaping alone in a life pod... Just sending a fairly competent assassin would have perfectly completed the mission."

Tang Fei stared straight into Tuoba Zhiyin's eyes, the only facial features she revealed, also the best place to look for traces of emotion,"If I'm not mistaken, these people might be disposed of right where they completed their mission."

"The ones who do such dirty work can't possibly be allowed to continue living. It's simply too unsafe for the mastermind behind the scenes."

"Just a few insignificant fishes thrown into the trash wouldn't cause anyone any heartache."

"What they never anticipated was..." Tang Fei pointed at himself with the hand that was peeling lotus seeds, "the emergence of a major variable like me."

"..."

"If there was no me on the Old Land... no Cultivator like me, they would have nearly succeeded."

Tuoba Zhiyin didn't think Tang Fei was bragging—neither did she find him arrogant.

Because the detailed analysis from what she had learned confirmed that he was speaking the truth.

Timely feedback from Zhong Yu Xiu Xue also corroborated this.

Without Tang Fei, Zhong Yu Xiu Xue wouldn't have returned.

Without Tang Fei, they would have completed this monumental case.

But, who could have imagined... there would be a Cultivator like him on the Old Land?

And that he would just happen to meet Princess Xiu Xue?

Even pulp fiction wouldn't dare to write it this way.

Unless it was particularly cliché.

Those obscure writers would do anything.

Looking at Tuoba Zhiyin, Tang Fei continued to speak, "If an assassin of Xie Pianxian's caliber were sent... it might seem secure, but it would definitively mark the incident as the Carefree Palace's doing..."

"If the mission succeeded, all would be well; if it failed... Carefree Palace would definitely be implicated."

"Then, would you bear to ruin such a signature assassin by your own hands?"

A hint of mocking smile emerged on Tang Fei's lips as he said, "From how far you've come to negotiate with me, I can tell your attitude... you probably wouldn't want that, right?"

Tuoba Zhiyin looked straight into Tang Fei's scrutinizing eyes, her expression resolute and calm as she said, "I've told you the truth, the facts are as they are... Director Tang, do you believe it or not?"

"I believe," Tang Fei nodded decisively and said, "I've said, whatever you tell me, I'll believe. Since you say you're unrelated to this matter, then I believe you're unrelated to this matter."

"But, little lady also has a doubt..." Tuoba Zhiyin looked at Tang Fei and asked, "Did the Carefree Palace do it? If not the Carefree Palace, then what? Would Director Tang become furious for the beauty... and completely eradicate the Carefree Palace?"

"I'm not that inflated," Tang Fei waved his hand and said, "The Carefree Palace has existed for hundreds of years, reportedly even before the Phoenix Empire was founded..."

"Mysterious and elusive, filled with experts, and spread across every corner beneath the stars... What merit or capability do I have to completely eradicate your Carefree Palace?"

"I don't care about others, I'm just focusing on you and Xie Pianxian... I believe, what I want to ask, we both know. What I want, you will all give."

"..."

This speech wasn't rather arrogant.

It was also rude.

But Tuoba Zhiyin also realized it made some sense, the Monitoring Bureau's effort to eradicate the Carefree Palace organization seemed a bit difficult, but if they targeted just one or a few individuals...

That person or those people would have no room to maneuver.

Chen Fenglei, that old dog, was so detestable—why did they still cooperate with him? Taking his commands?

They were officials, after all.

"So, what exactly does Director Tang want?" Suppressing the surge of resentment in her heart, Tuoba Zhiyin, with unwavering beautiful eyes, gazed at Tang Fei.

"No rush, I have another question..." Tang Fei, with a cheerful demeanor, said, "The Flame-Bathed Legion once caught a live one, although he was quickly silenced, but all the evidence and the assassin's testimonies pointed toward the Carefree Palace..."

"Didn't the Royal Family come knocking on your door to seek accountability? You aren't going to tell me Chen Fenglei couldn't find you, are you?"

"..."

Tuoba Zhiyin sighed softly.

This fellow was truly troublesome.

More troublesome than the rumors suggested.

------

"Phoenix Empire citizens, the Sovereign of the Phoenix Empire, Zhong Daolong, will deliver a nationwide address on the evening of September 13th at seven o'clock...."

After publishing such a message, the state-controlled media frantically followed up with reports.

Subsequently followed by major internet platforms and social media re-posting the original content.

After Zhong Daolong's ascension to the throne, this would be the third nationwide television address.

The first was on New Year's Eve, the year he ascended to the throne, appearing on screen to wish everyone a happy new year.

The second was during the large-scale conflict between the Phoenix Empire and the Aus Empire at the Western Border Wulong Mountain, where he issued a national mobilization order.

This would be the third...

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