Chapter 102: The Empress’s New Move

Thirteen days remained until the battle exhibition between Xian and Victory, and it was twenty-four hours after the press conference.

At an abandoned factory along the Third Ring Road in the capital, thousands upon thousands of people crowded the vast space, threatening to burst the factory’s walls.

At the center of the crowd stood a man in his thirties. After hanging up the phone, he could hardly conceal the excitement in his eyes as he said, “The Empress has agreed. Brothers, it’s time to act.”

Hearing this, tears of joy welled up in the eyes of the assembled thousands. Their mission of vengeance was about to be fulfilled.

These were the relatives of the officials killed in the Blue Moon Island Star Tower incident—husbands and wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters.

The root cause of their loved ones’ executions lay with Ying Dengbo, Zhang Hao, and Le Xiaotian.

If this operation succeeded, their revenge would be complete.

In the most luxurious honeymoon suite of the Blue Moon Hotel, on a wave-shaped grand bed, Chen Fang was still deeply asleep.

Suddenly, the sound of epic music rang out as Le Xiaotian’s phone vibrated.

Half-awake, Chen Fang picked up the phone. “Hello?”

On the other end came the Empress’s voice: “Hehe, did you stay up late with Teacher Xiaotian last night? Young people need to exercise restraint. We can’t let this battle exhibition be delayed.”

Realizing it was the Empress, Chen Fang was startled but quickly replied, “Your Majesty, you misunderstand. Xiaotian and I are only staying together to discuss matters about the crystal violin.”

The Empress chuckled, “Hehe, I understand, I understand. By the way, Dr. Chen, after this event is over, you and Xiaotian should come to live in the capital. There are two vacant estates here I want to gift you as a wedding present.”

Ah! A wedding gift! You’ve got the wrong idea—I would love to marry him, but unfortunately, he won’t even touch me.

Flushing slightly, Chen Fang became somewhat reserved. “Your Majesty, you really misunderstand. Xiaotian and I are just ordinary acquaintances.”

At that moment, the Empress said, “Has Xiaotian gone to the scene yet? Hand him the phone—I want to talk to him.”

“No, he’s taking a shower. Please wait a moment; I’ll call him over.” Chen Fang rose and shouted toward the bathroom, “Xiaotian, Xiaotian, come pick up the phone!”

Le Xiaotian poked his head out from the bathroom. “Baby, whose call is it?”

Baby my foot. With his keen hearing, there’s no way he didn’t know who was on the line. Whoever it was, this was his deliberate ploy to make others hear his response. He was teasing me again.

Teasing so cruelly but taking no action—he’s such a villain!

Feeling wronged, Chen Fang said, “The Empress wants to speak with you.”

Le Xiaotian responded with a casual “Oh.” “Tell her to wait ten minutes—I’m nearly done showering. I’ll call her back soon.”

Watching him retreat back into the bathroom, Chen Fang said into the phone, “Your Majesty, is it urgent? If not, he’ll call you back in ten minutes.”

The Empress replied, “No worries, let him finish.”

After hanging up, Chen Fang finally got out of bed and called loudly, “Le Xiaotian, is teasing all you know how to do?”

She didn’t bother to avoid suspicion and went straight into the bathroom, which was enormous anyway.

Surprised to see Chen Fang barge in and start washing her face and brushing her teeth, Le Xiaotian asked, “What’s up? Have you come to join me for a morning round?”

Chen Fang bent over, raising her hips toward him, and said, “All talk, no action. I’m waiting for you.”

Swallowing nervously, Le Xiaotian quickly changed the subject. “What did the Empress say just now?”

Spitting out foam from the toothpaste, Chen Fang replied while brushing, “She said after this event, she wants us to live in the capital. She’ll gift us two estates as a wedding present.”

Le Xiaotian narrowed his eyes. “Not so simple—she wants to use you to trap me.”

After rinsing, Chen Fang asked, “How about it? Has her beauty trap worked on you?”

Turning off the showerhead and wrapping a towel around himself, Le Xiaotian smiled, “I fell for it long ago. No need for her tricks.”

Chen Fang gave him a reproachful look as she washed her face.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she thought, “Well, there’s no denying I’m stunning.” Then Le Xiaotian said, “I’m heading out now.”

In the bedroom, Le Xiaotian dialed the Empress’s private line.

When she answered, he greeted, “Good morning, Your Majesty. What can I do for you?”

The Empress’s tone softened. “Hehe, am I disturbing you and Chen Fang?”

Her attitude was oddly gentle. Le Xiaotian replied, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Not at all.”

After the pleasantries, the Empress got to the point. “Later, the families of Ying Dengbo, Zhang Hao, and others will be present. I’ve instructed the guards to let them in. I wanted to inform you personally.”

Using the families to persuade Ying Dengbo and the others was indeed a clever approach. But was this the right moment? With tens of thousands poised for rebellion, this was a point of no return.

So employing family members as intermediaries now was a grave mistake.

The Empress was shrewd—how could she not realize this? Precisely because she did, she called to inform him. If she knew, then why proceed? What was her real motive?

Unable to grasp it, Le Xiaotian grew wary. “Are you sure the Empress really intends to do this?”

After a pause, she answered, “Absolutely.”

An equally heavy silence followed. “Understood,” Le Xiaotian said.

After hanging up, he sank into deep thought.

Shortly after, Chen Fang emerged from the bathroom and inquired about the conversation.

Upon hearing the news, she was surprised. “How could the Empress make such a decision?”

Lighting a cigarette from the bedside table, Le Xiaotian’s face darkened. “I’m not certain yet. Letting the families of these criminals out won’t ease tensions; it will only provoke them further. This will inevitably cause unnecessary casualties. Is the Empress trying to suppress my performance to secure a victory? Though I’m a transcendent dancer genius, such a cost is too high. She wouldn’t make this decision lightly. So why? I truly can’t figure it out.”

Removing his pajamas, Chen Fang also pondered the Empress’s baffling stance. Then, as if struck by an idea, she said, “Wait, I might have a theory. So far, the families of the executed officials have made no move. The hostages’ families have stayed silent. The families of the fallen soldiers haven’t acted either. Could it be because of them?”

Le Xiaotian’s pupils contracted, his gaze sharpening. It seemed he had uncovered something.

Logically, the families of the executed officials were either wealthy or influential. They should have retaliated by now.

Though some women, children, and elderly hostages were released, most of the thousands of hostages were families who had come to Blue Moon Island for leisure. Once exposed, these families should have caused a stir.

The special agents who died last time—were they all off the record? No, surely many were ordinary agents.

Even the families of the current soldiers have not appeared.

So who could it be? Who exactly?