Once, I wanted to be a good person

"Actually, we're even more hollow than Tuoya State."

"So at times like these, we can't rush headlong into things. We need to first sort out our internal issues to better deal with external threats."

"Stabilizing within before addressing outside threats, it's as simple as that."

Listening to He Weidao's words, Fang Ze seriously looked at him, just staring.

It was only after He Weidao was somewhat baffled by Fang Ze's gaze that Fang Ze suddenly spoke, "Chairperson, stabilize within before addressing outside threats. Do you only want internal stability, or are you not interested in addressing outside threats?"

Perhaps not expecting Fang Ze to dare speak such words, the smile on He Weidao's face gradually faded. He looked at Fang Ze and slowly said, "Councilman Fang Ze, are you questioning my loyalty to the Federation?"

He Weidao himself was already an Absolute Pinnacle master and had been in high office in Xida State for over a decade. As soon as he put on a serious face, he exuded an imposing aura that swept toward Fang Ze like a tangible force.

To be honest, this was the first time Fang Ze felt such a strong aura since gaining the [King] talent. However, He Weidao was not yet a Demigod, and in terms of Positional Grid, he was slightly lower than Fang Ze. Thus, under the [King] talent, Fang Ze was not affected at all.

So he stood amidst the vortex of aura, looking at He Weidao fearlessly, and retorted, "Indeed. After learning some things, I'm very doubtful of your loyalty, Chairperson."

He Weidao was not influenced in the slightest by Fang Ze's words. He looked at Fang Ze and directly asked, "What things?"

Fang Ze slowly said, "Chairperson, do you know Council Member Yuwen Zheng?"

Perhaps He Weidao had indeed been too arrogant these days, lacking basic vigilance, or perhaps he never imagined he would hear this name again in his life. For that instant, his pupils slightly contracted. He quickly adjusted his expression, pretending to ponder for a few seconds before saying, "Yuwen Zheng? ... Seems familiar. Wasn't he a council member in Xida State over a decade ago?"

Fang Ze nodded and then continued to ask, "Do you know Executive Councilor Xue Sheng?"

If the first name was a coincidence, the appearance of the second name gave He Weidao a twinge of foreboding.

His emotions were tumultuous like a storm, but he maintained an indifferent exterior, "I know him. He was also an executive councilor in Xida State over a decade ago."

Fang Ze keenly captured He Weidao's emotional change: even He Weidao himself didn't notice that his aura was becoming anxious and restless at that moment.

Thus, Fang Ze felt assured and continued, "Then you should also know Sun Lou, Cheng Hongde, Di Xiang, Ji Wu, Shao Zhou..."

Fang Ze rattled off names like listing menu items, mentioning one after another of those involved in the Golden Sparrow Flower incident who had been silenced.

With each name he mentioned, He Weidao's heart sank further. He realized things were getting complicated, as a secret part of his past he most wished to never see exposed was being unearthed by the person in front of him. The revelation would not only ruin his lifelong reputation but also destroy his grand plans nearing completion.

For a moment, he felt a surge of killing intent toward Fang Ze. Fortunately, his reason regained control, preventing him from acting on it.

He tried hard to calm himself, but the recent days' triumphs of plotting against four Demigods and three noble families had left him restless. Coupled with this major issue, he found himself unable to calm down.

Thus, as Fang Ze recited those names, He Weidao at first answered whether he knew them or not, but gradually he just listened quietly, offering no response.

By the time Fang Ze finished reciting all the names, He Weidao appeared like the eye of a storm, exuding a sense of extreme oppression and madness.

Fang Ze looked at He Weidao but wasn't easily intimidated. He softly said, "In the two days before coming to see you, Chairperson, I wrote dozens of letters and sent them from the Provincial Government. If I'm unable to leave unharmed, these letters will be delivered via Extraordinary Artifact to the nine remaining noble families in the Eastern Administrative Region. They will also be sent to the Federation, the councils of other states, and the Inspectors of various military bases."

Hearing Fang Ze's words, He Weidao, who was on the verge of an outburst, finally calmed completely.

He knew his earlier loss of composure had already indirectly confirmed the suspicion against him, so he quickly sought a way to salvage the situation.

After a moment, he looked at Fang Ze and sincerely said, "Apologies, I may have frightened you. Most of the people you mentioned were my colleagues back in those days, so I lost my composure a bit."

He continued, "You listed their names; did you discover something?"

One must admit, He Weidao was indeed a cunning old fox. Had it not been for his recent overconfidence and Fang Ze's unexpected attack, Fang Ze might have been deceived by his acting.

However, now that He Weidao was exposed, Fang Ze could not be deceived any longer.

So Fang Ze said, "Chairperson, it's meaningless if you keep this up. Wouldn't it be better to be candid?"

He Weidao looked at Fang Ze, lightly tapping the sofa with his fingers, and answered flawlessly, "You suspect me?"