[Empire Log: A new faction has been established] [A new organization called the "Bloodline Sanctuary" has emerged within the Empire. This organization will dedicate itself to protecting the Empire's citizens through violence and attempt to expel any aliens within the Empire who threaten public safety. Their manifesto has begun circulating online and received a favorable response, demonstrating the prevalence of xenophobic sentiment within the Empire.] [We were all moved by their slogan: Fight for everything we hold dear!] [Xi Yan's annotation: Emperor Xiaochuan put them up to this. It has nothing to do with me, and I have never supported them in secret.]
In truth, Xi Yan had done it too.
Like the most inconspicuous specks of dust, Ashes Agents were everywhere. Over the past five years, they had infiltrated every aspect of the Empire.
The brother of Xie Wendong, founder of the Bloodline Sanctuary, was now its second-in-command-and an Ashes Agent who had gone undercover several years earlier.
This was the very fellow who had received Xi Yan's personal orders to organize an anti-alien civilian group.
There was nothing new under the sun and moon. Everything lay within Xi Yan's control. The Marshal's mighty influence was everywhere.
Xi Yan's plan had also become clear: he was deliberately supporting local resistance groups so they would resist the aliens of their own accord.
The Colony's local authorities were poorly positioned to act against these aliens. The aliens also possessed more advanced civilian technology, making them harder to catch when committing crimes. Even if caught red-handed, criminal charges against them would mostly come to nothing because foreign powers were involved.
And so, it was time for the all-powerful neighborhood watchdogs to take the stage!
That was Xi Yan's plan: mobilize the Colony's masses against them.
Soon, with support from every