Shen Twenty-Seven was right. Xiao Changyan's primary target was himself, and this was no longer a safe place to stay. He had already conveyed most of what needed to be said to Shen Twenty-Seven.
Nodding at Shen Twenty-Seven, Shen Yungan turned to look at the official ship whose outline was gradually becoming clearer.
He couldn't simply dive into the water—it would give Xiao Changyan leverage. After all, his travel permit had just been presented by Shen Twenty-Seven under the identity of the Shunan Prince Heir. If he fled abruptly, Xiao Changyan would have the perfect excuse to detain Shen Twenty-Seven and his group.
A glint flashed in Shen Yungan's eyes as he focused on the Shadow Guards clashing with the young men brought by Zha Pu.
The Shadow Guards, cultivated through Xiao Changyan's considerable effort and wealth, were anything but ordinary. Even four or five of them held their own effortlessly against the dozen or so brought by Zha Pu.
A cold smile curled Shen Yungan's crimson lips as his sharp, starlit eyes swiftly scanned every detail of the entangled combat. A feasible path flashed through his mind, and his feet and body moved almost instinctively along that mental trajectory.
Under the blazing sun, golden light shimmered across the river's surface.
Though it was the sweltering height of summer, countless cold glints of steel flickered in everyone's vision.
To onlookers, Shen Yunnan's movements were so fast they left afterimages. His lightning-quick passage through the midst of the clashing factions made the combatants—their blades sparking and clashing—seem to move in slow motion.
By the time Shen Yungan landed, several Shadow Guards had already sprouted bloody gashes across their necks or napes. Blood instantly trickled down as they registered the sudden sting. Before their hands could even reach the wounds, their bodies stiffened and they collapsed with heavy thuds!
Shen Yungan's single move stunned everyone present. Those from Zha Pu's side who had previously crossed blades with the Shadow Guards—knowing full well their opponents' skill—felt an instinctive chill run down their own necks.
Having eliminated six enemies in one strike, Shen Yungan caused the remaining Shadow Guards a moment of terror. Their leader immediately leaped forward, sword tip aimed directly at Shen Yungan. The other Shadow Guards snapped back to attention and resumed their fierce struggle with Zha Pu's men.
Facing the sword thrust that seemed to pierce the very air, Shen Yungan swiftly leaped backward. His foot tapped lightly on the sword's edge as he executed a nimble mid-air flip, plunging headfirst into the river.
The instant he disappeared beneath the water's surface, a long arrow shot through the space where he'd just been, narrowly missing his body before embedding itself in the ship's deck.
Shen Twenty-Seven rushed to the ship's edge, staring intently at the spot where Shen Yungan's splash had disturbed the water. He hadn't seen whether Shen Yungan had been hit by the arrow. Only when the ripples gradually calmed without any trace of blood rising to the surface did his tense expression ease slightly.
Meanwhile, the Shadow Guards began diving into the river one after another. As Xiao Changyan's official ship drew near, Shen Twenty-Seven faced the prince who stood just steps away, his expression grim. "Your Highness, why did you shoot at one of my Shunan men?"
Xiao Changyan raised an eyebrow in feigned surprise. "That was someone from Shunan?" After this theatrical display, he clasped his hands toward Shen Twenty-Seven. "My apologies, Heir. The distance was too great—I didn't see clearly and mistook him for an assassin targeting you."
Pausing briefly, Xiao Changyan waved his hand in command. "Quickly, all of you search for the Heir's attendant. Ensure you bring him back safely."
At his order, what appeared to be pre-prepared men dove cleanly into the water one after another. Circles of ripples spread across the river's surface as Shen Twenty-Seven could only watch with a cold, stern face.Xiao Changyan's explanation, no matter how perfunctory, was reasonably justified. After all, he couldn't possibly turn against a prince over a mere attendant. It was evident that Xiao Changyan had acted deliberately, creating a pretext to dispatch more men to hunt down Shen Yungan.
Shen Twenty-Seven could only hope that Shen Yungan had made preparations in advance.
Naturally, Shen Yungan had long been prepared. Though he couldn't predict exactly how Xiao Changyan would target him, it was undeniable that Xiao Changyan would undoubtedly come after him.
Before falling into the water, Shen Yungan's arm had indeed been grazed by Xiao Changyan's arrow, breaking the skin. However, he didn't need to flee at all. The Qu family's merchant ship had a hidden compartment below deck. Sliding open a panel, he concealed himself inside.
Xiao Changyan would never have dreamed that Shen Yungan was right beneath his feet, hidden within the very ship.
In the dim, cramped secret compartment, separated only by a wooden plank, Shen Yungan heard numerous splashes as people hit the water. Calmly, he attended to his minor injury.
Striking a flame, he lit a torch.
By the faint light, Shen Yungan saw that the wounded area had turned bluish-black and swollen. He knew immediately that the arrow must have been poisoned. Swiftly, he retrieved a porcelain vial from his waist, poured out a sealed wax pill, crushed it open, and chewed and swallowed the medicine inside. Then, leaning against the wooden plank, he pressed his fingers to his own pulse. Feeling the abnormally violent throbbing, his expression grew increasingly tense.
After what felt like an eternity, unable to bear the wrenching pain in his chest, he opened his mouth and vomited a mouthful of black blood. Only then did he let out a sigh of relief. "Fortunately, I was prepared. Youyou warned that this scoundrel is vicious, ruthless, and cunning—and indeed, she was right!"
Shen Xihe had sent Shen Yungan to deal with Xiao Changyan personally because neither she nor Xiao Huayong could leave the palace this time—Your Majesty would be watching them closely.
Others likely stood no chance against Xiao Changyan. Even with Shen Yunnan taking on the task himself, Shen Xihe had made thorough preparations. This Toxin-clearing Pill had been specially formulated by Xie Yunhuai. As long as it wasn't the Unique Poison that afflicted Xiao Huayong, it could neutralize any common toxin. She had even added Fairy Ribbon to the pill.
She had discovered that Fairy Ribbon seemed to enhance the efficacy of medicines. Whether in remedies or incense, incorporating a small amount would double the effect.
Naturally, she had used Fairy Ribbon to create numerous items, gifting them to her father, brother, and close friends.
Feeling his pulse gradually return to normal, Shen Yungan leaned back and closed his eyes to rest.
Meanwhile, the Shadow Guards who had jumped into the water afterward, along with the soldiers dispatched by Xiao Changyan, quickly fanned out in all directions, spreading like a net.
They pursued from the middle of the river all the way to the riverbank but found no trace of Shen Yungan. A few Shadow Guards even encountered ambushes on the shore and never returned.
The ship carrying Shen Twenty-Seven was forcibly directed to the nearest dock by Xiao Changyan under the pretext of concern for Worldly Son Bu's safety, requiring a thorough inspection.
During the journey, Shen Yungan calculated the timing and silently emerged from the hidden compartment. He dove deep into the river, leaving without so much as a ripple.
By the time he returned to his temporary lodgings, Mo Yao and Qi Pei were waiting anxiously.
"Young Master, are you injured?" Mo Yao strode forward, his face etched with genuine concern.
Shen Yungan's gaze subtly swept over Mo Yao's face before he closed his eyes and collapsed into Mo Yao's arms.
He was faking it.
Amid the commotion caused by Mo Yao and Qi Pei's panic, he lay quietly on the bed. The physician summoned had been arranged in advance by Shen Xihe through Qu Hongying.
The poison he had been afflicted with was already neutralized, but the physician claimed it wasn't. As he experienced Mo Yao's care, which was no different from usual, Shen Yungan felt a silent shock within.Having spent years in the northwest and even campaigned far into the Western Regions, he had long heard of the Soul-seizing Art, but only through personal experience did he realize how terrifying it truly was.
At this moment, Mo Yao might not even be aware of his own peculiar state.
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