Who did it?

A cold wind howled.

Meeting Li Zhaoyuan's gaze, Xu Yuan said in a deep voice:

"Your Highness, we did not do this."

Li Zhaoyuan frowned, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"You didn't do this?"

As he spoke, a knowing smile appeared on his lips:

"The Prime Minister's Estate serves the country and its people; naturally, it would not do something so self-destructive. It must have been the work of some treacherous officials."

Regardless of the purpose, destroying combat-ready weapons without openly confronting the enemy would be a huge scapegoat, and whoever takes the blame would be executed.

If the Prime Minister's Estate betrays him, it will also pay the price.

Therefore, this matter will most likely be turned into a headless miscarriage of justice.

"."

Xu Yuan looked at Li Zhaoyuan's ambiguous smile, and his eye twitched involuntarily.

Oh no, it looks like I'm going to become the scapegoat.

If the sect's warehouse is bombed, who is the primary beneficiary? That's the most obvious suspect. It's a very simple principle.

The biggest beneficiaries now are the Barbarian Tribe and the Great Yan Dynasty.

A morbid win-win situation, winning against the Northern Border Sect twice.

Between these two groups, could the Barbarian Tribe plant spies in Beifeng City?

The answer is no.

They were all different races; the Barbarian Tribe, covered in black spikes, would be riddled with bullets before they even got within ten miles.

In other words, the only people behind this matter are the Great Yan Dynasty, namely the royal family and the Prime Minister's Estate.

Li Zhaoyuan knew that since he hadn't done anything on his side, then only the Prime Minister's Estate remained.

And here comes the key question.

As the de facto head of the Prime Minister's Estate in the Northern Border, Xu Yuan now desperately wants to know who did this.

Indeed, he did want to blow it up, and had even made arrangements to do so, but the Black Scale Guard would not have acted at this time, and on such a large scale.

A moment of silence,

Xu Yuan turned his gaze to the fire in the distance, which was gradually being brought under control, and repeated:

"Your Highness, we really didn't do this."

"."

Li Zhaoyuan smiled but remained silent.

Xu Yuan took a deep breath, then smiled and whispered:

"It seems the Second Prince doesn't believe me."

As he spoke, Xu Yuan took out a file from his Sumeru Ring and casually handed it to Li Zhaoyuan:

"In that case, Your Highness, you might as well take a look at this file. It was given to me by Lou Ji before she left the city."

He needs to explain this matter clearly.

Only by explaining things clearly can Li Zhaoyuan and Li Qingyan realize that a third-party force is causing trouble within the city.

Li Zhaoyuan raised an eyebrow, took the item, and said with interest:

"Chief Lou is truly a master strategist, leaving behind so many brilliant plans for you, Third Young Master, even after leaving the city."

This joking, almost mocking tone clearly indicates a suspicion about something.

However, Xu Yuan didn't seem to care about this.

Being a playboy doesn't mean being brainless. Growing up in a place like the Prime Minister's Estate, where no uncultured person comes and goes, it would be strange if he didn't have some knowledge and experience.

Moreover, now that he is capable of cultivation, it is indeed time for him to take over Lineage affairs.

In this respect, all the powerful and influential families in the Aristocratic Clan basically follow the same template.

The Third Prince Li Yunqing was able to confirm his identity entirely because of a series of coincidental misunderstandings.

Therefore, Xu Yuan replied indifferently:

"I naturally need to know some things before I dare to stay in Beifeng City."

Li Zhaoyuan smiled, said nothing more, and lowered his eyes to browse the files in his hands.

The snow continued to fall on the top of the attic, and there was silence for a moment. Meanwhile, the fire in the distance had been brought under control during their conversation over a cup of tea.

As you browse,

Li Zhaoyuan's brows furrowed slightly.

Xu Yuan said softly at this moment:

"Second Prince, although the sects may be wicked, they are not stupid. We understand the principle of 'supplies first,' and they certainly understand it too."

Li Zhaoyuan shifted his gaze from the file to Xu Yuan, his expression turning serious.

"So, it really wasn't you tonight?"

The dossier was a plan that Xu Yuan had previously submitted to Lou Ji.

Codenamed Long Night, the plan to bomb the sect's inventory.

The reasons for formulating the plan were similar to what Li Zhaoyuan had previously stated, but it has not yet been implemented because the sect's defenses are very strict, and they do not have enough time to prepare.

A hint of helplessness appeared in Xu Yuan's narrow eyes:

"Second Prince, the sect's warehouses have always been key areas of defense for them. Investigating the inventory and destroying it are two completely different things. The Black Scale Guard are not wish-granting machines; they don't give you a wish and make it come true immediately."

"We need time. Making decisions takes time, distributing them to the grassroots level takes time, and preparation and execution also take time."

At this point, Xu Yuan shrugged:

"The Northern Border Sects are further divided into factions, with seven large warehouses and thirteen small ones. Even if our Prime Minister's Estate wanted to do this, we simply wouldn't have enough time."

Li Zhaoyuan frowned even more deeply, seemingly realizing the cause and effect of the situation.

The Barbarian Tribe have only been in the Beifeng City for seven or eight hours. Even for the Black Scale Guard, it would be almost impossible for them to cause such large-scale destruction in such a short time.

"Third Young Master, who do you think did this?"

"."

Xu Yuan rolled his eyes when he heard the question, "You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?"

Having said that,

Xu Yuan then turned and jumped off the top of the pavilion to leave.

Seeing this, Li Zhaoyuan asked:

"Third Young Master, where are you going?"

Xu Yuan stopped in his tracks, turned around, and said matter-of-factly:

"I'm sleepy, let's go back to our room and sleep."

Li Zhaoyuan was slightly taken aback:

"With things in such a state, how can the Third Young Master sleep soundly?"

Xu Yuan gestured towards Li Zhaoyuan with his lip and grinned:

"Of course I can sleep soundly. If the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up. So let's leave these matters to someone with your talent for governing the country, Second Prince."

After saying that, he leaped into the night and disappeared.

Zhou Chen bowed and then left as well.

Watching the two figures disappear,

Li Zhaoyuan glanced down at the dossier in his hand, intending to put it away discreetly, but unexpectedly the dossier spontaneously combusted.

Seeing this, Li Zhaoyuan exhaled, scattered the ashes, and disappeared on the spot.

After a few somersaults, he landed from a great height.

Because of the cold, Xu Yuan circulated the Blood Origin Heart-Fall Technique several times and wrapped his coat tighter before he felt much warmer.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Zhou Chen, a middle-aged man with a stubble, following behind.

Seeing this, Xu Yuan stopped and asked:

"Mr. Zhou, why aren't you going down to rest? What are you doing following me?"

Zhou Chen chuckled upon hearing this:

"Third Young Master, tonight is likely to be chaotic. I, Zhou, will guard the door and protect you."

Xu Yuan was speechless, but nodded without refusing.

Walking back to the hospital,

Zhou Chen suddenly asked mysteriously:

"Third Young Master, who do you think did what happened tonight?"

Xu Yuan replied without hesitation:

"It must be those sects."

"Sects? The ones in the Northern Border and south?" Zhou Chen stroked his chin.

Xu Yuan glanced at Nanfang and chuckled:

"It wasn't royalty, it wasn't us, so it couldn't have been the Northern Border Sects who blew it up, could it?"

Zhou Chen looked enlightened, his face showing respect, and he respectfully clasped his hands in a fist and bow.

"The Third Young Master sees things clearly."

"."

Xu Yuan's lips twitched, and he waved his hand:

"Alright, such a large-scale sabotage operation couldn't have been planned overnight. Judging by the efficiency of our Black Scale Guard, executing such a large-scale sabotage mission without leaving any trace would take at least a month to plan. And given the situation a few months ago, if the Beifeng warehouses had been destroyed, the imperial court would have been forced to retreat, which is exactly what those sects wanted to see."

Zhou Chen hesitated upon hearing this, and said:

"Monthly? But what about your current plan?"

Xu Yuan smiled slightly:

"Whether or not Beifeng City leaves any leverage is not important now. If this war can be won, it can be explained as an expedient measure. If it cannot be won, none of this matters, because the Northern Border Sects will cease to exist."

With 300,000 elite troops buried in the Snow Plain plains, the Northern Border Sects were essentially reduced to empty shells.

You can't demand an explanation from the dead.

Zhou Chen grinned, bowed again, and solemnly said:

"I was surprised to learn at first glance that the Third Young Master is truly a man of great talent."

"." Xu Yuan.

After a moment's pause, Zhou Chen suddenly said out of the blue:

"Third Young Master, there is something I am unsure whether I should say."

Xu Yuan glanced at him:

"Speak when you should speak, and don't speak when you shouldn't."

After clearing his throat, Zhou Chen tentatively said:

"Young Master, given the current situation, if it truly was the work of those sects in the south, they would likely destroy both our supplies and the royal family's granaries as well."

Xu Yuan chuckled and said:

"If they only destroyed the Northern Border Sect's warehouses, we could still pin the blame on them. But if they destroyed everything, then they would be the ones to blame."

Zhou Chen paused for a moment, then asked:

"A target, is it useful?"

Xu Yuan smiled and said:

"It is naturally useful."

Before he could finish speaking, Xu Yuan's voice abruptly stopped.

The incident happened so suddenly that he hadn't had time to think it through.

Are targets useful?

Of course it's useful.

The various sects in the world have formed a complex web of interests due to their privilege of not paying taxes.

Now that this group of interests is acting in the best interests of the majority, they have directly sold out the Northern Border Sects. The imperial court has a lot of room to maneuver here, and at the very least, it can sow discord between them.

But upon closer reflection, Xu Yuan suddenly realized that it seemed impossible to sow discord.

Or rather, the effect of sowing discord is not significant.

The Great Yan Dynasty wanted to collect a tax on immortals, but the sects were unwilling to pay it. This was the most basic and direct conflict.

If this issue cannot be resolved, even if the Northern Border Sects are betrayed, they will only retaliate elsewhere, rather than cooperating with the imperial court.

Put yourself in someone else's shoes.

According to intelligence from the sect, if all the warehouses in Beifeng City are destroyed, coupled with the current blizzard disaster, Beifeng City will inevitably fall, and its 700,000 elite troops will be wiped out.

Next, the Three Northern Prefectures will face the Barbarian Tribe army head-on. The sect's elite forces have been wiped out and they are powerless to resist. No matter how powerful Xu Yinhe and Li Yaoxuan are, they will have to deal with the Barbarian Tribe first.

If this drags on until Li Yaoxuan dies, the situation will inevitably change drastically.

Will the next Great Yan Dynasty share the same attitude as Li Yaoxuan?

The sects of the world will not threaten the Li Family family's status as a noble family, but that Lord Xu in the Prime Minister's Estate...

With these thoughts in mind,

A hint of solemnity appeared in Xu Yuan's phoenix eyes, which were wreathed in blood-red flames.

Why are these people not targeting our imperial granaries?

Is it because they can't plant spies?

It seems there's only one answer.

The events of tonight have clouded Xu Yuan's judgment of the situation.

In the silence, the wind and snow swirled, the roar of the South City sky continued, and the Bright Pattern Lamp still cast a hazy glow on both sides of the stone-paved road.

After standing there for an unknown amount of time, Xu Yuan suddenly glanced at the council hall.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Chen transmitted his voice and asked:

"Has something come to mind, Third Young Master?"

Xu Yuan frowned and pondered for a few breaths before uttering a name.

Li Zhaoyuan.

Zhou Chen paused for a moment upon hearing the Second Prince's name:

"Third Young Master, what do you mean?"

Xu Yuan let out a breath, but his tone was somewhat uncertain:

"Perhaps the Second Prince was behind this."

Zhou Chen asked in a puzzled tone:

"The Second Prince? His Highness shouldn't have that kind of power."

Xu Yuan continued to step forward, glanced at Zhou Chen, and transmitted his voice:

"He doesn't have it, but as I just said, the Southern Sects do."

Zhou Chen hissed and cautiously asked via telepathy:

"Third Young Master, do you mean the Second Prince is having an affair with a sect? Why?"

"In order to seize the throne."

Xu Yuan sighed and looked towards the Imperial Capital: "Mr. Zhou, do you know how big the gap is between His Highness the Crown Prince and the Second Prince?"

"Ahem, Third Young Master, this matter is concerning me, Zhou."

Zhou Chen coughed lightly; his easygoing nature made him instinctively want to avoid the topic.

This thing is too dangerous.

Even a Grandmaster of the third rank could die without a burial place if he went in.

But he paused halfway through his sentence, gritted his teeth, and changed the subject:

"I truly do not know, but it is widely rumored that the Second Prince's temperament is similar to His Majesty's. Given the current situation, His Majesty may change the heir apparent?"

With his current Cultivation Resources, he may only ever reach the third rank in his lifetime.

Fortune favors the bold; this is my chance to become the Third Young Master's confidant.

Seeing that Zhou Chen did not refuse, Xu Yuan smiled slightly and said:

"The gap between him and the Crown Prince has almost reached a point where His Majesty can no longer influence it."

"Even the Emperor can't control it?" Zhou Chen licked his lips.

Xu Yuan smiled slightly:

"His Majesty has already delegated too much power to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince has been the heir apparent for nearly thirty years. Over all these years, it is impossible for these Crown Prince Crown Prince Faction to switch their allegiance to the Second Prince. The Second Prime Minister, the Commander of the Imperial Guards, and the Royal Chamber of Commerce are all important officials in the court. Unless His Majesty is ruthless enough to kill the Crown Prince directly."

Nearly thirty years of companionship has forged an unbreakable bond.

Even if Li Yaoxuan wanted to support Li Zhaoyuan to the throne now, the people under the Crown Prince would never agree.

Once Li Zhaoyuan ascends the throne, these positions will inevitably be gradually replaced by his confidants; in other words, he will purge them.

Therefore, Li Yaoxuan simply no longer has the time to support Li Zhaoyuan.

After a moment's pause, Xu Yuan chuckled softly:

"Of course, it's possible for Li Zhaoyuan to cooperate with our Prime Minister's Estate, but if he chooses that path, without any real power base, the most likely outcome is that he will become a puppet and have the royal family's power gradually integrated by our Prime Minister's Estate."

"Mr. Zhou, do you think someone like Li Zhaoyuan would be willing to become a puppet emperor?"

"."

Silence.

After a long pause, Zhou Chen suddenly whispered:

"So, the Second Prince can only seek the support of the sect if he wants to ascend the throne?"