Meng Fuyuan’s answer was indeed unexpected.
He said, “Because I can predict the future.”
This absurd answer made Lu Qingwan subconsciously suspect if her soul-seizing technique had malfunctioned.
She cautiously checked Meng Fuyuan’s pupils and surprisingly found that he was indeed under the effect of soul-seizing.
Lu Qingwan looked at Si Fengwu in disbelief, “He claims he can predict the future, do you believe him?”
Si Fengwu did not directly say yes or no, but instead asked Meng Fuyuan, “Since you can predict the future, did you not foresee your current predicament?”
Over the past forty years, Meng Fuyuan seemed to have accomplished many things.
However, in his position, others could have done those things, and even done them better.
At least Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu saw no positive changes, either for him personally or for the general environment, stemming from his ability to predict the future.
Therefore, although Si Fengwu’s question was seeking confirmation, it also carried a hint of mockery.
Meng Fuyuan’s reply was again surprising.
“Predicting the future is an act that goes against the heavens and consumes one’s vital energy.
In my lifetime, I have predicted less than ten times. This time, it concerns the Han Xiao Hall, and I also predicted that the Han Xiao Hall would end in your hands.
Therefore, I tried every means to stop you from approaching the Han Xiao Hall. But a prophet is indeed cruel.
Even if you can predict the future for a thousand or a hundred years, you can only watch helplessly as the events you most dread unfold, unable to change them.”
Soul-seizing was not like a truth serum; although consciousness was beyond one’s control, emotions were still genuine.
As Meng Fuyuan spoke, his tone was filled with an undeniable melancholy and unwillingness, making him appear rather pitiable.
Lu Qingwan then asked again, “So, our current operation plan was also predicted by you?
What arrangements did you make for our plan?”
Meng Fuyuan was almost slumped on the tall dragon throne, his voice ethereal and weak, “I know that destiny cannot be defied.
From the moment you all began to approach the Han Xiao Hall, I no longer considered fighting against heaven and earth. Therefore, this time, I only wished to drag you down with me in mutual destruction.
Naturally, I also knew that you might not be easy to deal with.
So, before you entered the city, I had already instructed someone to place Si Rui’an and Gu Shenci, Nangong Che and Meng Fusu, and others on a boat and send them into the dark river.”
She never expected him to go to such lengths, and Lu Qingwan was immediately enraged.
“Da Bai, come and lead us out!”
After notifying Da Bai to guide them, Lu Qingwan grabbed Meng Fusu’s shoulder and angrily demanded the whereabouts of the Crown Prince Cheng’an and his consort.
Meanwhile, Teng She coiled its bulky body and swiftly shot out.
Upon reaching the surface, Li Su had already gathered his men and was waiting.
Seeing Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu, he quickly asked, “Your Highness, Your Highness Consort, are you alright?
We received news from San Sheng Tower that Madam Zi Yi did not find Nangong Che and Meng Fusu.
Just now, we received news that the Samsara Hall was attacked, and the situation is currently unclear.
Wu Feng has already sent our brothers to provide reinforcement, but the Nan Qi court has discovered our presence. The prefect of Dan Zhou has already brought his men to surround us. What should we do, Your Highness?”
The Phantom Night Sea was located at the junction of Nan Qi and Da Qin, a notorious no-man’s-land.
However, if the Nan Qi court wished to intervene, they were also qualified to do so.
Si Fengwu was not only the future emperor of Tian Feng but also a prince of Da Qin. Confronting the Nan Qi court would be very disadvantageous for him. Li Su’s panic was understandable.
Lu Qingwan was eager to save the Crown Prince Cheng’an and his consort. Upon hearing this, she directly said, “What are you afraid of?
Does Nan Qi have people, and Da Qin does not?
This place, who can prove it belongs to Nan Qi? Immediately send someone to invite the governor of Ya Zhou to deal with it.
Announce that Wu Feng will remain here to deal with all remaining remnants on the island. The rest of you, spread out in full and head towards the four o’clock direction to find a dark red, double-decked wooden boat.
You must bring back the people on that boat.”
After speaking, she casually pushed the lifeless Meng Fuyuan to Li Qing beside her. “Take him down immediately for interrogation. Extract all the intelligence from his mouth, then kill him and scatter his ashes on the spot!”
This statement stunned everyone.
It was known that even when dealing with Feng Qingheng and Wen Yayuan, whom she hated the most, Lu Qingwan had only ordered them killed.
Scattering ashes on the spot, to those like Li Qing who were unaware of the situation, seemed like the most severe punishment.
Lu Qingwan naturally did not reveal that Meng Fuyuan could predict the future, only saying, “He intended to throw the Crown Prince Cheng’an and his consort into the dark river.”
The others said nothing and immediately took their orders and withdrew.
Lu Qingwan herself then exited the Han Xiao Hall with Si Fengwu.
Si Fengwu appeared calm, but his steps were swift.
Lu Qingwan hurried to catch up, whispering to comfort him, “Don’t worry, I have a way to find them. They won’t be harmed.”
Si Fengwu did not stop, but he slowed down slightly, making it less strenuous for Lu Qingwan to keep up.
He said, “There are no dark rivers in the southern sea region. The most well-known dark river in this area should be at the confluence of the three rivers entering the sea.
That area is constantly affected by tidal currents, and the underwater terrain is unstable. If my father and mother entered that dark river, even a god couldn't save them.”
“I know, that’s why Teng She has already gone there. We’ll go now. Trust me, I can find them before they enter the dark river.”
The thermal imaging equipment in the space laboratory was ready, waiting to enter the sea for a comprehensive scan.
Meanwhile, Teng She did not disappoint them.
As soon as Lu Qingwan stepped out of the Han Xiao Hall, she felt Teng She’s summons.
They sped all the way, and many brothers who had received the order were already boarding ships and preparing to depart.
As Si Fengwu was about to board, Teng She, who usually only coiled lazily on Lu Qingwan’s wrist, suddenly plunged into the water. Its earthworm-like body rapidly expanded several times.
Soon, a giant python, thicker than a large water vat and with two eerie green eyes, appeared before everyone.
This greatly startled the brothers below. Teng She, however, shifted its body, its tail tip gently swaying, signaling Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu to climb onto its back.
Although a gentle flick of its tail capsized several nearby boats, it also made Lu Qingwan realize a more time-saving method.
Holding Si Fengwu’s hand, she lightly leaped onto Teng She’s back. Teng She then quickly carried the two of them away.
After a while, the others finally reacted. “They hurriedly boarded their ships and pursued in the direction the two had gone.”
Once Teng She entered the water, it was like a fish in water, moving smoothly and rapidly.
The thermal imaging equipment scanned the sea surface at high speed, and Lu Qingwan’s clairvoyance was also utilized to its utmost.
The golden eagle above treated itself like a osprey and a seagull, almost skimming the sea surface to help Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu search for people.
It was amidst this chaos that a slender figure caught the attention of Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu.