Let them offer their loyalty!

Hearing Elder Tang's words, Qiu Tu froze for a moment.

To be honest, when he reported the possibility of Elder Pang being a traitor, Qiu Tu was initially thinking of secretly earning some merit to climb into the higher echelons of the Sanctuary. However, he had never really considered what kind of feedback Elder Tang might provide.

After all, in a nation, the most important thing isn't development—it's stability. And among all, political stability is the utmost priority.

If instability exists below, it can be dealt with through bribes, suppression, or various other means.

But if the instability is at the top, it might lead to internal strife at best, and fragmentation at worst.

And...the higher someone's position climbs, the more "freedom" they acquire.

Take Qiu Tu, for example… He had dealings with the Evil God, using the Evil God's influence to benefit the Sanctuary. Such a matter, if attributed to a Bureau Chief or a Director, would immediately be crushed under an iron fist with no mercy.

But at his level of position, power, influence, and authority within the Sanctuary, he had secured a voice of his own.

In this situation, the few leaders of the Sanctuary would be more cautious about his actions.

If someone like Qiu Tu, just a Quasi-Speaker, could possess such latitude, someone like Elder Pang, who held "dry stock" in the Sanctuary, would only be freer.

Elder Pang was the leader of the "Academic Faction" and one of the six giants of the Sanctuary. His protégés were spread across the world, and he had a tremendous influence within the Academic Faction.

Such a figure was already standing at the apex of the Human Camp, with nearly infinite latitude in their "freedom."

As long as they hadn't betrayed the "core secrets" of the Human Camp, any other actions could typically be excused with "reasonable" justifications.

After all…those who steal hooks are executed, but those who steal nations are crowned princes.

Moreover, at someone like Elder Pang's level, they practically possess the ultimate authority to interpret and explain everything around them.

So, even with ironclad evidence, actions may not necessarily be taken against him—let alone when there was no tangible proof.

This is why, from the very beginning, Qiu Tu never believed that merely reporting this issue would elicit much reaction from the higher-ups in the Sanctuary.

His primary goal was to "earn merit" and "get promoted." His secondary goal was to raise an alert to prevent the Eighth Sanctuary from truly being harmed by Elder Pang.

But who could've expected Elder Tang to actually dare to respond directly to this matter?

As he thought about this, even Qiu Tu himself hesitated to respond.

He pondered for a few moments before carefully inquiring, "Elder Tang… Could it be that you've already been suspecting Elder Pang for some time?"

Elder Tang shook his head without providing an explanation. Dressed in a Zhongshan suit, he sat steadily behind his desk and said, "Regardless, don't act rashly on this matter for now."

"I'll first discuss the issue with the Speaker. I'll give you a reply in a couple of days."

At this point, Elder Tang suddenly added, "Qiu Tu… If the Sanctuary entrusts you with a challenging mission, would you be willing to take it on?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu's heart leapt!

He almost blurted out: Rest assured, Elder Tang, I'm always prepared to become a leader of the Sanctuary…

But he knew better than to joke under such circumstances. Instead, he replied with a serious and earnest expression, "I'm willing to accept!"

Hearing Qiu Tu's reply, Elder Tang nodded in satisfaction and said, "Good. Then await my news."

Having said this, Elder Tang decisively ended the video call.

Watching Elder Tang's disappearing figure, Qiu Tu sat back down in his spacious chair, quietly reflecting for a while.

Although Elder Tang hadn't made things explicitly clear, Qiu Tu felt…this matter wasn't as simple as he originally thought.

If you find yourself getting along seamlessly with someone in a conversation and receiving immediate feedback on everything you say, you must be cautious.

—Because chances are, the other person has already prepared for you in advance.

It's the same when it comes to political matters. Faced with such a major sudden event, Elder Tang's initial advice to "proceed cautiously" was followed by an unexpectedly calm response.

He even…offered feedback.

Clearly, this indicated that Elder Tang had taken preliminary preparations.

And those preparations wouldn't have been made for Qiu Tu, which meant they could only have been targeted at another concerned party—Elder Pang, Pang Haichen.

'So…does this mean Elder Tang and his group have already noticed some irregularities in Pang Haichen over the years?'

'But due to lacking evidence and leads, they've stayed put?'

'After all, the Eighth Sanctuary's strength is too weak, leading to limited intelligence capabilities.'

'It's very likely they don't even know about the "Fog Hidden Association" organization but merely that a mysterious power is backing Pang Haichen.'

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Qiu Tu inexplicably thought of Huang Shangzong.

Actually…Qiu Tu had always felt that there was something off about Huang Shangzong.

Not that he had doubts about his loyalty, but rather that his political positioning was somewhat peculiar.

The Sanctuary consisted of six major factions. Although these factions weren't entirely distinct, they each formed their own systems.

Especially at the higher echelons, where every member was expected to remain tightly united around their respective leaders.

Huang Shangzong, however, was different.

When Elder Tang first visited, Huang Shangzong showed an unusually high level of hospitality. Elder Tang, on his part, treated him with the affection of a senior nurturing a junior. (Chapter 415)

At the time, Qiu Tu already felt a tinge of oddity.

Although Elder Tang's higher status as the Sanctuary's second-in-command could explain his magnanimous demeanor and care for high-ranking members across all factions…

But…did Huang Shangzong not realize the need to avoid suspicion?

Wasn't he concerned about arousing suspicion from his own faction leader?

Then shortly after, when Old Rao achieved his breakthrough to the Fifth Order, Huang Shangzong publicly celebrated his "political achievement." Moreover… the two of them had a lengthy private discussion within Old Rao's courtyard. (Chapter 469)