Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Mo Lan looked at her, then at Tang Wulin. She felt uncertain in her heart. Of course, she did not believe Shen Xing as Tang Wulin had just arrived at the place. How could he possibly be Shen Xing’s boyfriend? However, she thought it was a bad idea to expose her on the spot. She could not allow Shen Xing to take Tang Wulin due to his sensitive status.
“He’s my brother. You can solve the problem between yourselves later on. I’ve made arrangements for him today. Go home first.” When she had finished talking, Mo Lan looked rather displeased.
Shen Xing dared not utter another word. She stuck out her tongue and glared at Tang Wulin fiercely. She then turned around and left showing her recalcitrance.
Tang Wulin was about to say something as he watched her departing figure, but he stopped upon seeing Mo Lan’s hand gesture. Xiao Bai drove Mo Lan’s car over. It was an unsophisticated, ordinary soul car.
Tang Wulin immediately understood her intention. Both of them boarded the car with Xiao Bai as the driver. They headed toward the city center.
Mo Lan did not speak much during the journey. She appeared deep in thought. Tang Wulin did not speak either as he remained quietly by her side.
It did not take long before Xiao Bai arrived at the underground garage of a building. The three of them got down from the car and boarded an elevator.
The elevator ascended all the way to the top floor. Mo Lan said to Xiao Bai, “Xiao Bai, go home first. Don’t report today’s incident. Let’s just act like nothing happened, alright?”
“Yes, understood.” Xiao Bai took a glance at Tang Wulin out of curiosity before she went into the elevator and left.
Mo Lan brought Tang Wulin into a room. The room was very spacious with a floor size of almost two hundred square meters. The decoration of the room was simple, yet appeared sophisticated.
Since it was on the top floor, the scenery outside the french window was spectacular. Tang Wulin could see far into the distance. The roads were crowded with people and vehicles. A block of steel buildings came into view.
Mo Lan turned on the lights and pulled down the curtains before pressing a button. With his sharp senses, Tang Wulin immediately noticed that the entire room seemed to be enshrouded in an energy shield. There was no way a detector outside could probe the situation here.
“Alright, you can now speak at will. Wulin, it seems like you’re in trouble. What’s going on with you and Shen Xing?” It was not an easy task for Mo Lan to refrain herself from asking until now.
Tang Wulin spoke with slight helplessness, “It’s a coincidence that I’m acquainted with her. It’s a long story. Back in the beginning…” He explained how he was sent to receive military training on the Demon Island back in the beginning, and his encounter with Shen Xing later in the Northsea Army Corps, followed by how he had abducted her, including their encounter this time and his summary of the situation.
Mo Lan listened to his narrative in all seriousness. In the beginning, she was frowning, but her expression began to relax gradually. Toward the end, her gaze at Tang Wulin revealed she was holding back a smile.
“Sister, that’s everything that happened. Why are you looking at me like that?” Tang Wulin was feeling slightly embarrassed from her stare.
Mo Lan chuckled. “I was under the impression that the military had been keeping an eye on you since you had exposed your identity. I didn’t expect the young girl Shen Xing to harbor lustful desires. Well, my brother is so good-looking and capable. Which girl wouldn’t be attracted to you? Why don’t you just listen to her and call it a day? Shen Xing is a decent girl. Although she is born into a distinguished clan, she has never been involved in any scandals. Her clan upholds a strict upbringing. I suppose something like this has never happened before. Consider yourself fortunate.”
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Tang Wulin spoke helplessly, “Sister, please don’t make fun of me. How can I ever possibly be with her?! I already have someone I love. Based on what you’ve said, it sounds like you have a relationship with her clan.”
Mo Lan nodded, then heaved a soft sigh. “I was rather hoping that the people I encountered today are from the opposing side. If that were the case, we’d then have the opportunity to launch a campaign against the military. I aim to, at least, reduce the military’s influence.”
“However, the Shen clan is not good with that. In reality, the military is not an iron sheet either. After many years of development, the clan is very powerful at influencing the military. A few regions have formed on the continent. A few of the great clans have their very own regions. Their strengths are deeply ingrained in these regions, so it’s very difficult to dislodge their positions which even the federal government does not meddle with. After all, any politician who wishes to advance in the government needs the support of these clans.”
Tang Wulin had an idea in his mind. “So, you’re saying that the Shen clan is related to the Dove Faction?”
Mo Lan nodded. “There are five great clans in the military and the Shen clan is one of them. It’s also the only clan that supports our Dove Faction. As the head of the clan, Shen Xing’s grandfather is also the federal army chief with a senior general rank. He is one of the three great leaders in the federal army with the same rank as the Federation’s commander-in-chief. He’s also the minister of general equipment. The Shen Clan’s territory includes the Northsea Army Corps and the Mingdu Garrison Command. They are extremely powerful and assumes command of the center. Our Dove Faction remained safe when we were in power back in the beginning and were not targeted by the Hawk Faction’s backhanded moves. We owe it to the Shen Clan. The Shen Clan remains aloof in the society and advocates peaceful development. As in today’s case, even I have no choice but to let it go. Otherwise, a strike at the Shen Clan will certainly result in serious repercussions to our status.”
Tang Wulin was suddenly enlightened. No wonder Mo Lan was willing to let Shen Xing go and not mind letting the opportunity slip by.
“Do the rest of the four great military clans support the Hawk Faction?” asked Tang Wulin.
Mo Lan shook her head. “There are three clans that support the Hawk Faction with the Qiangu Clan as their leader. There’s also the Southern Army Corps’ Yue Clan that supports the Independent Faction.”
‘Yue Clan? Isn’t that Yue Zhengyu’s clan?’ Tang Wulin felt relieved that two out of the five great clans did not support the Hawk Faction. The situation was better than he had imagined. No wonder the Dove Faction was still capable of maintaining the current political situation.
“However, the situation doesn’t look so good.” Mo Lan heaved a sigh. “Ever since Qiangu Dongfeng became the Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda, the Qiangu Clan’s development is advancing at a tremendous pace. Right now, the Qianggu Clan is out of control. More than one-fifth of the seats inside the parliament is wholly controlled by them. This situation has never occurred before in the history of the parliament.”
Tang Wulin was horrified. “Under such circumstances, could it be that the Federation doesn’t have any other solution? So their clan should just be allowed to continue the monopoly? If this continues, wouldn’t the Qiangu Clan be a dictatorship in the future?”
Mo Lan spoke with a deep voice, “We’ve already had many discussions over this matter. However, the Qiangu Clan is extremely cunning. On the surface, it appears they only control a few seats. It wouldn’t have any effect even if we managed to launch an attack. Many people who are on their side are not forthright about it.”
Tang Wulin frowned deeply. “Sister, what do you think? Is the surprise attack of Shrek City connected to them?”
Mo Lan took a glance at him. “It’s not right for me to conclude this matter. However, I can tell you that it’s highly possible. The Qiangu Clan keeps a low profile. They would not reveal their presence if not for the Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda, Qiangu Dongfong’s presence. No one knows the extent of the support behind the Qiangu Clan, but the clan has a long history and quite profound inner secrets.”
“Shrek Academy was the leading academy on the continent. It’s a powerful pillar supporting the Independent Faction. The Independent Faction’s other main pillar is the Tang Sect. The other forces daren’t look down on the Independent Faction. When Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect both existed, whether it was the Dove Faction or the Hawk Faction which was dominant, no one dared to be extreme in fear of the Independent Faction’s interference. The Independent Faction appeared to be the weakest, but Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect’s lineages have their profound inner secrets which have been passed down for over twenty thousand years, especially the elites from Shrek Academy who are in all the factions. These elites have a strong sense of loyalty to the academy.”
“Thus, Shrek Academy is certainly like a thorn in the flesh for some people. The surprise raid on the academy certainly required more than one or two days of planning.”
At this point, Mo Lan paused for a moment. “Wulin, what are your future plans? If you wish to revive the academy, don’t even think about it.”
“Why?” said Tang Wulin.
Mo Lan spoke with a bitter smile, “It’s too difficult. To revive Shrek Academy, you will be opposing all the great clans, including the Shen Clan and the Yue Clan. No one wishes for a powerful Shrek to appear once again because Shrek Academy’s existence suppresses all the other clans. Do you understand what I’m saying?”