A subtle, tense atmosphere began to spread through the bustling crowd of reporters.
The reporters were busy adjusting their equipnt, preparing to drop the next bombshell question.
Their fingers swiped across phone screens, searching for keywords that could shake the entire venue.
Suddenly, an indescribable emotion blossod on their faces.
It was a complex expression, a mixture of disgust, sarcasm, mockery, and gloating,
Like colors intertwining on a palette, it made Ji Shengyue extrely uncomfortable.
The sa reporter from before aid his microphone at Ji Shengyue once more, like a sharp sword.
"Her Majesty the Queen, have you been following the breaking news?"
His voice was laced with provocation.
Ji Shengyue didn’t respond to his challenge. Her gaze went past the crowd, landing on her assistant who was hurrying over.
The assistant’s face was ashen, and he gripped a tablet computer tightly in his hand.
He carefully placed the tablet on the table in front of Ji Shengyue. "Her Majesty the Queen, news just ca in from Agarwood City.
Xiao Cangqing, who has been missing for days, suddenly appeared and killed Gao Yuankui, whom we sent to arrest Gao Yimin and Dai Ju.
As far as we know, the other mbers of the investigation team have also pledged allegiance to Xiao Cangqing."
Ji Shengyue’s face instantly turned pale as a sheet. Her fingers tapped unconsciously on the tabletop, making a crisp sound.
This news was undoubtedly a massive blow to her.
She had once placed great hope in Xiao Cangqing, seeing him as her most capable general.
But now, he had betrayed her,
siding with those two traitors, Gao Yimin and Dai Ju.
’How could she possibly accept this?!’
"This... How is this possible?
Why would Xiao Cangqing do this?
He shouldn’t have any connection to Gao Yimin and Dai Ju.
Besides, Gao Yimin and Dai Ju made a deal with the Evil Spirits from the Demon Cave, betraying the trust and support I invested in the Ti Girl Group.
How could Xiao Cangqing possibly be mixed up with them?"
Ji Shengyue’s voice trembled slightly. Her eyes lingered on the tablet, trying to find a single flaw in those cold words.
However, the facts were right in front of her, irrefutable.
"The information has been confird."
The assistant said in a low voice, "It really is Xiao Cangqing.
As for why he’s with Gao Yimin and Dai Ju... we don’t know yet.
But one thing is certain: he now stands in opposition to you."
Ji Shengyue was silent for a mont, then slowly rose from her chair.
Her body seed weak; having been seated for so long, standing up so suddenly made her feel a wave of dizziness.
She swayed slightly, steadied herself with a hand on the table in front of her, and took a few deep breaths before managing to quell the discomfort.
"Her Majesty the Queen, are you all right?" the assistant asked with concern.
"I’m fine."
Ji Shengyue said, "Today’s press conference is over. As for Agarwood City, imdiately summon our head of intelligence. I need to know every detail of this matter."
Even though the outside world had already exploded with the news,
with reports of Xiao Cangqing killing the investigation team mbers sent by Ji Shengyue spreading like wildfire,
Ji Shengyue’s heart was still filled with doubt. She could hardly believe it.
As the National Guardian War God of the Great Jing Empire, Xiao Cangqing’s status was lofty, his honor and dignity unparalleled.
His future was brilliant; he was supposed to beco a hero revered by all.
’Why would he stoop so low as to associate with people like Gao Yimin and Dai Ju?’
’It’s like he’s intentionally dragging his own na through the mud. It’s impossible to understand.’
Seeing Ji Shengyue preparing to leave,
the reporters who had been waiting for an opportunity imdiately sward like sharks that had slled blood.
They shouldered their caras, raised their microphones, and frantically chased after her.
"Her Majesty the Queen, you just vouched for Xiao Cangqing! How do you explain his actions now?"
"Where are you going? Can you tell us?"
"Does this situation an your past judgnt was completely wrong? Did Chu He really leave the Great Jing Empire because of a conspiracy of yours?"
Every question was like a bombshell exploding in Ji Shengyue’s heart.
Her heart began to pound violently, as if it were about to leap out of her chest.
"Get out! Make them all get out!"
Ji Shengyue finally lost her patience, her voice laced with fury.
The guards imdiately sprang into action, beginning to disperse the reporters blocking the hallway.
Back in her office, Ji Shengyue sat behind her large desk, her expression grave.
A short while later, an intelligence officer hurried in.
He had already learned the reason for Her Majesty the Queen’s summons on his way over. As soon as he entered, he said hastily, "Her Majesty the Queen, the situation in Agarwood City developed suddenly. We also received the news unexpectedly during the press conference.
Currently, our intelligence personnel are still urgently compiling information. We don’t have a definitive report yet."
Before the intelligence officer could finish, Ji Shengyue cut him off with a wave of her hand. "I don’t need to hear the tedious details. Just tell , is what happened in Agarwood City real or not?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty the Queen, the intelligence has been verified. The events are just as the rumors claim.
However, in the eyes of our intelligence analysis departnt, the entire matter is rife with strangeness."
The intelligence officer’s brows were tightly furrowed, clearly full of doubt himself. "For our Great Jing Empire’s National Guardian War God to commit such an incomprehensible act...
His thods are as if he’s a completely different person from the one we know.
They are acting arrogantly, live-streaming the entire thing, and killing anyone who resists without rcy. Their thods are extrely cruel.
If this situation is allowed to develop, I fear Agarwood City will fall into Xiao Cangqing’s hands. This is nothing short of a rebellion."
Hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Ji Shengyue’s eyes. She said in a low voice, "Pull up the live stream."
An assistant quickly understood Ji Shengyue’s aning, picked up the tablet, and swiped her fingers rapidly across the screen, finding the platform where Xiao Cangqing was streaming.
She tapped the screen, and the stream quickly opened. She thoughtfully set it to play the recording from the beginning, ensuring Ji Shengyue could understand the course of events from the start.
The playback began, slowly. The first thing that ca into view was Xiao Cangqing’s tall, indifferent back.
Behind him stood Gao Yimin and Dai Ju.
As for the mbers of the investigation team originally sent to Agarwood City, several were now missing. Ji Shengyue knew in her heart that they must have t with a terrible fate.
In the background, a plaza in Agarwood City ca into view.
The crowd was bustling, yet there was a grim, murderous atmosphere hanging in the air.
"Mr. Xiao, we’ve spread the news of the takeover throughout the entire city. By now, everyone should know."
Gao Yimin walked up to Xiao Cangqing and reported respectfully.
"How long has it been since the ssage went out?" Xiao Cangqing asked.
"About three hours," Gao Yimin replied.
"Then, the citizens willing to submit to us should all be gathered around this plaza by now, correct?" Xiao Cangqing continued to ask.
"Yes, Mr. Xiao. But according to our estimates, less than a tenth of Agarwood City’s total population has shown up."
Gao Yimin did a quick calculation and answered truthfully.
"The ones who haven’t co yet are still holding onto a sliver of hope, thinking the Royal City will send reinforcents soon."
Xiao Cangqing sighed softly, dissatisfied with this result.
He raised his wrist and glanced at his watch. "Then let’s take this opportunity to clean out those in Agarwood City who don’t know what’s good for them.
It will also make these people who followed our orders and gathered around the plaza understand that false hope is useless.
Gao Yimin, Dai Ju, you two will lead the teams.
I’m giving you five hours, starting now, to begin a full sweep.
My orders are that anyone who has not gathered near this plaza within the specified ti is to be killed without exception."
Hearing this, Ji Shengyue’s expression had beco as dark as it could possibly be.
She clenched her fists, her heart filled with fury and confusion.
’This Xiao Cangqing... he actually wants to massacre the city!’
’What is he doing this for?’
’For power?’
’For status?’
’Or for so other ulterior motive?’
’How could this person she once trusted so completely do sothing so utterly depraved!’
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