Li Shanhai watched Bai Cangmang coldly. Back then, when Great Qin suffered invasion from foreign empires, he had visited these ancient martial arts families one by one, seeking help.
He had knelt before people, begged like a beggar, and fulfilled any demand those families made, trying his utmost. At that time, he was more humble than the servants in those families.
However, the result that awaited him was a ruthless rejection, and he could only accept it with a smile.
This was because the power of the ancient martial arts families was too immense. If Great Qin were to offend them, it would face internal strife and external threats, leading to its swift demise.
What was even more detestable was that after Great Qin defeated the enemy, these ancient martial arts families coerced Great Qin into granting them numerous privileges. They forcibly seized half of the resources Great Qin had gained from defeating the enemy!
At that time, he endured it, and Great Qin endured it!
But now, Great Qin was no longer what it used to be. Currently, Great Qin was one of the top global powers, daring to challenge the hegemonic United States!
The Great Qin of today was not the Great Qin of the past!
He would not endure it any longer!
"All personnel of the War Department, listen to my order! Today, without my command, anyone who dares to forcefully enter the Dragon Palace Hotel will be killed without mercy!!"
Li Shanhai commanded coldly, looking at Bai Cangmang with fearless eyes, and then continued.
"Bai Cangmang, the past is the past, and the present is the present. The Dragon King Hall is an ally of Great Qin, and my Great Qin has never had the habit of betraying allies! Nor do we have the practice of standing by and watching friends in distress!"
"I told you to retreat, and you must retreat! Otherwise, you can try it! See if your Bai family's clan soldiers are more formidable, or my War Department's brave men!"
"Great Qin fears nothing!!" As Li Shanhai's words fell, thousands of War Department soldiers behind him collectively roared. Every soldier was filled with fighting spirit, staring intently at the Bai family members, as if they would slaughter all the enemies before them at Li Shanhai's command!
Bai Cangmang was startled by Li Shanhai's tough stance, but then his expression turned grim. He gritted his teeth and said.
"Li Shanhai, have you thought about the consequences of doing this? The War Department is not your personal War Department! Does the Qin Lord know about your decision?"
"I believe you should be aware that on this land, no dynasty is eternal, but our ancient martial arts families have always endured!"
"This is a rule since ancient times, and now, do you want to break this rule? Are you not afraid that Great Qin will change its name in the future?"
"Presumptuous!!" Upon hearing this, Li Shanhai's face was filled with murderous intent. He stared intently at Bai Cangmang, his heart brimming with anger. Bai Cangmang dared to say such words in front of him, which was a provocation to Great Qin's rule, and showed utter disregard for the Great Qin Empire. How could this not infuriate him?
"Bai Cangmang! Do you want to die?"
"Kill!" Thousands of War Department soldiers assumed combat stances, ready to attack at any moment.
"Heh heh!" Bai Cangmang glanced at Li Shanhai with apprehension, a flash of anger and unwillingness in his eyes. His current forces were no match for Li Shanhai, and he wouldn't throw his life away foolishly. However, his heart was already filled with hatred for Li Shanhai.
"Li Shanhai, I hope you don't regret your decision today!"
Bai Cangmang said mockingly, then turned and left with his men.
This scene quickly reached the eyes of the patriarchs of various great families. They were deeply shocked and filled with dread for the future. Bai Cangmang actually disregarded Li Shanhai and even uttered such treasonous words about changing dynasties.
Are the ancient martial arts families truly that terrifying? They had initially thought they were just families with a long history, but now it seemed they were more like unseen puppet masters controlling a nation's destiny!
At this moment, no one dared to discuss or speak out, because they were afraid, a fear they had never felt before.
The Bai family returned in defeat, full of anger, but at the same time, Bai Cangmang exaggerated Li Shanhai's attitude to the family.
Li Shanhai wants to eradicate the ancient martial arts families!!
In almost an instant, all the hidden ancient martial arts families of Great Qin learned of this news, and they were all furious.
In their eyes, the current Great Qin was merely the Great Qin they had supported, and it was precisely because of their support that Great Qin had become strong.
But now, a commander of the War Department dared to attempt to provoke their status. This was simply audacious.
Throughout the night, countless phone calls flooded the Great Qin Nation Lord's office, all of them scolding him and questioning Li Shanhai's words.
Some impatient individuals even demanded that the Great Qin Nation Lord replace Li Shanhai and have their own people take his position.
Concurrently, provincial governors in various regions of Great Qin and important figures in various departments all issued requests to remove Li Shanhai from his position as War Department Commander.
At this moment, people finally realized the terrifying extent of the ancient martial arts families' influence; they had, in an invisible way, permeated every aspect of the Great Qin Empire.
In response to this, the Great Qin Nation Lord remained silent. He could not respond, because any statement from him would represent Great Qin's stance.
Just after hanging up the Great Qin Nation Lord's call, Li Shanhai clenched his fists tightly. Although he believed he had obtained all the information regarding the ancient martial arts families' infiltration, after today's events, he realized that what he had previously possessed was far from enough.
Great Qin would not be controlled!!
Li Shanhai murmured inwardly. The Nation Lord was temporarily bearing all the pressure for him, granting him full authority. But if he failed, he would have to sacrifice himself for Great Qin.
"This must succeed! The ancient martial arts families must be eliminated!" Li Shanhai roared internally. Great Qin needed a clean and fair environment, not a deformed situation where privileges ran rampant and families were supreme.
His phone rang again, and Li Shanhai quickly checked it. It was Li Xiaotian.
"Hello, Mr. Li."
"Lord Li, it seems you are under a lot of pressure this time," Mr. Li said in a relaxed tone.
"Mr. Li, alas, there's no choice. Some things must be done by someone," Li Shanhai sighed, his heart filled with helplessness.
"I heard they want to replace you as commander? Do you need me to help?" Li Xiaotian asked. Li Shanhai's determination this time was partly due to their influence.
Li Xiaotian's conflict with Bai Hao served as a trigger. Li Shanhai had always wanted to deal with the ancient martial arts families but lacked the strength. With Li Xiaotian's enmity with the Bai family, cooperation with the Dragon King Hall, and a deep conversation between the two, Li Shanhai finally made his decision.
"Mr. Li, what are your plans? The Bai family will surely send more forces to deal with you. If your forces are all in the war zone, then..."
"Alright, you don't need to worry about my side. Since we're doing this, let's make it big," Li Xiaotian interrupted Li Shanhai, speaking with a slight chill in his tone.