While night lay deep over Dayi, it was daytime in Ingolan. So when Ming Jue sent a telegram across the country and overseas late that night, condemning the Eastern Isles for breaking faith, Ingolan's cabinet ministers soon received word and gathered to discuss it.
In a conference room paved with black-and-white marble, Prime Minister MacDonald sat at the head of a boat-shaped table, with the other ministers seated along either side.
MacDonald looked grim. He rubbed his temples and said slowly, "I assume you've all read the telegram sent by Ming Jue, mayor of Shenghai City?"
Everyone nodded. Finance Minister Zhang Bolun spoke up. "Ueshiba Tsunemori, the Eastern Isles' Saint Warrior, attempted to assassinate Huang Tian, but failed. That's what the telegram says. We don't yet know why he failed; we'll have to wait for further intelligence."
"Ueshiba Tsunemori didn't act alone. The telegram also names a woman: Fatina. She has quite a reputation in the world of the Martial Path. She's always been erratic and ruthless, killing for sport at the slightest whim. With no family to restrain her, she's been a headache for every nation. I never expected her to go to Shenghai and help Ueshiba Tsunemori assassinate Huang Tian, only for both of them to fall." The war minister's face was grave. "Two Grand Knights attacked together, yet they couldn't take Huang Tian down. Instead, they were captured. It's unbelievable—"
Of the world's handful of Grand Knights, Fatina was the most active and had the foulest reputation. She was far too willful to consider the consequences of her actions. Whoever angered her, regardless of status, sex, or age, she killed to vent her rage. Many countries detested her for it.
"Could Huang Tian have developed another special weapon comparable to the nuclear bomb?" the interior minister wondered.