Then let them offer their loyalty!

Page 600

He didn't know what Secretary Bai really was. She seemed like an evil god, yet not quite. She seemed like an ordinary person, yet completely extraordinary.

After realizing that something was wrong with Secretary Bai, Yan Chen actually considered distancing himself from her. However, because Secretary Bai was so useful, Yan Chen ultimately decided to take her back as a confidant.

It's just that Yan Chen, being naturally cautious, has always wanted to completely get rid of Secretary Bai's obligation to repay her debt of gratitude, perhaps because he really doesn't understand Secretary Bai's identity or methods.

Finally, this year, he got the opportunity.

He persuaded Secretary Bai to die for him and frame Qiu Tu. Secretary Bai agreed without hesitation.

This was somewhat unexpected for Yan Chen, but from Secretary Bai's unusual behavior, he guessed that Secretary Bai might have a backup plan and wouldn't really die.

Or rather... the secretary Bai who has been by his side all these years may just be a clone or a spirit of that naked man.

'Could it be that Old White might not be human?'

'Or is it some unknown entity within the "Boundless Sea of ​​the Mind - Core Area"?'

When this conjecture was first proposed, Qiu Tu felt his worldview was somewhat shattered.

However, upon further reflection, Qiu Tu found it reasonable.

After all... he had doubted before: in chaotic times, are there really people with such noble character?

The two were clearly unequal in status and position. Qiu Tu had no way to control the other party. Yet, the other party continued to promote him.

At the time, Qiu Tu speculated that Secretary Bai's "disaster path" was likely related to "repaying kindness".

In retrospect, it's very likely that I guessed correctly.

An unknown entity from the "Boundless Sea of ​​the Heart - Core Region"?

Qiu Tu knew Yan Chen. Yan Chen was quite meticulous in some matters.

He didn't use the word "evil god," which means he doesn't believe Secretary Bai is an evil god.

Neither human nor evil god? Then what is it?

It can't be some kind of disaster material, can it?

However, although Qiu Tu still had some questions about Lao Bai's identity, he knew that Lao Bai came from the "Boundless Heart Sea - Core Area", which was enough.

Qiu Tu felt a great deal of gratitude towards the person who had helped him a lot in the early stages.

Perhaps they will meet again in the future, which is something Qiu Tu is looking forward to.

Moreover... Old Bai comes from the "Boundless Heart Sea - Core Area", so he must be very familiar with the "Core Area".

If he could really get in touch with that person, Qiu Tu's strategic maneuvering would be much more effective.

After all... although the entire Northwest region now believes that Zhao Ji is Qiu Tu's close partner, wherever Qiu Tu points, Zhao Ji goes to fight.

But... when it comes to acting, the worst thing is not being able to distinguish between the actor and the role. For example, someone playing Guan Yu might still be carrying a Green Dragon Crescent Blade offstage.

Using Zhao Ji's name to quickly improve oneself and seize benefits is fine. But one must never truly believe that Zhao Ji is one of their own...

Having more friends means having more options. With Lao Bai's help, I might find it even easier to enter the "Boundless Sea of ​​the Heart - Core Area" in the future.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu slowly came back to his senses.

He recalled the two intelligence reports, then turned and went back to his study.

Compared to sorting out intelligence at this time, it was obviously more important to report Pang Haichen's rebellion to the higher authorities as quickly as possible.

After all, if it had been a minute earlier, the losses for both the shelter and the human faction might have been smaller.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu returned to his study and took out his "special communicator" to try to contact Old Tang.

Qiu Tu's priority is now among the top 10 shelters.

So, his call was answered within seconds of being dialed.

Old Tang's kind voice came through the receiver, "Qiu Tu. Is there something you want to report to me so late?"

Upon hearing Tang Lao's words, Qiu Tu hummed in agreement and then said, "I did indeed obtain a crucial piece of intelligence."

As he spoke, Qiu Tu recounted all the information he had obtained from Yan Chen to Old Tang.

As Mr. Tang listened, he kept saying "hmm".

But... Qiu Tu didn't know if it was just his imagination, but he had a feeling that Old Tang wasn't particularly enthusiastic about this intelligence.

He always felt like he had overlooked something.

Thinking this through, Qiu Tu tentatively asked after delivering the information, "Elder Tang, you don't seem surprised by this information?"

After hearing Qiu Tu's words, Old Tang remained silent for two seconds before speaking up, "Qiu Tu, to be honest with you..."

"This afternoon, Speaker Rao and I already knew about this matter."

Qiu Tu was taken aback, then couldn't help but ask, "Did someone from the 'academic faction' leak information to you?"

Upon hearing this, Old Tang hummed in agreement and then said, "You still recognize that person? He's your former subordinate, Yan Chen, the vice-chairman of Dongye Prefecture."

Qiu Tu:? ? !

Qiu Tu was a little stunned when he heard what Tang Lao said.

His mind raced as he tried to analyze the current situation.

Then he heard Tang Wanfeng continue, "However, he clearly doesn't know as much as you do."

"He only knew that Pang Haichen was inciting the 'academics' to stage a mutiny."

"Because Pang Haichen is having him gather the hundreds of thousands of agents in Dongye Prefecture, ready to be deployed in battle at any time."

"Pang Haichen himself will forcibly take back control of the army. If Ye Mingfeng refuses to hand over power, he will not hesitate to kill Ye Mingfeng."

"Yan Chen felt that Pang Haichen had gone mad, and to the point of being insane."

"Now that the Eighth Shelter has ushered in a rare period of peaceful development, anyone who disrupts the Eighth Shelter at this time is a sinner."

"So he took the initiative to contact me through special communications, reported the intelligence, and hoped to nip the matter in the bud."

At this point, Tang Wanfeng paused for a moment, then added, "However, since I've never had any contact with him before, I don't know whether what he said is true or false."

"Furthermore, I've always found it ridiculous to think that the idea of ​​seizing power by relying on the hundreds of thousands of agents in Dongye Prefecture and threatening the shelter is simply laughable. So, I also doubted the veracity of this story."

"However, I have now received another similar but different piece of information from you. I think I can trust this information now."

As he said this, Tang Wanfeng didn't forget to praise Yan Chen, "I knew before that the 'academic school' had such a promising talent, but I hadn't had any contact with him."

"Once this matter is over, we can get in touch. If he is indeed inclined towards the shelter, then we can give him more responsibilities."

"Relying solely on Huang Shangzong to unite the 'Academy Faction' is too slow. It would be good if someone with outstanding abilities and a heart for the Sanctuary could assist him."

Upon hearing Tang Wanfeng's words, Qiu Tu: ......

Qiu Tu now completely understands what Yan Chen is up to.

Wow, that's brilliant!

Qiu Tu truly hadn't expected that even with the gap between him and Yan Chen widening to this extent, Yan Chen would still be able to scheme against him using a combination of "conspiracy and open plot."

No wonder Qiu Tu always felt that Yan Chen's last two sentences before leaving were a bit strange.

They said any one of the three pieces of intelligence would be enough to persuade Qiu Tu to cooperate.

He also said that even if he had done some bad things, he hoped that Lord Qiu Tu would be magnanimous and not hold it against him.

At the time, Qiu Tu thought that Yan Chen was just adding credit and apologizing for the previous conflict between the two.

Now he understands!

Yan Chen was giving herself a heads-up to avoid getting angry!

More importantly, Yan Chen's affair was actually an open conspiracy.

Now it seems that although Yan Chen gave Qiu Tu three pieces of intelligence, the real target was not Qiu Tu at all, but Old Tang.

The reason he gave Qiu Tu so much information was simply to keep him quiet when Qiu Tu discovered the conspiracy.

His purpose in doing so was clearly to curry favor with Shangrao Shouhe and Tang Wanfeng, so that he could protect himself and get a big piece of the pie in this feast of the downfall of the "academic school"!

He knew he wasn't well-known among the shelter's upper echelons, and Tang Wanfeng didn't trust him. Reporting alone would likely be of little use.

So he cleverly split one piece of information into two pieces of information that overlapped but were also somewhat different.

Then they reported to Tang Wanfeng and Qiu Tu respectively.

In this way, as long as Qiu Tu reports intelligence to Tang Wanfeng, their intelligence will corroborate each other.

Qiu Tu's influence among the shelter's upper echelons and his credibility with Tang Wanfeng were used to gild Yan Chen's reputation.

In this way, Yan Chen's status in Tang Wanfeng's heart will rise sharply, and he will likely achieve his desired goal.

More importantly, Qiu Tu cannot expose him.

Putting aside the fact that Qiu Tu had already received two other intelligence reports from him, which could be considered payment, even without those two reports, just considering this matter alone... it would be very difficult for Qiu Tu to expose him.

After all, if Qiu Tu exposes Yan Chen and says that Yan Chen obtained both intelligence reports, then Qiu Tu's own credit will be lost.

Moreover, in chaotic times, superior methods are always a plus. Qiu Tu strongly suspected that exposing Yan Chen would only pique Tang Lao's interest even more...

However, Qiu Tu was still a little annoyed that he had been tricked by Yan Chen for no reason.

He cursed inwardly, 'Yan Chen, I'll fuck your daughter!'

"Ah!"

At that moment, in the car speeding through the night, Yan Chen was sneezing.

Hearing his sneeze, the trusted driver glanced at Yan Chen curiously and then asked, "Speaker, are you alright? Did you catch a chill from the night breeze?"

"If we had known, we would have left first thing tomorrow morning."

Yan Chen waved her hand dismissively and said, "It's nothing. Besides, we should leave tonight."

"If I don't leave now, I'm worried someone will come and settle scores with me halfway through the journey."

After saying that, Yan Chen couldn't help but tilt her head to look at the scenery rushing past outside the window.

Then he thought to himself: If I'm not mistaken, Qiu Tu should already be in contact with Tang Wanfeng.

Just thinking about how angry Qiu Tu would be, Yan Chen couldn't help but smile....

.....

At this time, Qiu Tu was indeed in contact with Tang Wanfeng.

After discussing all the recent developments within the "academic faction," Tang Wanfeng slowly spoke, "Qiu Tu, I asked you before if you were willing to accept a more challenging task."

"Back then, you told me you were willing."

"The same applies to the matter involving Pang Haichen and the 'academic faction' this time."

"The Speaker and I must be stationed in the central command to deal with any possible mutinies or other problems."

"This means that we need a trustworthy person to arrest Pang Haichen."

"And looking across the four states of Tian, ​​Di, Xin and Dongye, and even the surrounding areas awaiting planning, there is no one as well-suited for this mission as you."

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Two chapters, 10,000 words each. Requesting monthly votes.

Chapter 547 Interrogating the Little Demon (10,000 words, please vote!)

This matter was already decided long ago.

The two even discussed the "reward" in a veiled manner—the four-state garrison commander and the head of the sanctuary.

Upon assuming this position, Qiu Tu's true strength will reach the upper limit that the edge region can accommodate: the peak of the fifth rank.

This was the route Qiu Tu had planned long ago.

So he didn't refuse, but readily agreed.

Having received Qiu Tu's promise, Old Tang and Qiu Tu roughly determined the time for the operation.

According to Tang Lao's plan, he began to secretly investigate the matter after Yan Chen reported the intelligence to him this afternoon.

Because of the clues and directions, quite a few traces were discovered.

Fortunately, everything is still under control.

Moreover, to some extent, Pang Haichen's move actually helped them filter out the parasites that needed to be eliminated from the "academic school."