Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 1022 - 637: Speculation

Chapter 1022: Chapter 637: Speculation

"Commander Lu, Commander Lu, wait... please wait a moment. The Military Hub Hall does not permit unauthorized entry..."

"Where is Zhan Xian’an?! I want to see that bastard right now!"

"Ah, please don’t make things hard for a humble servant. Commander Zhan suddenly raised a battle formation; there must be a reason. Please wait for a while..."

"You sound like a damned eunuch! Get out of my way! Zhan Xian’an, ten of my brothers died inexplicably; hurry up and come out to give me an explanation!"

"....."

When Sizi Jing followed Huang Shiwei to the Military Hub Hall, a burst of commotion resonated through the half-open courtyard gate.

Peering through the gap, one could see that the courtyard was already filled with more than ten people dressed in military attire.

Sizi Jing could recognize almost everyone there. Apart from the few civil officials standing at the entrance of the hall, the rest were high-ranking officers of Zhenxi Prefecture.

Among them, the man daring enough to curse Zhan Xian’an so blatantly was Commander Lu Bozou of the Xuanting Army in the Second Town of Zhenxi Prefecture.

Five divisions make a battalion, two battalions make an army, and depending on the controlling faction’s circumstances, a town can consist of anywhere from two to five armies. The Second Town of Zhenxi Prefecture was of medium size, comprising three armies, with the Xuanting Army as its elite force, nearly fully staffed.

Recalling this information in his mind, Sizi Jing furrowed his brows and glanced at Huang Shiwei, seeking clarification regarding the situation in the courtyard.

"This was the Young Master’s intention. The Commandery Princess remains unsure of who within Zhenxi Prefecture is loyal to her and who has defected to the sects. She can only use this opportunity to observe the reactions of the officers below and make a rough judgment."

Huang Shiwei explained in a low tone, then sighed quietly, "The situation here is worse than you imagined. Not only has Zhenxi Prefecture been infiltrated by the sects to the point of being as porous as a sieve, but even the Director of the Black Scale Guards in Xize State has been turned."

Sizi Jing’s eye twitched involuntarily upon hearing this:

"Mu Qing?"

"Yes, the Young Master confirmed it himself."

"Well... I was thinking of catching up with him when I meet the Young Master."

"It’s irrelevant; the Young Master currently has no intention of removing him."

"...." Sizi Jing rolled his eyes.

Getting entangled with a dying person’s karma truly seemed unnecessary.

However, combining the intelligence Huang Shiwei had shared with him, he felt it was time to start preparing to retreat.

Since the sects had placed such heavy bets here, the logical move would be an immediate withdrawal. Prime Minister’s Mansion had already passed the phase where survival required taking big risks; there was no need to continue gambling in this manner.

Unfortunately, with the Third Young Master here, the decision-making was out of his hands.

Sighing lightly in his heart, Sizi Jing muttered:

"If we barged in now, it might disrupt the Young Master’s plan. Should we wait outside for a moment?"

Huang Shiwei glanced askance at Sizi Jing and replied:

"Who told you the Military Hub Hall only has a front gate?"

"....."

"....."

The Military Hub Hall was a courtyard with three nested sections. Its interior design was less reminiscent of a martial encampment and instead resembled a refined scholar’s library.

With waterside pavilions and elegant terraces, the atmosphere was serene and composed.

Entering through the back gate, it didn’t take long for Sizi Jing to reach the base of a three-story building with curved eaves alongside Huang Shiwei.

The door was slightly ajar, not completely shut, as if the people inside were already aware of their arrival.

Staring at the partly open wooden door, Sizi Jing couldn’t help but furrow his brows.

The scent of incense was heavy inside; even before stepping into the room, a floral fragrance reminiscent of jasmine flooded his nostrils. However, beneath the aroma lingered a faint trace of blood.

There was likely a corpse inside.

When the Young Master’s voice granted permission, Sizi Jing entered and confirmed his earlier suspicion.

A silk-embroidered screen painted with a mountain riverscape divided the hall in two. At the foot of the screen lay remains—a mutilated corpse strewn across the floor.

The body appeared crushed with immense force from top to bottom, leaving it a grotesque amalgam of flesh and bone, rendering identification impossible.

Yet, recalling the details Huang Shiwei had shared along the way, the identity of this pile of remains was already clear.

The Third Young Master had silently and decisively disposed of Zhan Xian’an, the head of military and political affairs in Zhenxi Prefecture City.

Surging emotions rumbled in Sizi Jing’s heart, leaving him momentarily uncertain of how to respond.

Before arriving, Sizi Jing had entertained thoughts of persuading the Third Young Master to leave. But now, with the appearance of this corpse, it was evident the Third Young Master had resolved to tread the darkest path.

Suppressing his thoughts, Sizi Jing joined Huang Shiwei in bowing respectfully from outside the screen towards the figure within:

"Third Young Master."

From behind the screen, a voice tinged with amusement responded:

"No need for formalities. Speaking from behind a screen was Zhan Xian’an’s preferred habit. Since he is now dead, you may enter directly."

Upon hearing this, Huang Shiwei and Sizi Jing circled around the screen and took in the scene inside.

There were two occupants in the hall.

Both were situated behind the desk—one standing and the other seated—clearly delineating their respective roles.

With a cursory glance, Sizi Jing identified the pair’s identities.

The woman was undoubtedly the Commandery Princess of Zhenxi Prefecture, while the unfamiliar-faced man was surely the disguised Third Young Master.

After a brief hesitation, Sizi Jing hadn’t yet spoken when the man standing beside the authoritative and spirited woman calmly addressed them:

"Mr. Huang, I need you to go with Jun Wu to the front hall and dismiss the officers, instructing them to prepare for battle. Jun Wu will oversee the arrangements, while you need only reveal your cultivation at the appropriate moment."

Huang Shiwei immediately responded without asking further questions, bowing slightly:

"Understood."

Xu Yuan lightly patted Li Junwu on the shoulder and whispered:

"I’ve shared all my analyses with you. Based on your judgment, determine which officers are loyal to your family. Time is of the essence, so act quickly."

Upon hearing this, Li Junwu slightly curled his lips but said nothing, directly rising to lead Huang Shiwei out of the hall.

Watching the pair leave, Sizi Jing abruptly broke the silence in the now quiet hall:

"Third Young Master, are you planning to secretly support the Commandery Princess in taking over the Marquis of Zhenxi’s Mansion?"

Turning back, Xu Yuan scrutinized Sizi Jing for a moment, then chuckled:

"I’ve been transparent about my intent to assist her ascension. Why speak of it as secretive, Mr. Sizi?"

Sizi Jing bowed his head, understanding the Young Master’s determined stance, and sighed inwardly:

"...My lack of foresight."

Xu Yuan settled into Li Junwu’s chair and asked casually:

"Mr. Sizi, you must’ve noticed the situation in the front courtyard earlier. What do you think of Commander Lu Bozou—can he be trusted?"

Sizi Jing’s eyes flickered briefly before he responded evasively:

"Though the Marquis of Zhenxi rose from the troops, for him to have achieved this stature, he must have refined methods of managing his subordinates."

Xu Yuan chuckled and squinted:

"Your words... they might as well say nothing at all."

Sizi Jing showed a trace of embarrassment, but the brief exchanges allowed him to form an impression of the Third Young Master’s character. He proceeded to analyze:

"Commander Lu appears to have conflicting interests with Zhan Xian’an, but if he were truly an agent of the Marquis’s direct lineage, he shouldn’t reveal it so overtly, at least not in open defiance."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan’s eyes gleamed with intrigue:

"An astute observation. Such transparent resistance would surely chill the hearts of those loyal to him. So, are you implying that the officers defending Zhan Xian’an are the ones loyal to the Marquis of Zhenxi?"

Sizi Jing lowered his gaze and offered a bow:

"The information remains unclear; I dare not make definitive claims. I beg your pardon, Young Master."

Xu Yuan tapped the desk lightly, observing Sizi Jing’s reluctance to involve himself in the matter, and didn’t press further. Instead, he said:

"Never mind, I won’t trouble you. The reason I called you here was to ask you something."

Sizi Jing raised his eyes to study Xu Yuan’s expression, then responded softly:

"Please ask, Young Master. I will answer honestly."

Xu Yuan remained silent for a long while before asking in a calm voice:

"I hear your forces split into two groups to pursue Qin Weishu. The other group reportedly encountered the Jiantian Pavilion Master. Xu Changge—that fellow—is likely still alive, isn’t he?"