They surrounded Mo Yao as he fought with all his might, attempting to break through their ranks while the drug had yet to take effect. These people possessed exceptional lightweight martial arts skills – they neither engaged in prolonged combat nor met his attacks directly, but worked in perfect coordination to keep Mo Yao trapped.

Time crept by moment by moment. Eventually, despite having inhaled only a small amount of the powder, Mo Yao began to feel lightheaded and unsteady on his feet. He wanted to cut himself to stay alert through the pain, but these people watched his every move intently, giving him no opportunity to inflict any wounds on himself!

After a long stalemate, Mo Yao gradually discovered that the more he fought, the harder it became to maintain consciousness. When his movements slowed, the masked figures surrounding him took advantage to throw more tranquilizing powder at him. After this second dose of the drug, Mo Yao collapsed within just two breaths.

Meanwhile, Xiao Changyan directly confronted Shen Yunan. Xiao Changyan had deliberately sent Yu Xiang to deliver the message today, while the information Xiao Changgeng had given him stated that Bu Shulin would arrive at this ferry crossing today.

Bu Shulin would certainly notify Shen Yunan, and at this time he could delay Shen Yunan, preventing him from noticing that Mo Yao’s return was too late.

Shen Yunan had come secretly, and Mo Yao was someone who only took orders from Shen Yunan – they likely wouldn’t alert others. Once Mo Yao was captured and his soul was taken, he would naturally provide a coherent explanation.

Xiao Changyan hadn’t brought many men because this was a dock with civilians coming and going and merchant ships mooring. They had come under the pretense of investigating river bandits, so they naturally couldn’t start a battle here, especially since their target was the Crown Prince of Shu South.

This area already bordered Shu South, and Bu Shulin wasn’t a suspect – he even had considerable influence in this region. They naturally couldn’t openly trouble Bu Shulin.

Shen Twenty-seven, currently appearing as Bu Shulin in Xiao Changyan’s eyes, swaggered onto the dock and even openly announced his identity to the shipping company’s manager. Dressed in mourning clothes, he led a group of men in plain white attire, making quite an impressive showing.

“Prince Bu,” said Xiao Changyan upon seeing Shen Twenty-seven and Shen Yunan at his side, the latter wearing a hastily applied false beard.

He could recognize them at a glance but had no way to expose them and call for attack because Bu Shulin had allegedly survived an assassination attempt to reach this point. If he made a move now, everyone would assume his true intention wasn’t what he claimed – that he was using the Northwest Prince’s name as an excuse to harm the Crown Prince of Shu South.

Shen Yunan’s bold behavior relied on the fact that no one in the Northwest would recognize him, as well as the current advantageous situation.

“Greetings, Prince Jing,” Shen Twenty-seven bowed. Having received personal instruction from Bu Shulin, Shen Twenty-seven could now capture five parts of Bu Shulin’s bearing. Only someone like Shen Xihe, who had close dealings with Bu Shulin, would notice the difference.

“What brings Your Highness here?” asked Shen Twenty-seven.

“We received information about river bandits at the dock today, so I came to investigate. I didn’t expect to encounter Prince Bu,” said Xiao Changyan, his gaze sweeping across Bu Shulin’s group, including Shen Yunan. “Prince Bu, when you left the capital, you didn’t seem to have these men with you. They look quite unfamiliar to me.”

“Your Highness may not know, but I was ambushed as soon as I left the capital, and most of my original men perished. Fortunately, these men protected me with their lives, allowing me to escape to Maozhou,” Shen Twenty-seven said with grief and suppressed anger. “These are all my uncles who served with my father defending our homeland in previous years. They later retired from military service and settled here. Learning that my journey was dangerous, they insisted on escorting me back to Shu Capital.”

After explaining everyone’s background, Shen Twenty-seven continued: “While I dare not delay Your Highness in your duties, I am in urgent mourning. My father passed away over half a month ago, and I still haven’t returned, preventing him from being properly buried – truly unfilial of me.

Now that home is within sight, my heart yearns to return. I hope Your Highness understands and allows us to proceed quickly.”

He then signaled Jin Shan to present a stack of travel documents to Xiao Changyan.

Without feigning reluctance, Xiao Changyan personally reviewed each document. Finding no errors, he could only say, “Please wait, Prince Bu. I’ll have my men inspect the ship.”

Xiao Changyan’s men seemed to move efficiently in and out, checking very thoroughly and quickly but still delayed for nearly half a watch before clearing the way.

Not long after the ship set sail, several young men dressed as passengers suddenly drew their swords and charged directly at Shen Yunan and Shen Twenty-seven.

These men all possessed exceptional skills, their techniques swift and clean while exhibiting a bloodthirsty ferocity. Shen Yunan and his companions, long-time military men, immediately recognized them as Shadow Guards privately trained by Xiao Changyan!

After several exchanges, Shen Yunan discovered these men seemed to have studied the Shen family’s martial arts and were very familiar with their techniques!

He immediately signaled to Shen Twenty-seven, who quickly retreated to the back and stopped fighting, otherwise their moves would surely expose their identities!

Just then, Zhapu, who had been constantly guarding Shen Twenty-seven, reported, “Official ships are pursuing us.”

Shen Yunan deflected a long sword and looked back – even at this distance, he could see Xiao Changyan standing at the bow.

Shen Yunan understood why Xiao Changyan had deliberately arranged for people to directly confront them. After such an incident here with unidentified parties, Xiao Changyan, as the investigating authority, had the right to detain both sides – ostensibly to question the attackers, but since they were his men, he was using this to capture both him and Shen Twenty-seven!

“Your Highness, you must go first!” urged Shen Twenty-seven, darting to Shen Yunan’s side after Zhapu and the others had engaged the Shadow Guards. “With my identity as the Crown Prince of Shu South, Prince Jing wouldn’t dare harm me in front of everyone!”

This was a merchant ship, with civilians and merchants watching!