The Shining Star Above The Heaven
Chapter 1200: Convincing the General
General Bai and the four guild masters felt astonished hearing Aldrian's words. Even the eleven heroes raised their eyebrows hearing it.
They knew that Red Moon Guild was the strongest guild in China.
How could they have offended this man to the point he wanted them to fall?
As for Bai Cangming, he did not think too much about Aldrian seeming to dislike Red Moon Guild. When Aldrian asked him to allow the other big guilds except Red Moon Guild to enter, he had already understood that Aldrian did not like them.
Was it related to the news he heard a few days ago about Aldrian killing a member of Red Moon Guild in Shanghai? Maybe.
But he did not care whatever the reason was. If Aldrian asked him to antagonize Red Moon Guild or anyone else, then he would do so without question.
If the Great Emperor wanted to destroy an organization like Red Moon Guild, then he would support him.
"My apologies, Your Excellency, but why would you want Red Moon Guild to fall? Is it related to the rumor that you killed one of their members in Shanghai?" General Bai asked.
"Well, let's just say I simply do not like them, especially their guild master, Wei Zhenyuan. I want them to disappear, and I am telling all of you this now as an announcement. This is something that will happen, and I will make sure it happens," Aldrian replied.
The others felt their hearts shake hearing those words. He wanted one of the strongest guilds in China to fall simply because he did not like them?
Suddenly, Master Gao stood from his seat and gave a slight bow.
"The China Hunter Association will support Your Excellency. If you want Red Moon Guild to disappear, then I am willing to become the person who brings about their fall."
Another wave of shock swept through the room.
General Bai quickly spoke.
"Wait, Leader Gao, why are you suddenly…"
He stopped before quickly turning toward Aldrian again.
"Wait, Your Excellency, my apologies, but could you reconsider? Red Moon Guild is the strongest guild in China, and their influence is immense. If they fall, there will be many domino effects."
Aldrian did not change his expression.
"I know there will be consequences from their fall, but I do not see why I should stop. What I care about is their downfall, and I will make sure it happens within a week."
"We from Red Dragon Guild will support Your Excellency, and we are also willing to take part in the fall of Red Moon Guild."
Suddenly, Guo Zhenyu's voice resounded through the room, causing General Bai's eyes to widen.
Guo Zhenyu's eyes showed eagerness, as though he had already been waiting for this day to come.
"We from Iron Heart Guild will also support Your Excellency and provide anything necessary for the downfall of Red Moon Guild," Gang Lie said.
"We from Golden Lion Guild also…"
The rest of the guild masters also voiced their support, leaving General Bai stunned. He looked at them with astonishment.
"You… do you understand what will happen if Red Moon Guild falls? There could be an uproar, even chaos! What about the people and the higher-ups supporting them?" he asked urgently.
"Their fall will indeed cause some chaos. I do not doubt that," Guo Zhenyu replied. "But we can minimize it with public support. General Bai should already know about their shady activities behind the scenes, right? The kind that could turn the public against them. We can use those to make them public enemies and ensure their downfall."
"This might not work if only one guild acts alone, but if we unite, then the fall of Red Moon Guild is a certainty."
"I agree with Guild Master Guo Zhenyu. Although this may cause chaos for a while, things will be better in the long run after the fall of Red Moon Guild," Ba Feng, the guild master of Golden Lion Guild, said.
General Bai gritted his teeth. These people were clearly taking advantage of the situation. There was probably no party happier about the fall of Red Moon Guild than the other big guilds, especially Red Dragon Guild.
He naturally knew many of the things Red Moon Guild had done behind the scenes, and he also knew many of those actions would turn public opinion against them.
But that was exactly why their fall would cause an uproar and chaos. Too many people would be dragged down together with them if they collapsed. The country itself might truly descend into chaos.
He could not allow that to happen!
"Do you understand the consequences of their fall? The country could descend into chaos! They have connections with many high-ranking people within the government, and even the president himself holds a favorable view of them," General Bai said angrily.
"Let's say public opinion turns against them and they fall. What about those politicians? Do you think they will quietly go down together with Red Moon Guild? What will happen to the people's trust in the government? They will lose faith in it, and that could even invite a civil war!"
He then turned toward Bai Cangming with a disappointed expression.
"You should already understand these consequences as well, so why are you supporting this, Leader Gao? The effects would be catastrophic. Don't you want this country to maintain its peace?"
But Bai Cangming only shrugged.
"I think you misunderstand me, General Bai. I never said anything about maintaining peace at all costs or anything like that. Of course I support the people living peacefully, but if there is a chance for a greater good, then I will support it," he said.
"I believe the fall of Red Moon Guild will create something better for the people in the long run. All of us already know about their dirty activities, and General Bai should understand as well that if they continue growing stronger until they stand at the absolute peak of China, then they will only rot this country from the inside instead."
"The only thing making them maintain that docile face is the Hunter Association, or more specifically, me. Not even you can control them, General Bai, and you should know that. That arrogant man, Wei Zhenyuan, does not even show respect to SSSS-rank hunters."
"If not for my presence, even the president would eventually have to obey him because of the power he wields, and in the end, you would also need to obey him, General. Do you want that to happen? If you want to watch this country slowly rot from the inside, then be my guest."
Bai Cangming paused.
He could see General Bai looking conflicted, his fists tightly clenched. He understood that with General Bai's military background, the way he viewed the country's condition and how he responded to it was different from himself.
With his military background, hierarchy was absolute. He served under the government, and the highest authority still rested in the hands of the president.
The stability of the country was the most important thing, even if some ordinary people had to be sacrificed for it.
But Bai Cangming did not have those kinds of constraints. If he wanted to flip this country upside down, then he would do it, especially if it was what Aldrian wanted.
"You may want this country to maintain its current peace, but even now it is already slowly rotting because of those corrupt politicians and Red Moon Guild, who can do whatever they want behind the scenes. The people suffering the most are the powerless ones who have already become their victims," Bai Cangming continued.
"They can do nothing other than swallow their anger and hope for change. And right now, that chance has arrived. There is no better opportunity than this to bring Red Moon Guild down."
"The threat of the gates has already been greatly reduced. With the disappearance of the Monster World Gate, even if we erase Red Moon Guild, we can still handle the remaining problems on our own. The country would also be saved from future destruction from within."
"Do you want to keep the country like this, or do you want to change this country into something better?"
Bai Cangming then fell silent.
General Bai gritted his teeth, his fists still clenched tightly. His expression clearly showed struggle and hesitation, but Bai Cangming did not rush him. He understood that the general needed time to decide.
As a military man who had served for hundreds of years, it was not easy for him to suddenly change what he had believed in for so long.
But with the pressure at this moment, Bai Cangming hoped the general could make his decision faster.
However, if he became a stubborn old man, then there would be no other choice.
Bai Cangming's eyes glistened coldly. He would consider General Bai his enemy if he dared to stop any effort to bring down Red Moon Guild.
The Great Emperor's will had to be fulfilled.
The four guild masters also listened silently, but their expressions did not change much. For them, as long as Red Moon Guild fell, then that was enough.
They had disliked Red Moon Guild being the strongest guild for a long time, and this was the perfect chance to drag them down.
After several moments of silence filled with struggle, General Bai finally loosened his clenched fists before releasing a deep sigh.
He then looked at Bai Cangming before turning toward Aldrian.
"Alright… I understand."