LUO FAN
While waiting for anything unusual, they discussed the conflicts that had been happening at the border. I listened attentively. I had not expected that Kan and Wun had a decade-long ongoing conflict at their borders. The affected locals were also divided as to which empire they wanted to attach themselves to, thus causing tension between citizens and soldiers.
After an hour, Ruan Yanjun finally remembered that I was still there.
"Do you feel anything now?" he asked.
I shook my head. "Nothing in particular."
"It might take a week before you notice any changes," Xiong Ru said. "The Molun herb is notorious for its slow reaction."
What the prince had just said was correct. The herb was also known as a silent defender.
"I agree," I replied. "The moment the essence of the herb enters the body, it will remain dormant while it builds resistance, and then it will slowly gather strength. When it's strong enough to withstand the onslaught of the disease, that's the only time it will reveal itself."
"Correct," Xiong Ru seconded. "And by then, the disease will be powerless to counter it. While the essence of the Molun remains, the body regains back all normal functions."
"The problem is, the herb cannot stay forever. Eventually, it will dissolve and when the disease still lingers, it weakens the body once again."
"That's why you need to completely recover from whatever's ailing you while the essence of the Molun is still there."
I sighed. "That's the problem. It's not a disease that ails me but a destructive drug that had been secretly fed to me."
"You mean… a drug refined with light energy that destroys rather than cures?"
I nodded.
Ruan Yanjun yawned. "You both speak so enthusiastically about boring things. The poison, or destructive drug as you refer to, is called 'The White Vulture'. It's a silent and untraceable killer developed by the former Divine Mage Han Bao."
"The White Vulture?" Xiong Ru asked. "Isn't that what killed the crown prince of Xianru?"
"Oh, so you've heard about that?"
"I've heard of rumors."
Ruan Yanjun smirked. "You'll definitely hear rumors because we found out that your father's beloved empress has something to do with it."
The prince gasped. "Could it be?"
"I have all the reason to believe it. Remember that her sister is a consort to Emperor Yin of Xianru, so naturally, she wanted her nephew to inherit the throne. For topping the imperial examination, many believed Prince Bai earned the right to be named the crown prince. Unfortunately, Emperor Yin had proclaimed the fourth prince as the crown prince instead, and she did not take that very well."
Xiong Ru was speechless for a long moment. "I remember… that time I went to the imperial palace to spend the new year with my mother. Consort Xi suddenly arrived with Prince Bai. She said they only came for a visit. A week later, they received a message that the crown prince of Xianru had died, but instead of going back to Xianru to offer condolences to Consort Fei, they decided to remain in Fuhai City. Even until this very moment, despite Emperor Yin's repeated summons, they refused to return to Xianru."
"Because they're too aware that their scheme has already been exposed, especially since someone has discovered that what ailed the crown prince was not a poison but rather a destructive drug. And do you know who had discovered it?"
"I wish to know."
"Who else but the former Divine Mage of Kan Empire."
Xiong Ru gasped in surprise and glanced at me. "Even after his cultivation is annulled, he's still brilliant."
"Of course. He did not become the Divine Mage for no reason."
"So is Lord Ruan telling me that… Empress Biya asked Monk Han Bao to make the drug, and then handed it to Consort Xi?"
"Is it not obvious to you yet?"
"It is, however, I have known Consort Xi and she has been nothing but kind to me."
"A mother can do anything for her son, especially if her son is that ambitious, and most especially if she has a powerful sister who guarantees her protection."
"Indeed," the prince agreed. "Two months ago, I heard of an attack on Consort Xi's residence in Fuhai. She was wounded, but the assassin did not kill her so they believed she was not the target. Does it have something to do with the death of Crown Prince Sheng?"
"It has everything to do with, of course, and you were right, whoever has ordered the attack, they had made it clear that Consort Xi must survive so she will witness the death of her son. Consort Xi was smart enough to keep her son away from her."
"Is it safe to assume then that the mother of Crown Prince Sheng, Consort Fei, has ordered that assassin?"
"Who else? Do not underestimate the fury of a grieving mother who has lost an only child. She's the daughter of one of the richest nobles in Xianru after all. She has all the resources to exact her vengeance."
"But Lord Ruan," I said. "We only discovered about Empress Biya's connection when we met with Monk Han Bao. How did Consort Fei learn about it?"
"First, it's all a matter of instinct. Upon the death of the crown prince, everyone has already suspected that Prince Bai and Consort Xi were involved, especially since they left in a hurry before that. But there was no evidence linking them at that time. However, after Han Bao confessed to Empress Biya's connection, I wrote a message to Shi Tengfei about it. Consort Fei had also started her own investigation by then and must have found that message."
"Is that why you immediately traveled to the palace the moment we reached Xianru?"
"I went there to resolve Empress Suyin's concern. I did not expect that the problem in the royal court was more complicated than what the empress had relayed to me. It turned out that Consort Fei had not only hired assassins to kill Prince Bai, but she also collaborated with some grandmasters of the Eternal Damnation Sect. Since members of my sect were involved, I had to handle the matter personally."
"Has it been resolved?"
"Unfortunately, while in the middle of resolving the issue, I received news that there was an attempt on my A-Fan's life, so I had to leave everything behind and ran back to see you."
I flushed and Prince Ru stiffened. I could almost see how his eyes must have widened upon hearing such awkward words coming from Ruan Yanjun.
Xiong Ru cleared his throat a moment later and changed the subject. "Since it will take a week for the elixir to take effect, may I suggest that you stay here until then? That way, I can monitor Priest Wei's progress and find out if anything goes wrong."
"Good suggestion," Ruan Yanjun replied.
I honestly was not certain about it. If we were to stay here for a week, I'd have a lot of idle time, and if I were idle with Ruan Yanjun near me, I would be in big trouble.
Ruan Yanjun turned to me. "And since we won't be doing anything else but wait for the elixir to take effect, let's take the opportunity to continue your training."
I knew it.
That was indeed one of the troubles that I was afraid of. Every morning and every night, I would be beaten to near death once again.
As for the second trouble, I'd have to endure more of his spine-chilling teases.
I liked it more when Ruan Yanjun was preoccupied with other things so he would not have the time to bother with me.
"And after training, I can also have the opportunity to learn from the great Divine Mage," Xiong Ru added.
My jaw dropped.
This prince had no idea how rigid Ruan Yanjun's training was. I might be so beaten and spitting blood after blood that I would not be able to even afford to speak with him.