An Intricate Web of Schemes

"Guan Xiangming is a smart man; he won't refuse."

Arakawa Jiushu opened a bottle of what looked to be quite expensive liquor, took a sip straight from the bottle, and casually finished it off.

After just one sip, his face was already flushed, clearly indicating that he was starting to get drunk.

But he didn't stop and continued drinking on his own.

Opposite him sat an ordinary Dragon Spirit Species who was not of royal blood.

Arakawa Jiushu was just talking to him, but now it's Arakawa Jiushu who's ignoring him.

The translucent dragon horns possessed by the opponent were clearly different from those of the royal bloodline.

His horns were not very translucent, lacking the clear and bright appearance of royal dragon horns; they were slightly cloudy, with some undissolved, fluffy material.

If I had to make an analogy, it would be like the difference between glass-type and glutinous-type jadeite.

Jiang Ning —that is, the Dragon Spirit Species— slowly spoke, and a faint dragon roar echoed in the air.

"Your Guan Xiangming can easily relinquish some of Guan Xiangming's military power and gradually cede the influence of the prime minister's faction."

"This doesn't mean your plan is brilliant; it's just that the old man is afraid of the Dragon King and can't bear to abandon his entire family."

"Is this all you can do by using your connections within the Demon Race?"

"If that's the case, then we don't need you."

After saying that, Jiang Ning mentally labeled this alien race that had voluntarily surrendered as someone insignificant and temporary.

Although he was part of the Third Prince Faction and had been influenced by his surroundings, he did not mind employing people from other ethnic groups.

However, he trusted his own people more than a notorious opportunist.

"White Owl, if you have nothing else to say, I should take my leave."

Seeing that Arakawa Jiushu was still drinking, Jiang Ning frowned, somewhat annoyed.

Instead of wasting time here, we should return Yuanli His Highness Yuanli's side to handle official business.

At least you can use your face to gain some favor with your boss.

"What's your hurry?" Arakawa Jiushu immediately noticed the guy's impatience.

"Let's make it clear to those high-ranking officials and nobles that it was the Third Prince Faction that brought down the key old ministers. What's the point of trying to win them over then?!"

"You want to expose the Demon Race?"

"Of course," he shrugged, "I'm no longer associated with the Demon Race."

It was just a verbal agreement; let's just tear it up.

Arakawa Jiushu's tone was tinged with a wicked mockery, yet her pure white eyes, already slightly intoxicated, were filled with a calm, icy chill.

The main character of this drama is not the end of Prime Minister Guan Xiangming, but the beginning of the war between the Dragon Spirit Species and the Demon Race.

Jiang Ning lowered his eyes, lost in thought.

Indeed, if we take action, even if the Dragon King condones it, we won't be able to sever ties.

However, if it turns into a drama of "the Demon Race splitting the king and his ministers," Chancellor Guan will not only relinquish some power to prove his innocence.

Moreover, it won't cause panic among other officials and powerful families.

Most importantly, it provided Guan Xiangming, a proponent of war, with a pretext to start a war with the Demon Race.

Once Guan Xiangming sends troops, he will absolutely not allow Mao City, the best landing point, to be abandoned.

Prince Yuanli will not only be able to successfully gain military merit, but also take the opportunity to cooperate with Guan Xiangming.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning's impatience vanished instantly, replaced by a gentle smile.

"Very well, I'll leave this matter to you and report it to His Highness."

He turned and left with satisfaction, missing the fleeting disdain that Arakawa Jiushu in his drunken stupor.

"The plan went smoothly; Guan Xiangming and Guan Sheng were taken away by the Imperial Guards."

Li Nai'an reported softly.

Guan Xiangming is a radical among the Dragon Spirit Species who supports foreign wars, which is the most important reason why he doesn't join the First Prince's Faction.

The second daughter becoming a concubine was merely the smallest factor in the otherwise peaceful situation.

The prop containing Spatial Energy continued to operate, completely obscuring her and Bai Ye, who were already on the edge.

They will leave once all the Imperial Guards have departed.

"Be careful," Hu Lingling's voice came through the communicator.

Based on the intelligence that has been transmitted back, it is highly likely that the White Owl has joined the Third Prince Faction and also participated in the attack on Mao City.

In her office, Hu Lingling once again opened the military intelligence report sent back from the Moonfall Continent.

The battle at Mao City remained deadlocked, with both sides suffering casualties.

She then recalled Li Nai'an's report: judging from the number of officials who came to the Chancellor's Residence today, the Third Prince Faction now has very little influence at the top.

In other words, they would generally not provoke the Demon Race if they were already at war with the Human Race.

"Now that we've confirmed the White Owl is temporarily trustworthy, we can continue our cooperation."

Li Nai'an didn't say anything more.

Unlike Hu Lingling, who judged the situation remotely by relaying information, she, who was on-site, sensed a sense of unease.

However, having spent most of her time in the Laboratory, she had only recently come out and her perception of changes in the outside world was still in an abnormal state.

Unable to pinpoint the source of this unease, she could only instinctively lead Bai Ye towards the exit.

At that moment, Bai Ye suddenly spoke up, "Lady Li Nai'an, it seems we're being watched by the Imperial Guard."

The veil of secrecy was pierced, and Li Nai'an reacted instantly.

The Imperial Guards who had inexplicably stayed behind were not looking at them or facing them at all.

However, their positions subtly grouped them together.

Bai Ye had already quietly reached for the weapon she had hidden folded under her dress.

Li Nai'an reached out and stopped her from doing anything further.

She maintained the connection with the original communicator, and then took out another spare communicator.

Silently, he typed out the secret code and sent the message. Then, as if unaware that he was surrounded, he suddenly began to ask questions.

"Sir, we've discovered something. Have the other intelligence agents you sent arrived?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Lingling's eyes flashed with anger and murderous intent; she already understood what was going on.

Ha, I've really been underestimated.

She naturally didn't send any more intelligence agents, but she still cooperated quite readily.

"Okay, we've arrived at the designated location. Just come over and deliver whatever you need."

As Hu Lingling finished speaking, the communication was completely cut off, and the Imperial Guards around them began to move imperceptibly.

As Li Nai'an ended the call, she crushed the communicator in her hand.

Arakawa Jiushu's meaning was clear: it didn't matter whether they attacked the Human Race alone or the demon Demon Race as well.

Her subtle glances around revealed a hint of anger at being slighted.

They deliberately left an obvious gap, which, although not explicitly pointing to an exit, was enough for their prey to escape.

They knew we had accomplices, so they wanted to wipe them all out at once.

The communicator was being monitored, and the White Owl sided with the Sea Race.

Li Nai'an led Bai Ye away from the Chancellor's Residence, her face already grim.

Indeed, we shouldn't have cooperated with the White Owl in the first place.

"Lady Li Nai'an, I'm confident I can handle these tagalongs behind us."

"Don't act yet. This is a rare opportunity. Let's test the Dragon King's attitude towards those princes."

They're openly plotting against me; do they really think I'm someone to be trifled with?

Shisui didn't stay at the banquet to join in the fun; the subsequent division of profits would most likely be completed inside the Dragon Palace.

Even if he stayed at the Chancellor's Residence, he wouldn't get any gossip.

So, Shisui tore open the Alternate Space and teleported to the anchor point left one kilometer away from the Chancellor's Residence.

That is, the place where his puppet Qi Mingyou parked his car.

Before leaving, he gave orders for his puppet to find an opportunity to pass by several Imperial Guards.

He certainly wouldn't risk sneaking into the Dragon Palace, but getting a few Radiant Feathers in wouldn't be a problem.

At worst, we can just blame it on the Demon Race or the Beastfolk.

Tell me, is this a feather or not?

Shisui emerged from the Space Wormhole and vanished from the spot in the next instant.

He charged directly towards the two scouts who were emitting spatial fluctuations.

He overheard quite a few interesting things through the spatial barrier.

His intuition told him that something fun was going to happen there.