"Investigate thoroughly and find Wan Du Zi's whereabouts as soon as possible. Our master has been poisoned with Hua Sui, and only Wan Du Zi knows how to concoct this poison." Shu Xuan paused. He and Jiang Yao, one inside and one outside, had once cooperated perfectly. But now, Jiang Yao had inexplicably lost his life, followed by his master's poisoning and the incident at Tian Bao Lou. One event after another made him feel they were all connected.
"How did Jiang Yao die?" Shu Xuan asked abruptly. Jiang Yao had always been cautious and traveled with many guards. How did he die so inexplicably in the imperial palace of Yu Sheng?
"During the Yu Sheng palace rebellion, he was killed by the Crown Prince's men amidst the chaos."
Shu Xuan stopped his steps. "Does the Crown Prince have any experts by his side?"
The attendant shook his head. "I don't know. When I went to examine the Left Envoy's wounds, the stab was from the back, piercing through his chest. It was a fatal blow, likely an assassination by someone close to him."
"Is there a mole?" Shu Xuan felt a growing unease. Jiang Yao was highly vigilant and wouldn't easily trust anyone. How could he have died like this? What secrets were hidden within?
"Did you find the murder weapon?"
"It was the long sword used by the palace guards," the attendant replied. "It is said that a guard, who was fighting alongside the Left Envoy, suddenly stabbed him. But our men searched the entire palace and couldn't find that person."
"I must go to Yu Sheng myself to inform the special envoy. Our master is injured. Tell her to hold firm in Bian Jing and thoroughly investigate the truth behind the disappearances at Tian Bao Lou."
"Yes, sir."
Tian Bao Lou, once bustling with prosperous business and a constant stream of visitors, had now become a place everyone avoided.
Tian Bao Lou held a significant position in the martial arts world. Moreover, being located in the imperial capital of Lan Yue and backed by the court, such a force that dealt with both the righteous and the wicked should have been largely untouchable. Yet, Tian Bao Lou had met with disaster!
Feng Mo Ran, who went to investigate the truth, was injured by mechanisms within the building and confined to bed. The matter could only be handed over to others. As for the Empress, her focus was entirely on the poison afflicting Feng Mo Ran. To her astonishment, she could not break Feng Mo Ran's blood pact.
In the dead of night, Tian Bao Lou was brightly lit, as if still occupied. Yet, passersby actively avoided it, unwilling to get close. Some, seeing the lights on at Tian Bao Lou, had curiously entered. To their dismay, they found no one inside, only a chilling wind. It was rumored that screams were heard.
Thus, the tale of Tian Bao Lou being haunted spread like wildfire. Even during the day, people were reluctant to approach, let alone at night.
Yet, on such a dark and windy night, a person entered Tian Bao Lou. Dressed in black tight-fitting attire, with a silver mask concealing their face and a treasured sword in hand, the individual walked into Tian Bao Lou with a measured pace.
Inside Tian Bao Lou, the lights were blazing. The tea on the table was still steaming, as if someone had just finished drinking tea there. However, not a single soul could be seen throughout the building.
"Who is playing these tricks? Come out!" the newcomer commanded, clearly a woman.
But no one emerged, and no one answered her, as if she were the only person in the entire Tian Bao Lou.
The woman reached out to touch the teapot on the table. It was still warm, the tea still steaming, indicating someone had been drinking tea there not long ago. But Tian Bao Lou was supposedly a haunted place; who would be drinking tea here late at night?
Hesitating for a moment, the woman moved further inside. Tian Bao Lou was vast, divided into several areas. This was just the front hall. The woman entered the beast-taming arena. In the past, the arena would be filled with roaring crowds and fervent excitement. But now, the arena was deathly silent, the only sound being her footsteps. Sudanne Novel Network.
*Shu sha shu.* A rustling sound from behind. The woman drew her sword and struck, but the blade met only air. There was nothing behind her.
The woman became wary, her peripheral vision scanning the surroundings. She found nothing unusual. Just as she sheathed her sword and turned, a person stood before her, clad in a resplendent palace gown. Her countenance was striking, her demeanor gentle, yet the sight made the woman recoil in horror.
"You... you..."
The person who had been some distance away from the woman suddenly appeared right in front of her, their eyes bleeding: "Why did you betray me?"
The woman cried out in terror, closing her eyes and swinging her sword wildly. She slashed several times but hit nothing. Carefully, the woman opened her eyes. There was no one there; the entire arena was empty except for her.
The woman looked around. The place was vast and open, visible at a glance. There was nowhere to hide. Was she hallucinating?
"Qin Gu, why did you betray me?" A mournful voice came from behind. Large drops of sweat beaded on the woman's forehead, dripping one by one. Yet, she dared not turn around.
A chill snaked up her spine and shot straight to her head, making the woman tremble uncontrollably. However, this woman was also ruthless. She flung a handful of powder behind her, but it went through empty air, leaving no trace of anyone's presence.
"Who is playing tricks here? Come out!" The woman gripped her sword tightly, her gaze defensively scanning the surroundings, ready to strike down anyone hiding in the shadows.
However, she still received no answer. Qin Gu felt a sense of unease and decided to leave. But as she turned, the door slammed shut. Qin Gu tried to rush to open it but found herself unable to move. It turned out that, without her knowledge, she had stepped into someone's trap!
Sharp heavenly silkworm threads were spread all around her, restraining her movements. If she moved even an inch, the threads would cut her. Qin Gu swallowed.
"Who are you, and why are you playing these games here?"
A figure appeared before Qin Gu, moving like a ghost. With dark eyes, they looked coldly at Qin Gu: "Isn't it you who should be playing games?"
Qin Gu looked at the person before her and frowned slightly. "What do you want?"
Xiao Man retreated a good ten feet. The heavenly silkworm threads restraining Qin Gu suddenly tightened, ensnaring her entire body. As the threads constricted, bloodstains appeared on Qin Gu's body from the cuts.
"Stop! Do you know who I am... Ah..."
Qin Gu let out a scream as she was hoisted into the air in the arena. The heavenly silkworm threads dug into her flesh, and blood gushed out rapidly, dripping onto the ground, forming splashes of crimson plum blossoms.
"Do you know how I treat traitors?" Xiao Man asked softly.
Qin Gu looked at Xiao Man in terror. She had never met Xiao Man before. Why was Xiao Man trying to kill her on sight?
"Princess, I am Qin Gu, the commander of the guards for Empress Yue Xian. Have you misunderstood something?"
Xiao Man stood on the arena floor, calmly watching the heavenly silkworm threads constrict, as if intending to shred Qin Gu to pieces. Qin Gu's face contorted in pain, but she tried her best to remain calm. If she couldn't convince Xiao Man, she would surely die!