Chapter 782: The Unexpected Mastermind
It would be best if he could immediately follow him to Aler's tribe to receive treatment.
However, Aler had been exploited for unknown reasons, and Xie Yunhuai feared that Xiao Huayong might consequently abandon the idea of going to Aler's tribe for treatment.
Yet, seeing Xiao Huayong trembling uncontrollably from the cold, Xie Yunhuai refrained from saying more.
Only after half an hour, when Xiao Huayong could undergo acupuncture again and Sui Axi managed to suppress the chilling sensation, did Xiao Huayong barely manage to sit up with assistance.
"How is my condition?" Xiao Huayong asked.
"Your Highness, plans have changed. It would be best for you to accompany me to Aler's tribe as soon as possible to undergo the detoxification method. We cannot wait until the end of the year," Xie Yunhuai urged anxiously.
In truth, Xiao Huayong had been contemplating this very matter over the past half-hour. He already had his suspicions, and this only confirmed them: "Can we wait another month?"
As a physician, Xie Yunhuai wished they could set off immediately. However, it was evident that Xiao Huayong still needed to arrange many affairs. He could only gently advise, "Your Highness, as early as possible.".."
Waiting another month wasn't entirely impossible, but each additional day carried greater risks.
Xiao Huayong understood Xie Yunhuai's implication. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Will episodes of uncontrollable cold surges like the one earlier occur frequently?"
After some thought, Xie Yunhuai replied, "If A Xi performs acupuncture every three days, it can be suppressed."
Nodding, Xiao Huayong asked, "Will I need to continue suppressing the poison in the future?"
"The poison in Your Highness's body is like a snake transitioning from winter to summer, awakening from dormancy. The previous method is no longer effective," Xie Yunhuai explained with regret, feeling that the efforts of the past few months had gone to waste.
"I understand," Xiao Huayong said, lifting his gaze to Xie Yunhuai. "Please prepare for the journey. Choose a Qu family vessel."
Xie Yunhuai breathed a sigh of relief. Xiao Huayong still trusted him and was willing to undergo detoxification: "Your Highness, rest assured. I will make all the necessary arrangements and ensure there are no further oversights."
"Yungu, do not blame yourself. This incident was not due to your negligence," Xiao Huayong instead comforted Xie Yunhuai.
Whenever he came here, Hidden Guards were always stationed nearby. Anyone approaching would inevitably be detected by them. He had also posted guards at Xie Yunhuai's place, ensuring that neither Xie Yunhuai nor Aler had been approached by anyone.
This incident...
Xiao Huayong awaited the results of the interrogation.
Before long, a voice sounded outside the door: "Your Highness, I have a report."
"Enter."
The person entered, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, I suspect... Aler has fallen under the Soul-seizing Art."
Xiao Huayong's eyes sharpened as he looked at the person. "Are you certain?"
The person lowered their head. "We must wait for Luling to bring someone for confirmation."
"Bring someone" naturally referred to bringing the strategist who had fallen into Shen Yungan's hands from Xiao Changyan's side. This person was still alive because Shen Yungan had not yet obtained the method to break the Soul-seizing Art, so the strategist still held value.
"Let us wait for confirmation before drawing conclusions," Xiao Huayong said, tightening his light fur robe. "If..."
He did not finish the sentence. His eyes were profound. Aler did not understand Han language. For someone to perform the Soul-seizing Art on Aler, they would need to make Aler understand their words. This indicated that the person who cast the spell on Aler understood the language of Aler's tribe.
This reminded Xiao Huayong of the poison he had been afflicted with, as well as the poison Cui Jinbai had suffered from previously.The thought of such a person lurking in the shadows made Xiao Huayong deeply concerned for Shen Xihe.
The problem was that this individual was exceptionally well-hidden, making it nearly impossible to draw them out.
Though the adversary seemed to harbor deep animosity toward him, they never confronted him directly. Instead, they lay in wait, seizing any opportunity to strike before swiftly retreating, leaving no trace of their identity.
Even when they acted, they cared not whether their attack landed, vanishing so quickly that one couldn't discern whether they were human or ghost.
When Xiao Huayong returned earlier than usual, Shen Xihe sensed something amiss. Noticing his face remained as pale and bloodless as when he had left, she immediately approached and took his hand. "What happened today?"
His early return was unusual. Normally, after his outings, his complexion would improve over the following days, but today there seemed to be no change.
"Something did occur, but it's not yet conclusive. I'll tell you once things become clearer," Xiao Huayong replied softly.
He had no intention of hiding this from Shen Xihe. Since he needed to advance his plans, he couldn't leave her unprepared when the time came.
"Alright," Shen Xihe replied without pressing further. If he wanted to explain everything clearly later, she would wait.
With the person already in their custody, the investigation proceeded quickly, but the results were entirely unexpected for Xiao Huayong.
His gaze, unreadable, fell upon the interrogator. "Are you saying that under severe torture, he implicated Prince Jing?"
"Your Highness, it is indeed Prince Jing," the interrogator replied respectfully. "In his youth, he studied under an extraordinary master. Together, they visited the tribe where Aler grew up. He understands the language of Aler's tribe and had already examined Your Highness's pulse in Dengzhou, thus learning about the Unique Poison within your body.
He has served Prince Jing for over ten years and has imparted half of his skills to His Highness."
"So, you're saying Prince Jing also knows the Soul-seizing Art?" Xiao Huayong mused thoughtfully.
"According to his confession, yes," the interrogator confirmed.
Xiao Huayong stood with his hands behind his back by the window, his eyes gazing outside while his thoughts drifted far away.
When he first suspected that Aler might have been subjected to the Soul-seizing Art, Xiao Huayong never considered Xiao Changyan as the perpetrator. Summoning Xiao Changyan's advisor was merely to confirm whether Aler had fallen victim to the technique. He never anticipated such a revelation.
"Dismissed," Xiao Huayong waved his hand.
"Your Highness, what should be done with Aler?" the interrogator inquired.
Xiao Huayong turned, his expression calm. "Assign someone to watch him at all times."
He could not take Aler's life. Not only was Aler also a victim, but he needed to accompany Xie Yunhuai back to Aler's tribe for the antidote. Bringing Aler back alive was essential; otherwise, they risked facing rejection and wariness from the tribe.
"Acknowledged," the interrogator withdrew from the room and saw Shen Xihe waiting at the door with Ziyu, who was carrying a bowl of soup. He promptly bowed.
Shen Xihe nodded and entered with Ziyu.
Together, they placed the soup on the table before Shen Xihe dismissed Ziyu. "Did you find out?"
Xiao Huayong, draped in a light fur coat, strode over. He looked down at Shen Xihe, took a bowl of soup from her, and stirred it with a spoon for a moment before saying, "Youyou, I'm afraid I cannot accompany you to the Blackwater Tribe..."
Shen Xihe's hand, which had been about to serve herself some soup, paused. She lifted her eyes to him. "Why?"Gazing somewhat absently at Shen Xihe for a moment, Xiao Huayong blinked and lowered his head to stare at the soup in his hands: "That day when I went to find Ruogu..."
He recounted everything that had happened exactly as it occurred. Originally having nearly half a year left, his time had abruptly shortened to just one month.
"Clang!"
The soup spoon in Shen Xihe's hand fell, splattering soup everywhere.
(End of Chapter)
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