Let them offer their loyalty!-Chapter 1444 - 622: The Truth Behind the Northwest Turmoil

At this moment, Guan Xiao didn't seem to notice Qiu Tu's expression. She continued speaking.

"And it's not over yet. Even though the two major Sanctuaries are now at a standoff, they still harbor doubts about Lin Xi's one-sided statement."

"At this time, that fence-sitting clan of the Kou family discreetly moved a branch to the Third Sanctuary, seeking refuge."

"And that branch brought important information to the Third Sanctuary: not only did the Second Sanctuary recruit Lin Xi, but they also recruited the Kou family."

"When the Second Sanctuary assigned a mission to Lin Xi, the patriarch of the Kou family, Kou Xuan, was present. He personally heard the Second Sanctuary assign the mission to assassinate Shen Yuzhou."

"Because of this intelligence from the Kou family, the Third Sanctuary was furious, fully convinced of the Second Sanctuary's duplicity."

"Even if Kou Xuan stepped forward to clarify, saying he never told this information to the branch, nor did he hear the Second Sanctuary give Lin Xi any mission."

"However... everyone felt he was coerced by the Second and Fourth Sanctuaries to cover it up."

"As a result, the Third and Fourth Sanctuaries have now withdrawn from the 'Northwestern Region' and are facing off in the 'Southwestern Region.'"

Qiu Tu: ...

To be honest, having lived two lifetimes, Qiu Tu considered himself somewhat shrewd and calculating. Especially as his strength grew stronger, his thinking speed increased, so many conspiracies were crystal clear in his eyes.

But this major upheaval in the "Northwestern Region" almost caught him off guard.

He gestured to Guan Xiao to interrupt her continuation and then asked, "Are you saying... Lin Xi betrayed and defected to the Fourth Sanctuary?"

Guan Xiao nodded.

Qiu Tu said, "And with the Fourth Sanctuary's support, she invaded the Sixth Sanctuary and took over three of its states?"

Guan Xiao nodded again.

A thoughtful look appeared in Qiu Tu's eyes as he inquired, "Afterward, did Lin Xi openly sever ties with us and imprison Yanyan?"

Guan Xiao responded with a soft "Mm," her bright eyes sparkling at Qiu Tu.

Qiu Tu continued, "Then Feifei and the Eighth Sanctuary applied pressure, but Lin Xi remained unmoved?"

Guan Xiao acknowledged once more with a gentle "Mm."

For the first time, Qiu Tu slightly furrowed his brows, as if he had thought of something.

Then he said, "After that, Lin Xi advanced to the Sixth Rank on the battlefield and led experts to assassinate Shen Yuzhou?"

Guan Xiao nodded.

Qiu Tu's frown slowly eased, yet he continued to refine the key information, "And then, Lin Xi openly defected, revealing that everything was orchestrated by the Second and Fourth Sanctuaries?"

Guan Xiao nodded again. Then she spoke, "It was the Fourth Sanctuary trying to sell her out...."

Before Guan Xiao could finish, Qiu Tu waved his hand, interrupting her.

Then, Qiu Tu looked at Guan Xiao with a serious expression and said, "Minister Guan, you're flustered."

Guan Xiao was momentarily stunned.

Qiu Tu gently patted Guan Xiao's heavy left chest, feeling soft and tremulous.

Then he earnestly said, "There have been too many changes and events in recent days."

"You've lost the most basic quality of an intelligence worker: intelligence might be false, only.... 'Action' is real."

Qiu Tu advised, "All intelligence work can't be directly accepted; it must rely on 'action' from all parties to evaluate."

"It's not about what they say, but what they do."

Guan Xiao, who rose from a backgroundless, powerless, but beautiful and proactive chief to become Qiu Tu's right-hand woman, relied on her strong ability.

Recently, she was just a bit frazzled due to the magnitude of events. Hearing Qiu Tu's advice, she instantly calmed down.

She remained silent for two seconds, then responded, "Because... words might be false, but actions must be real."

Qiu Tu gave a slight nod.

Through his recent conversation with Guan Xiao, he had already roughly guessed the whole story. Only some minor details remained uncertain and needed further consideration.

So he began his analysis, "It's a fact that Lin Xi betrayed the Second and Fourth Sanctuaries."

"But the claim that the Second and Fourth Sanctuaries betrayed her is merely her one-sided statement."

"We cannot be sure if the truth aligns with what she said."

Guan Xiao, hearing this, couldn't help but curiously ask, "Then if the Second and Fourth Sanctuaries didn't betray her, why would she deliberately frame and offend these two Sanctuaries?"

Qiu Tu, upon hearing this, replied with a deep gaze, "That depends on her goals."

Qiu Tu analyzed, "Look... everything Lin Xi has done ultimately serves one purpose: to provoke conflict between the Second, Fourth, and Third Sanctuaries."

Qiu Tu said, "Whether publicly siding with the Fourth Sanctuary or colluding with the Kou family to drive away the Third Sanctuary, it's all about stirring conflict between the two major camps."

At this point, Qiu Tu paused and asked, "If I remember correctly, the Second and Third Sanctuaries share a very delicate relationship?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Guan Xiao nodded slightly and explained, "Yes."

"The Second and Third Sanctuaries were among the first Sanctuaries established."

"However, their circumstances and development paths have been entirely different."

"The Second Sanctuary was directly absorbed into the 'core area' when the 'Boundless Heart Sea' descended."