Interlude: The Calm Before the Storm

The best way to dampen a trending topic is not to suppress it, but to distract the public with something even more explosive.

The imperial discourse, once turbulent due to the Lord of Blacklight's short videos, has gradually cooled. Now, the hottest topic is His Highness the Fifth Prince, Jaghatai Khan; almost every citizen has a bit of gossip to share about him.

After all, the Khala Network is the backyard of Blackwatch. Once they tracked down those little thieves who were pilfering from their own house, controlling public opinion became easier than executing a few planetary governors.

A Terra-month ago, Hogg realized he had been played by Pepe and immediately activated his dead-man's switch. Through a Rogue Trader who was forced to settle in Commorragh because his trade documents were signed by Horus, he leaked the dirt directly.

When the Legion Commander of the White Scars, Qin Xia, found Alicia, Blackwatch had already broadcast the footage. When questioned about why they didn't delete the video, they simply spread their hands and claimed they lacked the authorization—that was a matter for Hogg.

Furthermore, it wasn't just the Khan; the dirty laundry of almost every Primarch was aired out. Since no one was cleaner than the next, no one could afford to throw stones.

Seeing that the top headline on the Khala today was about his own alleged illicit intentions toward Emperor, Horus slammed his fist onto the table, causing the Council of Five Kings to tremble in fear, thinking their father had suffered another mental breakdown.

Seeing his father in a foul mood, the youngest, Loken, approached with a cup of black tea and asked:

"Father, why are you so angry? Our Luna Wolves have regained our glory; we can rebuild the Legion soon. You should be happy!"

"Happy? If