Above the Galaxy
Chapter 523 - 327: No Time!

Chapter 523: Chapter 327: No Time!

Zhong Daolong had not expected his father-in-law to make such a request of him. Hadn’t he just invited Tang Fei to Qianshan as a guest?

A falling-out?

But even so...

Why must the man be killed?

Zhong Daolong’s face showed deep concern as he asked in confusion, "What did this young man do to provoke you? To the extent that my father-in-law would travel thousands of miles to have him executed?"

"I want to kill him not for personal grievances, but for the sake of the Empire and the King," Yu Changan said with a grave expression, no longer addressing him as ’son-in-law’ but as King, to demonstrate his impartial stance.

"For me?"

"Yes." Yu Yuanshan nodded and declared, "I asked him why he had to deal such a blow to the Lu and Yu Families. He said that all the faults and mistakes were his own doing. If there was to be killing or flaying, he would have no complaints."

"He also said that whatever he did was his own decision, something he thought he ought to do, and it had nothing to do with anyone else."

"In that case... why kill him?" Zhong Daolong voiced his query.

Wasn’t this just shouldering the blame and taking the fall for the Royal Family and himself?

How could one kill such a loyal subject?

"He’s desperately taking all the blame himself, yet, every word, every sentence, is an insinuation, a guide... suggesting that these are not his own actions, but those ordered from above, something he was bound to do," Yu Yuanshan clarified, looking at Zhong Daolong with an inquiring tone. "If I can think this way, what about the Lu Family? What about others?"

"Therefore, I am certain that this man is deeply scheming and malevolent. He aims to stir discord between the Royal Family and our Yu Family... I implore the King to execute him and eliminate future troubles."

Zhong Daolong pondered for a moment before asking Yu Yuanshan, "Have you considered that if he pushes all responsibility upwards... onto Dean Yan’s head, or even directly onto mine, claiming he acted under our orders, what then?"

Yu Changyuan looked at him with penetrating eyes and spoke solemnly, "That’s why I made a special trip here today, to ask you one question... son-in-law, what exactly do you intend to do?"

He had once again addressed Zhong Daolong as his son-in-law, proving that he was speaking from a personal stance, posing the question as an old father-in-law.

This approach made the questioning seem more cordial and expressed a readiness to stand shoulder to shoulder in shared honor or disgrace.

Naturally, Zhong Daolong understood Yu Changan’s intentions and, offering his arm to assist him, said, "Father-in-law, let’s talk inside. I’ve stored some fine tea just waiting for you to come and taste."

"Then I’ll have to savor it thoroughly," Yu Changan said cheerfully.

------

In the basement, the old man turned to Tang Fei and said, "Yu Changan has gone to the Phoenix Palace."

"He wants to kill me." Tang Fei had predicted this and spoke out.

"What did you tell him?" the old man asked with concern.

"It’s just the same words I’ve told others, yet he believes I’m harboring malicious intentions, stirring discord between myself and the Imperial Family."

"Yu Changan is cunning and shrewd. Though he usually hides away in Qianshan, he has his family’s intelligence network and special relationship with the Royal Family to keep him well-informed about the outside world."

"Perhaps you caught his eye long ago. When you attacked the Lu Family, he grew suspicious. When you targeted the Yu Family and tangled in Yu Bainian, he perceived the threat."

"The Yu Family is part of the core lineage of the Royal Family?"

"The Yu Family is part of the imperial kin due to the late Empress Yu Sineng, which makes their relationship with the Royal Family particularly close."

The old man saw through the greedy nature of the nine major families and said without disguise, "But a family is one thing, a nation another. When it comes to their own interests, they will only stand from the perspective of their clan. The state of the nation is irrelevant to them."

"Is it possible to win over the Yu Family?"

"Absolutely not."

"So, I don’t understand..." Tang Fei looked at the old man and asked, "Why are we trying to bring the Yu Family into this now?"

In fact, Tang Fei’s initial thought was to involve the Shen Family.

The Shen Family was the head of the nine major families, with Shen Wuxiang among the three Military Ministers, and the Shen clan, including their direct descendants, controlling a third of the Empire’s army.

If the Royal Family and the Shen clan could be provoked into conflict, with fire meeting water, then the other families would have to choose sides.

It would be then that great things could be accomplished.

The old man glanced at Tang Fei and said, "Don’t let your dislike for Shen Xinglan prompt you to keep trying to cause them trouble."

"Do I dislike him?" Tang Fei retorted with annoyance, "Alright, there is some truth to that... but mainly, I think if the Shen Family is thrown into chaos, the Military Department will be affected, and once the Military Department moves, the army will follow... Only then will the situation truly start to unfold in our favor."

"The tinder isn’t enough, the timing not ripe," the old man analyzed. "With the Shen’s current turtle-like cautiousness, they won’t act rashly. Only if they are truly hurt."

"Then let’s hurt them."

"How do we fight? Who will go fight?"

"The Monitoring Bureau."

"Just the Monitoring Bureau, that’s not enough."

"What else should we do?"

"Unless the Royal Family takes action personally, revoking Shen Wuxiang’s position as Military Minister and thoroughly replacing the high-ranks within the Undying Army... only then can they truly be hurt. If we just cut off some of their branches, it’s not enough to damage the roots of the Shen Family. They won’t rush to be the spearhead in this."

"That will be difficult," Tang Fei spoke up, "I can only influence the direction of the Monitoring Bureau’s cases within a certain scope, but I have no power when it comes to appointments of the Military Minister or the dismissal of high-ranking officers."

The old man glanced at Tang Fei and spoke, "Isn’t Zhong Tianque always trying to win you over? Aren’t you two on good terms?"

"Wouldn’t that be too obvious?" Tang Fei asked.

"Given the Dragon’s achievements, who wouldn’t want a share? Even if you act a bit too eagerly, everyone will just think you’re a naive newcomer in politics."

The old man soothed him, "Besides, you have no foundation or many relatives on New Star... even if you rise to power, what can you do?"

"Your biggest advantage is that everyone believes you have no base, no backup. Even if you succeed, you’ll just be a solitary sapling. That’s insignificant to those massive families."

"They can’t tolerate the emergence of another family that could rival them, but if it’s just the addition of one sapling... I think they’ll find a way to convince themselves to accept it."

"I understand," Tang Fei nodded, "I’ll find an opportunity to report my work to the Eldest Prince."

"A foolish man with more ambition than talent is easily misled into believing he can control everything."

"I know what to do now."

"Mhm." The old man nodded and asked, "How are your talks going with Phoenix?"

"Talks about what? Romance?"

The old man let out a soft sigh, "I wonder how long you plan to avoid it... But, I’m not in a rush. There’s still time."

"Some things require the right moment, location, and people—all three are indispensable."

"..."

------

When Tang Fei returned to the Monitoring Bureau, he happened to run into the stunning beauty, Yan Jinnian.

Yan Jinnian was the deputy director of the fifth division of the Monitoring Bureau, equal in rank to Tang Fei.

However, she controlled the core combat force of the fifth division, the Black Cavalry.

The Black Cavalry, though only three thousand in number, was well-equipped and powerful in combat.

Moreover, it had the function of enforcing and supervising in various places, a force that could move about Phoenix City freely and respond rapidly.

Due to its importance in position and legality in function, Tang Fei coveted this combat force, always thinking of claiming it for his own or inserting his people from Ghost to control the core positions.

Unfortunately, the force was in the hands of Yan Jinnian, who was Dean Yan’s goddaughter.

Without knowing her temperament, Tang Fei didn’t dare to rashly make contact.

"Director Yan," Tang Fei called out.

Yan Jinnian stopped in her tracks, her gaze coldly scrutinizing the man before her, pausing for a moment as if to confirm his identity.

After a long while, she finally spoke, "Director Tang."

Tang Fei’s promotion to deputy director of the fifth division of the Monitoring Bureau had broken the institute’s record for the fastest promotion in nearly a decade.

"Hello Director Yan, I am Tang Fei." Tang Fei stepped forward with a smile, extending his right hand to Yan Jinnian.

"I know you. What is it?" Yan Jinnian did not show any intention of shaking Tang Fei’s hand and spoke emotionlessly.

She was aware of Tang Fei.

Tang Fei was a well-known figure in the Monitoring Bureau, or rather, he was well-known even before he joined the bureau.

Yet, the two had never acquainted or interacted.

His sudden approach to greet her... what was he plotting?

Tang Fei did not feel embarrassed, naturally retracting his extended hand and said, "I often hear Director Zhong sing praises of Director Yan’s heroic deeds, saying how you’re equal to any man..."

"We are colleagues after all, but due to busy schedules, we’ve never had the time to just sit down and chat. I was wondering if Director Yan might be free tonight? I would like to invite Director Yan for a meal. It’s good for colleagues to exchange camaraderie."

"I’m not available," Yan Jinnian refused bluntly, then walked off with long strides toward the distance.

Tang Fei watched her retreating figure, a beaming smile emerging at the corner of his mouth.