768. Denouncing the Angel Family

Commander of the Southern Legion, patriarch of the Holy Angel Family, member of the Federal Parliament's presidium, and general of the Southern Legion.

His back was ramrod straight, his head held high, and there was no expression on his face. Even though he had been trussed up and brought in, his steps remained steady and powerful, each one landing solidly, his military boots striking the floor with dull thuds. His eyes were sharp as an eagle's. He swept his gaze around the hall, then fixed it on the podium, a trace of disdain flashing through his eyes.

Chen Xinjie walked beside Yue Zhengen, one hand resting on his shoulder, his face wearing that signature old-crinkled-chrysanthemum smile. He wore a dark blue robe embroidered with hidden patterns of waves and anchors, and the golden anchor badge on his shoulder gleamed under the lights. His steps were brisk, and his mouth kept chattering nonstop.

"Zhengen, just soften up a little to the Grand President. Isn't it great to be like me? So what if the legion's gone? As long as the family's still there, that's enough!"

Chen Xinjie advised him with earnest intentions, his voice so fawning it sounded as if he were coaxing a child. His hand patted Yue Zhengen's shoulder, neither too hard nor too light, carrying a kind of old-friend intimacy.

Yue Zhengen stopped, shook off Chen Xinjie's hand from his shoulder, turned around, and glared at him with eyes wide in fury. His eyes bulged round, his eyeballs almost popping out of their sockets, the muscles on his face twitching and his beard trembling.

"You want me to bow my head to a junior who seized power by force? Pah! Chen Xinjie, it looks to me like the older you get, the weaker your knees become! My Holy