Chapter 170

Chapter 170: Even a Grand Marshal Can Be a Discarded Pawn

Lu Ji’s gaze turned ice-cold as he stared down at Li Yinglong.

“I need an explanation.” Faced with the Regent’s direct questioning, Li Yinglong’s face turned deathly pale, and his body started to tremble.

An explanation? How was he supposed to explain this?

It was an indisputable fact that the Military Department had planted interference terminals inside the Trial Space.

It was also an undeniable fact that he personally blocked the request for reinforcements. How could he possibly talk his way out of this?

Li Yinglong’s lips felt dry, and for the first time in his long and powerful career, he felt true despair.

Then suddenly—a memory surfaced. Back when he first entered the Trial Space, Qin Xian had looked at him with what seemed like a trace of pity.

At the time, Li Yinglong had dismissed it as his own imagination. After all, why would Qin Xian pity him?

He was an Imperial Marshal, the Vice Minister of the Military Department, a Level 75 Quasi-Legendary powerhouse!

But now…Now he realized the truth. It hadn’t been his imagination. Back then, he was already a discarded pawn in Qin Xian’s eyes.

Forcing himself to regain composure, Li Yinglong spoke with a strained voice.

“I was unaware of Jia Zhiyong’s actions. As for why I blocked the request for reinforcements… I misjudged the situation.”

“I assumed the situation was not as serious as it turned out to be. This was my own negligence, and I am willing to accept disciplinary action.”

It was a final, desperate attempt to minimize the damage. Jia Zhiyong was already dead, and dead men tell no tales.

If Li Yinglong pinned all the blame on the deceased, he might escape with only a charge of negligence.

After all, as Vice Minister of the Military, his rank wasn’t so easily stripped away.

But Qin Xian only smiled—a chilling, knowing smile, “Major General Jia Zhiyong and his men were high-ranking officers of the Imperial Guard.”

“They orchestrated a Void Invasion within the capital itself. And yet, the Military Department had no idea?” Qin Xian’s voice was calm, but each word was a dagger.

“This raises serious concerns about the Military Department’s control over its own forces. If Jia Zhiyong could do this, how many more traitors exist within the Military Department?”

Each sentence tightened the noose around Li Yinglong’s neck. Several high-ranking officers turned pale, realizing the true implications.

The Military Department’s authority over its own forces was now in question. Losing control of Imperial Guard divisions could mean losing their political influence altogether.

Then, Qin Xian turned to his father, Qin Ming, and respectfully bowed, “Therefore, I propose a full-scale investigation into the Military Department, from top to bottom.”

“We must root out all those like Jia Zhiyong, who would betray the Empire.”

A collective silence fell over the gathering. Everyone understood what was really being said. A ‘full-scale investigation’ of the Military Department meant investigating its leadership.

And at the top of that list—was Grand Marshal Fang Ji.

Fang Ji remained motionless, his expression unreadable.

Meanwhile, a deep dread settled into Li Yinglong’s gut. If Qin Ming and the Regent’s faction combined their efforts, they could actually remove Fang Ji.

But if that happened…The entire Empire would be thrown into political chaos.

For centuries, the Fang Family had dominated the Military Department, producing three Grand Marshals and countless generals.

If Qin Ming pushed too hard, Fang Ji wouldn’t sit idly by. The implications were terrifying.

Qin Ming gave a slight nod toward Lu Ji and said, “Regent, I recommend that the Imperial Special Intelligence Bureau lead this investigation.”

Lu Ji immediately understood the offer. By allowing his faction to control the investigation, Qin Ming was offering a share of the spoils.

Lu Ji saw no reason to refuse and he nodded slowly, “Approved.”

A wave of tension rippled through the crowd.

Qin Ming then turned to Fang Ji, “Grand Marshal Fang, surely the Military Department must also conduct its own internal review. We will require your Internal Affairs Bureau’s full cooperation.”

For the first time, some relief spread through the gathered officers. Qin Ming’s words suggested that the goal wasn’t to remove Fang Ji, but rather to clean out the lower ranks.

However, the veiled threat was clear. If Fang Ji refused to cooperate, the investigation could easily turn on him.

Li Yinglong, seeing his last hope for salvation, turned toward Fang Ji. Only Fang Ji could save him now.

But when Fang Ji met his gaze, the Grand Marshal’s face remained cold and impassive. He said nothing.

At that moment, Li Yinglong finally understood. He had been abandoned. A hollow feeling settled in his chest.

Just a few hours ago, he had been one of the most powerful figures in the military. Now… he was nothing more than a condemned man. A bitter laugh escaped his lips.

Then, standing tall and defiant, he declared loudly, “No need for an investigation. I take full responsibility. It was I who orchestrated the Void Invasion, I who ordered the placement of Void Beacons.

“I who silenced intelligence reports. I alone bear the blame.”

The gathering fell into stunned silence. In the end, Li Yinglong had no choice. If he dragged Fang Ji down with him, his family and subordinates would also suffer.

By shouldering the blame alone, he at least ensured their survival. And so, with one final, bitter smile, he accepted his fate.