Just as Wei Ting was feeling quite satisfied with his attitude, a man in his forties suddenly rose from the seats on the right.
"Military Governor, the way I see it, that’s exactly what Vice Commander Lu meant!"
Lu Wen was instantly stunned. His eyes went wide, his mouth agape as if he could swallow a fist. He craned his neck to stare at the man who had spoken, his expression one of utter disbelief.
’Fei Guyuan? The Commander-in-Chief of Fuzze City’s border garrison, a high-ranking member of the Governor’s Mansion.’
’This guy and I usually stay in our own lanes; we’ve never had any run-ins.’
’What the hell is wrong with him today? Did he take the wrong medicine or something? How dare he embarrass me in public!’
The moment Lu Wen snapped out of it, his face flushed beet red. He jabbed a finger at Fei Guyuan’s nose and roared, "Fei Guyuan, you son of a bitch, you’re spouting shameless lies!"
"I haven’t done anything to you, have I? Which of your goddamn ears heard me say a single word against the Military Governor?"
He was so furious and flustered that spittle flew from his mouth as he cursed.
Fei Guyuan stood his ground, his expression unchanging. He even lifted his chin slightly, projecting an air of ’So what if I said it? What are you going to do about it?’.
This only made Lu Wen even more furious. He turned to look at his equally dumbfounded colleagues lining the two rows.
"Military Governor! Everyone! You all heard what I just said! I said those people from the Yellow Heaven Corps are tough to deal with and that our men should be careful! When did I ever say a word against the Military Governor?"
"That bastard Fei Guyuan is blatantly trying to frame me!"
Wei Ting remained silent, his gaze shifting between Lu Wen and Fei Guyuan, his expression inscrutable.
Everyone else also turned to look at the still-standing Fei Guyuan, their faces etched with confusion.
’What was wrong with this Commander-in-Chief today? He’s usually so low-key, never making a scene.’
Seeing Fei Guyuan’s demeanor, a thought suddenly flashed through Lu Wen’s mind. He remembered something.
As Commander-in-Chief of the border garrison, Fei Guyuan had total authority over all traffic in and out of Fuzze City. Every city gate, checkpoint, and strategic pass was under his command.
’So that raises the question: how did those damn lunatics from the Yellow Heaven Corps get into the city?’
’All those people, all those fanatics... they couldn’t have just materialized out of thin air, could they?’
’Not unless someone deliberately let them in.’
Lu Wen’s eyes lit up. He shot a finger out, pointing at Fei Guyuan. "That’s it! Fei Guyuan, you bastard! Aren’t you in charge of all access to Fuzze City?"
"So how is it that the city is now crawling with Yellow Heaven Corps fanatics? What kind of job were you doing guarding the gates?"
"I bet you deliberately let them in!"
Before Fei Guyuan could respond, Lu Wen sneered and turned to Wei Ting. He cupped his fist and bowed. "Military Governor, this old bastard Fei Guyuan is definitely one of the Yellow Heaven Corps! And even if he isn’t a member, he’s undeniably connected to them!"
"If you ask me, he needs to be thoroughly investigated!"
’So you thought you could frame me, you old goat? Let’s see how you like a taste of your own medicine!’
The officials sitting in the two rows could only stare at each other in dismay.
Now things were really heating up. The two men were at each other’s throats, one accusing the other of a frame-up, the other of treason and collusion with the enemy.
They hadn’t even dealt with the Yellow Heaven Corps, and now their own ranks were consumed by infighting.
The officials seated near the two combatants kept their heads down, staring intently at nothing, wishing they could shrink into the crevices of their chairs to avoid being dragged into this baffling conflict.
But no one noticed the change in Wei Ting’s gaze. He was staring intently at Fei Guyuan, the earlier vexation in his eyes replaced by a look of deep, calculating scrutiny.
’Something’s not right with Fei Guyuan.’ Wei Ting had worked with him for years; he knew the man all too well.
Fei Guyuan’s most defining trait was his low-key nature. In all his years, he had never spoken up voluntarily in meetings, never been the first to offer his opinion, and would simply smile and brush it off even when provoked to his face.
Some called him a pushover, others said he was just playing it safe, but whatever the case, he was never the type to deliberately stir up trouble.
’But now? Now he was openly targeting Lu Wen in front of everyone. This was wrong. Terribly wrong.’
’Could a man normally so low-key he was practically invisible really stand up and deliberately cause a scene in public like this?’
’Not unless... not unless he had another motive.’
At this thought, Wei Ting’s eyes narrowed. His face darkened as he said coldly, "Fei Guyuan, you’d better have an explanation for me."
Hearing this, a chill went down everyone’s spine. The Lord Governor was actually taking this seriously.
Lu Wen glanced over, surprised. ’Don’t tell me I was actually right? The world can’t be that coincidental, can it?’
’His accusations just now were pure fabrications meant to get under Fei Guyuan’s skin! He’d just blurted it all out! The stuff about the Yellow Heaven Corps, about letting them in on purpose—he’d made it all up on the spot as a counterattack!’
The few commanders closest to Fei Guyuan also sensed something was amiss. They exchanged glances before rising in unison and taking several steps back.
In an instant, Fei Guyuan was left standing alone by his chair on the right, a wide-open space now surrounding him.
Everyone else had moved to stand by Wei Ting’s side. Fei Guyuan watched them, his expression remaining perfectly calm.
But a moment later, he smiled. It was a strange smile—not his usual gentle one, but the kind that sent a chill down your spine.
He raised a hand, his fingers darting to his waist. In less than a second, a pistol was aimed squarely at Wei Ting.
At this sight, Lu Wen’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. He pointed at Fei Guyuan and bellowed, "How dare you! Fei Guyuan, have you lost your goddamn mind?"
"You dare point a gun at the Lord Governor? Is this a rebellion?"
Hearing this, Fei Guyuan tilted his head, giving Lu Wen a look of mock surprise before finally letting out a short laugh.
"A rebellion? How interesting. Is that mouth of yours blessed or something, old man?"
"Congratulations, you guessed right. But there’s no prize."
Fei Guyuan’s admission left Lu Wen utterly stupefied. He snatched back his pointing hand, the expression on his face a priceless, indescribable mess.
’What? The bullshit I pulled out of my ass was right *again*? What is going on?’
Nearby, the corners of Wei Ting’s and the other commanders’ mouths twitched. They too were stunned by the coincidence.
Indeed, there was something wrong with Fei Guyuan. He had thrown in his lot with the Yellow Heaven Corps.
Seeing Fei Guyuan’s pistol still aimed at him, Wei Ting stood perfectly still, not a trace of fear on his face.
’He was a Grandmaster of Huajin. How could a mere pistol possibly threaten him?’
The instant Fei Guyuan pulled the trigger, Wei Ting could rely on a Grandmaster of Huajin’s instinct for sensing danger to effortlessly dodge the bullet’s path.
"Fei Guyuan, do you really think this gun can threaten me?"
At his words, Fei Guyuan chuckled. "Heh heh heh, I know the Lord Governor wouldn’t be frightened by this Western firearm."
"That’s why I’m not the one you have to deal with today."
The next second, a figure emerged from the darkness outside the great hall. It was an old man clad in a Bright Yellow Daoist Robe.
He had a weathered, brownish complexion and a white beard that fluttered beneath his chin. His white hair cascaded down to his waist. He leaned on a Nine-Section Peach Wood Staff engraved with cloud patterns, a Yellow Cloth Talisman Banner hanging from its head.
Upon seeing the old man, Fei Guyuan immediately holstered his pistol, his entire demeanor changing in an instant.
He bowed deeply, his face filled with fervent piety. "The believer Fei Guyuan greets the Tiangong General!"
’Tiangong General?’
While the others exchanged bewildered glances, completely baffled, the color drained from Wei Ting’s face, leaving it deathly pale.
’What? The Tiangong General? Impossible! Absolutely impossible! That’s a legendary figure from the Zulong Dynasty five hundred years ago!’
’He died hundreds of years ago! How could he possibly still be alive?’
The old man walked to the center of the great hall before stopping. He looked at Wei Ting and smiled faintly.
Seeing that sinister smile, the hair on Wei Ting’s arms stood on end. He immediately dropped into a defensive stance, demanding warily, "Who in the world are you? What do you want?"
The old man looked at him and spoke slowly, his voice echoing in the hall. "The world’s destiny is mine to command. By Heaven’s will and Fate’s hand, only the Yellow Heaven shall stand."

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