Even at night, Yunhai City remained bustling with activity.
As the economic and trade hub of the Western Continent, Yunhai City had remained prosperous even after suffering from the Siren disaster.
With massive investments from the Tian'ou Group, Yunhai City's coastal defenses were virtually impenetrable.
Since it also served as a hub for magic cube technology research, the Navy Ministry had stationed heavy defenses here as well.
Some even joked that Yunhai City's defenses were more formidable than those of the Western Continent Navy Ministry's fortresses.
Located at the core of the Eastern Sea Six-City Alliance, any attack on Yunhai City would trigger immediate reinforcements from the port commanders of surrounding cities.
Over the past few years, except for Yalang City, all other major cities had experienced large-scale Siren invasions to varying degrees.
Yet Yunhai City had repelled five major Siren offensives—making it the only city on the Western Continent to do so head-on.
It was precisely due to such dazzling achievements and solid defenses that Yunhai City's prosperity far surpassed that of other cities—even Haifeng City paled in comparison.
If, in other cities, Tian'ou Group's influence was merely evident in logistics, transportation, and media, then in Yunhai City, the group was the undisputed local overlord.
As the home base operated by the Tian'ou Group for centuries, every key government official in the city hailed from the group.
At night in the city center, bars, karaoke lounges, gaming arcades, and other entertainment venues were all open, with dazzling neon lights that overwhelmed the senses.
The Bai'ou Grand Hotel, wholly owned by Tian'ou Group, was a high-end establishment with a history of over a hundred years.
This luxurious high-rise hotel, built in the heart of the city, was the frequent venue for Tian'ou executives to host important banquets or entertain distinguished foreign guests.
At this moment, the top floor of the Bai'ou Grand Hotel had been cleared out.
In a spacious private room adorned with elegant art pieces and sculptures, a dinner gathering of Tian'ou Group executives was underway.
"Come, let's toast to Director Yang. Without his support this past year, none of us would be sitting here today."
Around the revolving table laden with fine wine and delicacies, more than a dozen Tian'ou Group executives—some young, some middle-aged—rose with glasses in hand under the lead of one man.
Their gazes collectively turned to the stern elder seated in a sandalwood elephant-head chair.
Despite remaining seated, this elder leaned on a metal cane with his left hand and radiated authority.
He was none other than Director Yang Fengbo, one of Tian'ou Group's three board members and an immensely influential figure across the Western Continent.
"Your kind sentiments are appreciated. My health isn't great—I'll toast with tea instead."
Yang Fengbo surveyed his handpicked confidants—men he had personally groomed—and calmly set down his chopsticks and raised his teacup.
These individuals were his inner circle—specifically selected for harboring resentment toward Jian Qian'ou.
After the toast, everyone sat down again.
"Since all of you know it was I who promoted you to key positions, you surely understand the trust I place in you," Yang said.
"Tonight, I wish to speak with you frankly."
Once he confirmed everyone was seated and had eaten their fill, Yang Fengbo gently tapped his metal cane, cleared his throat, and began speaking with composure.
The hotel staff waiting around the entrance, sensing the conversation was entering confidential territory, quietly withdrew.
These servers had been professionally trained and knew when to excuse themselves.
"Everyone, what do you think of that 'Director Jian' obeying the Führer's orders?"
The Tian'ou executives at the table had initially assumed Director Yang was going to talk about the coming year's business plans—
Perhaps something about maintaining covert contact with Battleaxe Arms Industries.
But none of them expected him to open with such a bombshell.
The words "Director Jian" seemed innocuous, but most lower and mid-level employees didn't even know such a director existed within Tian'ou Group.
But as high-level executives, they knew far more secrets than the average worker. They knew the true identity of this "Director Jian"—
The Tian'ou Seer.
A taboo topic among all of Tian'ou Group's upper echelons.
There had always been a rumor within Tian'ou Group:
The Tian'ou Seer possessed omniscience—no secret in the Orland Federation could be hidden from them.
There had been a time when external competitors tried to bribe senior members of the Tian'ou Group in an attempt to divide the organization.
But those who accepted the bribes were all slaughtered that very night with terrifying precision—none were spared.
And those who defied the Seer's orders never met a good end.
Some were stripped of all assets and thrown into prison; others disappeared without a trace. Even board members weren't exempt from removal.
For a time, the private room fell into a deathly silence. Everyone glanced at each other nervously, but no one dared to speak.
Their secret cooperation with Battleace Arms Industries had always been under the justification of providing the Tian'ou Group with more future options.
As long as what they did could be argued to benefit Tian'ou's development, the Seer typically would not intervene.
But now Yang Fengbo was openly asking them to evaluate a command issued by the Seer themselves.
This was a matter of principle—say the wrong thing, and it could cost them their heads.
"Heh, just mentioning Director Jian scared you all like that?"
Yang Fengbo saw the panic and unease on their faces clearly.
A cold sneer of disdain appeared on his aged face.
"Let me tell you the truth—he's merely a soul entity. I've used Teaching Nation's magic to block soul surveillance in this space. You can speak freely—he won't find out."
Saying this, perhaps worried they wouldn't believe him, Yang Fengbo slowly raised his metal cane with his left hand.
At its tip, a dark purple magical formation glowed and spun mysteriously.
"Unbelievable, Director Yang... you—you actually know magic..."
Seeing this, the executives finally breathed a sigh of relief. Some immediately began fawning over Yang Fengbo.
Then, like a floodgate had opened, they began denouncing Jian Qian'ou, with their criticisms growing bolder and more outrageous.
"That so-called Führer—we've never even met him. Why should we submit to him?"
"Exactly! Why should we regularly send so many supplies and resources—just because Director Jian says so?"
"And those corporate policies Director Jian laid out—ensuring labor protections and holidays for employees and branch staff? What a joke!"
"You said it! On the Eastern Continent, Goilia and Nuoyadexin never gave their people such perks!"
"Exactly. With all that leisure time and benefits, how are we supposed to make enough to buy more luxury cars and goods?
Now we can't even hold our heads high when visiting the Eastern Continent—everyone calls us backwater Western yokels!"
"Only Director Yang truly looks out for us—always thinking of our interests. He's the real ideal candidate for Seer!"
"Right! Especially his proposal to purchase massive quantities of grain from various regions—that's brilliant.
Once war with Battleaxe Arms Industries breaks out next year, there'll be food shortages across the Western Continent. We'll jack up the prices and make a killing!"
The more they spoke, the angrier they became.
What began as complaints about unnecessary support to the so-called "Führer" escalated into full-blown rebellion against Jian Qian'ou's directives.
Though they had long harbored discontent, the terrifying legends surrounding Jian Qian'ou kept them silent.
Now that Yang Fengbo had blocked the Seer's surveillance with magic, they finally voiced their true thoughts without restraint.
Perhaps many of them had once clawed their way up from the bottom.
But after years of power and privilege, their mindset and values had undergone a complete transformation.
Every man for himself—heaven and earth will destroy those who don't look out for their own.
Now that they'd climbed into the ruling class through their own efforts, it was only natural they should exploit it to the fullest.
As for the lives of ordinary people? That was none of their concern.
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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