Beehive One.

The old man sat cross-legged in front of Zhong Daolong, eyeing him with pronounced interest.

As if sitting before him was some precious treasure or a mysterious, bizarre creature.

After a while, he spoke with a hint of mockery, "Mess things up?"

A ruler of a nation, in control of the vast resources of the Empire, was now a prisoner at his feet...

Wasn't this a clear case of messing things up?

Zhong Daolong too was sizing up the old man; the man who, alongside Tang Li, was once known as one of the "Imperial Treasures." He was a paragon of learning and appearance.

He charmed Phoenix City, beloved by thousands of young girls.

To call him a mere copy of Shen Xinglan would be an understatement.

More precisely, they were an enhanced version of Shen Xinglan.

After all, at that time, war raged, and the situation was turbulent.

These generals who defended their country with their flesh and blood, leading armies to push back the Aus Empire and Kaman Federation without gaining an inch, were heroes to the whole nation.

This was also why, even after the Empire convicted Tang Li of treason, countless people still refused to believe and insisted on speaking up for him.

This was why he had so many staunch direct descendants who swore to remain loyal to the death, steadfast in their beliefs.

Tempered steel, unbending even in adversity.

But now, his face aged, his gaze clouded, his figure hunched, he looked like a poor old man oppressed by life.

If not for this setting, I would likely never have managed to recognize him.

Zhong Daolong too let out a soft sigh, speaking, "Old, we've both gotten old."

"Sentimentality isn't your style," scoffed the old man.

A cunning and sly old wolf, why pretend to be a little lamb?

"It genuinely struck a chord, never imagined that we would meet in such circumstances."

"What kind of meeting did you envision?" asked the old man, his expression grave as he looked at Zhong Daolong with curiosity.

"The meeting I envisioned..."

Zhong Daolong paused slightly, as if pondering the answer to this question.

"The meeting I envisioned was one where we had no chance to see each other at all."

"Even if we did meet, it would be when you were brought to Imperial Square for a public trial and beheading..."

"I would see you on television, perhaps I'd even personally oversee the execution."

"Depending on my mood, I most likely wouldn't go... after all, you're history, and I have no need to spend so much thought on you."

"I have more important matters to attend to. Dealing with you is simply like brushing dust off my leg."

"Like tiny polyps in the intestines, easily cut away during an examination... who would consider such a thing a deadly disease?"

In Zhong Daolong's heart, the old man was important, yet unimportant.

Twenty years ago, when they wielded power, had the people's trust, and the army's undying loyalty, doing anything they wished came so easily.

What do they have now?

One campaign against the Tang Family had already wiped out their core lineage.

Branded as traitors, without soldiers or authority, reviled by all... could they still stir up any storms?

Now he had to focus on the Shen Family, the Qin Family, and the Lu Family...

Oh, and the old man belonged to the Lu Family.

This was why he had Shen Wuxiang completely encircle Lu Ban Mountain, cutting off their support and communications.

With just the few small fry outside, what could they really do?

If the outside operation failed, would the Lu Clan still risk the destruction of their entire clan to help a "dead man"?

The answer was questionable.

"So, you knew quite early on... that I had returned?"

The old man fixed his gaze on Zhong Daolong, his eyes intense as he asked.

"Do you really think me a fool?" Zhong Daolong's lips curled into a mocking smile as he said, "Phoenix went to explore the Ancient Tomb in the Old Land but was betrayed by her teammates..."

"As everyone knows, Phoenix is the Empire Princess. Without a substantial benefit driving them, or a group of Dead Pool nurtured by a family or clan, who would take the risk to lay a hand on her? For what?"

"Moreover, the flight path of the escape pod was erased, conveniently dropping her off at a place called Hatemountain... Who could do such a thing? Who has the technology?"

"The answer is obvious, only the Lu Clan... Indeed, after Phoenix returned, she began to plead Tang Fei's case... hoping I would sign a special bill to bring them into New Star..."

"I did not expect that after so many years, the Tang Family rebels would still harbor treacherous intentions, even making a move on my precious daughter."

"So, I half-heartedly agreed... I really want to see what kind of trick they're trying to play."

"If I could use him to eliminate the Tang Family rebels hidden on New Star in one fell swoop, then... it would also settle one of my concerns."

"Chen Fenglei, that old dog, investigated for months and beheaded a few inconsequential people... I let him have his way."

"He was unwilling to investigate the truth behind the Old Land case, and I had no desire to uncover the truth at that time. If it had been found out from the start that it was done by your Lu Clan... it would have been a troublesome matter."

"Should I have waged war against your Lu Family then? I was not ready, nor was the Empire."

"Even if the Lu Family was exterminated, I would not wish to lose the support of your scientists and technology... I understand that's key to the strength of the Empire."

"You suspected Tang Fei from the start? Didn't you do genetic testing? Your son personally oversaw it; you still have doubts?"

"It's all an act. This isn't to reassure me, but to reassure you."

"You think I'm reassured, which is when you truly feel at ease."

"With the Lu Clan's methods, isn't altering a result as easy as pie?"

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