Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 1023 - 638: Interrogation

Chapter 1023: Chapter 638: Interrogation

Upon hearing this question, Sizi Jing’s gaze remained downcast, but his heartbeat involuntarily quickened.

Third Young Master’s question could be interpreted as a gesture of brotherly concern, but it could just as easily be seen as an inquiry into the Prime Minister’s inheritance rights.

After all, if the Eldest Young Master were to die, there would be no one left to compete with the Third Young Master for the "throne" of the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

The thought flickered through his mind, but Sizi Jing refrained from hastily jumping to conclusions. Choosing his words with care, he replied softly:

"In response to the young master, another party encountered the Jiantian Pavilion Master. It was only from Mr. Huang that I learned of this."

Xu Yuan felt a tinge of disappointment at this and said:

"So you don’t know either?"

Sizi Jing raised his eyes and observed Xu Yuan’s expression briefly before replying:

"If the young master wishes to know the inside story, you could use the Communication Crystal to contact Di’an."

Xu Yuan let out a faint snort, counting on his fingers with evident frustration as he said:

"I’d like to do that, but all the Black Scale Guards, Zhenxi Prefecture, Secret Investigation Department, and even the major merchant guilds in this area have basically been infiltrated by the sects. If the Communication Crystal has been tampered with, even using coded phrases in the conversation might risk exposure."

As he spoke, Xu Yuan sighed lightly:

"Alright, I’m done with my personal questions. There’s one more matter I need to trouble you with, Mister Sizi."

Sizi Jing’s expression turned grave at these words, and he cupped his hands in a salute:

"Please instruct me, young master."

Xu Yuan clasped his hands together, leaning them against the table, and gazed at Sizi Jing:

"Before coming to Xize State, Mu Qing held a critical position in the Capital Region Command. You’re quite familiar with him, aren’t you?"

Sizi Jing’s heart jolted for a moment. Weighing the pros and cons in an instant, he chose to speak honestly: "When we worked together, we considered each other confidants and close friends."

"Oh... Confidants and close friends?"

"Young master, Lady Lou Ji is well aware that I have always distinguished strictly between public and private matters." Sizi Jing swiftly clarified.

"....."

Xu Yuan smiled faintly at these words and interrupted with a wave of his hand: "You don’t need to be so tense. Even if I were to distrust you, do you think I could distrust Lady Lou Ji? Since you’re someone who separates personal and professional matters, this task happens to suit you perfectly. Until we’re done here, you will ensure that you keep an eye on Mu Qing."

"Keep an eye on him?" Sizi Jing echoed hesitantly.

Xu Yuan’s gaze turned sharper, carrying a hint of chill as he replied:

"How you do it is none of my concern. My only demand is that when the Saints attack the city, Mu Qing is incapable of doing anything."

Sizi Jing considered for a moment before speaking: "Are you concerned he might disrupt the formation from inside the city?"

Xu Yuan chuckled noncommittally: "Perhaps, or perhaps not. For now, I’ve kept him around mainly because he still holds knowledge of the Black Scale Guards’ resource routes in Xize State. Sustaining the Protective City Formation at full strength requires more than just a trivial amount of Source Crystals. That resource might prove to be of monumental value."

As he spoke, Xu Yuan seemed to recall something, and his tone lowered slightly, applying subtle pressure on Sizi Jing:

"Oh, and by the way, Mu Qing was seriously injured not long ago. If you still fail under these circumstances... then perhaps you and Mu Qing truly can only be confidants for life."

Sizi Jing’s expression did not falter in the slightest. Instead, the corners of his lips curved into a faint smile as he solemnly saluted:

"Rest assured, young master. I shall fulfill my duty without fail."

"Alright, you may leave now."

Xu Yuan gestured dismissively, yet Sizi Jing remained rooted in place, a trace of hesitation flickering across his face.

Seeing this hesitation, Xu Yuan furrowed his brows but then smiled and said:

"If this is about Xu Mengxi, there’s no need to mention it. Her life or death is of no concern to me."

"You misunderstand, young master. I wish to speak about the Eldest Young Master."

"Didn’t you say you were unaware of the matter?"

"I truly don’t know, but I’ve noticed some peculiarities that might provide insight."

"Speak."

"...."

Sizi Jing took a deep breath and quickly said:

"Before I arrived at Zhenxi Prefecture City, I communicated with Di’an City three times in total—once with the Prime Minister, once with Lady Lou Ji, and once with the Black Scale Guards Capital Region Deputy Director. I couldn’t gauge the thoughts of the Prime Minister or Lady Lou Ji, but the Deputy Director reported that conditions in Di’an remained normal."

A flicker of doubt crossed Xu Yuan’s gaze.

Seeing that the Third Young Master hadn’t caught on, Sizi Jing clarified directly:

"After the Second Young Master’s death, the Eldest Young Master inherited all his responsibilities. In recent years, these burdens have only grown. If something were to happen to the Eldest Young Master, it would undoubtedly cause massive upheaval within the Prime Minister’s Mansion."

...

...

...

"Creak—"

As the door closed, the Military Hub Hall returned to its eerie silence.

Staring in the direction Sizi Jing had departed, Xu Yuan leaned tiredly against the back of his chair. At that moment, a figure in black robes appeared almost instantaneously beside him.

Tian Ye gazed at his profile, her tone carrying a smile:

"It seems your elder brother is alive after all. The Jiantian Pavilion Master had no reason to spare him."

Xu Yuan looked weary, but his mood was noticeably better. Smiling, he said:

"Perhaps your pavilion master was afraid of being taken down in a mutual kill by Xu Changge."

"A mutual kill?"

Tian Ye’s golden eyes flickered with surprise. She perched on the table, crossing her legs, and murmured: "That night of your battle with the Golden-Haired Woman, I wondered what that aura was. So it really was your elder brother practicing the Karma Dao Charm..."

Her golden eyes narrowed slightly as she added: "But while the Karma Dao Charm is powerful, the Primordial Realm alone wouldn’t be enough to make the Jiantian Pavilion Master retreat."

Xu Yuan silently reminisced for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh:

"...Perhaps he has broken through to Mortal Transcendence. Alas."

Tian Ye seemed to sense the mix of joy and sorrow in Xu Yuan’s heart. Reaching out a slender hand, she patted his shoulder, smiling brightly as she said:

"If you want to vent your frustrations, I could always help you beat him up."