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I have to say that everyone is smart; with just one sentence from me, it seems that both Tian Heng and the Shen Family have guessed something.

When it comes to shrewdness, I still lack the experience compared to these old foxes, but if I’m exposed, so be it. The priority now is to find the person who has been bribed.

Who could it be?

Wei Gongcheng, keeping a calm exterior, sipped his tea while weighing his options in secrecy.

If talking about a rebellion most likely to succeed, it naturally would be Xuu Hu, who was outside. However, Xuu Hu is not that astute, and sometimes the danger from him is less than from the two parties present here.

"I have already sent a message to General Xuu; he should be arriving soon," Wei Gongcheng said indifferently as he put down his teacup. "Everyone, please go back and rest for now. There are still things to handle today, and please do not leave Lyuzhou City without authorization."

Everyone: "...."

The Shen Family looked perplexed, except for Shen Shi Yi who seemed utterly baffled, the rest appeared rather solemn. They stood up and said, "Then we will rest at the Government Office. Please notify us immediately if there is any matter."

"Alright..."

Tian Heng frowned, "I won’t be resting at the Government Office. I’ll head to the Observing Stars Tower; a few deputy generals are waiting for me there. There’s a gathering tonight. If there is anything, please also inform me right away."

"Alright..." Wei Gongcheng nodded. "General Tian, just don’t get too drunk."

"Hahaha, nowadays, I can’t even get drunk if I wanted to," Tian Heng laughed heartily. After giving a fist salute, he strode off, leaving with vigour and grace.

Walking away with such ease, Wei Gongcheng glanced at the Shen Family members, who showed no intention of leaving.

"Is there something you wish to say?"

"When did you receive the news?" Second Elder Shen asked directly.

Holding his teacup, Wei Gongcheng fell silent for a moment before responding, "About two hours ago, from Ao Zhen."

"What did she find out? When is she returning?" Third Elder Shen also frowned. "If there is something wrong with Tian Heng, then suppressing the Western Sea Army greatly needs Ao Zhen’s strength. Without her, Tian Heng might even be able to mobilize the West Sea Aquatic Tribe!"

Shen Shi Yi looked utterly confused. What on earth is all this about?

Wei Gongcheng continued drinking his tea without a word.

"Do you suspect us?" Third Elder Shen went straight to the point.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly turned eerie, but Wei Gongcheng was not afraid.

They were all members of the Lyuzhou Hell Ruler, and the Shen Family, being away from their own domain, were just ordinary Extraordinary Sorcerers.

Here, within the domain of the Lyuzhou Hell Ruler, Wei Gongcheng not only had tens of thousands of ghost soldiers at his command, but his powers, under the influence of his divine office, matched few.

Even an ambush was unlikely. Now, after repeated practice, even if the top assassin attempted a surprise attack, the Techniques on his body would ensure his instantaneous return to the Hell Ruler’s domain.

With the proficiency of the Lyuzhou Hell Ruler’s realm at present, as long as he returned to his realm, even someone as powerful as Ao Zhen, in combination with the combat power of the ghost soldiers and Judges, would be subdued by him. That was the confidence he held!

"Everyone is under suspicion, so I must be cautious, mustn’t I?" Knowing he could not deceive the other party, Wei Gongcheng spoke bluntly.

"That really breaks my heart." Third Elder Shen sighed.

The relationship between him and Wei Gongcheng could be said to be excellent, especially before becoming a Hell Ruler, when they would play chess together daily and shared everything.

"Public is public, private is private. It’s my duty, I apologize..." Wei Gongcheng remained unmoved.

"You young fellow..." Third Elder Shen shook his head with a smile. "No wonder Ao Zhen would send you the message. Even an outsider knows, of everyone, you, Wei Gongcheng, are the least likely to betray the lord."

Wei Gongcheng remained silent, but there was an indiscernible look in his eyes. Was this the impression he gave everyone?

Actually, if someone were to try to turn me, the chances of a successful rebellion would be quite high.

With Lyuzhou as the core, where I have the most powerful soldiers of the underworld at my disposal, and where all major decisions are made, it would be possible for me to trap all the faction leaders here under one pretense or another.

When it comes down to it, Chen Qing really trusts me, doesn’t he? Does he not worry at all that I might rebel?

As I was pondering this, a familiar yet heavy voice came from the doorway: "Has something important happened? Wei Gong, you’re not usually this agitated."

The speaker was Xuu Hu, who had hurried here, still cloaked in chill and with his vital energy surging, clearly having endured no small expenditure. By his appearance, one could tell he had rushed here all the way from the north.

Seeing this, both Wei Gongcheng and members of the Shen Family felt much better.

The urgency of his arrival and the absolute trust he had in Wei Gongcheng suggested that of all the possibilities, Xuu Hu who commanded forces on the periphery and had dared to come alone, was the least likely suspect, at least for now.

"Rest up for a moment; there’s a significant issue that will require your action shortly.

" Wei Gongcheng flipped his hand, revealing a black fruit, which everyone recognized at a glance as the Karma Fruit condensed by the Hell Ruler of Lyuzhou, a substance capable of rapidly restoring one’s vital energy.

Lyuzhou Hell Ruler had only three of them; they were lifesaving items reserved for critical moments.

"Why have you brought this out?" Xuu Hu immediately sensed that something serious must have happened.

The Karma Fruit was unique to the Hell Ruler of Lyuzhou. Using up its power, only Wei Gongcheng would be willing to employ the energy of the Karma Fruit in such a manner. The other Hell Rulers controlled by the Shen Family would never dream of preparing such a thing for warriors, would they?

This fruit was a current strategic resource; even Ao Zhen, who had gone to the Southern Sea, was not given one, yet now it was being offered to me right at our front door?

"I’m fine..." Xuu Hu waved his hand, "The expenditure isn’t as great as you might think. Send me to Daqing Mountain, and I should recover in no more than three days."

"There’s no time for three days." Wei Gongcheng waved his hand: "General Xuu Hu, let me ask you something. If... I mean if Tian Heng were to turn against us, and you had to face him alone, how confident are you in your chances?"

"What??" Upon hearing this, Xuu Hu’s expression turned ferocious as he rose abruptly, his aura shaking the ground slightly, prompting Wei Gongcheng to gesture frantically in response.

"How dare that bastard?"

In Xuu Hu’s view, Tian Heng’s special treatment was almost unrivaled in Jiangnan.

As a foreign power who had brought troops to join us, our lord not only allowed him his private soldiers but also granted him such substantial authority and resources.

The entire might of the Dragon Clan from the West Sea Dragon Palace was almost completely under his command, and, fearing his insufficient reputation for enlisting troops, he was even permitted to fight a guaranteed victory in the Southeast, all to enhance his prestige.

The trade with the West Sea allowed his troops to profit handsomely as escorts, something my own Warrior Army had often eyed with envy. He had ample money and manpower!

Even my lieutenants, who watched this resentment grow, knew it was the Warrior Army that had earned its stripes in the campaign to establish the kingdom, yet now the Western Sea Army seemed to be treated even better.

If it weren’t for the lord’s substantial prestige, dissent would have arisen long ago.

And yet, that dog Tian Heng still harbored thoughts of revolt?

"Damn it, that ungrateful cur!!"

"Don’t get worked up..." Wei Gongcheng immediately felt embarrassed: "I only said if..."

"How confident are you it’s him?" Xuu Hu asked bluntly.

"Seventy percent..." Wei Gongcheng spoke truthfully.

There were many reasons. Only the Dragon Palace in the Southern Sea had the military capability to besiege cities, so it was highly likely that it was the aquatic tribe that had rebelled; now that Ao Zhen was absent, if the West Sea Dragon Palace also had plans, the most likely one to turn would be Tian Heng.

In terms of military strength, the Western Sea Army was the most convenient, with the Warrior Army stationed at the borders and the Western Sea Army akin to the Imperial Army. Historically, the leaders of the Imperial Army were the ones most likely to succeed in rebellion.

If it were me enticing someone to turn, Tian Heng would be the best choice.

The Shen Family was different because, for the Shen Family to rebel, all of them had to be in agreement. If even one of them wasn’t, there was a possibility the plot could be exposed too soon; after all, several of the Shens were intelligent individuals, making the risk of turning them too great.

To be honest, although I wasn’t completely certain it was Tian Heng, logically speaking, the Shen Family was far less suspect!

At that moment, Tian Heng, with a dark expression on his face, was heading towards the Observing Stars Tower.