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When he went to see Song Xia, a minor episode occurred that left Song Ankang rather speechless.

The moment he arrived, Song Xia cautiously invited his father into a hidden underground study, then laid document after document before Song Ankang.

"Father, I've made a shocking discovery!" Song Xia's face was grave, and fear lurked deep in his eyes.

Song Ankang was taken aback. "What shocking discovery?"

"Our Human Race has been secretly brought under control!" Song Xia said gravely. "These are the materials I secretly investigated. They can prove everything I'm saying."

Song Ankang asked in surprise, "The Human Race has been secretly controlled? Which faction is controlling us?"

"If my deductions are correct, all of this should be connected to the Central Plains Merchant Alliance." Song Xia said worriedly, "The Central Plains Merchant Alliance is now the strongest commercial alliance in the Central Plains. Although it has become increasingly low-profile in recent years, I am certain that it has merely shifted much of its overt business underground. Not only has it not declined in the slightest, it has instead grown ever more enormous."

"Based on the information I've secretly had people investigate over the past several decades, our Human Race alone sends at least thirty percent of its resources and wealth into the Central Plains Merchant Alliance every year, where they vanish without a trace. The surrounding Merman Race, Angel Race, and Demon Boar Race are the same. Moreover, all of this has been concealed from most ordinary people. One can only imagine how formidable the black hand behind it all must be."

Song Ankang: "..."

Song Xia continued, "Not only that, I suspect that the Central Plains Merchant Alliance's demonic claws have already reached into those Fifth-Grade Earth Races. But my forces are too weak; at most, I