The man had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, exuding an aura of cold arrogance that warned strangers not to approach.

He wore a well-tailored white combat uniform, with a simple and unadorned long sword at his waist. Although Zhong Daoling, as a sovereign, had seen many outstanding men under the Star River, he was still amazed and stunned by this young man.

He couldn't help but praise in his heart, this is the most handsome man in the world.

He recognized this man, as Beehive had once provided information about him.

Bai Wuxin, the son of Tang Li's adjutant Bai Shizhen, and a disciple of He Xiaohua.

A junior Grandmaster and one of the core figures among the bandits.

Zhong Daolong closed the martial arts novel in his hand and looked at Bai Wuxin, asking, "What's the matter?"

Being a prisoner, it was no longer suitable to read books on politics or economics.

Acting as if he might be reinstated at any time would only raise suspicion and discontent.

He might as well read some easy-to-understand stories and treat them as a comfort for this long, drawn-out period.

But could his heart truly be at ease?

The answer was probably only known to himself.

"Watch a video first," Bai Wuxin said aloud.

He raised his wrist and clicked the play button of a pre-prepared video.

In the cramped cell appeared a virtual image of Zhong Tianque, who was delivering a speech with a solemn expression and deep eyes:

"It is with a heavy heart that I report to the citizens of the Empire about an extremely absurd and tragic event."

"The former Empire Princess Zhong Yu Xiu Xue has betrayed the nation, colluding with the bandits, and driving the barbarians to capture the entire Dushan region of the Empire and ravage the cities of Gold and Red Moon."

-------

The video ended, and the virtual image of Zhong Tianque vanished without a trace.

Zhong Daolong sat silently, lost in thought, without uttering a word.

Bai Wuxin stood quietly, waiting patiently as always.

A long while passed.

A long while passed.

Only then did Zhong Daolong raise his head, his expression defeated, his spirit withered, as if he had aged several years in an instant.

Brotherly strife, sibling enmity...

He, as a father, truly felt like a failure.

If he couldn't handle family affairs, how could he have the face to talk about state affairs?

But within the Royal Family, how could one possibly separate state affairs from family matters?

If not, how could it be called a 'royal' family?

"I haven't seen them for so long, it feels like a century has passed..." Zhong Daolong said sarcastically, not knowing if he was mocking his situation or Zhong Tianque's cold-heartedness: "Seeing them appear so suddenly, I barely recognized them."

Bai Wuxin, with a cold face and cold eyes, showed no intention of responding.

He disliked saying unnecessary words, especially with unfamiliar people.

If it were Tang Fei, he might have reluctantly engaged.

Zhong Daolong obviously understood his character, and asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"Release a statement," Bai Wuxin replied.

Zhong Daolong did not refuse, as a prisoner he had no room to bargain.

"You should have already prepared the draft, right?"

Bai Wuxin nodded and said, "Come with me."

Then turned around and left.

Zhong Daolong was still nominally the Sovereign of the Phoenix Empire and naturally couldn't record a video from the cell...

To mistreat the monarch would be to confirm the crime of rebellion and treason.

------

"Zhong Yu Xiu Xue truly disgraced her ancestors and surname... How prestigious were the Zhong and Yu families, yet she joined the bandits?"

"Shameless wench... a traitor, who should be punished by all."

"To fight the bandits, I am willing to donate a month's salary. To fight the barbarians, I am willing to give my life."

"Such a princess is better off abandoned..."

"Kill Tang Fei, seize the princess..."

------

Slam!

Tang Fei shut down the virtual desktop, gently holding Phoenix's neck, and comforted her softly: "Stop looking at these, they ruin your mood. What do they understand about Zhong Yu Xiu Xue?"

He knew Phoenix had been feeling upset these days, often locking herself in her room alone.

So whenever he had the chance, he would come to see her and talk.

He understood Phoenix, who valued emotions and felt sentimental about her own origins...

From the highly revered Empire Princess, to now a homeless bandit refugee.

It was her own brother who personally stood up and expelled her from the family in front of the whole nation. Anyone facing such a calamity would likely feel down for a while.

"I just want to see... how they actually view me." Phoenix leaned back, just resting in Tang Fei's arms.

She closed her eyes comfortably; this closeness made her feel very reassured.

She prided herself on always being an independent and strong-willed woman, but at this moment, she indeed needed someone by her side.

"It doesn't matter how they see you. How I see you is what matters most." Tang Fei's chin rested on Phoenix's head, gently swaying and playfully rubbing.

This made Phoenix's scalp tingle and feel numb.

"I just think our Phoenix is becoming more and more beautiful."

Phoenix's pretty face turned slightly red as she coyly said, "You only pick nice things to say."

"I'm speaking the truth," Tang Fei explained as if he had been wronged. "Anyone with eyes knows you're the Empire's number one beauty."

"That love-struck fool once appraised you... saying you have a dazzlingly bright spirit and extraordinary grace, truly a peerless beauty."

"You've heard that foolish talk too?"

Tang Fei's smile was cunning as he teased, "Foolish talk? I also heard that love-struck Jie Wencai wants to be your loyal servant."

"..."

Seeing Phoenix's cheeks blush, even her neck took on a rosy hue, he knew her mood had improved, and her mind had been redirected.

Yes, for a young girl, isn't it nice to talk about love, hold hands, and share tender kisses?

Why always focus on those burdensome affairs of military and state?

It's too unfair to her.

Tang Fei hoped that in Phoenix's fragile times, he could protect her well.

Just like when he first set foot on New Star, she took care of him meticulously.

However, Phoenix is Phoenix after all. She looked up at Tang Fei's eyes and asked, "How is the preparation over there going?"

"I have already received the video they sent... just discussing the counterattack plan with Si Yu..."

Phoenix had the intention to watch the video but hesitated for a moment and said, "You all decide."

"Hmm, don't worry." Tang Fei kneaded Phoenix's smooth white cheeks and said, "The masses are ignorant and believe whatever is guided to them... a motley crew, initially jubilant, soon to turn against one another."

"Soon, they will praise you as a good person... a beautiful-hearted and wise princess, a loyal and patriotic Mulan."

"I only hope everyone can be well." Phoenix sighed lightly.

Well, these simple three words, yet are difficult beyond measure.

------

"Ready?" Tang Fei asked.

"All set." Lu Siyu, calm and composed, sat at the computer, like a General commanding thousands of troops.

"The counterattack begins."

Lu Siyu pressed the confirmation key with a 'snap', and the virtual screen before her started to display golden threads spreading outward, enveloping the densely packed computer screens in the room.

Light glowed all over, and the entire world was filled with this golden brilliance.

------

Xie Weifeng was angrily cursing Zhong Yu and Xiu Xue for treason in front of the computer and was in full swing battling the supporters of the Princess's guard when suddenly, a new video email arrived on the virtual screen.

"Hmm? Who sent me a message?"

As he thought about it, the video automatically played, as if an invisible hand was controlling his computer.

"Infected with malware?"

Xie Weifeng panicked, fumbling to close the email and regain control of the computer.

Sadly, against true tech wizards, it was in vain.

A man's face appeared on the screen, one that was quite familiar.

Xie Weifeng had seen it countless times in major national news and every New Year's address, it was Zhong Daolong, the Phoenix Empire Sovereign.

Zhong Daolong sat in a spacious white office, clad in a perfectly tailored black suit, with sleeked-back hair, looking solemn and authoritative.

"Citizens of the Phoenix Empire, good day. I am Zhong Daolong, the current Sovereign of the Phoenix Empire."

At the sound of his voice, Xie Weifeng quieted down and no longer insisted on closing the video.

He wanted to see what this was all about.

"You all must be wondering, have you not seen me around for a long time? Yes, I was exiled by traitors."

"As everyone knows, the former Phoenix Palace was bombed by bandits, and in its original place, a new palace named Fengming Palace was built... A single word difference, worlds apart."

"The former Phoenix Palace was the foundation of the Empire, the place where the people's hearts converged. The current Fengming Palace is a new palace built by the Shen Family to cover up, after they bombed the Phoenix Palace..."

"I accuse Shen Wuxiang, appointed as a Grandmaster by me, who was deeply trusted and favored by the country, of secretly engaging in the treacherous act of usurping power."

"I accuse Zhong Tianque, as my son, who was cherished with much expectation, for colluding with powerful ministers to depose me, trap me to my demise, and pursue his own sister Zhong Yu, Xiu Xue, to the end."

"I accuse Shen Wuxiang and Zhong Tianque of plotting treason and rebellion..."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.