above the galaxy

Chapter 599 The True Identity of the God of Slaughter Bai Qi!

Qishan. Thousand-Blade Cliff.

Shen Wuxiang was playing chess with Shang Xiulin. Shang Xiulin was playing white pieces, and Shen Wuxiang was playing black pieces.

The sound of the chess pieces touching the board was as cold as shattered jade, but looking at the board, the white pieces had gained the upper hand in the battle on the edges and corners, building a solid wall, like a towering mountain, which was difficult to shake.

The black pieces were separated into several groups, each fighting its own battle, isolated and alone.

One of the black stones is isolated and lacks sufficient eye space, struggling desperately within the white stones' encirclement, desperately seeking a way to survive.

After Shen Wuxiang made his move, he waited a long time for Shang Xiulin's counterattack, so he looked up and asked in confusion, "What is the Dean waiting for?"

Shang Xiulin asked expressionlessly, "What is the Military Minister waiting for?"

Shen Wuxiang's expression froze for a moment, then he burst into laughter and said, "The Dean has already seen that my mind is in turmoil. I've lost this round."

He pointed to the isolated piece on the chessboard and said, "This piece needs to be broken through, that piece needs to be surrounded and annihilated. With too many things to worry about, the chess moves become complicated."

"Life is like a game of chess, and all living beings are the pieces. Events outside the game affect those inside; who can escape the squares?"

"Does the dean know why?"

"The military minister suddenly came to me to play chess, and he seemed so preoccupied. I think it must be related to the Tang bandits, right?"

"A lone chess piece hangs overseas, awaiting encirclement and annihilation. What? Do you wish to settle this today?"

"Old ginger is spicier," Shen Wuxiang said without denying it, praising, "The Tang bandits went to Phoenix City, wanting to take Qin Luo away to treat Lu Yu's illness."

"Did you also place a piece in Lu Yu's game?"

"It's not really a matter of making a move, it was just something I did on a whim." Shen Wuxiang sighed softly and said, "Shen Xinglan is in his hands, and I don't have any other good cards to play, so I can only give Lu Yu to him."

"This kid is ruthless, but he's not bad to those around him, especially Lu Yu and his younger brother. They're his weaknesses."

"No wonder people say that the person who knows you best is your enemy."

"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. We didn't invest much time and energy in him before. Neither Xinglan nor the Shen family paid enough attention to him. By the time we wanted to uproot him, we found that this kid had already become a force to be reckoned with."

"Doesn't this remind you of yourself back then?"

Shen Wuxiang shook his head and said, "We have similar temperaments, but different circumstances. Although the Shen family wasn't a top-tier wealthy family back then, it still had a certain voice in the military. After years of lying low, we were just waiting for an opportunity to soar to the top."

"His situation is like a cataclysmic beginning, an abandoned citizen of the old land, the son of a traitorous marshal. Whether it's Zhong Daolong or the Shen family, once his identity is exposed, or the time is right, what awaits him is a thunderous killing intent."

"He can navigate chaos with ease and seize profits even amidst danger. His cunning and courage surpass mine. I am inferior to him."

"Heh," Shang Xiulin glanced at Shen Wuxiang in surprise and chuckled, "This is the first time I've heard the military minister say that he is inferior to others."

“That’s the truth, how can you lie through your teeth? What does it matter whether I admit it or not?” Shen Wuxiang said solemnly, “However, the outcome of a war never depends on the brilliance of one person, but on the strategies and wisdom of countless people.”

"Moreover, the right timing, the right location, and the right people are all indispensable."

"The three military ministers have all three."

“That’s right,” Shen Wuxiang said smugly. “Therefore, I will definitely win.”

Shang Xiulin remained noncommittal and did not respond.

"What? The dean doesn't believe me?"

"Just like playing chess, before making a move, who can be sure that they will definitely win in the end?"

“Prejudice is a mountain; the dean’s heart is evil, and his position is crooked.”

"Yes, prejudice is a mountain. Everyone only wants to believe the outcome they want to see."

Just then, Chen Fuzhi, the confidential secretary, strode in.

"Military Minister," Chen Fuzhi said as he walked in, holding his phone. "Mr. Sun wishes to speak with you."

“Project it,” Shen Wuxiang said.

So the secretary pressed the projection button on the phone, and Sun Shehu's virtual image appeared in the center of the tea room.

"The results are out?" Shen Wuxiang looked at Sun Shehu's cautious expression and suddenly had a bad feeling.

However, he remained outwardly calm.

He had just boasted to Shang Xiulin, and he came here today to make this stubborn old man admit defeat wholeheartedly.

"Yes," Sun Shehu replied in a deep voice, "Just as we predicted, Qin Luo did indeed lure the Tang bandits out. The leader of the Overlord Blade Sect, Zhao Wuji, led the sect's elites to encircle and annihilate them."

"I know all that. Tell me what I don't know," Shen Wuxiang urged impatiently.

"The Tang bandits were well-prepared and actually formed a counter-encirclement of the Overlord Blade Sect. After a fierce battle, the Overlord Blade Sect was in dire straits. Secretary-General Chang Zhengxin sent a distress message to the Phoenix Palace, and Zhong Tianque ordered Bai Qi of the Undying Army to lead 30,000 soldiers to their rescue."

Sun Shehu knew that this matter could not be hidden, so he gritted his teeth and revealed the final result: "The entire army of the Overlord Blade Sect was wiped out, and Bai Qi surrendered with 30,000 Undying Soldiers."

silence.

Dead silence.

Shen Wuxiang's face turned ashen.

Sun Shehu lowered his head, not daring to meet Shen Wuxiang's eyes.

Shang Xiulin looked so calm and collected, he almost wanted to laugh.
"Bai Qi defected to the enemy? He led 30,000 Undying Army soldiers to join the bandits?" Shen Wuxiang's voice was icy, every word carrying an invisible killing intent.

Sun Shehu had no doubt that if he were truly standing next to Shen Wuxiang, the pressure he was exerting at that moment would be enough to make Shen Wuxiang collapse to the ground.

As expected, both the military minister and he were concerned about Bai Qi's defection to the enemy.

The Overlord Blade Sect is gone, but Bai Qi defected to the enemy.
The impact was extremely negative.

It should be noted that the Undying Army was the place where Shen Wuxiang rose to power and was eventually transformed into the Shen family's personal army.

Bai Qi was a high-ranking general of the Undying Army; even he surrendered.
This can give rise to uneasy thoughts: Is the Shen family failing? Is the empire about to collapse?
This is similar to a bank run. The bank was doing well and had plenty of funds. Then someone spread a rumor that the bank was going to collapse, urging everyone to withdraw their money. This rumor spread like wildfire, and everyone rushed in to withdraw their cash.
The bank really did collapse.

"Yes," Sun Shehu replied, forcing a smile. "I've already sent people to confirm. The sea is littered with corpses. The body of Zhao Wuji, the leader of the Overlord Blade Sect, has been found. Bai Qi of the Undying Army escorted Tang Fei and the others away."

Shen Wuxiang stopped speaking, and Sun Shehu dared not speak either.

Even though he always considered himself Shen Wuxiang's most trusted confidant, he was well aware of the blow this incident would have on Shen Wuxiang.

Shen Wuxiang's eyes were filled with murderous intent as he said in a cold voice, "Chen Fuzhi, pass on my order: the First and Third Combat Brigades of the Undying Army will depart from Phoenix Base to pursue Bai Qi's forces."

"The Phoenix Army's Ninth and Eleventh Units depart from Starlight Base to intercept the enemy forces from the front."

"We must see them alive or dead, no matter the cost! We must take them down!"

"Yes," Chen Fuzhi replied, then turned and went out to deliver the order.

Shen Wuxiang looked at Sun Shehu and asked, "Who recommended Bai Qi?"

“Zhong Tianque.” Sun Shehu immediately replied, “When he suggested Bai Qi, I, General Shen Que, thought that he was one of our own, so I didn’t say anything to refute him.”

Shen Wuxiang looked at Sun Shehu with suspicion and asked, "Really?"

“Absolutely true. If the General doesn’t believe me, you can summon General Shen for questioning,” Sun Shehu said decisively. He had no qualms about saying this, because he had already communicated with Shen Que before making this call.

Taking the blame for someone else could be a capital offense.

If several people share the blame, then everyone gets punished equally.

Besides, it's better for a fellow Daoist to die than for this poor Daoist to die.

They're trying to shift the blame onto Zhong Tianque. What's there to hesitate about?
Shen Wuxiang remained silent.

He naturally knew that Sun Shehu's words were exaggerated, but he was also worried that it was indeed Zhong Tianque's doing.

As a puppet, it's understandable that it wants to struggle and fight back.

First, Zhong Daoling plotted to murder the Grandmaster; now, Bai Qi has led his troops to defect to the enemy.
"Have Zhong Tianque come to Qishan in person to explain this to me."

"Yes."

"You and Shen Que come over here too."

"Yes, Minister of War."

After hanging up the phone, Shen Wuxiang looked embarrassed and said to Shang Xiulin, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Dean. It's true that things are unpredictable. Until the very last moment, it's hard to know who will have the last laugh."
-
On the starship, Tang Fei and Bai Qi sat facing each other.

Tang Fei looked at Bai Qi and said with a smile, "General Bai, it's been a long time."

"Yes. It's been a long time." Bai Qi was also looking at Tang Fei, feeling a mix of emotions.

They first met in their old homeland.

At that time, Tang Fei was still a worthless hunter in Henshan, but he came into the public eye only because he saved the princess.

Bai Qi led the princess away, believing that this parting would be their last.

Who would bother to come to the old town for no reason?

Who would have thought that he would also come to Xinxing and become a local tyrant in just a few years?

He vied with the powerful minister Shen Wuxiang for control of the empire and the national cauldron.
Who dares to think?

"I don't know."

"What don't you understand?"

“General Bai is a member of the Undying Army, which is Shen’s personal guard. General Bai risked his life to save them; his sacrifice was too great,” Tang Fei said.

"Your Highness saved my life, so what is this little sacrifice?" Bai Qi said with a resolute expression, appearing completely at ease.

"Oh?"

"Speaking of which, this matter is also somewhat related to the young master."

"What? It's fallen on my head now?"

"Young Master, do you still remember our first meeting in Jiutu?"

"Of course I remember," Tang Fei nodded.

How could I not remember?
At that time, a vague feeling developed between him and Phoenix, but Bai Qi came looking for them and brought Phoenix back to Xinxing.

He was heartbroken for a long time, thinking he would never see them again in this lifetime.

He only felt a little better when the phoenix did not abandon him and even brought him food and weapons.

At that time, he was just a pure and innocent young boy. He had never seen a starship fleet that seemed to descend from the heavens like divine soldiers or a majestic imperial general.
"When we brought Princess home, we also took those assassins from Sanssouci Palace with us. Unexpectedly, those assassins died inexplicably after arriving at Nova."

"The king was furious and ordered that Shen Wuxiang be held accountable. In order to quell the anger of all parties, he wanted to push me out as a scapegoat."

"In the end, it was Her Highness the Princess who stood up for him, saying that I was her savior. If I hadn't found Henshan, the family probably wouldn't be reunited by now."

"Only then did the king agree to make an exception and spare my life. Later, it was also she who spoke on my behalf, which allowed me to retain my position in the Undying Army."

In order to investigate the attack on Phoenix City, Phoenix City was rife with bloodshed for a period of time, and countless heads were chopped off.

Those assassins were the only clues left in the case, yet they died at his own hands.
He thus became the scapegoat who could satisfy all parties' conditions.

Shen Wuxiang couldn't possibly withstand Zhong Daolong's wrath for his own sake, after all, at that time, the Shen family was the prime suspect.

“I understand.” Tang Fei nodded and said, “It really is related to me. If I had killed all those assassins back then, you wouldn’t have gotten into so much trouble.”

"There's no such thing as 'what if' in this world," Bai Qi shook his head and said, "Besides, even if this didn't happen, there would be other reasons."

"Ok?"

"Young master, don't forget, my surname is also Bai."

"The Bai family of Leizhou?" Tang Fei was shocked.

“That’s right.” Bai nodded and said, “After Bai Shizhen died, the entire Bai clan sought refuge with the Zhong family.”

“Zhong Daolong did not want the Shen family to become too powerful, so he protected our branch and prevented the Shen family from finding fault with us and exterminating us.”

"I have made many meritorious contributions in the Undying Army and done a lot of dirty work for the Shen family. That's how I gained Shen Wuxiang's trust and acceptance. Even so, I am only a brigade commander and it is difficult for me to be promoted to a higher position."

“I understand. They still don’t trust the Bai family, just as they have been suppressing the Lu family for the past twenty years.”

"Yes." Bai Qi looked at Tang Fei, and asked nervously, "Bai Wuxin?"

“He is Bai Shizhen’s son.” Tang Fei understood what he wanted to know and answered with a serious expression.

Bai Shizhen was Tang Li's adjutant. The two had gone through thick and thin together and were as close as brothers.

Tang Li was killed, but Bai Shizhen escaped death thanks to the protection of her family.

However, Bai Shizhen could not bear to see his old friend's entire clan slaughtered and his ashes humiliated and despised by the ignorant masses in the square, so he wanted to steal his ashes and bury them.

Unexpectedly, his whereabouts were discovered by the patrol team, and Bai Shizhen chose to detonate the bomb he was carrying in order not to implicate his family.

Bai Shizhen turned into thick smoke and disappeared, which was originally a 'perfect' escape.

Bai Shizhen's wife, Li Zexian, carried a coffin and came to Phoenix Square in front of countless people, wanting to take away Tang Li's ashes and a wisp of air from the place where her husband sacrificed himself.

To conceal her identity, Bai Shizhen chose a powerful thunderbolt bomb, which would vaporize her body upon explosion, leaving not even bone fragments. This also prevented her from revealing her identity through blood DNA and causing trouble for her family.

When Li Zexian was arrested and interrogated, the judge asked her why she did it. She said, "My husband was a hero. He did what he had to do. He chose to commit suicide to protect us."

I cannot let him die such a humiliating and obscure death, but I must make his heroic deeds known far and wide, otherwise all he did would be meaningless.

In order to threaten those who secretly supported and sympathized with Tang Li, Li Zexian was killed by the most cruel ancient punishment of being torn apart by chariots, while their only son disappeared without a trace.

Everyone thought he was dead, but little did they know that He Xiaohua had secretly rescued him and renamed him 'Wuxin'.
Tang Fei had great admiration and gratitude for Li Zexian and Bai Shizhen. If it weren't for the group of people who accompanied and followed his father, he would probably have died in that fire long ago.

"I knew it." Bai Qi's eyes reddened as he hissed, "I knew... Shi Zhen had an heir."

(End of this chapter)