"He's been hit by my Blue Moon Dart. If he keeps using his energy, the poison will spread to his heart faster. He won't get far," Blue Moon said, stopping Sima Mingyue. "Your status makes it unwise for you to act. Go back to the inn. I'll pursue him. Don't worry, he's as good as dead."
Sima Mingyue's face darkened, but he nodded. His involvement could draw unwanted attention.
The fleeing spy's face began to blacken, his heartbeat accelerating. He knew he was poisoned and wouldn't last long. He pulled out a handful of silver needles and, without hesitation, stabbed them into his body. A surge of energy rushed through him, suppressing the poison temporarily.
He was using his life force to generate energy and fight the poison. Once that energy ran out, he would die. This desperate boost increased his speed, allowing him to shake off Blue Moon for a moment.
As he fled, he spotted a beggar crouching in an alley. He veered towards the alley and, passing the beggar, whispered: "Sima Mingyue, Blood Mingxiao Sect disciple, plans to kidnap Su Hao with Blue Moon, the sect's Fu City deputy leader, to extort the Su family. Please inform the young miss!"
The beggar remained motionless, seemingly unaware of the spy.
Blue Moon smirked as she saw the spy turn into the alley. She sped up, passing the beggar and chasing after her target.
After they disappeared, the beggar stood up and pulled out a white cloth. He wrote down the spy's message, then lifted a loose brick in the wall and hid the cloth inside before replacing the brick. He picked up his bowl and left the alley.
But he had only taken a few steps when a blue figure appeared behind him. A hand with glowing blue fingertips pierced the beggar's skull. Blood spurted out, but the blue figure, revealed to be Blue Moon, licked the blood with a cruel smile.
"I almost forgot about you," she said. After killing the spy, she had wondered why he'd turned into this alley. Remembering the beggar, she returned to find him leaving and swiftly eliminated him.
She poured a blue liquid from a vial onto the beggar's body, dissolving it into a puddle of foul-smelling liquid.
Back at the inn, Sima Mingyue anxiously awaited Blue Moon's return. When she appeared, she reported, "It's done. I've disposed of their bodies. You can relax now."
Sima Mingyue sighed in relief.
"I'm leaving now. I'll contact you when Su Hao departs. We'll strike then," Blue Moon said before quickly exiting through the window.
The next morning, bird calls woke Su Hao. As he stretched, a voice called out, "Young Master Su, you're awake. Breakfast is ready."
Su Hao often spent nights at Moon Shadow's place, though nothing happened between them. He just wanted others to think she was his, to prevent harassment.
"Moon Shadow, always so thoughtful," Su Hao said as he sat down to eat. He devoured two baskets of soup dumplings, five fried dough sticks, and two bowls of soy milk while Moon Shadow watched.
"I'm heading to the constabulary," Su Hao announced after finishing. He went downstairs, where Su Ping was waiting with a carriage to take him.
After Su Hao left, the madam rushed in with a white cloth. "Miss, our spy tailing Sima Mingyue disappeared. This is the information he left about Young Master Su."
Moon Shadow frowned. "About the third young master?" She read the cloth and her expression changed. "Sima Mingyue is with the Blood Mingxiao Sect? He and Blue Moon plan to kidnap Su Hao and extort the Su family!"
"Has anything happened with the Su family recently?" she asked.
The madam replied, "We heard last night that Young Marquis Dongfang Ming was poisoned with the sect's Black Blood toxin. He's at the Su residence now. The third master of the Su family, Su Wu from the Imperial Censorate, rushed back to the prefectural capital overnight. We don't know more details."
"I see. No wonder the Su family is sending Su Hao to a smaller county," Moon Shadow mused.
Just then, a black bird flew in with a small cloth tied to its leg. Moon Shadow read the message: "The antidote for the Black Blood pill has appeared in the Northwest Prefecture's black market."
She frowned. The antidote was usually controlled by the Blood Mingxiao Sect. Its appearance in the black market, especially so soon after the young marquis was poisoned, was suspicious. Was it the sect's doing, or someone targeting them?
"We can't handle all this," Moon Shadow decided. "Quickly spread the news about the Frost Pearl to Sima Mingyue. Once he acts, we can control him. Also, discreetly warn the third young master Su to be careful."
The madam nodded and left to carry out the orders.
"It seems the Northwest Prefecture is in for turbulent times," Moon Shadow murmured, gazing out the window. "Su Hao, I can't help you directly. I hope you can protect yourself."