Yefutidaolu

Chapter 357 The Demise of the Four Pillars of the North (Bonus Chapter!)
At this very moment, in the "Qingyi Garden" specially arranged by the Fang family for their distinguished guests, Xia Youdu stood by the railing, his gaze sweeping indifferently over this mansion, which was considered one of the best in Youzhou.

In her eyes, everything about the Fang family could be considered a standard, even somewhat stereotypical, template of a prominent family in the Divine Dynasty.

The servants, all dressed in uniform blue robes, moved with light steps, heads bowed and eyes lowered, their manners strict and disciplined. They swept the courtyard, served breakfast, each fulfilling their duties without a sound. When they encountered their master, they would step aside and bow respectfully, their movements meticulous, clearly the result of years of rigorous training ingrained in their very being. Their methods of managing subordinates were indeed effective.

The disciples practiced their martial arts in the training ground at dawn, their fists, kicks, and weapons clashing with shouts and movements. Judging from their aura, their foundations were fairly solid, especially those of the direct descendants such as Fang Qian and Fang Jun. Although the spiritual energy in the mansion was not particularly abundant, a spirit-gathering array was in operation, nourishing the plants and trees in the courtyard, making them lush and verdant. The family's cultivation practice was prevalent, and the overall atmosphere was quite respectable.

If they neglect their training, then it can be said that the Fang family is on the verge of decline.

The library has three floors. Although I haven't entered, my divine sense senses faintly that it exudes the aura of books. The storeroom is a heavily guarded area, with hidden restrictions. Furthermore, several obscure auras are lurking deep within, likely belonging to elders or revered members of the clan, their cultivation levels around the sixth or seventh realm.

As for this mansion, it's similar, with a well-ordered layout, multiple courtyards, symmetrical along a central axis, and a clear distinction between main and secondary buildings. The main house has a lapis lazuli foundation, golden nanmu beams, and is covered with glazed tiles, making it appear magnificent and opulent. The pavilions and towers, with their carved beams and painted rafters, offer changing views with every step, capturing a bit of the charm of a traditional garden. However, it feels somewhat contrived and lacks a natural feel.

Therefore, in Xia Youdu's view over the past four days, the Fang family was well-behaved and disciplined. Their wealth, military strength, rules, and background were all among the best of local powerful families. Although they were far inferior to those in the Youming region, they were still considered average within the lineage of the Divine Dynasty's aristocratic families—a model example. Nothing particularly novel, nor anything major wrong with them.

Thinking about all this, Xia Youdu closed the booklet in her hand.

The ink on the booklet was still wet, and it contained her observations of the day.

In fact, she didn't originally have the habit of keeping a diary. The reason she started recording these things was simply because of Takami's unquestionable command—

“Record everything you see and hear each day, big or small, and hand it to me in the evening.”

This order made her feel inexplicably humiliated and resentful.

She is a true disciple of the underworld! Yet now she is being asked to record these meaningless, trivial daily routines like a child?
However, she was powerless to resist. Takami's calm, unwavering eyes seemed to see right through her struggles.

For the past four days, she could only follow her daily observations and write, and then silently place the booklet on the table in Takami's room when night fell.

And Gao Jian? He's been living like a true "traveling scholar" these past few days.

Stroll leisurely through the Fang family compound, admire the gardens, sip tea, and sample local snacks. Occasionally, you might "accidentally" encounter a young member of the Fang family practicing martial arts, and even offer a few casual pointers "on a whim."

His guidance was often insightful and precise. Though his words were few, they were always enlightening for the Fang family members, making them respect and admire him even more.

He seemed completely immersed in the relaxed atmosphere of being treated as an honored guest.

But Xia Youdu knew that it was all an illusion. Beneath this man's calm exterior lay a terrifying power and attitude capable of stirring up a storm.

This person is unfathomable.

Finally, on the night of the fourth day, when Xia Youdu placed the diary that recorded "Nothing much happened today. Fang Jun whipped a servant, resulting in one death. Fang Qian handled the matter and provided compensation. The rest were as usual" in front of Gao Jian, her long-suppressed confusion and a trace of indescribable irritation broke through the cold barrier.

She spoke for the first time, her voice still cold, yet carrying a hint of suppressed questioning: "What I record each day are nothing but trivial, repetitive scenes; there's nothing new or interesting about the Fang family, inside or out. What... exactly do you want to glean from them?"

She simply couldn't understand what the point was of being confined to this tiny space, recording these mundane daily routines.

If you really want to understand the Fang family's situation, you should look at their resources outside the family, examine their accounts, and try to gather core intelligence.

What can you glean from just observing daily life here?

Meanwhile, Gao Jian was sitting on a soft couch by the window, reading a local history book borrowed from the Fang family's library by the light of the surrounding luminous pearls.

Upon hearing this, he didn't look up, but simply turned a page of his book and said calmly, "It's almost done."

Xia Youdu was taken aback: "What do you mean, almost done?"

Gao Jian finally closed the book and looked up at her. The candlelight danced in his deep eyes, carrying a cold light that seemed to see through everything: "The time is almost up, it's almost over, and the flaws have been collected quite well."

"A flaw?" Xia Youdu frowned, completely puzzled. "The Fang family follows strict rules and has a rigorous tradition. How could there be a flaw?"

Gao Jian shook his head, his finger lightly tapping on Xia Youdu's diary, as if awakening a naive person:
"Firstly, the failure to manage subordinates has shaken the foundation of the regime."

"You've written it down here: Fang Jun whipped his servant to death, Fang Qian dealt with the matter, and provided compensation to his orphaned sister and brought her into the mansion."

"That servant, Zhang Erniu, lost both his parents at a young age, leaving only a younger sister. He had no ties, no influential relatives or friends. Such an isolated individual was the least likely to cause trouble in the household, yet also the most vulnerable to being sacrificed. Fang Jun's act of torturing and killing him out of personal resentment already exposed the flaws in the Fang family's management of their servants. What will the other servants think if they hear of this? The master's capricious nature, seemingly skillful in managing his subordinates, is merely a continuation of the system established by his predecessors, without understanding its true nature."

“Managing subordinates is a minor matter, since it won’t cause any major upheavals. However, the previous generation left behind a system, and our ancestors had a solid foundation for managing subordinates. But this generation only manages it superficially, which shows that the foundation has rotted away.”

"Moreover, let me mention another small matter: he provided for his younger sister to enter the household with a stipend. However, his attitude was dismissive, as if she were a worn-out shoe. He allowed a twelve-year-old orphan girl to enter the household as a maid, which was ostensibly a way out but in reality a way out of death. Such a favor not only failed to appease people's hearts but also made the other servants feel even more sympathetic and disheartened! Such a way of managing subordinates is strict on the outside but lax on the inside. Beneath the strict appearance of rules lies a lack of restraint and incompetence."

"Secondly, the problem lies in the scarcity of resources, making it outwardly strong but inwardly weak."

“You remember the restrictions on the Fang family’s storeroom and the scholarly atmosphere of their library. However, in the past few days, I have observed that the pills used by their disciples are mostly common items such as ‘Neiyuan Pill’ and ‘Quenching Bone Powder’. Occasionally, I have seen ‘Gathering Qi Pill’, which is considered a rare item. The concentration of spiritual energy in their training ground is only enough to maintain daily cultivation, far from sufficient to support geniuses in breaking through bottlenecks.”

"Even more conspicuous is that 'mobile palace'! It requires a giant beast to drag the platform before it can be assembled. This approach, while seemingly extravagant, actually exposes their inability to support the giant beasts that can carry the palace! This is not due to a lack of financial resources, but rather a lack of long-term resources to support top-tier spirit beasts, top-tier beast tamers, and absolute military force to suppress their beastly nature! This is clear evidence of insufficient hard power! A family that even needs to 'assemble' its procession reveals the shallowness of its foundation. This is the second flaw!"

"Thirdly, there are concerns about succession, with internal strife looming."

"Fang Qian is calm and collected, but lacks vigor. He is always bound by the considerations of 'the big picture' and 'caution,' and only knows how to mediate and maintain stability in the face of problems. He lacks the decisive and ruthless spirit of a family head. Fang Jun has some talent, but he is violent and narrow-minded. He killed someone because Xia You was a traitor to you. He has no tolerance for others and no sense of the big picture. One of these two may be able to maintain the status quo, but he is not capable of expansion. The other may be able to be a general, but he will surely perish as a commander!"

"Judging from Fang Jun's attitude towards me, there is a hidden hostility and jealousy. Such a temperament is easily provoked and manipulated when the family faces external pressure, becoming the fuse for internal strife. Fang Qian's attempt to maintain balance through marriage is like drinking poison to quench thirst. Tying the family's fate to the bond of marriage is so fragile! This is the third flaw!"

Gao Jian's voice was calm, yet every word was like a knife, dissecting Xia Youdu's seemingly ordinary entries in his diary with raw, unvarnished detail! He concluded with a gaze as cold as ice:
"To see a leopard through a tube is to see only a spot; to see a leaf fall is to know that autumn has arrived."

"I stayed in this Fang family mansion for four days, observing their servants walking on thin ice, their children being restless and impetuous, their resources being stretched thin, and the vast difference in the quality of their successors..."

"With so many clues, if I still can't see through this outwardly glittering but inwardly rotten situation, if I can't see through the danger of powerful neighbors coveting it from the outside, the boiling resentment inside, the lack of successors, and the hidden cracks... then I'd probably be a fool."

Summer worries and insects remain frozen in place.

The word "stupid" is undoubtedly used to describe her.

The initial shock was instantly replaced by a strong sense of shame and anger.

A faint, unnatural blush rose on her pale cheeks from this blatant denigration. She wanted to retort, to question him, but when she opened her mouth, she was speechless! In his eyes, her records of the past four days were probably nothing more than the ramblings of a fool!

A tremendous sense of frustration and anger at being looked down upon surged within her. But soon, this anger was replaced by a deeper sense of powerlessness and... a strange sense of resignation.

Forget it...

He's just that amazing...

He called me stupid... so be it...

Xia Youdu comforted herself in this way, forcibly suppressing her turbulent emotions.

She abruptly lowered her head, no longer looking at Gao Jian, her pale lips pressed tightly together, swallowing back all the humiliation, resentment, and confusion. She didn't speak again, but silently took a step back, like a startled seashell, shrinking into her cold, hard shell, hugging her knees and curling up in the shadows of the corner of the room, as if trying to merge with the shadows.

Gao Jian ignored her completely. He withdrew his gaze and looked out the window at the solemn outline of the Fang family mansion, which appeared even more imposing in the twilight. Deep within his eyes, a cold killing intent and scheming quietly ignited like a cold star.

The Fang family... is going to be wiped out.

He needs to make some preparations.

He picked up the local gazetteer again and began reading normally.

----------

Seven days later, the Fang clan of Youzhou was destroyed.

First, Fang Jun, the seventh young master, had been arrogant and spoiled for a long time due to his status as the youngest son of the legitimate wife. He coveted the unparalleled beauty of Xia Youdu, a true disciple of the Youmingdi sect, and harbored lustful thoughts. That night, under the guise of drinking, he led several trusted servants and forced their way into Qingyi Garden, intending to commit immoral acts.

The students of the Imperial Academy, with their keen insight, appeared at the opportune moment. Their expressions were indifferent, regarding Fang Jun as an ant. The three elders of the Fang family, Fang Zhen, Fang Yue, and Fang Lin, all of whom were at the sixth level of cultivation, rushed to the scene upon hearing the alarm. Seeing Fang Jun injured, they were enraged and attacked, but were no match for him. Fang Jun and his vicious servants all fell to the ground, their bones and tendons cracked.

Its power surged forth, like an abyss, an unstoppable torrent. Within the courtyard, the spiritual light flashed and vanished instantly; the three elders' magical artifacts shattered, their protective aura torn like paper, their life force extinguished in a moment, and they died on the spot! The cruelty of his methods and the profundity of his cultivation terrified the entire Fang family, who dared not look him in the eye. Fang Jun, his soul scattered, prostrated himself on the ground, howling and begging for mercy. Gao Jian did not take his life, but merely crippled his cultivation, severed his meridians, rendering him a cripple, saying, "I will leave you with your broken body to witness the destruction of your family." This marked the beginning of the Fang family's downfall.

The Fang family suddenly lost its top combat force, causing internal panic and immediate external threats.

The Liu family of Youzhou, one of the four pillars of the North, had long coveted the Fang family's foundation and property, but had been waiting for the right opportunity. Now that they heard of the Fang family's internal strife, the death of all the elders, and the inability to support the family alone, the Liu family immediately acted with swift and decisive action.

The Liu family deployed its elite forces, ostensibly to "protect relatives and stabilize the situation," but in reality, they swiftly seized control of the Fang family's treasury, spiritual fields, mines, shops, and banks. The Fang family's centuries-old accumulated wealth—spiritual materials and precious medicines, cultivation manuals, divine weapons, and even the core array plate that maintained the spirit-gathering array—was all sealed and transported away by the Liu family under the pretexts of "temporary management," "inventory," and "offering to the new master." Any Fang family members who showed any dissent were forcefully suppressed by the Liu family's retainers, either expelled or imprisoned.

Under the guise of "mutual support," and relying on an old marriage agreement between him and a woman from a collateral branch of the Fang family, the third daughter of the Fang family, who married a son from a collateral branch of the Liu family, he forcibly supported the young son born to this woman, who was only fourteen years old and named Liu Fangji. He was raised in the Liu family from childhood and became the new head of the Fang family.

In just a few days, the Fang family's fortune was completely devoured by the Liu family, leaving only an empty mansion and a bewildered clan. The so-called marriage alliance was actually a poisonous bait for usurping the family's territory; the so-called grandson was nothing more than a puppet for the Liu family to seize by trickery and force.

All of this happened in just seven days.

It was as if someone behind the scenes had seen through all the Fang family's weaknesses and then delivered a fatal blow, manipulating the Fang family at will. A thousand-year-old family was destroyed in an instant, existing only in name.

Although the Fang family still exists, all their resources have been swallowed up by the Liu family.

at the same time--

Liu Mansion, Wanxiang Tower.

This building, named for its "all-encompassing" nature, was the place where the Liu family entertained their most distinguished guests. At this moment, the building was brightly lit, sparkling with pearls, and filled with the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments. On the enormous, carved rosewood round table, delicacies were laid out, and the aroma of fine wine wafted through the air.

Liu Qingcang, the current head of the Liu family, sat in the main seat, flanked by several elders with profound auras, as well as Liu Fangji, the young man who had just been promoted to the position of head of the Fang family.

The boy wore a deliberately respectful expression, but his eyes were somewhat unfocused, clearly not yet accustomed to this sudden "honor."

Liu Qingcang, his face flushed, picked up a wine cup carved from a single piece of warm jade and laughed loudly, "Nephew Gao, this cup is on behalf of the Liu family, and even more so on behalf of my grandson, to toast you, young master!"

For a time, praise and gratitude filled the room. The Liu family members smiled broadly, clinking glasses and treating Gao Jian like an honored guest, as if he were truly an ally who had rendered unparalleled service to the Liu family. At Liu Qingcang's prompting, Liu Fangji timidly rose and offered Gao Jian a toast.

However, amidst this seemingly joyous and harmonious feast, Xia Youdu, standing behind Gao Jian, felt a chill creep up from his spine and instantly spread to his limbs.

She lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows in her eye sockets, concealing the turbulent emotions surging within her eyes.

because……

This scene, this atmosphere, these smug, self-satisfied smiles of the Liu family members... how familiar they are!
It was exactly the same scene as seven days ago when Fang Qian and others treated Gao Jian as an honored guest in the Fang family's Qingyi Garden!
Gao Jian, as a "distinguished guest" here, was arranged to sit first to Liu Qingcang's right, a prominent position. Xia Youdu followed closely behind, standing half a step in the shadows, still dressed in a simple black robe, her face covered by a light veil, revealing only a pair of clear, cold eyes.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

"If it weren't for my virtuous nephew's righteous intervention at the Fang family, punishing the lawless Fang Jun and cleaning up the Fang family's mess... Alas, the Fang family had long been plagued by problems, lacked effective management, and had unworthy descendants who dared to offend the eminent disciples of Youming and the brilliant scholars of the Imperial Academy. They had truly brought about their own destruction!" He then casually attributed the Fang family's downfall to their own "long-standing problems" and "offense" against Gao Jian, as if the Liu family had no other choice.

“Young Master Gao’s actions have truly rid our northern lands of a scourge, and cleared away the obstacles for my stepson to inherit the family business!” an elder with white hair and beard interjected, his tone full of gratitude. “Those stubborn old men of the Fang family, relying on their meager cultivation, dared to attack you, Young Master. They truly deserved to die! Young Master’s swift and decisive actions have saved us from a tremendous amount of trouble.”

The "trouble" he mentioned clearly refers to the price the Liu family would have to pay if they were to personally eliminate the three elders and the clan leader.

Another elder raised his cup in agreement: "Indeed! Young Master Gao is a man of great wisdom and insight, seeing early on that the Fang family was all show and no substance. If it weren't for your keen observation, we don't know how long we would have been deceived by their bluster. Now that the dust has settled, the Fang family's assets have been inherited by his stepson, returning to the rightful line of succession, and preventing turmoil in Youzhou. This is all thanks to you, Young Master Gao! The entire Liu family is deeply grateful!"

Gao Jian sat upright at the table, a gentle smile, perfectly suited to a learned scholar, on his face. He was neither elated by the compliments nor moved by the mention of the Fang family's downfall; he simply raised his glass in response with composure, his words humble and appropriate:

"Patriarch Liu and the elders are too kind. I merely happened to be there and saw injustice. The Fang family's situation is their own fault, and I was just following the trend. It is fortunate to see the Liu family taking charge, stabilizing Youzhou, and ensuring the Fang family's legacy continues. My small contribution is nothing to mention."

His attitude was humble and natural, as if he had only done a trivial matter and was merely an unexpected collaborator with the Liu family.

What did Gao Jian do at the Fang family?
He strolled leisurely, sipping tea and admiring flowers, occasionally offering guidance to younger generations, appearing every inch the harmless scholar.

He had her record those "trivial daily routines," and then meticulously analyzed them to pinpoint the Fang family's fatal flaws: the failure to manage subordinates exposed the family's rotten foundation, the resource shortage revealed its outward strength but inner weakness, and the worry about its successors foreshadowed internal strife.

Then, with a casual air, he used Fang Jun's stupidity as a trigger to personally ignite the first fire that would destroy the Fang family—killing the elders and crippling Fang Jun, instantly removing the pillar that supported the Fang family's reputation and any potential future variables.

Then, he stood by and watched, or rather... he guided the Liu family, who had been eyeing him covetously, to pounce and reap the final harvest.

What now?
He arrived at the Liu family's house.

He was treated as an honored guest.

The Liu family sincerely thanked him for "helping" them remove the Fang family as an obstacle, paving the way for their takeover.

He still wore that gentle and harmless smile, humbly saying it was "nothing to mention."

Is he... observing again?
Xia Youdu felt that the delicacies, fine wines, and dazzling lights and dances before him were all shrouded in a cold, bloody phantom.

The Liu family's hearty laughter sounded to her like the dying wails of the Fang family's servants; Liu Qingcang's smug, radiant face seemed to her like Fang Qian's final, desperate defeat.

He's using the same old trick again!

This thought, like an icicle, pierced Xia Youdu's mind.

Gao Jian wasn't there to receive thanks; he was there to... select the weaknesses of his next prey. The Liu family, this "hunter" who had just enjoyed a hearty meal and was brimming with self-satisfaction, had probably already automatically stepped into the position of the next "Fang family" in his eyes.

Xia Youdu's fingers curled slightly inside the wide sleeves of her robe, her nails almost digging into her palms.

She felt a strong wave of nausea, not because of the extravagance of the banquet, but because she saw through the cold, cruel, and repetitive hunting logic beneath this perfect facade.

She looked at Gao Jian's calm profile and sensed an intense killing intent beneath that gentle smile—

The feast continued, and laughter filled the pavilion.

Only Xia Youdu, amidst this false warmth, felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, clearly hearing the countdown bells that Death was quietly tolling for the Liu family.

--------

as predicted.

Just fifteen days after the downfall of the Fang family, the Liu family of Youzhou, who had become the newly powerful leader of the north and whose influence had grown even stronger by swallowing up the Fang family's resources, was destroyed.

Their demise was even faster than that of the Fang family. The ones who made the move were the remaining two of the four pillars of the North—the Wei family and the Wang family.

Although the two families have always had their disagreements, they will definitely feel threatened by the Liu family's sudden expansion and the Fang family's vast legacy.

Therefore, on some of Gao Jian's 'suggestions', taking advantage of the fact that the Liu family's foundation was not yet stable, that internal restlessness was brewing due to their sudden wealth, and that they were surrounded by powerful enemies, they seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

However, after this incident... Takami's treatment changed.

This time, however, there was no grand feast, nor any "thank you."

When Gao Jian, accompanied by Xia Youdu, once again "visited" the temporary meeting place jointly established by the Wei and Wang families in Youzhou—a heavily guarded fortress—they were greeted by cold, tightly closed doors and countless wary, fearful, and even hostile gazes.

On those fortress walls, the elite guards of the Wei and Wang families stood in imposing armor, their bows drawn, their spiritual energy held back, the atmosphere heavy as iron.

"Young Master Gao, please return!" A loud and cold voice came from inside the fortress, carrying an undeniable resolve. "Youzhou is currently in a turbulent period, and the Wei and Wang families are too busy with their own affairs to entertain guests! As a distinguished scholar of the Imperial Academy, this is not a place for you to linger. Please leave immediately to avoid any misunderstandings!"

Unsurprisingly, they were turned away!
The leaders of the Wei and Wang families are by no means fools.

The Fang family perished because Gao Jian "intervened in injustice," while the Liu family rose to prominence only to fall just as suddenly because Gao Jian "stepped in to help." The connection between these events is both too clear and too bizarre.
Gao Jian saw this man as a ghost carrying the aura of death; wherever he appeared, that house was marked with misfortune. No one believed his "coincidence" and "going with the flow" anymore.

His arrival in Youzhou was no coincidence, nor was it a study tour! This man is the source of chaos, a fickle and venomous snake! Although the two families temporarily joined forces to destroy the Liu family for mutual benefit, they reached an unprecedented consensus on Gao Jian: keep a respectful distance and never get involved!

They even swore an oath to cooperate sincerely, share the enormous profits, and never betray each other, lest they repeat the mistakes of Fang and Liu. Vast wealth lay before them, enough to elevate both families to new heights, even surpassing their former four-pillar formation.

As long as they stay calm and don't fight amongst themselves...

However, wealth is as vast as mountains and seas, while the human heart is as deep as an abyss.

The assets left behind by the Liu and Fang families were so vast that they could corrupt any oath, and so abundant that even the slightest spark could ignite the fires of greed and suspicion long buried deep within human nature.

And this spark was lit by Xia Youdu himself.

Under Gao Jian's "arrangement," Xia Youdu's identity as a true disciple of Youmingdi allowed her to easily make friends with all sorts of people. This was her natural shield, and no one would easily suspect that she had such a deep-seated collusion with Gao Jian, a "student of the Imperial Academy," nor would anyone expect that she would become Gao Jian's dog.

Her task was simple: to subtly and unintentionally uncover some of the Wei and Wang families' little-known secrets during the banquet.

Who doesn't have secrets?
The scandal of the Wei family patriarch's most favored youngest son failing to break through three years ago and secretly recovering was leaked by a low-ranking steward of the Wang family who was "indignant" and "slipped up his tongue while drunk," resulting in the loss of his inheritance rights.

The Wang family secretly withheld a huge amount of spiritual materials that should have been handed over to the state government for the repair of the border defense array. A copy of their account "unexpectedly" appeared on the desk of an elder of the Wei family who was in charge of supervision.

A letter from a powerful elder of the Wei family was left behind by a "careless maid" in the corridor outside the Wang family's council hall.

Even more shockingly, a meticulously forged document, depicting the Wang family's plan to launch a surprise attack on the Wei family's core industries in conjunction with external forces after the division of assets, was "coincidentally" intercepted by Wei family spies...

These "secrets," when viewed individually, might seem like minor ailments or family scandals. However, between the Wei and Wang families, who had just experienced a bloody merger, were on edge, and were standing on mountains of gold and silver, these "accidentally" revealed "hidden agendas" were instantly interpreted as the most vicious conspiracy signals!
"They really do want to make a move!"

"I knew they couldn't be trusted! They're trying to steal the spoils from me because they don't know how to divide them properly!"

"Digging up even this kind of thing is clearly an attempt to find an excuse to take action and undermine our morale!"

"That attack plan...the time and location are so specific, it's better to believe it exists than not!"

Words appeared one by one in the secret room.

Suspicion spread like wildfire among the top executives and core combat forces of both companies.

Each revelation of a "secret" felt like a knife slashing a taut string. Both sides firmly believed the other harbored malicious intentions and aimed to monopolize the wealth. Instead of satisfaction, the wealth brought endless anxiety and paranoia. The foundation of trust crumbled before the "evidence."

The final trigger was a small-scale conflict that broke out between the two sides during the handover of a rich mineral mine due to "boundary survey errors".

This situation could have been resolved through mediation, but the accumulated suspicions had escalated like a volcano. The conflict quickly escalated, from verbal altercations to armed fights, and then to the intervention of both sides' offerings and elders... One side believed this was a long-planned provocation and a signal of a final offensive by the other, while the other side saw it as concrete evidence of the other side breaking the alliance and intending to annex them!

Former allies, sworn to brotherhood, have turned against each other with the help of immense interests and carefully sown seeds of distrust! The last two giants of the North have once again ignited a brutal civil war on the land recently stained with the blood of the Liu family! Its intensity far surpasses that of the war against the Liu family.

Gao Jian and Xia Youdu had already left and stood on a deserted hill in Youzhou, gazing at the burst of spiritual light and roar in the distance.

Xia Youdu's face appeared somewhat pale in the light of the distant magical explosion.

She completed her task, yet a sense of absurdity and chilling lingered deep within her. Looking at Gao Jian's calm profile, a profound question gnawed at her heart like a venomous snake:
That's insightful. What makes him so certain?
The Wei and Wang families had already recognized his danger and were keeping a close watch on him.

While her identity was useful, it was not without flaws.

If she could just casually hint at this moment to the Wei family, the Wang family, or even any remaining power in the North, sending back a message that reveals Gao Jian's true purpose and the role he plays in it...

Then, Gao Jian would immediately transform from a pawn in the shadows into the target of the entire Northern Aristocratic Group, and possibly even certain forces within the Netherworld! He would face endless pursuit and attacks! His plans would collapse in an instant!
And, if he dies...

The old ancestor would naturally no longer care about him, and he might be able to get away.

Isn't he afraid? Isn't he worried that Xia Youdu might betray him completely at some point, out of fear, hatred, or even just a moment of wavering?
However, Gao Jian simply stood with his hands behind his back, the mountain wind blowing his plain robes, making them flutter.

He gazed at the distant flames of infighting among powerful families, his eyes as deep and still as an ancient well, utterly undisturbed, as if watching a drama that had nothing to do with him. That composure, that calm of complete control, even carried a hint of… boredom.

Xia Youdu's question almost spilled out, but looking at his composed and seemingly all-knowing demeanor, she swallowed it back. A deeper sense of powerlessness and the chilling feeling of being completely seen through gripped her.

Yes... why would he be afraid?
Since he dared to use her, dared to entrust such a crucial link to her, and dared to make no attempt to hide his plans from her... it meant that he already had absolute certainty that he believed Xia Youdu was the one he dared not and could not betray!
What did he do?
Was it during the period of probing in the Netherworld that an undetectable restriction was placed within her body?

Was it a secret conspiracy with the ancestor to cast some kind of spell on her?
Did they exploit some weakness in her that she herself was unaware of?
Or... he had already laid a hidden trap that she couldn't even imagine, one that could completely eliminate her or the source of the information the moment she betrayed him?
Xia Youdu didn't know.

All she knew was that in front of this man, all her thoughts and struggles seemed so transparent.

So in the end she didn't do those things.

At this moment, Gao Jian finally turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on Xia Youdu's pale face, without saying a word.

However, Xia Youdu couldn't hold back any longer and took the initiative to speak up: "Young master is truly amazing... The evil in human nature is like a fire that ignites spontaneously; we only need to add a gust of wind to extinguish it."

"Human nature?" Gao Jian asked rhetorically, but there was no questioning in his voice; it was more like casual conversation.

"Isn't it human nature?" Xia Youdu asked, puzzled.

"What is human nature?" Gao Jian asked again.

Xia Youdu had the answer, but when she heard Gao Jian say this, she dared not reveal her own answer.

She always made huge mistakes in front of Gao, so she dared not say anything more.

Gao Jian smiled and said, "Perfect, then I'll tell you about it."

(The leader's request has finally been made up.)
(End of this chapter)