Chapter 66: Gathering Clouds (IV)

The students of Dexin Card-Making Academy’s off-campus experience ended in vain. They entered the forest in the morning and exited at night. Afterward, many students struggled to adjust, refusing to speak of the experience, as if there were an unspoken agreement to avoid the subject altogether. The breadth of involvement was such that it exceeded the jurisdiction of any single authority; though the surface appeared calm, the powers in Texas were quietly mobilizing behind the scenes.

Many families were dissatisfied with the Crown Prince’s actions. Several major factions simultaneously pressured Dean Li Xian, yet at this critical moment, the Crown Prince chose to withdraw, returning to the Ji family after leaving Qingshan Ridge. Li Xian massaged his aching temples, just as a knock sounded at his office door.

Annoyed, Li Xian called out, “Come in.”

The door opened, and when no one spoke for a while, Li Xian looked up and was surprised. “What’s wrong with you?”

Dorin sat down, pulling out a chair for himself. His face was beaming, in stark contrast to Li Xian’s frustration. Dorin laughed triumphantly, “Well, didn’t I tell you? That kid isn’t a pushover. See for yourself now?”

Li Xian watched Dorin in silence.

Dorin, always eager to provoke Li Xian, seized the opportunity: “Many thought this was the Crown Prince’s chance to deal with the child, but look at the reality. The off-campus experience ended with nothing accomplished. I bet the parents’ complaint calls have nearly overwhelmed the academy’s hotline. Those innocent students who died, and the senior students—this isn’t just Dexin’s loss, it’s Texas’s loss. How will you answer to those parents? So many casualties among the factions, all linked to your chosen successor. And where is your favored Crown Prince now?”

Li Xian’s face darkened as he glared at Dorin. “If not for that child, would things have turned out this way?”

Dorin’s smile vanished instantly. He slammed the table and stared angrily at Li Xian. “Old man, are you so obsessed with winning you’ve lost your mind? Do you even realize that, if not for the sudden appearance of a mysterious force, Texas would already belong to them? Dexin would be rewritten, Texas would change hands, chaos would reign. Do you comprehend the gravity of this? I know you want to win, but I don’t know how, in pursuit of victory, you’ve abandoned all human decency. With this attitude, not only am I disgusted, even my late brother would look down on you!”

Li Xian, provoked by Dorin’s harsh accusations, slammed the table in return. “Who controls Texas isn’t the point. Where’s my lack of decency? Look at the factions—none of them are original locals. They’re all newcomers. Whoever has the ability controls Texas. Am I wrong? What, do you think I should side with you to be right?”

Dorin sneered, shaking his head. “I never said your methods were wrong. You supported the Ji family, backed them, and tolerated their actions. I never objected. But have you truly understood the mysterious force trying to enter Texas? Do you know who stands behind them and the Ji family? Do you know their goals?”

Li Xian returned the cold smile. “So, you just can’t stand me supporting the Ji family.”

Dorin’s face reddened with anger. “I’m not that petty! I’m far more upright than you. Take a look at these.” Dorin threw a dossier toward Li Xian in his fury.

Li Xian picked it up, first with skepticism, then with growing shock. He flipped through the pages faster and faster, his hands trembling, his face pale. “How could this be?”

Dorin, finally feeling vindicated, snatched the dossier back and tucked it away securely. “Why not? Never forget, the Ji family is an ancient martial clan. The benefits of joining them are obvious. Why wouldn’t it be possible?”

Li Xian collapsed into his chair. The heir he had chosen was plotting not only to overthrow them, but the entire Federation. If the opposition succeeded, what would become of the Federation? Thousands of years ago, the world had already become one of cards. What benefit would overturning that bring?

Dorin sat down as well, speaking slowly, “If the other side succeeds, as the Federation’s source of ninety percent of card-making materials, once it falls into the hands of the anti-card faction, you can imagine the horror that would ensue.” Some truths need only be hinted at. Dorin was confident Li Xian would grasp it. When he first received that dossier, he was shocked, reading it over a hundred times. Each time, he hoped it was a joke, but its detailed contents left him no choice but to believe.

Li Xian’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Dorin. “Where did you get this dossier?”

“Where do you think? Other than the mysterious force that suddenly appeared, do you think I could have uncovered all this myself?” Dorin scoffed.

“Why did they give it to you?” Li Xian’s eyes had become more than sharp; suspicion crept in.

Dorin nearly picked up his chair to throw at Li Xian. “Damn it, am I really so untrustworthy? I’ll tell you: their condition was that I take care of that child.”

Li Xian sneered coldly. “I see—lowly attempts to sow discord. The dossier may not be false, but the child might not be innocent either. If someone can investigate such a powerful faction, the force behind the child is worth considering. Who’s right and who’s wrong, I won’t trust your word alone. Besides, the child’s origins have always troubled me. To be honest, I’d rather trust Ji Yin.”

Dorin wore an expression as if he’d expected this. “Fine, read this, then tell me if you still trust Ji Yin.” Dorin pulled out another dossier and tossed it over. Li Xian was stunned but began reading, and as he read, he fell silent. Dorin simply watched him.

After a long while, Li Xian finally raised his head, his voice dry. “So, the mayor of Texas had already betrayed us? If not for Dexin’s major factions holding the line, Texas would have changed hands long ago?”

Dorin nodded gravely. “Yes.”

Li Xian took a deep breath. “What kind of force is the opposition, to have such power?”

Dorin glanced around and shook his head. “I can’t say. I can only repeat their warning to you.”

“Their power vastly exceeds your imagination. If Texas falls, the Federation will collapse in three years, card beasts will run wild in four, and card-makers will be extinct in five.”

Li Xian drew a sharp breath. Dorin added, “This isn’t about winning anymore—it concerns the fate of all card-makers in the Federation. They called the opposition the anti-card force.”

“Who is that child, really?”

Dorin shook his head. “I don’t know. What I do know is, by supporting that child, at least I won’t die too soon as a card-maker.”

Li Xian’s chest heaved. At last, he handed the dossier back to Dorin, who took it and said, “Destroy it.”

Dorin nodded. “Of course.”

Li Xian opened and closed his mouth, finally uttering weakly, “Do whatever you’re planning. I’ll support you fully.”

Dorin’s face broke into a sudden smile. “That’s the spirit. I’m off.”

Li Xian watched Dorin’s departing figure, a wave of exhaustion rising in his eyes. The Federation was in turmoil, with countless powerful forces moving unseen. He was old now, unable to play the game any longer. This meeting between Dorin and Li Xian sealed the Crown Prince’s decline.

Federation Network.

Uncle, smiling broadly, said to Long Yin, “Just now, the Crown Prince’s factions withdrew their support for the Bai and Ni families. After days of stalemate, we’ve finally acquired their assets for the Zuo family. It seems another force is assisting us, solving those difficult land deals one by one. With this opportunity, I estimate that tomorrow, we’ll have completed ten percent of our eight-year plan ahead of schedule.”

Long Yin listened quietly, showing little reaction even at the news of the plan’s accelerated progress. Uncle paused, looking at the calm Long Yin and asked, “Boss, what do you think?”

Long Yin shook his head and stood up. “I just feel things aren’t that simple.”

Uncle was puzzled. “Is that all you’re worried about?”

Long Yin kept shaking his head. “I can’t explain it, but it feels like something big is about to happen. Uncle!” Long Yin suddenly called, “Don’t rush ahead. Recall all personnel, withdraw all funds, and prioritize safety above all.”

Sasaki hesitated, then frowned. “Things have never gone so smoothly. Wouldn’t halting everything be a waste?”

Long Yin’s resolve hardened at Sasaki’s comment. “Uncle, do as I say. I suspect the opposition is acting deliberately. I can afford to wait.”

Seeing Long Yin’s determination, Sasaki nodded. “If the boss decides, I’ll prepare accordingly.”

Perhaps Long Yin’s intuition paid off. As soon as Sasaki recalled the personnel, the major factions in Texas suffered assassination attempts. Sasaki, reviewing the reports on his desk, breathed deeply. Luckily, not only were people recalled in time, but funds were withdrawn, too. Sasaki now truly admired his young boss. Yet, despite all precautions, Sasaki barely survived three waves of assassination attempts, saved only by Yuan Shaolin’s men.

The opposition’s fierce actions caught Texas’s major factions off guard. Despite casualties, the surviving factions rallied in anger. With occasional hints from Li Xian, Texas united as a single force, expelling the mysterious faction within a month. The Ji family suffered most, and after the assassination attempt, the major factions’ dissatisfaction with Ji deepened—they now offered no support at all. Ji Yin’s position as Crown Prince, without Li Xian’s protection, became precarious overnight.

The families, suffering losses in personnel, were no longer deferential to the Ji family and Crown Prince. Without a pillar, the Crown Prince became a mere nominal figure.

After wave upon wave of upheavals, Long Yin had not yet assumed the Crown Prince’s title, but his goal of toppling the Crown Prince was essentially accomplished.