Bamboo House.

It is famous for its lush bamboo groves, tranquility, and elegance.

However, today the courtyard was tense, filled with a deadly atmosphere.

Prince Caesar's personal guard was entirely subdued, pinned to the ground, bound with electronic shackles, staring resentfully and indignantly at the Qi Mountain soldiers.

Originally, the relationship between the two nations was already unfriendly, having been at war for decades, each side launching attacks in turn.

The result was mutual disrespect and defiance…

Unlike during Tang Li's era, when he defeated them soundly, making both sides sign a mutual non-aggression 'Sun Never Sets Agreement'.

Now, escorting the Empire's Prince Caesar to visit Shen Wuxiang, they were subjected to such treatment and humiliation.

How could these prideful royal guards, who usually looked down on their own people, tolerate this?

"Just you wait."

Everyone silently swore in their hearts.

They were also worried about Prince Caesar's safety inside; if anything were to happen to him, with King Lionheart's explosive temper, they feared the worst consequences…

Under the watchful eyes of Shen Wuxiang and others, Prince Caesar had no choice but to call his father.

Due to the six-hour time difference, it was currently two or three in the morning in Aus.

The call was first answered by the palace's Grand Steward Yi Qiushi, who would decide the urgency of the call's content and whether it needed immediate reporting to King Lionheart.

Upon hearing the content from Prince Caesar, Yi Qiushi immediately went to 'wake up' King Lionheart...

In fact, King Lionheart hadn't slept; he just acquired two charming beauties and was playing cards with them.

Curious?

Why is it also cards?

A fine tradition of the King Lionheart family?

Indeed, King Lionheart's ambitions were large, and his energy was incredibly vigorous.

Soon, wrapped in a black silk robe, King Lionheart appeared before Shen Wuxiang and others.

Shen Wuxiang frowned slightly at King Lionheart's exposed hairy chest, insolent expression, and the conspicuous purple lip mark on his neck.

This father and son...

Really alike.

Even across thousands of miles, Prince Caesar immediately saluted his father respectfully, saying, "Father, my apologies for disturbing your rest."

King Lionheart glanced at Prince Caesar without responding, fixing his gaze on Shen Wuxiang.

Their eyes met with sparks of lightning and fire.

King Lionheart suddenly burst into laughter, taking a puff from a large cigar handed to him by Yi Qiushi, and said with a smile, "General Shen, it's been many years, all well with you?"

"I have grown old, but King Lionheart is more impressive than ever."

"Hahaha, though the old steed is worn, it still aspires thousands of miles... General Shen, you are a person of great wisdom and vision, how could you easily grow old?"

Shen Wuxiang knew he was 'mocking' his coup and usurpation.

Which monarch would like a minister like Cao Cao?

Even if I am not his minister.

"No matter how broad my vision, can it surpass King Lionheart's? No matter how deep my wisdom, it cannot compare to King Lionheart's."

Shen Wuxiang retorted using King Lionheart's two-faced nature—negotiating cooperation on one hand, sending warships to stab in the back on the other.

With chicken feathers on a bat's back, what kind of fine bird are you?

What pretense of enlightened rule are you putting on in front of me?

King Lionheart, tired of feigned politeness, asked directly, "General, calling me at this time can't just be to greet, right?"

"I just want to confirm one thing."

"What is it?"

"Does King Lionheart truly intend to cooperate with the Phoenix Empire?"

Although Shen Wuxiang lacks the title of ruler, he has the reality of usurpation.

Therefore, he dares to refer to himself as the Phoenix Empire before King Lionheart, seeking equal dialogue, without losing face.

"Of course." King Lionheart exhaled cigar smoke, speaking up, "There is no doubt about it."

"Then, I want to ask…why did Aus Empire's warships attack our Beihai Fleet while Prince Caesar was negotiating with us?"

"What?" King Lionheart's expression froze, the backflow of smoke causing him to cough violently.

"What? Does King Lionheart not know of this matter?" Shen Wuxiang's lips curled into a meaningful smile.

Such a big matter, you say you don't know?

Are you fooling ghosts?

"Yi Qiushi..."

King Lionheart roared.

Yi Qiushi quickly delivered the latest intelligence to King Lionheart, who, upon reading it, turned livid with a twisted face, muscles trembling.

"Bastard!"

"That damn thing!"

"Bring Philip here...I must see him immediately. Instantly, right now."

"Just got word that Prince Philip is not in the Imperial City."

"Where did he go?"

"He's with the Sea God Fleet... He went on an expedition with the fleet."

"..."

King Lionheart was silent for a moment, then looked at Shen Wuxiang and said, "General, as you can see, Philip the bastard has mobilized the Sea God Fleet..."

"That area is originally under his jurisdiction, so I was unaware before. I did not know he attacked the Beihai Fleet, much less that he seized Liyu Port."

"So…should I believe King Lionheart?" Shen Wuxiang looked at King Lionheart and asked in a deep voice.

Everyone in politics has the same problem: being hypersensitive and distrustful, never trusting anyone.

Not even themselves.

In critical moments, I could even betray myself.

Now that it's happened, with people killed and territory captured, you say you didn't know…

Do you think I'll buy it?

"I will give you an explanation."

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