By the Yunlan River, compared to the two armies still facing off at Yonglin City, Ye Li’s group appeared excessively leisurely. As soon as they left Yonglin City, Feng Zhiyao took the Black Cloud Riders and disappeared somewhere, while Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao brought their escort guards and the newly arrived Shen Yang to prepare for their return to the capital. Poor Divine Doctor Shen, who couldn’t even tie up a chicken, had rushed from Chu Capital to Yongzhou in less than ten days, only to be told they were heading back to the capital before he could even catch his breath. Shen Yang pointed at Mo Xiuyao, his finger trembling as he gasped for air, still managing to grumble angrily, “I must have owed you Mos in my past life!” Ever since a certain prince who wouldn’t follow medical advice had taken the Phoenix Grass, Divine Doctor Shen’s temper had grown more volatile with each passing day.
“Doctor Shen.” The group had made camp by the Yunlan River, and Mo Xiuyao had gone hunting with Yun Ting and others. Only then did Ye Li find time to speak with Shen Yang. Shen Yang was sitting by the river, holding a medical tome thick enough to kill someone, carefully reading and pondering with furrowed brows. Hearing Ye Li’s voice, he turned to look and was about to rise in greeting, but Ye Li quickly waved her hand: “There are no outsiders here, Doctor Shen need not be so formal.” Shen Yang didn’t stand on ceremony, sitting back down but setting aside the medical tome as he smiled and said, “Princess’s decisive action in defending Yonglin has earned the admiration of the entire Black Cloud Riders. This old man is also extremely impressed; the Princess is truly a heroine of our time.” Ye Li shook her head, smiling helplessly, “Why does Doctor Shen need to be so courteous? What ‘heroine of our time’ – it was merely what circumstances demanded. Surely the doctor knows why I seek you out?”
Shen Yang looked at Ye Li for a long while before finally sighing deeply, “Bringing back that harmful Phoenix Grass… this old man truly doesn’t know if it was right or wrong.”
Ye Li shook her head, saying softly, “Taking the Phoenix Grass was His Highness’s decision. Doctor Shen had already informed him of the consequences. Whatever the case, it was His Highness’s choice. Besides, since it’s already done, discussing who’s responsible now serves no purpose. I only want to know, how is His Highness’s condition now? And are there any solutions?”
Shen Yang looked at Ye Li, his eyes showing a hint of admiration as he spoke seriously: “These past six months, this old man has carefully studied the Phoenix Grass and consulted many ancient medical texts. The Phoenix Grass, originally named Phoenix Tail, wasn’t unique to the Eastern Sea – it also grew in our Central Plains in ancient times. Ancient texts record that this medicine is extremely potent and highly toxic. However, it’s also the antidote to most poisons in the world. It even has the effect of cleansing meridians and marrow, which is why it’s called a miracle drug. But somehow, later the Phoenix Grass disappeared from the Central Plains, so current medical texts barely mention it. The cold poison that His Highness contracted happens to be the world’s most extreme yin and cold poison. While Phoenix Tail can counter it, it’s not enough to neutralize its toxicity. As such, with both fire and cold poisons existing simultaneously in His Highness’s body, we can only say they’ve reached a temporary balance. But this balance is extremely dangerous and could collapse at any time. When that happens, even the Fierce Fire Lotus Seeds would be useless.”
Ye Li nodded, “Doctor Shen once said the two poisons would change His Highness’s body.”
Shen Yang said, “Indeed. If the cold poison and Phoenix Tail could simply neutralize each other, we might have other options. But now the two toxins in His Highness’s body are acting independently – the cold grows colder, and the fire burns hotter. If a normal person accidentally consumed a Fierce Fire Lotus Seed, their internal organs would be reduced to ash in moments. If the Fierce Fire Lotus Seed were to combine with Phoenix Tail… I fear His Highness would die from fire poison before the cold poison could even be resolved.”
Ye Li’s delicate brows furrowed, “Doctor Shen, would the Azure Fall Grass be of any use to His Highness?”
Shen Yang startled, then fell into deep thought. After a long while, he said: “Azure Fall Grass and Phoenix Grass are both long-lost miracle drugs. Legend says it could regrow flesh on bones, revive the dead, extend life, and grant centuries of longevity. But… whether it can cure the poison in His Highness’s body, this one truly cannot say with certainty. After all, the Azure Fall Grass became extinct even longer ago than the Phoenix Grass. This one only heard it mentioned occasionally by ancestors.”
Ye Li nodded, “I understand. Still, having one more hope is better than none.”
Shen Yang asked curiously, “Could it be that Princess knows where to find Azure Fall Grass?”
Ye Li nodded slightly, “I will try to retrieve it as soon as possible. This matter… please don’t mention it to His Highness yet.” To get the Azure Fall Grass from the Sick Scholar would be impossible using the prince’s men. Given the Sick Scholar’s hatred for Mo Xiuyao, he would rather destroy the Azure Fall Grass than let anyone from the Prince’s manor have it. “How long can His Highness’s body hold out?”
Shen Yang lowered his eyes and said gravely, “As long as nothing unexpected happens, there shouldn’t be any problems for half a year to a year, and the Phoenix Grass’s effects of cleansing meridians and marrow aren’t false – His Highness’s body is indeed much better than before. However… during each full moon, when cold and fire clash, he will surely suffer unimaginable pain. In summer and autumn, fire poison burns; in spring and winter, cold poison attacks the heart. Whether cold poison or fire poison, the pain will be ten times worse than when the cold poison struck before.”
Ye Li recalled the scene she had witnessed upon entering the room that day, unable to imagine what level of pain could reduce someone like Mo Xiuyao to such a state.
“Pain-killing medicine…?”
Shen Yang shook his head sadly, “Pain medicine is completely ineffective. Not only that… I fear that from now on, any pain-relieving medicines or even anesthetics will not affect His Highness.”
Ye Li felt a chill in her heart. This meant that even if Mo Xiuyao were injured in the future, he couldn’t use any pain-relieving or anesthetic medicines at all.
“Ah Li…” Ye Li turned around to see the white-robed man walking toward her with a smile. She lowered her gaze to hide the worry in her eyes as she went to meet him. Mo Xiuyao glanced at Shen Yang, who had already picked up his medical tome to continue reading, then looked down at Ye Li with a smile, “What was Ah Li discussing with Doctor Shen?”
Ye Li smiled, “I was asking Doctor Shen about some medicinal herbs. We saw several strange herbs in Nanzhao this time, so I wanted to ask Doctor Shen about their uses.”
Mo Xiuyao smiled, “Ah Li has such broad interests, even in medicine?”
Ye Li shook her head, “I have no talent for medicine, but some knowledge of herbs is indeed essential.”
Mo Xiuyao led Ye Li toward the camp, smiling as he said, “I know. I heard you even required your attendants to memorize the herbal medicine manual and learn to identify herbs with the doctors?”
Ye Li smiled, “Just some common herbs. After all, one can’t always carry medicines around, can they?”
“Ah Li is right. Perhaps we should have the Black Cloud Riders learn from them as well,” Mo Xiuyao pondered.
Ye Li smiled gently, “The Black Cloud Riders are different from them. They only need a certain number of doctors accompanying them, or some among them who are doctors themselves.”
Mo Xiuyao lowered his gaze to look at Ye Li, “Does Ah Li have some special ideas she doesn’t want to tell me?”
Ye Li shook her head, “No, it’s just still in its early stages. When I’ve completed it, perhaps I can give you a surprise.”
Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly, “Then I’ll look forward to Ah Li’s surprise. Let’s go eat, and afterward, we’ll watch a show together.”
The show Mo Xiuyao spoke of was indeed quite a spectacle – an army hidden within Yongzhou and Yongzhou’s borders numbered more than thirty thousand men. Ye Li finally understood what Feng Zhiyao had gone to do with twenty thousand Black Cloud Riders. In one night, numerous mountain strongholds within Yongzhou and Yongzhou’s borders were destroyed. Countless well-trained men disguised as bandits and robbers were slain by the Black Cloud Riders, while the rest fled in panic toward the border between Yongzhou and Xiling. Mo Xiuyao had led Ye Li and others to wait at the border. When the joyful remnants of the defeated army saw the iron cavalry, their eyes couldn’t help but show despair.
The officials of Yongzhou, great and small, fell to their knees with ashen faces, trembling as they looked at the couple sitting side by side before them. Though the man appeared gentle and refined, and the woman delicate and graceful, looking into their eyes was more terrifying than facing man-eating demons. Two days ago, they had been summoned before the Prince with a token, but the Prince had said nothing, only taking them along. Wherever the Prince went, they followed. They watched helplessly as one mountain stronghold after another, both visible and hidden, was destroyed by the Black Cloud Riders. The twenty thousand men seemed as insignificant as ants before the Black Cloud Riders. These remaining defeated soldiers before them were the last of those who had slipped through the net, yet they too were now cornered by the Prince on this small hill less than five miles from the border.
Mo Xiuyao calmly looked at the Yongzhou Governor kneeling closest to him and asked mildly, “Does Your Excellency know why the Yongzhou Governor died?”
The Yongzhou Governor’s face turned pale as he trembled, “Treason… plotting rebellion!” Even under the protection of Li Wang’s massive army, the Yongzhou Governor had been killed by the Dingguo Prince Manor’s hidden guards – news that had spread across the realm before today. It had caused many officials to become extremely cautious. Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly, “Plotting rebellion? Indeed, that is a capital offense. Then… does Your Excellency know what the punishment is for colluding with the enemy and betraying the country?”
“This… Your Highness! Your Highness… this humble official would never dare, this humble official is utterly loyal to Great Chu…”
“Such loyalty!” Mo Xiuyao sneered, “If you’re so loyal, where did these tens of thousands of men within Yongzhou’s borders come from? Why did General Wu Chengliang and Yongzhou’s twenty thousand garrison troops die?”
“This humble official… truly doesn’t know…” the Yongzhou Governor wailed, “This official is wronged, I beg Your Highness to investigate clearly…”
Mo Xiuyao said calmly, “Whether you’re wronged or not is not for me to decide – you can explain it to His Majesty yourself. I invited you here today just to let you watch the Black Cloud Riders pay tribute to the spirits of the Yongzhou garrison and General Wu. Though civil and military officials serve different functions, you were still colleagues. Those present should see them off as well.” Feng Zhiyao, standing behind Mo Xiuyao, waved his hand: “Kill!”
Thousands of arrows flew at once, and the surrounded Xiling remnants in the middle fell dead in an instant. The kneeling officials, smelling the sharp scent of blood in the air, began retching one after another. Mo Xiuyao acted as if he hadn’t noticed, taking Ye Li’s hand as he stood up, turning back to command: “Escort the officials back to their residences, and as for these Xiling people, throw them beyond the border – don’t let them pollute our Great Chu’s soil.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Mo Xiuyao nodded in satisfaction, turning back to smile at Ye Li, “Ah Li, it’s time for us to return to the capital.”
Ye Li nodded quietly and left with Mo Xiuyao. As for not killing prisoners… that seemed unnecessary to mention now…
Although they had received the Emperor’s urgent summons to return to the capital, Mo Xiuyao didn’t take it to heart. Instead, he had Feng Zhiyao lead the Black Cloud Riders away while he leisurely headed north with Ye Li and their group. It took nearly ten days to reach Guangling City. On this second visit to Guangling, having no particular purpose, Ye Li felt much more relaxed. It wasn’t until Mo Xiuyao brought her to stand before the Clear Wind Bright Moon Tower that she turned to look at the man beside her in slight surprise.
Mo Xiuyao simply smiled without speaking.
In broad daylight, the Clear Wind Bright Moon Tower wasn’t yet open for business. But there were still people waiting to receive them. Looking at the solemn-faced young man standing at the entrance, Mo Xiuyao said coolly, “The Tianyi Pavilion is indeed well-informed. It seems Han Mingyue hasn’t wasted these years.” The young man’s smile became somewhat stiff, “Thank you for Your Highness’s praise. My master has ordered me to respectfully welcome Your Highness and the Princess. Please, come inside.”
Entering the Clear Wind Bright Moon Tower, the young man led them directly to the back courtyard, to the same pavilion where Ye Li had met Han Mingshi before. Han Mingshi and Han Mingyue sat facing each other. Seeing Ye Li, Han Mingshi’s eyes flashed with a hint of bewilderment before he recovered and raised an eyebrow at her with a smile. Han Mingyue set down his teacup and stood to welcome them, his smile refined and cultured, “Xiuyao, it’s been a long time, you certainly look…”
Before he could finish speaking, Mo Xiuyao directly struck out with a palm, sending fierce palm wind surging like an avalanche toward the elegant man. Han Mingyue’s voice cut off abruptly as he somewhat ungracefully flipped away to avoid Mo Xiuyao’s strike. But the fierce palm wind still made his breath catch, and after coughing lightly a few times, he smiled bitterly, “Xiuyao, is this how you treat me after not seeing each other for so long?” Mo Xiuyao snorted lightly, moving in with an unrelenting series of palm strikes. Each strike was deadly serious, without the slightest hint of joking. Han Mingyue had to put away his smile and respond carefully. The two began fighting back and forth in the garden.
While they fought intensely on one side, Han Mingshi also stood and walked to Ye Li’s side, raising an eyebrow as he smiled, “Jun Wei, it’s been a long time – did you come to see me? If you wanted to see me, you could have come alone. Why bring him along?”
Ye Li raised her hand to point at the white-robed man in the garden, indicating it was his idea to come.
Han Mingshi tilted his head to look, the smile on his face ultimately somewhat forced, “Jun Wei…”
Ye Li said calmly, “Don’t worry, His Highness won’t kill him.” If Mo Xiuyao truly wanted Han Mingyue’s life, he wouldn’t need to act personally. No matter how powerful the Tianyi Pavilion was, could it stop the Black Cloud Riders’ cavalry or the Dingguo Prince Manor’s hidden guards? Han Mingshi smiled bitterly, “But His Highness has no intention of showing mercy.” At just over twenty years old, in Feng Zhiyao’s eyes, none of the masters who could be mentioned in the same breath as Mo Xiuyao were his peers. One could imagine the gap between him and Han Mingyue. As they spoke, Han Mingyue had already been struck back to the ground, falling not far from where they stood, coughing up blood. With Ye Li’s eye, she could tell at a glance that two ribs were broken. Han Mingshi hurried forward to help him up, but Han Mingyue waved to stop his movement, raising his head to look at Mo Xiuyao who was strolling over, asking, “Xiuyao, has your anger subsided?”
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow slightly, “Do you know why I didn’t kill you this time?”
Han Mingyue raised an eyebrow, looking at Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao said calmly, “Since Ah Li promised Han Mingshi to spare you, I’ll let you off this time. But you’d better remember, my patience has limits. If you move against Ah Li again… why don’t you try and see what extent I can go to!” Han Mingyue clutched his chest and coughed violently, looking somewhat helplessly at Mo Xiuyao, “Xiuyao, in your eyes… is Ye Li more important than our friendship since childhood?” Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, his lips curling in a mocking smile, “In your eyes, when have you ever considered our childhood friendship important?” Han Mingyue was struck speechless – indeed, he had betrayed their friendship first. But… “In my eyes, you will always be my best friend,” Han Mingyue said solemnly.
Mo Xiuyao snorted lightly, saying coolly, “Since you called me friend, I’ll promise you… next time you fall into my hands, I won’t kill you.”
Han Mingyue was stunned, but amid Han Mingshi and Ye Li’s curiosity and confusion, his expression changed, “Xiuyao! No! It has nothing to do with her, all of this was my idea!” Hearing his words, Han Mingshi’s face instantly darkened, and he swallowed his plea with an unhappy snort. Since the Prince wasn’t planning to kill him anyway, let him torment him until he had no strength left to run about! Mo Xiuyao had no interest in whose idea it was, turning back to say to Han Mingshi, “If you want him to live well, keep him in check.” Han Mingshi’s handsome face was sour as he said coldly, “No need for Your Highness’s concern!” Mo Xiuyao took Ye Li’s hand and turned to leave, when Han Mingyue on the ground spoke up, “Xiuyao, you specially detoured to Guangling – it wasn’t just to beat me up, was it?”
Mo Xiuyao stopped in his tracks, turning back to look at him once, saying, “Just wanted to tell you something in passing. If you don’t know how to play at politics, just focus on making your money – don’t lift a rock only to drop it on your own feet and then cry about the pain.” Watching the two leave without looking back, Han Mingyue couldn’t help but furrow his brows, pondering Mo Xiuyao’s words. Not knowing how to play politics… he indeed had no interest in politics and hadn’t gotten involved, except for… His expression changed as Han Mingyue turned back to Han Mingshi, “Quickly! Have someone investigate what’s happened in Xiling!”
Han Mingshi felt a vein throbbing in his forehead. Who said Master Mingyue was brilliant? He was being dumber than a donkey! Others might not turn back until they hit a wall, but he wouldn’t turn back even after crashing and bleeding! “Investigate what nonsense! This young master is a proper citizen of Great Chu – why should I care what happens to Xiling? Someone bring me the best muscle-weakening powder! Whoever dares give him the antidote, I’ll skin them alive! Now I truly understand what they mean by ‘beauty brings disaster’ – I refuse to believe there are no other women in this world besides that cheap woman! Tomorrow I’ll go destroy her looks, and when no one wants her anymore, I’ll buy her back to be your servant girl!” Having said this, not caring that his elder brother was still lying immobile on the ground, Han Mingshi stormed off in anger.
“Han Mingshi, stop right there!” Han Mingyue called out sharply.
Han Mingshi’s rushing figure paused, and he turned back, gritting his teeth as he glared at his elder brother who shared seven parts of his looks. In his heart, he wished he could flay that troublemaker alive. Since childhood, he had admired this elder brother, but he really couldn’t compliment his brother’s taste in women. Seeing Han Mingshi’s cold face glaring at him in anger, Han Mingyue’s eyes flashed with guilt, and his voice softened, “Mingshi, stop this nonsense. Big Brother promises not to do anything more. Mo Xiuyao broke two of my ribs – come help me up.” Han Mingshi hesitated, looking at Han Mingyue’s deathly pale face, and finally, his heart softened as he went forward to help his brother up.
“You! Han Mingyue!” A moment later, Han Mingshi’s voice was filled with fury and resentment. Unfortunately, his entire body was frozen as if paralyzed, his handsome face twisted as he glared at the pale-faced man clutching his chest before him. Han Mingyue looked at his brother with eyes full of guilt, “Sorry, Mingshi.” Seeing him turn to leave, Han Mingshi called out desperately, “Han Mingyue, you idiot, I’ve been poisoned! Do you want Ye Li to kill me!” Han Mingyue turned back to look at him with a smile, shaking his head, “Such a foolish child. Mingshi, since you pride yourself on being better at reading people than me, how could you not see that Ye Li would never kill you, nor has she poisoned you?” Han Mingshi said coldly, “So these days you were just confirming whether I was poisoned or not, and now that you’re sure, you’re leaving again?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t move against your friend again. Mo Xiuyao… I can’t afford to provoke him.” Han Mingyue looked gently at his brother, and after some thought, still advised, “Mingshi, stay away from Ye Li – she’s not someone you can meddle with.” Han Mingshi’s face stiffened, saying disdainfully, “Are you qualified to lecture me?” Han Mingyue shook his head helplessly, “Do you think you’re smarter than me? Mingshi, I can compete with anyone in the world, but I’ve never thought about competing with Xiuyao for anything, do you understand?” Han Mingshi sneered, “Yes, you know how to choose your opponents, but unfortunately not women. Has that woman ever truly looked at you except to use you? Even if Jun Wei doesn’t like me, at least she would save me, feel guilty for me, and show mercy to you for my sake. All these years, what have you gotten?” The smile on Han Mingyue’s face gradually turned bitter and helpless, and finally, he had to admit his brother was completely right. He could only turn and leave wordlessly.
After a long while, the young man who had guided them earlier appeared in the garden, “Second Young Master, the Master has left.”
Han Mingshi, who had just had his pressure points released, was extremely irritated, “So what if he left? When has he ever cared about us?”
The young man lowered his head and said, “Master said he won’t return. He left all the bank notes from the Clear Wind Bright Moon Tower and the money houses to the Second Young Master. The Tianyi Pavilion… will no longer take orders from Second Young Master.”
“He had planned this all along! If the Prince hadn’t come today, was he planning to just leave without a word? Han Mingyue, you’re ruthless!” Han Mingshi said through gritted teeth. The young man kept his head down in silence, and Han Mingshi snorted coldly, “You cheap woman, just you wait!”
In the best inn of Guangling City, Ye Li’s group had reserved the finest courtyard for their temporary stay.
“Xiuyao, today you…” Looking at the man beside her who was lowering his head to read, Ye Li’s delicate brows furrowed as she asked hesitantly.
Mo Xiuyao put down his book and smiled, “Is Ah Li wondering why I specifically went to find Han Mingyue?”
Ye Li nodded – if it was just to beat him up to vent some anger, it seemed rather roundabout. Mo Xiuyao said calmly, “If I’m not mistaken, Han Mingyue will soon head to Xiling.”
“To Xiling?”
Mo Xiuyao nodded, “Indeed. Rather than let him leave quietly, I might as well send him off. Though the Han family’s ranking in Great Chu isn’t at the top, they’re at least among the top ten. If he takes everything to Xiling, that wouldn’t be good.” Ye Li’s eyes flashed, “You mean Han Mingyue wants to…” The words “betray the country” weren’t spoken, but Mo Xiuyao nodded slightly, “I understand Han Mingyue as a person. Country and world mean nothing in his eyes. Whether he becomes a Xiling person or a Northern Rong person makes no difference to him.”
“If that’s the case, why not cut off the grass and eliminate the roots?” Ye Li didn’t understand – even if Mo Xiuyao truly valued his friendship with Han Mingyue, he would never consider it more important than Great Chu’s realm. Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly, “The Tianyi Pavilion spans all four countries – killing Han Mingyue would bring too many troubles. If he wants to leave, let him. I told him he’s not suited for political maneuvering. And since he’s openly betraying the country, there’s no need for the Tianyi Pavilion to exist within Great Chu’s borders anymore.” The most important reason for this special trip to Guangling was to sweep away the Tianyi Pavilion. Southern Great Chu, especially Guangling City, was the Tianyi Pavilion’s stronghold – how could Han Mingyue easily move people and resources out from under his nose?
“Han Mingshi…” Ye Li asked with furrowed brows.
Mo Xiuyao said, “If I had used a different method, Han Mingshi might indeed have left with Han Mingyue, but today he won’t be able to leave. If Han Mingshi is truly clever, he’ll come to me.”
Ye Li looked at him, “You deliberately provoked Han Mingyue to make him act early and drive a wedge between the brothers?”
Mo Xiuyao didn’t deny it, rubbing his temples somewhat tiredly as he said, “It’s good that Han Mingshi stays. If they both left… the entire Han family would have to be executed.” The Han family wasn’t just the two brothers. Any great family had their main branch, subsidiary branches, related branches, and clan members – they couldn’t possibly take everyone with them. Once collective punishment was implemented, the extent of those implicated would be shocking.
“Will Han Mingyue seek refuge with the Xiling court?”
“He’s not an ordinary commoner. The Han family is vast and wealthy, and the Tianyi Pavilion’s connections are even more extensive. Once he goes to Xiling, whether it’s the Xiling Emperor or the Southern Pacification King, they’ll try to win him over. And regardless of whether he serves them or not, in the royal family’s eyes, he has already committed treason.” The royal family couldn’t tolerate the slightest impurity – once Han Mingyue went to Xiling, that was a betrayal. Even if he hadn’t betrayed the country, the royal family would rather kill wrongly than let someone escape.
Ye Li sighed wordlessly – she could never quite understand Han Mingyue as a person. “Han Mingyue… is he doing this for a woman?”
Mo Xiuyao started, raising his head to look at Ye Li for a long while before finally nodding, “Indeed, it is for a woman.”
Ye Li frowned slightly, feeling that this woman’s identity was special, somewhat hesitant about whether to continue this topic. Mo Xiuyao looked at her quietly, his smile peaceful and warm, “Ah Li, you can ask anything you want to know.”
“This woman… is someone you know?”
Mo Xiuyao nodded, just about to speak when Dark Three reported from outside, “Your Highness, Princess. Young Master Han requests an audience.”
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Ye Li somewhat apologetically as he said, “Show him in.”