In Douluo Continent, I am the mastermind behind the scenes.

Yin Hongchen nodded, gazing at the flag bearing the words "Deep Sea" in deep thought.

After a moment of silence, Yin Hongchen said softly, "General, could it be... that this Deep Sea Fleet was formed by a group of sea spirit beasts, led by the Deep Sea Demon Whale, and classified as evil spirit beasts by the Sea God Tang San?"

Zhu Ningyu did not answer the question directly, but slowly closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of gunfire filling the sky.

Only war can cleanse sins.

The Sea God Pavilion ruled Douluo Continent for ten thousand years. Even if Tang San perished and the Sea God Pavilion was destroyed, there would still be filial sons who, under the banner of reviving the Sea God Pavilion, Tang Sect, Shrek Academy, etc., would obstruct the implementation of subsequent policies and oppose them.

Since that's the case, then let's follow Huang Chao's example and kill all the sea god's followers, according to the family tree, with the Demon Emperor as the executioner. She harbors boundless hatred for the two generations of sea gods. Poseidon blinded one of her husband's eyes, and the first generation of Shrek Seven Devils killed her husband. Even if she kills all the sea god's followers in the world, it will not be enough to quell the hatred in her heart.

……

The perspective shifts to Tiandou City.

Today, the sky over Tiandou City is dark with gloom. Following the explosion of Xu Tianran's temporary palace, a legion under the banner of "Deep Sea" attacked Maple Leaf City. Many Soul Master families have begun to secretly transfer their assets in preparation for their escape.

They might seek refuge with the Snow Emperor in the far north, or move their entire families overseas. As for seeking refuge in Shrek City? Heh, some people are close to the Sea God Pavilion and treat it like an emperor emeritus, but they're not fools!

They knew all too well what the Sea God Pavilion was like. If they fled to Shrek City, they would surely be sent to the battlefield to take the blows by the emperor they worshipped when the war broke out.

Why do they keep spouting "the benevolence of the Sea God" and "Shrek's invincibility"? Isn't it all to curry favor with the Sea God Pavilion and seek their own interests?

Their loyalty is only in words; asking them to repay a debt of gratitude or to die for the Sea God is out of the question.

Meanwhile, the heads of the five major families, led by Xiao Zhankui, were discussing matters in the main hall of the Xiao family.

Lan Feng, the head of the Lieyang Blade Clan, spoke first: "Old Xiao, what did the Sea God Pavilion say? They wouldn't expect our Heavenly Soul Empire to bear the burden of the Sun Moon Empire alone, would they?"

Xiao Zhankui frowned and said, "The first batch of reinforcements from the Sea God Pavilion is already on its way. The Sea God Douluo ordered us to adopt a scorched-earth policy, abandon the southern provinces, and shrink the battle line to the Jialing Pass and Baishui Pass line..."

"asshole!"

Tianbing Sword Clan Head Wu Qingshuang slammed her fist on the table, her face contorted in a ferocious roar: "If we surrender the southern provinces so easily, how will the world view our five great families? What face will we have left to rule the Tianhun Empire?"

Upon hearing this, the four family heads' expressions turned rather unpleasant. "Why does Wu Qingshuang always have to reopen old wounds? Even if we don't hand over the southern provinces, do the five major families have the face to rule the Heavenly Soul Empire?"

Don't forget, if it weren't for the Sea God Pavilion forcing Ye Xishui to step down, none of the five major families would have been qualified to sit in this position!

Is Wu Qingshuang just young and outspoken, or... is she Ye Xishui's little fangirl, acting as an undercover agent here to deliberately disgust them?

Of course, it doesn't matter which situation it is now. Given the current circumstances, whether the five of them will see the sun rise tomorrow is still uncertain.

Xiao Zhankui said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, now is not the time for empty talk. A great battle is imminent. No matter how much we trust the Sea God Pavilion's power, we must leave ourselves a way out. Hmm... how about this, niece Qing Shuang, you have a good relationship with Zhang Lexuan, could you go to the Body Sect and negotiate to allow the eldest sons and daughters of our four great families to go to the far north... for refuge?"

"Hmm... I'm afraid that won't work." Wu Qingshuang said with a strange expression, "Uncle Kui, do you know what the Body Sect secretly calls the five great families? The Sea God's filial sons! We've already become the Sea God's filial sons, what the hell do we need a way out for?!"

"If you want a way out, then give up your status as the Sea God's filial son, recognize Xu Tianran as your father and Ju Zi as your mother. If you're sincere, you might even be granted the title of Prince. Why not?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhankui's eyes turned bloodshot, and he was panting heavily. If it weren't for the three family heads desperately stopping him, Xiao Zhankui would probably have disregarded his elders' dignity and personally beaten up a junior.

"Dance! Clear! Frost!"

"You have repeatedly defied me. I have been very lenient with you out of consideration for your father, but you should never have taken advantage of this favor and challenged my bottom line!"

Xiao Zhankui almost ground his back teeth to powder.

Fighting is definitely out of the question. After all, Wu Qingshuang is a junior and a woman. If he makes a move, he will be accused of bullying the weak and taking advantage of the younger generation. He is over a hundred years old and is the Grand Commander of the Heavenly Soul Empire. He can be shameless, but he cannot be shameless in public.

But Xiao Zhankui didn't want to let it go like that.

No matter what, Wu Qingshuang is just a junior. She provoked an elder like him. Well... this matter won't be over until she apologizes with three bows and nine kowtows!

Wu Qingshuang pouted and said irritably, "What, my dear Commander Xiao, am I wrong? You're a level 97 Super Douluo, and there are countless Soul Masters stronger than you within the Heavenly Soul Empire. You have the ability to acknowledge someone as your father and become the Commander, but not the ability to bear the consequences?"

"I'm telling you, whether you want to listen or not, I'm going to say it today. Hmph, from the moment you became the Grand Commander, you've been branded as the Sea God's filial son. Want a way out? That's just wishful thinking!"

"Attack! Attack here! If Tiandou City falls, I, Wu Qingshuang, as one of the heads of the five great families, will ultimately end up being bullied by everyone. Now, dying will be the end of it all!"

After saying that, Wu Qingshuang walked out of the room without looking back.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhankui's tense spirit completely broke, as if... he could see the scene of Tiandou City falling and the women of his Minglei Xiao family being slaughtered at will.

Xiao Zhan Kui was filled with regret. Why did he have to become a great commander when he was supposed to be a proper worshipper?

Xiao Zhankui's current situation is very similar to that of a victim of a Ponzi scheme. With his insight, can he really not foresee the possibility that Zhu Ningyun might make a comeback?

He gambled, and he won... His Minglei Xiao family will be the new legitimate rulers of the Tianhun Empire, and perhaps they will stand for ten thousand years like the Baihu Dai family and the Youming Zhu family.

The problem is... he lost his gamble. The five major families are now completely ignored; even the Sea God Pavilion doesn't bother with them, simply sending a few worthless disciples to help guard the city, just to get by. (End of Chapter)