Perfect Villain Life: Universal Job Change
Chapter 167

Chapter 167: The Gathering of the Three Giants  

Wen Yu…  

The moment her name was mentioned, the gathered high-ranking officials exchanged knowing glances.  

They all understood—the Military Department was about to seize this opportunity to take down Wen Yu, the Supreme Commander of the Eastern Military.  

After all, the hostile relationship between the Military Department and the Eastern Military Headquarters was no secret in the Empire’s political landscape.  

The Military Department had previously tried to assert control over the Eastern Military by installing a Deputy Chief of Staff.  

But the result? That Deputy Chief of Staff held zero authority, was ignored by the entire Eastern Military, and wasn’t even notified of major meetings.  

For several months, he did nothing but drink tea in his office before quietly resigning and returning to the Military Department in shame.  

And now, with the [Void Hunting Trial] turning into the worst disaster in Imperial history, the opportunity had finally come.  

This incident was even worse than the infamous K77 Massacre. Back then, K77 saw the destruction of multiple legions, but it had occurred on the Void Frontlines, far from the Empire’s core territories.  

For most civilians, it was just another war casualty, a tragedy they heard about in the news before quickly moving on.  

But this? This was a Void invasion, in the heart of the Empire’s capital, with unprecedented casualties.  

The shockwave of this incident was far more devastating than the K77 Massacre, even shaking the Empire’s global reputation.  

Whoever took the blame for this… was doomed. And that person would be Wen Yu.  

For a moment, everyone fell silent, their minds racing. If Wen Yu fell, who would take her position as Supreme Commander of the Eastern Military?  

And more importantly—how would this shift the balance of power in the Empire?  

A terrifying aura suddenly descended upon the battlefield. Everyone turned, only to see Qin Ming, the Empire’s Chief Executive, arriving with his entourage of high-ranking officials.  

His Level 89 power was immensely oppressive, causing even the most powerful figures to feel an instinctive fear.  

“Chancellor!”  

The gathered officials and generals immediately straightened their postures and saluted.  

These individuals were powerful in their own right, each one commanding authority over various sectors of the Empire.  

But compared to Qin Ming, their influence paled in comparison. Some of them were even loyal vassals of the Qin Family.  

And Qin Ming wasn’t alone. A moment later, another colossal figure arrived—Fang Ji, the Grand Marshal of the Military Department, had also descended upon the scene, walking alongside Qin Ming.  

Fang Ji was the first among the generals, a legendary warrior and one of the only Legendary-ranked combatants in the Imperial Military.  

In terms of power and political influence, he was ranked third in the Empire, second only to Regent Lu Ji and Qin Ming.  

For years, Fang Ji and Qin Ming had remained in a delicate state of alliance and rivalry. But now, they had arrived together. This was no ordinary visit.  

The moment the officials saw this, their expressions changed drastically.  

Could it be…?  

Had the Military Department and the Qin Family officially joined forces?  

If that were the case, then the second most powerful man and the third most powerful man in the Empire had formed an alliance. Even Regent Lu Ji would have to tread carefully.  

“What’s the situation? Has the crisis been contained?” Qin Ming’s voice was calm but heavy, carrying an undeniable authority.  

The Imperial Minister of Police, Jiang Hao, immediately responded.  

“The Void rifts have all been sealed, and the invading Void creatures have been eliminated.”  

“Casualties?” 

Jiang Hao hesitated before answering, “Severe… initial estimates indicate over 6,400 dead.”  

The moment those words left his mouth, Qin Ming’s face darkened in fury.  

“A disaster of this scale, occurring right at the Empire’s doorstep… This must be investigated thoroughly. Every responsible party must be held accountable!”  

At his words, the atmosphere seemed to drop several degrees. Jiang Hao and Security Council Chairman Zhou Xingkong visibly tensed up.  

Because if they were being honest, both of them bore responsibility for failing to prevent this invasion.  

Fang Ji, meanwhile, turned his gaze toward Li Yinglong, his expression cold.  

“Vice Minister Li, you were present during the trial. And yet, such a catastrophe unfolded under your watch… What exactly were you doing?” Though his words were harsh, Li Yinglong remained completely unfazed.  

Bowing slightly, he spoke with calm composure, “Chancellor, Grand Marshal… While I was indeed present, the [Void Hunting Trial] was personally overseen by Eastern Military Commander Wen Yu.”  

“I held no direct authority over the trial, nor could I intervene. Everything was under the Eastern Military’s jurisdiction.”  

At that moment, everyone understood what was happening. The Military Department was making its move. They were officially launching their attack on Wen Yu.  

Just as the air grew tense, a voice rang out, “The Regent has arrived!”  

All heads turned to see Lu Ji, the Empire’s Regent, descending upon the scene. His towering presence exuded absolute authority, and his expression was grim.  

Seeing Lu Ji himself arrive sent a shockwave through the crowd. For years, Lu Ji had governed from the shadows, rarely appearing in public.  

But now, he had personally come. This proved just how deeply this incident had shaken the Empire’s leadership.  

“Greetings, Regent!” 

Aside from Qin Ming and Fang Ji, every official present bowed in respect. Regardless of their political allegiances, Lu Ji was the acting ruler of the Empire.  

Even those who secretly opposed him had to show deference. But deep inside, every person present felt the weight of the moment.  

The three most powerful men in the Empire— The Regent, the Chancellor, and the Grand Marshal—had gathered in one place.  

This level of confrontation… hadn’t been seen in years.  

Lu Ji’s gaze swept across the battlefield, his expression turning even darker. The corpses, the ruined landscape, the tragedy of the fallen—  

He could tell, at a glance, that the situation was even worse than he had imagined.  

Then, his gaze fell upon Qin Ming and Fang Ji, standing together. A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.  

These two… had clearly formed an alliance. And there was no doubt about who their target was. Wen Yu was in grave danger. 

Even so, Lu Ji had already made up his mind. He would not allow them to destroy Wen Yu completely. At the very least—he would ensure she was not exiled.