A hint of mockery flickered in President Yang's eyes. "President Gu, do you really have to get to the bottom of this? Some things are better left unknown."
Gu Shuling's brows furrowed. "President Yang, I believe it's better to clear things up. That way, we can cooperate better, don't you think?"
'Cooperate?'
President Yang let out a cold laugh. "Fine. Since you're so insistent, I'll tell you the truth."
He paused, as if gathering his words to make his next statement all the more devastating. "The truth is, I've had more than I can stand of you and your company for a long time now.
"The head of your materials supply project is your cousin, and he's a notorious Vampire in our circle—greedy and shameless.
Do you have any idea how much he takes in kickbacks alone?
It's not just me. Plenty of others in our circle have been unhappy with you for a while. I'm just the first to act on it.
The only reason I maintained our partnership, even paying above market price for your services, was out of respect for the National Guardian War God, Chu He.
Now that you've divorced him, I naturally have no reason to give you any more face."
Gu Shuling's heart sank. It felt as if her entire world had collapsed in an instant.
She couldn't believe her ears, nor could she accept this cruel reality.
All this time, she had believed her success and abilities were genuinely recognized, but President Yang's words had just shattered that illusion.
"What... What did you say?"
Gu Shuling's voice trembled. "What does this have to do with Chu He? He had no part in the creation or development of my company.
I've never once used his special privileges."
'Never used his special privileges?'
'How stupid. How laughable!'
'As long as the National Guardian War God stands tall, even in silence, high and aloof, the rich not just in the Great Jing Empire, but across the entire Blue Star, will practically line up to hand over their money!'
"As long as you were his wife, you were a walking embodiment of privilege. Without Chu He, your halo is gone."
President Yang sneered and turned to leave. He couldn't be bothered to explain things to a fool.
He left Gu Shuling standing there alone, staring blankly at his retreating back.
She had never imagined that her partnership with President Yang was entirely due to her connection with Chu He. It was a truth she found hard to accept.
Her heart filled with doubt and anger.
'I don't believe a word he said!'
Gu Shuling bit her lower lip hard.
'Someone must have been pulling strings behind the scenes for this to happen.'
'I will find out the truth!'
'No matter the cost, I will clear my name and fight for my company's reputation!'
「...」
Ji Shengyue sat upon the solemn royal throne.
Before her stood twelve women, their expressions grave.
They were clad in priceless armor, every plate of which gleamed with a dazzling light.
These twelve women were the elite warriors Ji Shengyue had secretly trained for many years.
From the moment Ji Shengyue began preparing to fight for the throne, they had become the sharpest swords in her arsenal.
The resources consumed in their training over the years were enough to make any individual or faction in the Great Jing Empire despair of ever catching up.
Ji Shengyue had extremely high expectations for them, hoping they would become her capable aides in solidifying her position on the throne.
Now, Ji Shengyue's gaze swept over them one by one, her eyes glinting with anticipation and trust.
She spoke slowly, "The twelve of you were all personally trained by me.
Now, the time has come for you to step out from the shadows and into the spotlight.
Do not disappoint me."
Upon hearing her words, the twelve women dropped to one knee in unison, their heads bowed.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Their voices were perfectly synchronized.
Ji Shengyue nodded slightly, satisfied with their response.
She continued, "The eyes of countless people throughout the Great Jing Empire will be focused on you.
Chu He's existence has become a source of faith and pride for innumerable people in the Great Jing Empire.
But this time, I want you to personally shatter his legend and strip that halo from him completely.
Show everyone that anything he, Chu He, can do, the twelve of you can do as well."
Her words radiated a powerful determination and ambition, a desire to hold the fate of the entire Great Jing Empire in her hands.
"The legends of the future will be continued by you,"
Ji Shengyue went on. "And whether or not I can secure my throne depends entirely on you."
The moment she finished speaking, the twelve women replied in unison, "Rest assured, Your Majesty! We will not fail to meet your expectations!"
「...」
"Hello, everyone. I am a special correspondent for the Royal Family. From this moment on, I will be providing 24-hour, uninterrupted live coverage, presenting every detail of the Time Girl Group's journey from the Royal City to the Demon Cave.
To ensure absolute fairness, impartiality, and authenticity, we have also specially invited over thirty media outlets from across the country.
Once the twelve warriors of the Time Girl Group arrive at the Demon Cave, the continuous live broadcast will begin, allowing all the people of the Great Jing Empire to feel a solid sense of security!"
A woman in a professional uniform stood before the camera, microphone held tightly in her hand, and announced, "Today, our Queen has personally graced the departure ceremony with her presence."
With that, she followed the pre-arranged procedure, walking toward Ji Shengyue and raising the microphone to the Queen's lips.
"These twelve are all, without exception, King-level experts.
They are of the same rank as the former National Guardian War God, who neglected his duties. A single King-level expert is sufficient to guard the Demon Cave,
so what results will twelve King-level experts produce by entering the Demon Cave?
This time, I will ensure the Great Jing Empire is completely freed from the threat of the Demon Cave and the torment of the Evil Spirits. We will not only guard the Demon Cave, but we will eradicate it completely.
I hope the people will no longer blindly believe in the so-called National Guardian War God. I want to inform all my subjects that even without Chu He, we can still slaughter the Evil Spirits and guard the Demon Cave."
Having said this, Ji Shengyue proudly lifted her chin.
The King-level is the pinnacle for human Martial Artists. Any single one of them is powerful enough to face the strongest Evil Spirits.
Chu He is one such person.
And here we have a full twelve King-level Martial Artists!
Human Martial Arts is divided into ten grades in total, from First Grade to Ninth Grade Martial Artists.
First Grade is the lowest, and Ninth Grade is the highest.
Above Ninth Grade is the King-level!
In that moment, as the Queen of the Great Jing Empire, her peerless elegance and unmatched grace were on full display.
The people watching on television, on their phones, on their computers, and those present at the scene couldn't help but break into applause.
"Maybe what this Queen is doing is right."
"That speech really got my blood pumping! Even without Chu He, we can still kill Evil Spirits and guard the Demon Cave! The Great Jing Empire's strength has never come from just one person; it comes from all of us!"
"When I grow up, I want to be as amazing as the sisters in the Time Girl Group."
"Whoa... A whole twelve King-level Martial Artists!"
"Maybe our Great Jing Empire can really solve the Demon Cave problem for good!"