Conrad Vettwell stood on the bridge, his anxious expression becoming increasingly pronounced. The plan was about to be put into action, but now it faced unprecedented variables.
Lord Li Feng's arrival had made his meticulously planned rebellion falter. As a follower of Tzeentch, he knew that opportunities were fleeting and he had to find a breakthrough in the rapidly changing situation.
He gritted his teeth, calmed down, and further modified the plan to adapt to the current changes. Several of his traitorous subordinates were already in position, distributed at various key locations.
Once the rebellion began, they would quickly seize control of the bridge, engine room, and armory. However, Lord Li Feng's expedition fleet was anchored outside, a factor that made Conrad realize that even if he could control the situation on the ship, the battleships outside would directly lead his plan into a dead end.
Meanwhile, in the reception room, Lord Li Feng's conversation with Theodora continued. Lord Li Feng showed a certain patience and tolerance towards Theodora's proposal, smiling as he said, "Madam Theodora, I understand your concerns. Arabella's loyalty is indeed respectable, and it has given me a deeper impression of the Von Valancius Family's management."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Celestine's iron-like face, then added, "However, I hope you can understand my position. Sister Ajeta's joining will be a start, and if Arabella is willing to accept new challenges, I can offer him a broader space for development, allowing him to continue to utilize his talents."
Theodora pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Lord Li Feng, I will consider your suggestion. Sister Ajeta can be immediately assigned to you, and as for Arabella, I need time to discuss this matter with him. I hope he can make the decision that is best for himself."
Just as the two were about to conclude their conversation, Celestine suddenly raised her head, her eyes revealing a vigilant expression. She slowly walked behind Lord Li Feng, leaning close to his ear, her voice low and firm: "I sense the aura of corruption, right here on this ship."
Theodora heard this private whisper, her face showing surprise and unease. She turned to look at Lord Li Feng, her eyes full of inquiry.
Lord Li Feng did not hesitate, immediately standing up and looking around, saying: "Immediately conduct a security check, investigate all suspicious personnel and items. Also, I want to meet all the senior officials on your ship."
As Lord Li Feng's order was given, Sister Fides quickly led the Nuns into a state of alert, and Ajeta also joined the patrol team.
They split up and began to check various areas of the ship, searching for potential threats.
At this moment, Conrad on the bridge felt an invisible pressure enveloping him. He had not yet acted, but Lord Li Feng and Celestine's vigilance seemed to have disrupted all his arrangements.
He couldn't help but begin to wonder if Tzeentch was toying with him, leading him into an inescapable trap.
Throughout the Von Valancius merchant ship, a tense atmosphere quickly spread. Everyone felt an inexplicable threat, as if an invisible pair of eyes were secretly watching.
Conrad knew that he had to make a decision immediately: should he continue with this doomed rebellion, or find another way out to save himself?
...Bridge,
At this time, everyone on the spaceship gathered together; all those present were senior staff of the Von Valancius merchant ship. They all stood there, while Lord Li Feng, Celestine, and Theodora looked at all the senior staff in front of them.
They were: Vigdis, the Sound Array Master of the ship, Revo, the Chief Helmsman, Danlock, the Senior Advisor, Conrad, the Whisper Lord, and the Master, the Fire Control Master, and the Engine Prophet of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
At this moment, Fides returned with a Battle Sisters squad. Lord Li Feng noticed an unfamiliar face among the crowd; presumably, that was Sister Ajeta.
Fides then walked to Lord Li Feng's side, leaned her lips close to his ear, and whispered something... Lord Li Feng nodded after hearing it.
The surroundings were already surrounded by Battle Sisters. In fact, Lord Li Feng thought there was no need for the Battle Sisters to guard him; firstly, Lord Li Feng was immortal, and Celestine was also by his side. The entire merchant ship could be said to be surrounded by Celestine alone.
Lord Li Feng at this moment looked at the two heirs of the Von Valancius Family standing in the corner. One looked like he had death written all over his face, while the other was a beautiful young woman, looking very young, wearing a blue cloak and a short skirt, with long black hair.
Arabella knew that the Living Saint had said there were traces of corruption on the ship, so he naturally became extremely vigilant, looking left and right at the high-ranking officials on the ship.
Because the corruption of a warship always spreads from the high ranks downwards, someone around him must have already become a traitor... But just at this moment, Arabella watched as Lord Li Feng walked directly towards him.
"Me? Lord Li Feng suspects me of being a traitor?" Arabella thought to himself, but seeing Lord Li Feng getting closer and closer, Arabella naturally had already prepared a way to prove that he was not a traitor; he would die to show his integrity.
But Lord Li Feng walked past him, to the side of the Whisper Lord Conrad... "You're in charge of intelligence on the ship, aren't you?"
Conrad at this moment suppressed his trembling body, because he saw the long string of chains on Lord Li Feng's neck: Astra Militarum dog tags, Imperial Cult rosary beads, Adeptus Mechanicus pendant... "Yes, Your Excellency... I am Conrad Vettwell, the most loyal servant of the Von Valancius Family. I am at your service anytime, kaka (Your Excellency)!"
Lord Li Feng looked at the traitor in front of him, raising an eyebrow. Having played the game, he naturally knew that the person in front of him was a traitor. He wanted to see what tricks the traitor had up his sleeve, after all, this was a follower of Tzeentch, so he would play along with him.
"Take a few steps, let me see."
Hearing Lord Li Feng's words, Conrad also started walking: "Alright, Your Excellency, I'll take a few steps..."
"Walk with a mighty stride."
"Walk with a mighty stride!"
"Walk a thousand miles in a day."
"Walk a thousand miles in a day!"
"Walk as if a lifetime has passed."
"Walk as if a lifetime has passed!"
Looking at Conrad in front of him, Lord Li Feng felt that the young man was putting on quite a show, so he patted his shoulder, walked beside him, put his arm around him, and then pointed at everyone present, saying:
"Since you're in charge of intelligence, let me ask you... among these people, who do you think looks like a traitor?"
As soon as Lord Li Feng said this, everyone around gasped. Fides immediately pulled the bolt of her Bolter... Conrad was embraced by Lord Li Feng, and at this moment, he was like a chick held by the back of its neck. Everyone was looking at him... "Lord Li Feng... everyone is loyal, there shouldn't be any traitors, right?"
This answer was unexpected by Lord Li Feng. Lord Li Feng raised an eyebrow, looking like Robert De Niro in "Taxi Driver," because this kid had only said one truthful thing so far.
Yes, everyone is loyal... because that traitor is you, kid. But Lord Li Feng still decided to play a bit more; he finally understood why hunters liked to toy with their prey first.
"So, Mr. Conrad, are you saying that Miss Living Saint and I, we are both slandering you?"
"No, no, no! Lord Li Feng! Respected Saint Celestine! I absolutely did not mean that!"
Conrad felt so uncomfortable at this moment; he was caught between a rock and a hard place, whatever he said was wrong. There was no way out; if this continued, he would have to reveal himself as the wolf!
Just then, a Servitor slowly walked over from the background, carrying a bottle of wine. When Conrad saw the Servitor, he inwardly cried out: "It's over! I forgot to tell the Servitor to cancel the assassination mission!"
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