Shen Xihe’s threat to Yu Xiang was real, and using King Kang as an example to intimidate him wasn’t wrong. But would Shen Xihe so easily believe Yu Xiang would defect because of this?

Shen Xihe surely wasn’t that naive!

Yu Xiang had followed His Majesty for over twenty years, once serving as General of the Lingyu Guard, one of the Sixteen Guards – a position of personal guard commander that could only be given to His Majesty’s trusted confidants.

In his position, Xiao Changyan wouldn’t believe Yu Xiang could truly side with him either, even under duress!

If Yu Xiang was only pretending to comply, why would Shen Yun’an still deal with him?

“What do you make of this?” Away from Yu Xiang, Xiao Changyan asked his trusted advisor.

The advisor deliberated: “Your Highness, seeing King Kang’s downfall, the Eastern Palace Consort’s thoughts are unfathomable. This servant dares not make rash judgments – any misstep in this matter would bring endless trouble!”

Xiao Changyan’s suspicions weren’t wrong, but even if he predicted everything perfectly and Yu Xiang was just being used, they could only know which of Yu Xiang’s intelligence was false, but what was true?

The battlefield changed in an instant – one wrong move could lose everything. How could he dare make definitive decisions in such a major matter? The cost wasn’t something he could bear.

Standing at the bow, Xiao Changyan gazed at the boundless river, his eyes as deep and silent as the waters, finger rubbing his ring: “Order them to slow the search, and have your people watch closely who exchanges messages with the deaf-mute at Yu Xiang’s side.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The advisor withdrew.

Soon, Shen Yun’an noticed the three forces searching for them starting to loosen. He couldn’t help but smile slightly, his starlike eyes flickering with anticipation: “The fish has taken the bait.”

But he couldn’t pull yet – this was a big fish. Without it biting firmly, not only could he not pull, but he had to stay patient, absolutely not letting it discover the danger. To keep the fish from letting go, he needed to keep spreading bait.

He called his trusted aide Mo Yao and solemnly told him: “This mission is extremely dangerous. The Crown Princess mentioned soul-capturing techniques – I’ve heard of them in the Western Regions. They not only bewitch minds but can drive people mad. Some highly skilled practitioners can even make their victims take their own lives…”

Mo Yao had grown up with him, following at his side since his earliest memories. They had faced death countless times together, their relationship long surpassing master and servant – they were true life-and-death friends who would give their lives for each other!

Yet to win Xiao Changyan’s trust, Shen Yun’an could only send Mo Yao – anyone else might arouse suspicion from the suspicious and cunning Xiao Changyan.

“My lord needn’t worry for this servant. Since we brothers came of age, we swore loyalty to the Shen family – we’d gladly give our lives!” Mo Yao knelt on one knee before Shen Yun’an, making a strong fist salute.

Shen Yun’an personally helped him up, gripping his hand firmly: “Ayao, when this is over, find yourself a lady and marry soon – my son is about to be born. The friendship between us needs to be passed down through bloodlines.”

Mo Yao’s tan face flushed red, stammering: “This… this servant… accepts the command.”

“Hahahahaha…” Shen Yun’an teased his beloved general, enjoying his embarrassment, laughing freely.

The heavy atmosphere between them instantly dissolved. Shen Yun’an contained his smile, his broad palm heavily patting Mo Yao’s shoulder: “Go.”

The person initially placed at Yu Xiang’s side was deliberately left as an opening for Xiao Changyan, so they had been secretly exchanging messages with Shen Yun’an’s trusted Mo Yao all along.

It wasn’t difficult for Xiao Changyan’s people to trace Mo Yao, and Shen Yun’an didn’t have Mo Yao deliberately expose his tracks – everything followed naturally, whether early or late depending on Xiao Changyan’s ability.

Indeed, Xiao Changyan didn’t disappoint Shen Yun’an. After several deliberate small moves causing Yu Xiang to frequently pass messages, they finally confirmed Mo Yao.

“Your Highness, Mo Yao’s martial arts are formidable – he won’t be easily subdued,” the advisor said worriedly.

As Shen Xihe predicted, Xiao Changyan wanted to use soul-capturing techniques on Mo Yao, turning him into a piece on his board.

To avoid arousing Shen Yun’an’s suspicion, they couldn’t harm Mo Yao, but Mo Yao was extremely cautious – there was no way to use the technique without him noticing.

“Target his contact instead,” Xiao Changyan ordered.

The advisor hesitated: “Your Highness, the person the Western North Prince’s heir placed with Yu Xiang is truly deaf and mute!”

Soul-capturing techniques, however powerful, had limitations – they were helpless against the deaf and mute. Bewitching someone wasn’t difficult, but giving orders often required a specific sound or phrase to trigger the victim’s nerves, making them act without resistance or awareness.

A deaf-mute person could be soul-captured through sight but couldn’t receive commands!

Xiao Changyan was surprised that Shen Yun’an was so honest with Yu Xiang – saying it was a deaf-mute person and it truly was.

Even the best actor’s true nature would be revealed through soul-capturing techniques.

Unable to give commands to the deaf-mute, anyone approaching Mo Yao would face resistance, and with Mo Yao’s skills, they had no one who could subdue him in one move.

They couldn’t let Mo Yao be injured and arouse Shen Yun’an’s suspicion, nor could they capture Mo Yao and let him escape, or they would alert their target.

“We can only catch him off guard,” Xiao Changyan’s eyes deepened as he made his decisive move, “Arrange it carefully – success is the only option, failure is not allowed!”

Understanding Xiao Changyan’s meaning, the advisor hesitated, thinking it was too risky with little chance of success but unable to think of other methods, he could only agree.

Just then, Xiao Changyan received a letter from Xiao Changgeng, saying he had deduced Bu Shulin’s movement path and where they would meet with Shen Yun’an.

Xiao Changyan immediately began deploying arrangements, passing his deployment through Yu Xiang to inform Shen Yun’an.

This time, as Mo Yao went to receive the message, seeing the deaf-mute person from afar, just as he was about to approach, a black shadow suddenly leaped through the air, exchanged a palm strike with Mo Yao, and then swiftly moved toward the deaf-mute.

When Mo Yao steadied himself and looked over, the deaf-mute was already being held by the throat by a masked person.

“Who are you!” Mo Yao demanded.

The figure gave an eerie short laugh, then with a force of hand there was a crack – the deaf-mute’s neck twisted and fell. The masked person caught the body and threw it at the charging Mo Yao.

Mo Yao caught his companion’s body, and the masked person vanished without a trace.

Just as he looked in the direction the masked person had gone, the person who had collapsed in his arms suddenly raised their head, throwing a handful of powder at Mo Yao.

Mo Yao was very alert, already sweeping the person away with a palm strike and quickly retreating, arm across his nose and mouth.

He still inhaled some, thinking “Not good!” as he turned to leave, but masked figures leaped out from all directions, blocking his escape routes!