Chapter 154: Why? Why?
Inside the trial space, Jia Zhiyong led a group of military elites to begin setting up interference terminals. He knew very well that by this time, the command hall would have already fallen into chaos.
The military had controlled the trial space for so many years and had long since acquired its highest level of authority. Did the Eastern Army think they could seize control of the trials? Not a chance!
“Sir, everything is ready,” one of the military elites said respectfully as he approached Jia Zhiyong.
Hearing this, Jia Zhiyong nodded and sneered. “If that’s the case, then let’s proceed. It’s time for that Wen Yu to understand the consequences of opposing the military! The military is the sole core of the empire’s armed forces!”
Without hesitation, he pressed a button on the controller in his hand, his face brimming with satisfaction. He envisioned the trial space falling into chaos, which would give him the perfect opportunity to act.
The military had already promised that once the plan succeeded, he would become the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Eastern Army’s main command.
Although he currently held a senior position in the Imperial Guard Army Group, that force was merely a component of the Imperial Capital’s Garrison Army.
The Eastern Army, however, was one of the empire’s four main army groups. In terms of both resources and status, the Imperial Guard Army Group was on a completely different level from the Eastern Army.
However, Jia Zhiyong’s smile quickly froze.
The trial space remained calm and orderly, its systems running smoothly without any sign of the anticipated monster riots.
“How is this possible?!” he exclaimed, his face filled with shock. Every interference terminal had been set up under his direct supervision, even hidden behind camouflage barriers to avoid detection. How could they have failed?
Just then, a cold voice interrupted his thoughts. “Looking for these?”
Suddenly, several figures appeared. Wen Yu, leading a group of Eastern Army elites, stood right before Jia Zhiyong. In Wen Yu’s hand were several dismantled interference terminals, her gaze mocking as she looked at him.
To disrupt the trial space’s operation system, multiple interference terminals needed to work simultaneously. If even one was disabled, the entire network would fail.
Jia Zhiyong’s face turned pale with shock before darkening with humiliation. Wen Yu’s unexpected presence had completely disrupted his plans.
How did Wen Yu learn of the military’s plan in advance? He had received no warnings from the Qin family, who controlled the Imperial Ministry of Supervision—the empire’s most extensive and capable intelligence network.
Spies and operatives were scattered throughout the empire, so monitoring Wen Yu was assigned to the Qin family. Their reports had assured him that Wen Yu was completely unaware of their plan and posed no threat.
Trusting the Ministry of Supervision’s expertise, the military had chosen this straightforward and brutal method to frame Wen Yu. But now, Wen Yu had caught him red-handed!
“Damn it!” Jia Zhiyong cursed silently. “What is the Ministry of Supervision even doing?”
Furthermore, the Qin family had yet to appear, deepening his sense of unease. His instincts warned him that something was seriously wrong.
Jia Zhiyong forced himself to calm down, his face emotionless as he said in a steady voice, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Wen Yu’s adjutant, Sun, responded coldly, “You don’t know? Then why are you here in the trial space? Who granted you access?”
Jia Zhiyong replied icily, “We were authorized by the Military Inspection Office to conduct a covert inspection of the trial space. The authorization has been recorded; feel free to verify it anytime.”
He was relying on his contingency plan. The Military Inspection Office officially had the authority to inspect all branches of the empire’s armed forces. Claiming their authorization allowed him to justify his presence in the trial space without raising suspicion.
For now, his priority was to escape. He could deal with the Qin family’s apparent failures later.
“Inspection Office authorization?” Wen Yu sneered. “In that case, it seems the Inspection Office is also complicit in the attempt to sabotage the trial ceremony.”
“What do you mean by that?!” Jia Zhiyong demanded, his voice rising.
Before he could respond further, Sun produced a device emitting a holographic projection. The image showed Jia Zhiyong and his men setting up the interference terminals earlier.
This evidence was irrefutable. It proved Jia Zhiyong’s intent to sabotage the trial ceremony, a crime severe enough to land him in the Empire’s Military Tribunal. He was finished.
Not only that, but Jia Zhiyong’s claim of receiving authorization implicated the Military Inspection Office, dragging the entire military into the scandal.
“True Sight Cube! The Imperial Special Operations Bureau!” Jia Zhiyong muttered, his expression darkening as he recognized the device. He now understood everything.
From the beginning, Wen Yu had been aware of his plans, and he had walked straight into her trap.
Yet, one question plagued his mind. If the Special Operations Bureau was involved, the Ministry of Supervision couldn’t have been unaware. Why, then, had the Qin family not warned him?
Could it be that… the Qin family had betrayed the military?
He quickly dismissed the thought. It made no sense.
Jia Zhiyong was well aware that the Qin family, being a colossal entity, acted solely in its interests. They shared a mutual goal with the military: targeting Wen Yu, the protégé of Regent Lu Ji, to weaken Lu Ji’s influence over the armed forces.
The military sought to seize control of the Eastern Army, while the Qin family aimed to divide its spoils with the military. Their collaboration was meant to be a win-win.
Why, then, would the Qin family sabotage the military?