When Donada’s body was cleaved in two, Tang Wen added a final remark: “Donada, I forgot to tell you, I’ve already taken care of your clones at the Three Great Hospitals.”
All of Donada’s terror distilled into a final, distorted roar amidst the blinding intensity of the laser: “Tang Wen, you deserve to rot in hell!”
Tang Wen offered a cool, faint smile. “Thank you. You go first, have a safe trip.”
With that, all the traitorous moles within the Tang Sect were successfully purged.
The Tang Sect disliked war. After all, the Sect’s interests were spread across the entire expanse of the galaxy, and any conflict could inadvertently damage their holdings. However, too many legions in space perpetually watched the Tang Sect with avarice, and the moment hostilities erupted, they would find any pretext to pressure the Sect.
Tang Wen was resolute: security begins at home. The very first order of business upon returning to the Tang Sect was to eliminate the parasites within; now that this was finally complete, the next action was crystal clear: liquidate the warships!
Every warship designed or co-designed by Donada—including the battleships, marauders, frigates, and dreadnoughts—was put on immediate, massive promotion.
Regardless of whether Donada was still alive, he had become the enemy, meaning anything he touched was now classified as enemy intelligence. There was no reason to keep it.
In the vastness of space, the Tang Sect’s warships were second to none; few would dare claim the top spot.
Wars had been raging fiercely during this period. Every day, the stellar seas saw the loss of at least eight or nine hundred warships, with battleships being the most frequent casualty. Warships were long-term, high-cost items, rarely available off the shelf; production usually required custom orders taking a minimum of two months.
But when a legion suffered heavy losses, replacing its fleet became an urgent necessity, or they would face relentless defeats in the ongoing conflict.
The Tang Sect’s fire sale was, therefore, the most joyous news to reach the anxious legions.
On the first day of sales, the total turnover for Tang Sect warships hit an astonishing fifteen hundred units, shattering a historical record spanning over a century! Furthermore, on that same day, four substantially powerful legions signed long-term armament procurement contracts with the Tang Sect.
The Sales Director stared at the tally sheet, so overcome with excitement he nearly wept, reporting the data immediately.
Tang Wen typically paid no mind to sales performance.
However, Blan felt Tang Wen had been too sullen lately and wanted to cheer him up. He pushed open the door to the rooftop swimming pool and stepped inside.
From the rooftop pool, one could see countless warships gliding past the transparent shield of the space station. Tang Wen usually enjoyed swimming here.
Blan remembered vividly the time Teacher Little Sprout was tossed into the water by Tang Wen, flailing and splashing in sheer delight.
Tang Wen had been so cheerful during that period.
Little Sprout had been so vivacious.
Watching them happy had made Blan feel joyful as well.
After Little Sprout returned to Ziye’s side, Tang Wen’s mood dipped. Later came a series of devastating blows: Ziye ending up with An Junlie, and the revelation that Ziye was his half-sister…
The smile faded from Tang Wen’s face, yet his actions grew increasingly ruthless.
Blan found him reclining in a chair beneath the sunshade, his expression lost and vacant. He sighed inwardly, wondering when Tang Wen would finally recover from these repeated shocks.
Tang Wen was the type who kept his turmoil hidden. Even if something weighed heavily on his mind, he showed nothing on the surface, leaving no opening for comfort.
Blan considered this and softly knocked on the nearby door frame.
Tang Wen heard the sound, turned his face, and beckoned him over, his demeanor listless. “What is it?”
The smile Blan had painstakingly summoned almost crumbled under the dispirited greeting. He quickly pasted it back on. “Today’s warship revenue exceeded four hundred and fifty billion—that’s the equivalent of the Tang Sect’s usual two-month earnings.”
Tang Wen merely responded with a low “Hmm,” lying still, silent.
Blan sighed quietly and asked, “If you’re worried, why not go out and look for her?”
Tang Wen’s eyes snapped open abruptly, his gaze sharp and determined. “I’ve set a deadline for An Junlie in my own mind: one month. If he fails to find Ziye within that time, I will find her at any cost. By then, I will absolutely not allow her to be with An Junlie.”
Blan wholeheartedly agreed.
A man who could not protect the woman he loved, who could not shield her sky, who couldn’t even locate his own missing woman—such a man had absolutely no standing to speak.
Just as Blan was about to commend Tang Wen, he continued, “At that time, I will kill An Junlie with my own hands!”
Blan flinched, startled by the sudden surge of killing intent emanating from him.
This time, Tang Wen was deadly serious.
He asked quietly, “How many days are left on the deadline?”
Tang Wen’s thin lips parted slightly. “Three days.”
Blan silently lit a digital candle for An Junlie in his mind.
He felt genuine awe for the murderous intent radiating from Tang Wen and instinctively shifted to using respectful address. “Then, for these last three days, what is your plan, sir?”
Tang Wen paused for a moment’s thought. “Are the space battles taking a clear shape yet?”
This question played directly to Blan’s expertise.
He had been a Special Forces operative and possessed a deep, intrinsic understanding of military strategy. Once the war began, he started a comprehensive analysis of the battle lines, creating a strategic map for Tang Wen based on his knowledge of all factions.
Now, the strategic intentions of the various legions were becoming clearer, aligning perfectly with his predictions. He radiated the confident glow of a seasoned professional. “Overall, the major legions are aggressively expanding their territory, while the minor legions are fighting to maintain sovereignty. The large factions, like the Stellar Federation, have already consumed the minor legions to their southeast and are now advancing toward the Hope Legion’s territory, possibly targeting the Hope Legion and the Wolf’s Den Legion next, directly threatening the space surrounding the Angel Domain.”
He paused, looking at Tang Wen. Seeing no change in his expression, he continued, “The other behemoth is the Fia Dynasty. The number of minor legions they’ve absorbed is second only to the Stellar Federation, and they are also making moves against the Angel Domain. If Fia and the Stellar Federation ally, the Angel Domain—boasting the most expansive space—could very likely become history.”
Tang Wen smiled faintly. “What do you estimate the probability of Fia and the Stellar Federation successfully forming an alliance to be?”
Blan replied without hesitation, “Ilia, the future heir of Fia, is the fiancée of the Stellar Federation’s Commander Karu. The chance of them uniting is over eighty percent.”
Tang Wen pressed further, “And what are the odds they can swallow the Angel Domain once they combine forces?”
Blan opened his mouth to speak, then suddenly thought of something and closed it again.
Tang Wen glanced at him. “Don’t play games with me by holding back.”
Blan laughed sheepishly. “The Angel Domain currently lacks any strong offensive capability. Either they are gathering strength for a massive push, or they are experiencing internal conflict.”
Tang Wen sat up from the recliner. “Blan, if you were the Tang Sect’s Combat Commander, what would you do?”
Blan lowered his head. “I am not the Combat Commander, sir; I dare not speculate wildly.”
Tang Wen quipped, “How about I appoint you Combat Commander for a bit of fun? You can be my aide-de-camp.”
Blan was speechless. Can the position of Combat Commander be treated like a game? That role concerns countless lives, Mr. Tang Wen—aren’t you being far too cavalier? The entire military command structure of the Tang Sect would spit blood!
Tang Wen shot him a look. “If you won’t play, then I will take up the mantle of Combat Commander for a game, and you can be my deputy.”
Blan: “...!”
Tang Wen always followed through. He personally assumed the role of Combat Commander.
The Combat Commander’s duties were normally handled by the Chief of Combat Operations, who bowed his head three points lower upon seeing him. “Junior Sect Master commands us.”
Regarding the Donada incident, the Tang Sect had issued an obituary, framing it as an honorable death in battle.
But everyone in the know understood perfectly well that Tang Wen was the one who struck the blow! Tang Wen’s ferocity far surpassed that of the Sect Master, Tang Shan, and several generations of Tang Sect ancestors.
Tang Wen disregarded the formalities and spoke directly. “Get me a priority channel to Lan Li, the Deputy Commander of the Angel Legion.”
Blan’s hand involuntarily trembled. Had he, disgusted by their inaction and grieving their misfortune, finally decided to strike against the Angel Domain? The moment the priority transmission connected, Blan knew he was wrong.
Because Tang Wen’s words came across with perfect clarity: “Mr. Lan Li, are you interested in cooperating with the Tang Sect to forge a new order in space?”
It turned out this fellow intended to partner with Lan Li.
Blan quietly breathed a sigh of relief, silently giving Tang Wen a mental thumbs-up.
In space, stagnation meant regression.
Although the Tang Sect was powerful, possessing unparalleled warships, if they remained aloof during this war, the Stellar Federation and Fia would grow too dominant, forcing the Tang Sect into the precarious position of a minor power surviving in the cracks. At that point, they would lose control of their own destiny.
Coincidentally, the Angel Domain was also caught between powerful enemies attacking from front and back. A partnership was something Lan Li surely could not refuse.
Just then, he heard Lan Li’s reply: “Our Commander mentioned you are a very interesting person. I would very much like to meet you. Would I be so honored?”
Tang Wen smiled faintly. “In one hour, meet me at Space Station Number Three in the Paradise System aboard a Marauder-class vessel.”
In three concise sentences, he established the time, location, personnel, and objective. Tang Wen cheerfully disconnected the priority channel and instructed the Chief of Combat Operations to initiate contact with another individual.
“Teacher Zi Hong, long time no see.”
As Hong Fa connected the priority channel, she heard those words, causing her eyebrows to arch so high they seemed permanently fixed there. She had always believed her disguise was quite good, yet here was someone she hadn't seen in months instantly discerning her identity. Damn it, thank heavens Tang Wen wasn't an enemy; otherwise, she would lose sleep every night regretting not killing him.
Hong Fa had seen the world, though, and maintained her composure. “Professor Tang, are you inviting me to resume my teaching duties?”
Tang Wen smiled gently. “That is precisely the intention. Interested in teaching the Stellar Federation a lesson?”
Hong Fa immediately laughed. “I eagerly await the opportunity.”
Tang Wen disconnected the channel and suddenly turned to Blan, who stood nearby. “Do you think we should invite the Huaxia Legion as well?”
Blan pulled up the data files. “The Huaxia Legion has been hoarding strategic weapons and equipment lately, highly suggesting they are also preparing for territorial expansion. However, if we cooperate with the Huaxia Legion, they will certainly avoid open military engagement to preserve their honor—one mountain cannot house two tigers.”
The Tang Sect also never engaged in frontline combat themselves. Blan knew without asking that Tang Wen intended to supply the Angel Domain and Wolf’s Den with strategic weaponry and personnel, letting those two legions take the lead. The Huaxia Legion followed the exact same strategy, leaving no room for partnership.
-RS