The green smoke outside Wusheng Pass grew thicker, and even those standing on high ground outside the city could only see wisps of smoke from within, unable to discern the situation inside.
"My lord, the smoke in the city has been burning for days. The guards on the city walls are fewer and fewer. Could it be that everyone inside has died? Xiao Luo hasn't appeared on the city walls for several days."
The mysterious man frowned. Wusheng Pass was in such a state, yet Blue Moon remained completely inactive. Xiao Man was also nowhere to be seen, as if she was utterly unconcerned about Wusheng Pass.
"Has the news of the plague outbreak in Wusheng Pass been spread?"
"My lord, it was spread long ago, but there has been no movement. No one has sent medicine to Wusheng Pass, nor has anyone come to its aid."
The man was puzzled. He had heard that Xiao Luo and Xiao Man shared a deep sibling bond. Now, with Xiao Luo in peril in Wusheng Pass, it was one thing for Xiao Man not to show up, but to not even send a single person for assistance? Could their supposed sibling affection be a lie? Or had Xiao Luo become a discarded pawn?
"Has Bianjing sent anyone?"
"No."
"Still no trace of Xiao Man?"
"No."
As far as he knew, Xiao Man cared deeply for those around her. It was impossible that she would hear about Wusheng Pass and remain indifferent, especially with Chu Qingge in Bianjing. She wouldn't stand by and let her husband die! What was going on?
Those outside the city were desperate to know the situation within, but no one entered or left Wusheng Pass, leaving them no way to find out.
"My lord, shall we continue to wait?"
The man did not answer immediately. They had already waited for half a month. If they waited any longer, the Empress would have already given birth. Time was of the essence, and he could not afford to delay. He had to lure the person out before the Empress gave birth, or it would be even harder to deal with her once the child was born.
"Tonight, we enter the city to investigate."
As soon as he spoke, the faces of his attendants turned pale. That was the Black Death, incurable. If they rashly entered, it would be no different from seeking death.
"My lord, absolutely not," the attendant pleaded. "The Black Death is rampant in the city. If we barge in rashly, we are highly likely to contract the plague. That's a pestilence!"
The man also hesitated. He did not fear death, but he did not wish to die in such a meaningless way. Yet, without knowing the situation inside, waiting outside was agonizing. The guards on the city walls, though fewer in number, remained vigilant, showing no signs of panic or fear of the plague, as if Wusheng Pass had no problems at all.
But the rising green smoke made him suspect that it was all a ruse, a diversion by Xiao Luo. However, if it were a diversion, why would Xiao Man remain indifferent? Why would Bianjing be silent? Unless Wusheng Pass was perfectly fine!
But he had secretly introduced rats infected with the Black Death into Wusheng Pass, so it couldn't possibly be safe!
Just as the mysterious man was filled with unease, Wusheng Pass actually opened its gates and let in refugees from outside. This action deepened everyone's suspicion.
Thus, a group of them disguised themselves as refugees and entered Wusheng Pass together. If the plague was truly raging in Wusheng Pass, Xiao Luo would never have opened the gates to let in refugees, unless there was no plague outbreak in Wusheng Pass at all.
Inside Wusheng Pass, there was a profound silence. Hardly anyone was seen on the streets. The occasional guards on patrol hurried along. The refugees were housed in a deserted residential building, large enough to accommodate them all. Soldiers brought them food and clothing, ordered them not to leave the premises, and then departed.
Once they were sure the guards had left, the group began to move. Although they were well hidden, the pervasive medicinal smell could not be masked. Wusheng Pass was indeed in trouble, just not as serious as they had imagined.
"My lord, shall we investigate now?"
"In broad daylight? Do you think your lives are too long?" The man raised his head. His face was ordinary, one that would be lost in any crowd. If Xiao Man were here, she would recognize him as none other than Tian Hao.
"Then shall we just stay here?"
"Wait for nightfall," Tian Hao said softly. His trump card should have worked. Had Xiao Luo discovered his scheme in advance and made preparations? Had the rats he released been captured before they could spread the disease?
"This place looks like it's been abandoned for a long time, yet it's so clean. Not even a rat dropping in sight."
Tian Hao, lying on a pile of dry grass, sat up abruptly upon hearing this. He looked around and indeed, even in this deserted house, there was no sign of rats. This was abnormal, unless all the snakes, insects, rats, and ants in Wusheng Pass had been exterminated!
"He truly underestimated him. No wonder Bianjing remained silent. Wusheng Pass is not infected with the Black Death at all!"
"My lord, if Wusheng Pass is not infected with the Black Death, what should we do?" the attendant asked. They had intended to force Xiao Man out using the plague, but Xiao Luo had disrupted their plan completely. Su Dan Novels
"If the Black Death won't work, then we have to go in head-on," Tian Hao said grimly. "Find a way to capture Xiao Luo. I don't believe Xiao Man can remain calm!"
"Yes, my lord."
The night was deep and silent, the cold wind howled, making a whistling sound, and the windows rattled. The weather in the first lunar month was still cold, and the sky outside was devoid of stars, so dark that one could not see their hand in front of their face.
Several figures flew out of the refugee settlement and headed straight for the General's mansion, completely unaware that their every move was being observed.
After the person monitoring them in the shadows followed the others away, Tian Hao slowly emerged and headed in another direction. Xiao Luo letting the refugees into the city was likely a trap for him, but he didn't realize that letting the refugees in was his biggest mistake.
Tian Hao headed towards the city's well. To capture Xiao Luo, brute force was not needed; wit was required. Diversion was indeed a useful tactic. He would let those people chase after his pawns everywhere, and within a day, the people of Wusheng Pass would all fall. At that point, even with his heaven-defying abilities, Xiao Luo would have no choice but to surrender!
Tian Hao knocked out the guards at the well and took out a bottle of medicine, preparing to pour it into the well. A cold glint suddenly flashed, striking Tian Hao's wrist. Tian Hao cried out in pain, and the porcelain bottle fell from his hand, landing in another person's grasp.
Tian Hao clutched his wrist and retreated, as torches flared around him. Tian Hao finally saw clearly the assailant who had ambushed him. It was none other than Xiao Luo himself!