Shen Xihe's threat against Yu Xiang was real, and using Prince Kang as an example to intimidate Yu Xiang was not wrong either. But would Shen Xihe so easily believe that Yu Xiang had defected because of this?
Shen Xihe was probably not that naive!
Yu Xiang had followed His Majesty for over twenty years, once holding the position of General of the Feather Guard, one of the Sixteen Guards—a command of personal guards that could only be entrusted to His Majesty's most trusted confidants.
Putting himself in Yu Xiang's position, Xiao Changyan himself would not believe that Yu Xiang could truly side with him, even under coercion!
If he knew that Yu Xiang was only pretending to comply, why would Shen Yungan still engage with him?
"What is your take on this matter?" After leaving Yu Xiang, Xiao Changyan asked his trusted advisor.
The advisor weighed his words carefully: "Your Highness, judging from the downfall of Prince Kang's estate, the Crown Princess's schemes are unfathomable. I dare not make a rash judgment. The slightest misstep in this matter could lead to endless consequences!"
Xiao Changyan's speculation was not incorrect, but even if his predictions were spot-on and Yu Xiang was merely being used, they could only determine that the intelligence brought back by Yu Xiang was false—but what was the truth?
On the battlefield, situations change in the blink of an eye. One wrong move could lead to total defeat. How could he dare to offer definitive advice on such a critical matter? The cost was one he could not bear.
Xiao Changyan stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the boundless expanse of the river. His eyes were as deep and still as the unfathomable waters, his index finger rubbing against his thumb ring. "Issue the order: delay the search. Send someone to keep a close watch on who is exchanging messages with the deaf-mute by Yu Xiang's side."
"Acknowledged," the advisor replied before withdrawing.
Soon, Shen Yungan noticed that the three forces searching for them had begun to relax their efforts. He couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips upward, his starry eyes gleaming with anticipation. "The fish has taken the bait."
It was a pity that he couldn't reel it in just yet. This was a big fish, and if it hadn't bitten firmly, not only could he not pull the rod, but he also had to remain calm and ensure it didn't realize this was a trap. To make the fish reluctant to let go, he had to continue laying out more bait.
He summoned his trusted subordinate, Mo Yao, and spoke to him with utmost seriousness: "This mission is extremely dangerous. The Soul-seizing Art mentioned by the Crown Princess—I've heard of it in the Western Regions. It can not only cloud a person's mind but even drive the living to madness. Those with profound mastery can even compel the ensnared to take their own lives..."
Mo Yao had grown up with him, scrambling through hardships together since they could remember. They had faced life and death countless times, and their bond had long transcended that of master and servant. They were true comrades who would risk their lives for one another!
Yet, to gain Xiao Changyan's trust, Shen Yungan had no choice but to send Mo Yao. Anyone else, and the suspicious and cunning Xiao Changyan might grow wary.
"You need not worry about me, Young Master. Ever since we brothers came of age, we vowed to pledge our loyalty to the Shen family, even if it means sacrificing our lives!" Mo Yao knelt on one knee before Shen Yungan, clasping his fists with resolute determination.
Shen Yungan personally helped him up, gripping his hand firmly. "A Yao, once this matter is settled, find yourself a lady and marry soon. My son is about to be born. The bond between us must be passed down through our bloodlines for generations to come."
Mo Yao's tanned face flushed red, and he stammered, "Th-this subordinate... obeys your command."
"Hahahaha..." After teasing his beloved subordinate, Shen Yungan laughed heartily, thoroughly enjoying his embarrassment.
The heavy atmosphere between the two instantly dissipated. Shen Yungan composed himself and gave Mo Yao's shoulder a firm, reassuring pat. "Go."From the very beginning, the person sent to Yu Xiang's side was deliberately left as a loophole for Xiao Changyan, so he had been secretly exchanging messages with Shen Yungan's trusted aide, Mo Yao.
It wasn't difficult for Xiao Changyan's men to trace back and identify Mo Yao. Shen Yungan didn't intentionally have Mo Yao reveal his tracks either, letting things take their natural course. Whether sooner or later depended entirely on Xiao Changyan's capabilities.
As it turned out, Xiao Changyan did not disappoint Shen Yungan. After several deliberate minor provocations that prompted Yu Xiang to frequently relay messages, Mo Yao was finally identified.
"Your Highness, Mo Yao possesses considerable martial skills and won't be easily subdued," the advisor said with a headache.
Just as Shen Xihe had predicted, Xiao Changyan intended to use the Soul-seizing Art on Mo Yao, turning him into a pawn in his hands.
To avoid arousing Shen Yungan's suspicion, Mo Yao couldn't be harmed. However, Mo Yao was extremely vigilant, making it impossible to cast the art on him without detection.
"Target the person he makes contact with," Xiao Changyan ordered.
The advisor hesitated, "Your Highness, the person sent by the Northwest Prince Heir to Yu Xiang's side is indeed deaf and mute!"
No matter how powerful the Soul-seizing Art was, it had its limitations—it was useless against deaf and mute individuals. While it wasn't difficult to bewilder a person, issuing commands usually required a specific sound or phrase to trigger the bewitched person's nerves, making them act without resistance or even awareness of their actions.
A deaf and mute person could be bewitched through visual means, but commands couldn't be delivered!
Xiao Changyan was somewhat surprised, never expecting Shen Yungan to be so forthright with Yu Xiang—claiming the person was deaf and mute and indeed sending one.
No matter how skilled an actor, the Soul-seizing Art could verify the truth.
Unable to issue commands to a deaf and mute person, and with Mo Yao bound to resist anyone approaching him, given Mo Yao's martial prowess, they had no one capable of subduing him in one move.
Not only could they not injure Mo Yao to avoid Shen Yungan's suspicion, but they also couldn't capture him. If Mo Yao escaped, it would alert the enemy.
"We must catch him off guard," Xiao Changyan's eyes darkened as he staked everything on one throw. "Make proper arrangements. Success is the only option, failure is not tolerated!"
Understanding Xiao Changyan's intent, the advisor hesitated, feeling the plan was too risky with little chance of success. Yet, unable to devise an alternative, he reluctantly agreed.
At that moment, Xiao Changyan received a letter from Xiao Changgeng, who deduced Bu Shulin's movement patterns and where he would rendezvous with Shen Yungan.
Xiao Changyan immediately began making arrangements. He passed his plans to Yu Xiang, who then informed Shen Yungan.
This time, when Mo Yao went to retrieve the message, he saw the deaf and mute person from afar. Just as he was about to approach, a dark figure suddenly leaped out of nowhere, exchanged a palm strike with Mo Yao, and swiftly moved toward the deaf and mute person.
By the time Mo Yao steadied himself and looked over, the deaf and mute person was already held by the throat by a masked figure.
"Who are you?" Mo Yao demanded.
The masked figure let out an eerie, short laugh, then with a forceful twist, a cracking sound was heard. The deaf and mute person's neck snapped, and they collapsed. The masked figure swiftly grabbed the body and hurled it toward the advancing Mo Yao.
Mo Yao caught his companion's body, while the masked figure seized the opportunity to vanish without a trace.
As Mo Yao glanced in the direction the masked figure had fled, the person slumped in his arms suddenly lifted their head and threw a handful of powder at Mo Yao.
Highly alert, Mo Yao immediately pushed the person away, swiftly retreated, and covered his mouth and nose with his arm.He had still inhaled some of it, thinking "this is bad," and turned to leave. At that moment, several masked figures leaped out from all directions, blocking Mo Yao's path!
OpenNovel