The eighteen-floor underground hall of the Red Sand Base.
The hall was a full three thousand square meters, typically used for training sessions. The dome, walls, and floor were all specially reinforced.
Originally, the hall had no furnishings, only some temporary arrangements were made.
The walls were adorned with holographic projections, looking as magnificent as an Imperial Palace. Dozens of banquet tables were set up in the hall, with cold cuts, fruit platters, and desserts, along with some beverages.
On one wall of the hall, four large characters were projected: Celebration Banquet.
It was almost time. Feng Tao and Yang Yushan entered the hall together. Both were high-ranking officers of the Red Sand Base, and upon seeing the setup in the hall, they found it somewhat amusing.
"Isn't this a bit over the top?"
Feng Tao's appearance was rather mature, although he was not yet fifty. He had risen to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and because he was quite humorous and adept at socializing, he was quite popular within the base.
Yang Yushan glanced at Feng Tao, "Stop talking nonsense. Sit over there."
The two found a seat in a corner at the back, randomly grabbed some desserts to try, and both found the taste quite good.
In recent years, the military budget of Sea Dragon Star had been tight, so the supplies at the Red Sand Base were somewhat downgraded.
Although food and drinks weren't too bad, they were relatively coarse. Desserts as exquisite as these were not something one could typically enjoy at the base.
"The commander really put in some effort..."
Feng Tao, after eating a few desserts, sighed, "I wonder what great achievements were made to warrant a special celebration party. This is the first time I've seen something in my life!"
Yang Yushan looked at Feng Tao with a strange expression, "You don't know?"
Feng Tao was baffled, "Know what?"
"True, no one tells you because you've got a big mouth."
Afraid of being overheard, Yang Yushan used the military encrypted channel to speak to Feng Tao, "Tonight, something big is likely to happen."
Feng Tao was even more confused, "What's going to happen? What big event can happen at the base?"
The Red Sand Base was solid as a rock, with many experts stationed there. Who would dare to stir up trouble?
Besides, the majority of the forces at the Red Sand Base were from outside. Even if the local Noble Families wanted to make trouble, it wouldn't be so easy.
Moreover, Feng Tao knew the nature of the major Noble Families; they were all about making money and were timid when it came to fighting.
This group wouldn't have the guts to revolt.
Yang Yushan knew Feng Tao misunderstood and said, "It's about Gao Xuan."
"What about that kid?"
Feng Tao suddenly realized, "Are they planning to take care of Gao Xuan?"
He was astonished, "This isn't right, is it?"
Feng Tao was well aware of the shady dealings within the family. Without the cover from these military personnel, the major Noble Families wouldn't achieve their goals.
However, Feng Tao doesn't believe such things can be done forever.
Since Black Water City had been destroyed, the matter might temporarily come to an end.
Feng Tao had never thought that the major Noble Families would actually target Gao Xuan!
Gao Xuan was a special envoy sent by Hercules, a point made explicitly clear on his first day at the base.
Killing Gao Xuan would be a direct provocation to Isis, Hercules, and the entire Sea Emperor Star regime.
"Don't you understand? This is sanctioned by the commander."
Yang Yushan sighed; although Feng Tao seemed knowledgeable on the surface, he lacked insight on major issues.
If it weren't for Isis covering for them, their petty schemes would have long been exposed.
Sure enough, Feng Tao was greatly shocked, unable to believe that the commander was in league with them.
"What did you think?"
Yang Yushan said, "Look, all the people here are our own. And experts have come from afar. That's Feng Jingzheng, the Soul-breaking Sword; that's Han Changchun, the Cold Blood Sword Hero; and there's Iron Dragon Yang Zifeng..."
These individuals were the top Sword Heroes of the major Noble Families, and they were among the strongest Sword Heroes on Sea Dragon Star. Including other Sword Heroes, there were as many as twenty-three Sword Heroes present.
With the experts from the Noble Families within the military, the number of Sword Heroes gathered in the hall exceeded thirty.
There were countless other Swordsmen.
Feng Tao counted the numbers; he swallowed hard, "What's the situation? Gathering so many people, if the commander turns against us, we'll be in danger."
In Feng Tao's view, it didn't add up. Even to kill Gao Xuan, there was no need for such an over-the-top arrangement.
The hall was already filled with elite members of the four major Noble Families. If Isis suddenly turned on them and took them all out, the four major Noble Families would collapse immediately.
"Are you out of your mind? The commander and we are all followers of the gods; there won't be any rash actions."
Yang Yushan wished he could open a hole in Feng Tao's head to help him understand.
It was clear that without Muse's instructions, the four major Noble Families wouldn't be obedient enough to send out all their experts.
This also showed that Isis was undoubtedly a believer of the gods.
Only in this way could the four major Noble Families trust Isis. Only thus could both sides cooperate.
Feng Tao finally came to understand. Isis was so beautiful, so charismatic. It made perfect sense for her to be a follower of Muse.
"Gathering all the experts just to kill Gao Xuan is still a bit exaggerated!" Feng Tao was still a bit puzzled.
Yang Yushan shook his head, "Perhaps, the Lord is going to deliver an important oracle."
Feng Tao asked, "Will the destruction of Black Water City affect our underground mining operations?"
"How should I know? It's all top secret."
Yang Yushan said, "Better to just sit back and watch the show."
Feng Tao suddenly, a bit excited, said, "Is that Gao Xuan? Damn, he's so good-looking."
Yang Yushan said nothing, as he was also struck dumb.
The others in the hall also turned their attention to Gao Xuan. For a moment, the hall was eerily quiet.
Gao Xuan, dressed in a sharp, deep blue military uniform, wasn't wearing a hat but had on a pair of sunglasses.