As Lin Yanxi and Shen Muzhou were being surrounded by the black cloaked figures' clones, an old man with a white beard rode on the back of Xiao Liu. As Xiao Liu used Qinggong to rush over, the yellow bells tied to the old man's white hair chimed with clear sounds.
Before Xiao Liu's feet even landed and he stabilized himself, the white-bearded old man clamored, "Hurry and set me down! How dare you scoundrels bully my disciple!"
Lin Yanxi looked at the old man. He was the one imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court. How did he get here?
The old man's fingers danced, and a talisman with a black character on a yellow background appeared out of thin air. He flicked his finger, his voice full of vigor, "Break!"
The black cloaked figures' clones instantly vanished, leaving only two black cloaked figures staring at each other. They had never heard of such a person under Yue You and were unsure of the old man's origin.
The old man stroked his beard and smiled, walking towards Yanxi and saying, "Do you think these petty tricks can harm my disciple."
As the old man was about to touch Lin Yanxi, Shen Muzhou stepped forward, shielding her behind him. The old man was stunned and pointed at him, saying, "Oh, I remember now. You're the one this girl was looking for that day."
Having faced several dangers together recently, Shen Muzhou cautiously asked the person in front of him, "Who are you?"
Xiao Liu stepped forward, drawing his saber and pointing it at the two figures. He looked back at Shen Muzhou's injuries and said, "Your Highness, you are injured."
The old man wrinkled his nose displeasantly and grumbled, "Tsk, with your body full of injuries and plagued by the cold ailment, can you stop me?"
The cold ailment? He could see Shen Muzhou's cold ailment at a glance?
She had met this old man twice, and coupled with how easily he had just broken the clone spell, she took half a step forward from behind Shen Muzhou and asked, "Are you also from the Jiang family?"
Before she could receive an answer, while they were talking, the black cloaked figures reformed the Blood Sacrifice Curse. However, before the curse could take shape, it was scattered by a yellow talisman the old man casually conjured.
Seeing they were outmatched, the black cloaked figures wanted to escape and find a way to kill this young talisman master later.
"We can't let them go!" Lin Yanxi exclaimed.
Just as Xiao Liu was about to rush forward to stop them, a body-immobilizing talisman flew over and stuck to them. Their hair strands were frozen in mid-air, and the falling leaves around them were fixed in the wind.
This time, even Lin Yanxi was stunned. The body-immobilizing technique was clearly different from hers.
The old man looked at Lin Yanxi's reaction with satisfaction and asked, "How is it? Do you want to learn?"
She didn't answer his question but walked towards the two figures. She was already slender and petite, carrying a short saber in her hand. Her frail body looked incredibly weak, like a delicate flower battered by the cold wind, as if she might drift away at any moment.
Struggling to reach the black cloaked figures, she coldly asked, "Who is behind you?"
The old man moved his fingers slightly, allowing the black cloaked figures' throats to make sounds, but they refused to say anything.
The short saber in her hand fiercely plunged into one of their chests. However, her strength was too small, and only a small tip entered. She gripped the hilt with her other hand, applying force with both arms, twisting the blade, and pushing it deeper.
The black cloaked figures let out painful groans and trembled, saying, "Kill us then. We won't live if we betray our master either!"
Lin Yanxi's unnaturally pale face cracked into a smile. These people wouldn't say anything, so there was no need to keep them alive...
"I'll give you a quick death." Her voice was weak as she spoke, her eyes carrying a cruel generosity.
She raised her slender arms high again, fiercely piercing their chests, again and again...
Shen Muzhou quickly came down, pulled her into his arms, took her hand holding the saber, and said, "They're dead."
He whispered into her ear, "They're already dead, they're already dead."
Lin Yanxi froze for a moment, and the saber dropped to the ground. Like a child who had suffered an immense grievance, she buried her face in his chest and sobbed.
---
Southern Min Eastern Palace.
Shen Qingyun threw the teacup on the table to the ground, tea splashing everywhere, and the cup shattering into pieces.
He paced back and forth in the room, incredulously asking, "They're not dead? After sending so many people, he's still not dead!"
Lin Ze sat upright, his fingertips constantly rubbing the armrest of the armchair, circling on it.
Seeing his calm demeanor, Shen Qingyun's anger flared. He questioned, "Is Grand Tutor at ease? Your precious daughter is not only unharmed but has also helped Shen Muzhou escape danger multiple times!"
Lin Ze's gaze was deep as he looked at him, remaining silent, suppressing his anger. Shen Qingyun realized he had spoken out of turn and softened his tone, "Teacher, what I mean is, we missed two opportunities to put him to death. What should be our next move?"
He sighed and sat down on a chair.
The Grand Tutor said slowly, "In a game of chess between two sides, you make a move, and he responds. Until the very last moment, how can you know who wins or loses?"
Shen Qingyun pondered this for a moment and asked, "What does Grand Tutor mean?"
"That jade talisman of his hasn't been found yet, has it? Why are you in such a hurry? I heard they were injured. You can use this time while they're recuperating to send people to find the jade talisman, can't you?"
Shen Qingyun sat on the chair, contemplating, "Shen Muzhou isn't stupid. If he can't go, he'll definitely send people from the Dark Night Division to investigate."
The Grand Tutor narrowed his eyes and chuckled softly, "Doesn't the Crown Prince already anticipate their next move? Do you still worry about not having a countermeasure?"
Shen Qingyun understood immediately and chuckled along with the Grand Tutor. He waved for his confidant and said, "Send people to secretly control the Dark Night Division. Anyone who leaves the city must be killed."
"Don't worry, Grand Tutor. I will obtain this jade talisman."
Just as the Grand Tutor left the Eastern Palace, a carriage entered from the side gate. A woman wearing a bamboo hat alighted from the carriage. The Crown Prince had been waiting at the side gate and, seeing her arrive, helped her down from the carriage.
"Brother Crown Prince, did father make things difficult for you?" Lin Ruoyan lifted her hat, revealing her delicate eyebrows, with a hint of worry.
Shen Qingyun's expression stiffened. Was this Lin Ruoyan so foolish or naive? Her father was merely a Grand Tutor; did he dare to make things difficult for the current Crown Prince?
He sighed, then smiled gently and said, "It's I who have disappointed Grand Tutor. Fortunately, you're here to keep me company and alleviate my worries."
Lin Ruoyan didn't notice his odd behavior and comforted him, "Father is indeed. I saw him leave with a stern face, heading towards the Eastern Palace, and I was afraid he might have had an unpleasant encounter with Your Highness."
Shen Qingyun paused his steps, turned her body, his eyes moving with a gentle glow. He gazed at her face for a long time, making her a bit shy. She lowered her eyes and asked, "Brother Crown Prince, did I say something wrong?"
His hand gently brushed her small nose and said, "Actually, you don't need to be so reserved when you speak. Grand Tutor is my teacher; I respect him. Furthermore, he is your relative. Even if it were for your sake, I wouldn't have an unpleasant exchange with him."
Lin Ruoyan's face turned even redder, and she nodded obediently, saying, "Let's go. Brother Crown Prince, didn't you say you'd take me boating today?"
She skipped ahead, not seeing Shen Qingyun's gaze gradually darken behind her.
---
Lin Yanxi woke up two days later. They didn't rush their journey but recuperated in the county town.
"Shen..."
Shen Muzhou sat on a round chair opposite the bed, his hand supporting his forehead, his eyes lightly closed. His face was like white jade, his chiseled features always reflecting a layer of cold arrogance, surrounded by an aura of slaughter that made people dare not approach.
The difference was that she always found a sense of trust in him, as if he would never abandon her to escape alone, no matter what.
The young girl lying on the bed turned slightly, gazing at his exceptionally handsome face. Her bright, watery eyes seemed lost in thought.
"You're awake?" He moved his slightly stiff neck, poured some clear tea, and brought it to her lips.
He held the cup and fed her. Her somewhat dry, pale lips moved, and she took small sips of tea, her lips gradually becoming moist and rosy.
"Feeling better?" he asked in a deep voice.
Lin Yanxi softly hummed "hmm" and then asked, "Xiao Shitiao, he..."
"I buried him in the back mountain, and his memorial tablet has been placed in the Jiang family ancestral hall."
She froze for a moment, then remembered the sunny, cheerful young boy who called her "Sister Yanxi" with every address. Her long eyelashes were slightly damp, and tears hung precariously on them, shimmering like dew.
After a long while, she finally said, "That's for the best. He had no relatives, and the Jiang residence is his home. Take me to see him."
The door creaked open. A young girl who looked quite frail was followed by a man half a shoulder taller than her, with a cold expression.
"Greetings, Second Miss."
Xiao Liu led the way. The entire floor had been cleared and cordoned off by people from the Dark Night Division.
She looked somewhat flustered at Shen Muzhou. He lightly nodded, and Xiao Liu stood up, followed by the Dark Night Division.
Shen Muzhou said, "The county magistrate has been arrested, and the weapons privately manufactured in the prison have been confiscated. We are still investigating who ordered these actions."
Lin Yanxi suddenly asked, "What about those commoners?"
Shen Yu leaned against the corridor, jingling the jade pendant at his waist, and said proudly, "Of course, I let them go. After I entered the pit, I found the commoners were all locked in iron cages in the pit. After I let them go, I then set fire to the grain. Who knew that beneath the grain was gunpowder."
"Fortunately, the straw on top was ignited first. It burned for a while before igniting the gunpowder, so no commoners were harmed."
Before she could say anything, the white-bearded old man ran downstairs holding a half-eaten chicken leg. He exclaimed excitedly, "Oh, my good disciple, you're finally awake!"
Lin Yanxi hid behind Shen Muzhou, looking him up and down.
The old man stomped his foot anxiously, "What? You don't even trust your master? If it weren't for me, you would have died at the hands of those sorcerers long ago."
Xiao Liu curled his lip dismissively, "Yes, if we hadn't met you on the road, the soldiers would have arrived long ago, and my Prince wouldn't have sustained so many injuries."
She then remembered that Shen Muzhou had also suffered many injuries. She tilted her small head to look at Shen Muzhou. He saw the worry in her eyes, smiled, and said nothing.
It seemed he was not seriously injured. She asked the old man again, "Who exactly are you?"