The storm came fast --- and left just as quickly.
From the moment Dustin and Margaret returned to
Stonia, only a single night had passed.
And in that one night, the entire underground
power structure of Stonia had undergone a massive reshuffle.
All forces affiliated with the Temple of the
Gods, including its vassals, had been uprooted completely.
Even some hidden experts died without a sound,
leaving no trace.
In the presence of Dustin --- a Landed
Celestial-level powerhouse --- any disguise or resistance was meaningless. All
efforts were futile.
The purge operation, orchestrated by Dustin and
Margaret, sent shockwaves not only through foreign factions but also among
domestic powers. Fear gripped everyone.
No one had anticipated the outbreak to happen
so fast.
Many of the major forces didn’t even catch the
slightest hint beforehand.
It was like a bolt of lightning out of a clear
sky --- far too sudden.
Currently, with the fight for the Crown Prince
position at a critical juncture, the emergence of a powerful and mysterious
force made everyone wary.
All at once, factions and intelligence agencies
scrambled to uncover the truth.
At this moment, inside a low-key yet lavish
mansion…
Li Wenxing sat reading quietly, waiting
patiently for news.
Beside him stood a plainly dressed middle-aged
man.
This man, named Qian Jin, was not only Li
Wenxing’s steward but also acted as his strategist and advisor.
Whenever there was an important matter to be
discussed, Li Wenxing would always call on Qian Jin.
“Uncle Qian, I heard that all of the Temple of
the Gods’ industries in Stonia have been uprooted overnight by some mysterious
force. Even our own businesses were affected. Have you considered where this
mysterious force came from?”
After reading for a while, Li Wenxing couldn’t
calm his mind and started the conversation.
“Your Highness, things happened too abruptly.
Our people haven’t found any clues yet,” Qian Jin replied with a slight bow.
Since receiving the news that morning, the
intelligence network in the household had been working at full capacity.
But judging from the power of this mysterious
force, uncovering anything would clearly be no easy task.
“Uncle Qian, help me analyze --- do you think
this mysterious force’s emergence is a threat or an opportunity?” Li Wenxing
asked again.
He disliked unknown variables, and even more so
the feeling of losing control.
The struggle against Li Guanglong and Li
Juntang was already difficult enough --- any additional pressure could be the
straw that broke the camel’s back.
“In my view, while this mysterious force does
pose a threat, it’s also an opportunity. If used well, it could actually help
Your Highness,” Qian Jin said, keeping his voice calm and steady.
“Oh? Tell me more,” Li Wenxing raised his
eyebrows slightly.
“Your Highness, you should know very well that
in your competition against the other two princes, we’re at a significant
disadvantage. If things continue as they are, your chances of winning are slim
--- less than twenty percent.
Most factions have already chosen sides --- those
supporting the Second Prince or the Third Prince have made their decisions.
It’s difficult to expect any major shifts at this point.
In such a deadlocked situation, turning the
tide is near impossible.
But now, the sudden appearance of this
mysterious force might just offer us a lifeline.
Anyone capable of taking down all of the Temple
of the Gods’ hidden strongholds in Stonia overnight must possess tremendous
power --- likely even surpassing ours.
If we can draw them to our side, form an
alliance, we’ll have a powerful edge in the fight against the other princes.
Analyzing it from a strategic perspective, this
development is actually a favorable one for us.”
Qian Jin spoke calmly and clearly, laying out
his thoughts without rush.
After listening, Li Wenxing’s eyes lit up with
energy.
That’s right --- he was already in a
disadvantageous position. What did he have to lose?
If he played it safe, he’d definitely lose. So
why not take a risk and try to carve out a chance at survival?
“Uncle Qian! You’re absolutely right. This is
our opportunity --- and we must seize it!” Li Wenxing clenched his fists, eyes
burning with resolve.
“Your Highness, even if you wish to contact
this mysterious force, you’ll have to wait until we finish our investigation.
Otherwise, how do we even reach out to them?” Qian Jin remained calm.
“There’s no time to wait! If we delay, we’ll
lose the initiative!” Li Wenxing’s expression turned serious. “Our intelligence
network is not stronger than Li Guanglong’s or Li Juntang’s. If I’ve received
the news, they surely have as well. By the time we act, it might already be too
late!”
Given his current strength and resources, he
had no advantage over the other two princes.
In fact, he was at a severe disadvantage.
Which meant he had to act first --- to seize
the upper hand!
“Does Your Highness already have a plan in
mind?” Qian Jin asked, surprised.
“I wouldn’t call it a brilliant plan,” Li Wenxing
said with a squint, “but I do know someone who can help when it comes to
information.”
“Who?” Qian Jin pressed.
“My sister, of course. The brilliant and
unmatched Princess of Anyang --- Margaret.”
A subtle smile curved at Li Wenxing’s lips.
“Others may not know, but I do --- Margaret has always controlled the most
powerful intelligence network in Dragonmarsh. And it answers only to the
Emperor himself. None of us brothers have access to it.
Whenever something happens in this country,
Margaret knows about it before anyone else.
So, if I can find her --- I’ll find out the
truth about this mysterious force.” - Ton
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