Let them offer their loyalty!-Chapter 1446 - 622: The Truth Behind the Northwest Turmoil

"So... they reached out to Lin Xi and the Kou family, seeking to cooperate in expelling the Third Sanctuary!"

Qiu Tu nodded slightly and then added, "If I'm not mistaken, the Kou family and Lin Xi had already begun to suspect the merger of the two major regions due to some of my actions."

"As a result, the Second Sanctuary presented themselves, allowing them to gain the last piece of the information puzzle. They thoroughly acquired this crucial intel."

Guan Xiao's eyes seemed a little lost, then she reasoned, analyzing,

"And because the 'core area' and 'edge region' are about to merge, the true era of great conflict is about to arrive."

"They can't keep to themselves as before, much less sit on the fence; they must choose a faction to join."

"After careful study and even discussion, they decided that neither the Second sanctuary nor the Third Sanctuary was a good option for allegiance."

"So...."

Saying this, Guan Xiao looked at Qiu Tu in shock.

Although this speculation seemed utterly absurd to her, after eliminating all possibilities, the one that's left, no matter how absurd, is likely true.

"Therefore... Speaker, did they ultimately choose you?"

Upon hearing Guan Xiao's words, Qiu Tu nodded slightly and said, "If we guessed correctly, perhaps this is the truth."

Guan Xiao fell silent for a moment...

Even though in her heart, Qiu Tu was the most promising person she had ever met, one had to admit that potential is not equivalent to strength.

Compared to the Second Sanctuary with its three Heavenly Kings, or the Third Sanctuary with the most comprehensive human arsenal and the largest nuclear arsenal, Qiu Tu was certainly too weak.

What enormity of courage did Lin Xi and Kou Xuan have to choose Qiu Tu in such circumstances?

Especially since both of them possessed such a vast foundation.

For a moment, Guan Xiao couldn't help but admire their desperate courage.

They both repeatedly lied or acted in this incident, be it Lin Xi or Kou Xuan. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Both the Second Sanctuary and the Third Sanctuary were thoroughly offended by them.

Once the 'core area' and 'edge region' merge, if Qiu Tu can't protect them, there would be only one dead-end waiting for them!

This was entirely handing their lives over to Qiu Tu.

More importantly... to make their act convincing, they indeed never communicated with Qiu Tu.

They even imprisoned Yanyan after Qiu Tu left the 'Northwestern Region' to exclude Qiu Tu from suspicion.

It was only because Qiu Tu was so resourceful and could unravel everything with a few words.

If Qiu Tu hadn't been so insightful, he might misunderstand the two and even directly consider them enemies...

Unless they had other backup plans?

Thinking this, Guan Xiao was stunned for a moment, then contemplated slightly before speaking, "Speaker, Yan Chen might have also been involved in this."

On hearing Guan Xiao's words, Qiu Tu looked at Guan Xiao, deliberately exclaiming, "Oh?" before asking, "What makes you say that?"

Guan Xiao said, "Even though you saw through Lin Xi and Kou Xuan's schemes immediately... But given Lin Xi and Kou Xuan's steadiness, they certainly wouldn't have placed all their hopes on you."

"So, they most likely found an intermediary as the final safeguard."

"To prevent them from being made enemies after all their efforts."

"And that person should be connected to both you and them. That can only be Yan Chen. Yan Chen has worked with you for years and is currently serving the court with Kou Xuan, and his daughter Yanyan is by Lin Xi's side."

"Moreover, Yan Chen is Yanyan's father. With Yanyan being captured, he should be the most anxious, needing to be informed in advance."

"Therefore, I believe Yan Chen likely played a role in conveying messages and as a last resort."

Pausing here, Guan Xiao added, "Besides... Yan Chen's current status in the entire 'Northwestern Region' is quite awkward."

"Now that the two major regions are to merge, he must choose a side. Even if he might not like you much... one has to admit, you might indeed be the best option."

On hearing Guan Xiao's words, Qiu Tu nodded slightly.

Guan Xiao's analysis aligned closely with his thinking.

This matter likely wasn't just Lin Xi and Kou Xuan's plan.

After all... given their previously antagonistic relationship, to suddenly cooperate so seamlessly would genuinely be difficult.

There must have been someone playing a lubricating role in this.

And this person must be connected to Yanyan and Qiu Tu's Four States group.

So... Yan Chen's name naturally emerged...

'Kou Xuan.... Lin Xi.... Yan Chen.....'

Chanting the three names in his heart, Qiu Tu couldn't help but smile....

One must say, these three individuals were the most strategically outstanding people he believed to be in the 'Northwestern Region'.

It's just, unfortunately, due to their remarkable strategic minds, they were not easily subdued. Additionally, these people once were Qiu Tu's enemies, causing consistent friction between them.

Unexpectedly... the fracture of the 'Isolation Mountains' and the pressure from the Second Sanctuary pushed them all toward Qiu Tu?

This was indeed a pleasant surprise.

Thinking this, having figured everything out, Qiu Tu slowly stood up.

Then he looked at Guan Xiao and said, "I need to meet Lin Xi."

"Some things, some words, still need to be discussed face to face...."

Just as Guan Xiao was about to remind Qiu Tu that he had already "left" the Northwestern Region, she reconsidered. By now, everyone had probably speculated about the fracture of the 'Isolation Mountains', so they had likely guessed that Qiu Tu hadn't left either.

Thinking this, she didn't say more, just bowed her head in agreement.....

"Yes."

...

Late at night. The nightfall was as dark as ink, pressing heavily against the earth, the cold wind like a blade, howling across the vast plains, producing a mournful wail.

Sixth Sanctuary, Youzhou.

The reformist's continuous military camp was looming in the dark, like a dormant giant beast, exuding a cold and majestic aura.

In the middle of the camp, in the main tent, Princess Xi was wearing military attire while looking at intelligence reports, her breathtakingly beautiful face filled with exhaustion. Her skin, once as fair as milk, seemed to have become a bit rough.

Unknowingly, a sudden gust of cold wind blew through, and the next moment, shadows around the tent gathered into a mass, then stood upright, transforming into a tall and unfamiliar black shadow.

Seeing the black shadow, Princess Xi wasn't particularly surprised. She lifted her head from the reports, looked at the black shadow, and then asked, "Qiu Tu?"

The black shadow chuckled at Princess Xi's words, then teasingly said, "Looks like the Princess has been thinking of me day and night."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Princess Xi snorted disdainfully, then teased back, "I just figured that apart from you, no one would be audacious enough to intrude into a princess's tent late at night."

Qiu Tu shrugged indifferently and said, "But didn't you invite me here?"