Chapter 162

Chapter 162: Qin Xian’s True Goal

“That’s right. They’re all dead, and the True Vision Prism is now in my hands.” Qin Xian smiled as he nodded, openly admitting it.

Even though she had anticipated this, hearing it confirmed was like a dagger to Wen Yu’s heart.

Vice Commander Sun and the military guards who had followed her for years—loyal subordinates who had fought endless battles at her side, waging war against the Void—had not fallen to Void Beasts, but had instead been slaughtered by their own kind.

This was nothing less than a cruel irony.

“The officers from the Military Division… you let them go, didn’t you? Without the True Vision Prism, there’s no evidence left. You’ll be able to pin everything on me. My position as Commander of the Eastern Army will be gone.

“So many people have died… even if you kill me now, no one will pursue justice. I’ll become the perfect scapegoat.” Wen Yu’s face turned pale, a deep sense of despair and helplessness flashing in her eyes.

Beside her, Wen Xu’s guilt surged to an unbearable level. At this moment, he finally realized his own foolishness. If not for his infatuation, how could his sister have ended up in this situation?

But Qin Xian simply shook his head and laughed softly, “No, you’re mistaken. The Military Division’s people? I killed them too.”

“The Void invasion that erupted in the Trial Space will be blamed entirely on the Military Division. It has nothing to do with you.”

“So rest assured—you’ll still be the Commander of the Eastern Army, and no one will be able to shake your position.”

Wen Yu’s eyes widened in shock and she suddenly realized something, and for the first time, true fear flashed across her face, “Y-you’re planning…!”

“That’s right. Exactly what you’re thinking. Wen Yu, all of you underestimated my ambition. What I want isn’t just the Eastern Army. I want the Military Division itself!” Qin Xian’s smile turned cruel, his eyes burning with the raging fire of unquenchable ambition.

“I went through so much effort, orchestrating such a grand spectacle, sacrificing so many people—do you really think my goal was just your position? No, my goal was you, Commander Wen.”

“As long as I control you, there’s no need to negotiate a division of power with the Military Division. The Qin Clan can directly control the entire Eastern Army!”

“As for those fools in the Military Division—with the True Vision Prism, all the blame will be pinned on them. Once they’ve been purged, the Qin Clan can move in to fill the power vacuum. Both the Eastern Army and the Military Division—I want them all.”

“That is my true objective.” Qin Xian looked at Wen Yu as if she were his prey, and his words sent a chill down everyone’s spine.

This young man… was terrifying.

Wen Yu’s body turned cold. Now, she finally understood everything. She had originally assumed that the Qin Clan and the Military Division were working together to divide the Eastern Army, so she had focused all her efforts on countering the Military Division.

She thought that keeping an eye on them was the same as keeping an eye on the Qin Clan. But now she realized—the Military Division was just a pawn in Qin Xian’s game.

A decoy to distract her. Qin Xian’s ambition was far greater than she had ever imagined. He didn’t just want her position. He wanted her.

Even if she were removed, the Qin Clan would still have to fight the Military Division for power over the Eastern Army. There would be countless restrictions and struggles. And as long as Wen Yu remained alive, her years of earned prestige would never fade.

If given even the slightest opportunity, she could still influence the Eastern Army. The Qin Clan’s gains would be far smaller than expected. So instead of removing her, Qin Xian chose to enslave her.

By controlling her, he could control the Eastern Army outright, with the Qin Clan becoming its undisputed ruler. That was why he had used Gu Anran, setting up a step-by-step trap, forcing Wen Yu into a corner where she could no longer escape.

Now that she was in her weakened state, she had no way out.

Meanwhile, the Military Division would suffer massive casualties due to this catastrophe, and the Qin Clan had already mobilized the Ministry of Supervision to investigate them.

By the time this storm passed, the Qin Clan would have successfully infiltrated the Military Division, embedding their influence into its very core.

But the most crucial part…

The Emperor’s return was growing increasingly likely. The Eastern Army would be his most vital backing in the conflict between the Emperor and the Regency Government.

If the Commander of the Eastern Army was already a secret pawn of the Qin Clan…Then at the crucial moment, a sudden betrayal would completely turn the tide. The Emperor would be in for a very big surprise.

Wen Yu and Wen Xu stood there, completely stunned. Especially Wen Xu—his eyes were blank as he looked at Qin Xian, suddenly realizing the unfathomable gap between them.

This difference wasn’t just talent or strength. It was a difference in thinking. They weren’t even on the same playing field.

While he had been obsessing over romance, chasing after Gu Anran, blinded by love and personal vengeance…Qin Xian had been plotting the fate of the Military Division and the Eastern Army.

He had been maneuvering against the Regency Government and the greatest political figures of the empire. What Qin Xian was doing… was something that could alter the fate of an entire nation. Compared to him, Wen Xu felt utterly insignificant.

Wen Yu’s expression also darkened. She now understood that if she fell into Qin Xian’s hands, the consequences would be far worse than death.

“Delusional!” She gritted her teeth as her body once again erupted with terrifying energy, her gaze turning icy, “I would rather die than submit to the Qin Clan!”

Qin Xian simply smiled at her determined gaze, his expression utterly indifferent.

“This isn’t something you get to decide.” He raised his right hand, extending it toward her with a gentle smile, “I’ll give you two choices.”

“First—sign the slave contract, and I’ll spare your brother’s life.”

“Second—resist, and… well, I’m afraid you’ll suffer greatly before the end.”