Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 1034 - 644: Defection

Chapter 1034: Chapter 644: Defection

Certainly. Below is the English translation of the provided text:

Xu Yuan’s self-introduction did not stir any waves among the soldiers in the army below.

Let alone knowing Xu Yuan, most of the soldiers had no clear understanding of the entirety of the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

To these soldiers fighting on the Western Frontier, the Imperial Capital’s halls of power are far too lofty and distant.

Their only way to learn about the Prime Minister’s Mansion would likely be through the hearsay of traveling merchants, recounting tales of the outrageous influence wielded by that treacherous Prime Minister.

Now that the child of that treacherous Prime Minister has appeared, it hardly stirred any real reaction among them.

But just because the soldiers didn’t understand, doesn’t mean the officers were equally ignorant.

Some whispered discussions quietly flowed from their mouths into the army below.

"The legitimate son of the Prime Minister’s Mansion... is that Xu Changge?"

"A relative of mine in the Imperial Capital sent word before, saying Xu Changtian had supposedly died last year. It must be him."

"If that’s the case, then the Commandery Princess’s information originated from the Prime Minister’s Mansion?"

"If the Saint’s siege is tied to the Prime Minister’s Mansion, then the entire matter becomes much clearer."

"What nonsense are you spouting! The Prime Minister’s Mansion harbors treasonous intent. Xu Changge’s arrival here is certainly to drag Zhenxi Prefecture onto their treacherous ship!"

"Marquis Qu Chang’s words make sense. The Commandery Princess was personally close to Xu Changtian, that profligate son of the Prime Minister, back in Di’an, most likely manipulated by the Prime Minister’s Mansion."

"And what about Commander Lu’s earlier claims about the Qilin Wolf and Great Desert Goddess?"

"If Commander Lu acted this way, he must have his reasons."

"We’ve followed Commander Lu through life-and-death battles for decades, and now you dare doubt him?"

"Just moments ago, didn’t the Commandery Princess activate the formation? That snow-white wolf that killed Military Advisor Wen—if that isn’t the Qilin Wolf, then what is it?"

"This Xu Changge acts truly recklessly...."

"...."

"...."

On the Xuanwu Platform,

Listening to the faint whispers from the army below, Xu Yuan’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

That surname Wen didn’t lie to him; it seemed the entirety of Zhenxi Prefecture City was indeed filled with their people.

Oh, wait, that’s not entirely correct.....

Zhenxi Prefecture had indeed been infiltrated, but if every single person were a traitor to that extent, the Marquis of Zhenxi would likely have long passed away from illness.

Thinking this, Xu Yuan’s gaze swept across the army formation below, shaking his head imperceptibly.

The people below were mostly fence-sitters.

Once again, his gaze fell upon the armored elder before him.

As their eyes met, Xu Yuan expected to see something resembling smugness or contempt in Lu Bozou’s expression.

After all, the officers below were almost uniformly supporting him. With a few righteous words spoken at this moment, the coup charade would continue unabated.

But unexpectedly,

Lu Bozou did not blindly speak out; in fact, his gaze was filled with vigilance and solemnity as he looked at Xu Yuan.

For a fleeting moment, their eyes locked, and Lu Bozou’s voice, hoarse and low, conveyed via sound transmission:

"I knew there were higher-ups from the Prime Minister’s Mansion in this city, but I didn’t expect them to be this high up, nor did I expect you to personally appear."

"..."

Hearing this, Xu Yuan couldn’t help but reassess the elder in his mind.

This Lu Bozou was unusually clear-headed; he hadn’t been swayed by the foolish chatter of those beneath him.

At present, this coup targeting Li Junwu was never about discerning right from wrong—it was always about drawing lines and vying for power.

But the essence of power is violence.

And after the Qilin Wolf’s appearance alongside Xu Yuan, the side wielding absolute force was no longer Lu Bozou, nor the tens of thousands of elite armored warriors below.

With a slight smile, Xu Yuan transmitted his words:

"Junwu’s identity can’t withstand the scheme you’ve concocted, and so I’ve come out personally to take the blame."

As he spoke, Xu Yuan glanced at the gradually agitated army below.

Stirred by the officers’ provocations, the soldiers below had already fostered a sense of mutual enmity toward this lofty outsider.

Shaking his head lightly, Xu Yuan said softly:

"Commander Lu, cooperate with me now, and I’ll give you a dignified chance to die on the battlefield."

Hearing these direct words, Lu Bozou’s face twitched slightly, and he said:

"I thought you’d promise to spare my life."

Xu Yuan turned his head with a light laugh, his tone dripping with sarcasm:

"If you hadn’t killed Zhan Xian’an, such a promise might’ve held some credibility. But now, even if I offered it, would you dare accept?"

"....."

After a lengthy silence, Lu Bozou finally responded softly:

"I’ve never betrayed the Marquis of Zhenxi..."

"Cut the nonsense, you’re just afraid the Marquis of Zhenxi left hidden contingencies, so you don’t dare to gamble."

Xu Yuan interrupted him directly, impatience bleeding into his tone: "Besides, I’m not interested in your internal struggles right now. Either preserve your dignity, or let me handle it."

Crunch, crunch—

The faint sound of gauntlets tightening echoed as Lu Bozou glared at Xu Yuan, his voice carrying an edge of anger:

"Before all these eyes, if you kill me, Li Junwu will never be able to inherit Zhenxi Prefecture!"

At these words, Xu Yuan laughed, his smile tinged with killing intent:

"Our Prime Minister’s Mansion has never failed to prop someone into power. Even if helping Junwu might require extra effort, he already stands on the grounds of righteousness."

With that,

Amid the increasingly noisy murmurs of the soldiers below, Xu Yuan raised his hand subtly toward the direction of the high tower.

And as he did,

That snow-white wolf, moving like a ghost, silently appeared beside him.

At that moment, a low voice carried from the army formation below:

"Xu Changge, though you bear the title of Viscount, you’ve trespassed into a military camp, killed a military advisor, colluded with the Tatar Chao, and summoned the Qilin Wolf into the city. What crime do you deserve?!"

"..."

Pausing his actions, Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow and looked toward the speaker.

It was the elderly general with the surname Jin who had earlier saved Li Junwu.

For a brief moment, their gazes locked, and a trace of hesitation flickered in Xu Yuan’s heart before he laughed aloud:

"Earlier, you doubted the Commandery Princess colluded with the Tatar Chao, and now you’re doubting me?"

The elderly Jin general drew his blade, pointing it toward the Qilin Wolf on the platform. An overwhelming military formation force began to condense above the drill ground, and he said deeply:

"I never believed the Commandery Princess colluded with the Tatar Chao. Now it seems you’re the one behind the schemes. With the Qilin Wolf revealed, what defense do you have, Young Master Xu?!"

Understanding the clear implication of his words, Xu Yuan confirmed the general’s intention to align with him, narrowing his eyes as he smiled:

"First off, you’ve got one thing wrong: I’m not Xu Changge; I’m Xu Changtian, the current Prince Consort.

"The Northern Frontier war is urgent. Until my arrival in this Western Desert, I was always by the Princess’s side. Are you suggesting both Qingyan and I betrayed Dayan?"

"..."

Hearing this, Lu Bozou immediately recognized the duo’s plan and wanted to speak out to disrupt their back-and-forth,

But before he could,

He caught sight of the smile at the corner of Xu Yuan’s lips,

And the motion of the Qilin Wolf beside him, licking its paws before abruptly clawing at his greaves.

Having already activated his Military Formation Technique, Lu Bozou sensed the attack and wanted to use the military force to retaliate, only to find that General Jin had already absorbed most of the gathered power into himself...

"Buzz—"

With a sharp sound, Lu Bozou’s vocal cords and meridians were severed with precision.

Dazed by the sudden wound, Lu Bozou didn’t feel alarmed but instead smiled inwardly.

The military formation force above was gathering, its anomaly something the soldiers below might miss, but the senior officers couldn’t overlook.

But soon enough,

Lu Bozou realized the officers who had previously supported him were now choosing to ignore his injuries entirely.

From one person’s gaze, he even detected an expression of loathing—like one avoiding a plague.

The wolf demon was watching nearby; who’d be fool enough to stand up for him now?

It’s over.....

The Saint’s siege had initially terrified these people into defecting to him, but the Prime Minister’s Mansion and the emergence of this wolf demon gave them newfound confidence to fight back.

These fence-sitters had now discarded him, just as they had abandoned Li Junwu before.