Chapter 77: Unforeseen Circumstances

Chapter 77: Unforeseen Circumstances

Zhao Yuxi had been brutally beaten, his once handsome face now unrecognizable. Though he was cunning, he wasn't a prodigy, and he didn't have the ability to memorize everything he saw. Even if he tried to fabricate something on the spot, he couldn't remember a sword manual as thick as a book, let alone in his severely injured state where his mind was already hazy. There was no way he could invent anything.

Zhao Yuxi was forced to copy the Divine Maiden Sword Heart Technique over and over again. Not only that, but he also had to write it backward, then explain each word and sentence, and randomly recite the next line after a given segment. If he failed, another round of brutal beating awaited him.

Zhao Yuxi, on the brink of collapse, had moments where he wanted to die.

"This should be the real thing."

Outside the dungeon door, Shang Junning removed the terrifying ghost mask from his face. Perhaps due to the stark contrast between the mask's ghastliness and his own cold, ethereal features, the visual impact was striking.

Lu Yan flipped through the thick stack of papers in his hand. "The moves are coherent, without any awkward breaks. It's likely the genuine article. I'll head to the palace soon to deliver it to His Majesty."

Shang Junning felt that Lu Yan seemed overly eager about this matter, but he didn't dwell on it too much. "What about Zhao Yuxi?"

Lu Yan tucked the heart technique into his sleeve, a smile that wasn't quite a smile playing on his lips. "Deal with him however you wish. Even if he's reduced to a pile of bones, this Prince has ways to cover things up and ensure your safety."

If Zhao Yuxi were to die, Emperor Wuyun would have no other sons to rely on, making Zhao Yuzhang the undisputed crown prince. Lu Yan didn't mind lending them a helping hand.

Shang Junning looked up at Lu Yan, the corner of his mouth curling slightly as he said something chilling. "What if I want him dead?"

Lu Yan's voice was low. "Then he cannot live."

...

A galloping horse quickly passed through the Vermilion Bird Street. While soldiers scoured the city for the assassins and searched for Zhao Yuxi and others, Lu Yan hurriedly entered the palace with a group of men.

At that moment, a sea of ministers had already knelt before the Eternal Hall, among them many loyal old ministers of Wuyun, all pleading with the emperor to capture the culprits. When Lu Yan stepped into the hall, their gazes turned to him, filled with hidden fear.

Everyone knew about last night's conflict between Lu Yan and Zhao Yuxi. Immediately afterward, the embassy was attacked, and Zhao Yuxi disappeared without a trace. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the entire capital, including the emperor, suspected Lu Yan.

Today, a crowd had gathered before the Eternal Hall, all wanting the emperor to severely punish Lu Yan and search Fengling Palace.

"Third son, you've arrived just in time. Last night, the embassy was assaulted, and Crown Prince Yuxi vanished without reason. Have you heard about it?"

The emperor always maintained an inscrutable expression. Seeing Lu Yan, he wasn't angry; instead, he ordered someone to offer him a seat. However, Lu Yan suddenly dropped to his knees with a thud, his eyes red-rimmed, looking extremely distressed. "Father! I beg you to do justice for your son!"

The emperor raised an eyebrow, feeling a throbbing pain in his temples. "What injustice have you suffered?"

Lu Yan squeezed out two tears as he cried, "Last night, those assassins not only kidnapped Crown Prince Yuxi but also took two beauties from my residence. I beg Father to investigate those assassins and quickly rescue them!"

Someone nearby snorted coldly. "It's probably the thief crying 'thief'!"

Lu Yan turned to look at the Wuyun envoy who spoke, widening his eyes. "You old man, what do you mean by that? Could it be that this Prince sent people to kidnap them?!"

The old minister replied coldly, "In the middle of the night, why did the beauties from your residence go to the crown prince's embassy for no apparent reason? The reason behind this is probably known only to you! If anything happens to Crown Prince Yuxi, we will not let it rest!"

Lu Yan scoffed and countered, "What do you mean by 'the beauties from my residence'? Those two beauties are the crown prince and the minister sent by your Wuyun as hostages. If they want to catch up with Crown Prince Yuxi, how can this Prince stop them?"

"You!"

As the crowd below argued heatedly, a young general clad in armor suddenly rushed in, kneeling on one knee before the emperor. He reported urgently, "Your Majesty! The Dragon Spring Department, following orders to track down Crown Prince Yuxi, finally discovered his whereabouts on the outskirts of the capital!"

The emperor suddenly lifted his eyelids. "Is he safe?"

The young general clasped his fists. "Reporting to Your Majesty, Crown Prince Yuxi sustained some flesh wounds, but his life is not in grave danger. Crown Prince Yuzhang and Minister Shang were found unconscious near a stream a few miles away. They have been taken back to their residences for medical treatment."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan subconsciously frowned. According to the original plan, the Dragon Spring Department should have found Zhao Yuxi's corpse. How was he still alive? Did Shang Junning not act?

The emperor grunted deeply. "Order the imperial physicians to treat them diligently. Once they wake up, bring them to report to Me."

"Yes!"

After the young general left, the Wuyun envoys also found excuses to exit the hall, eager to check on Zhao Yuxi's condition. Only Lu Yan remained kneeling alone in the hall.

The emperor ordered the hall doors to be closed before walking up to Lu Yan with his hands behind his back. He asked indifferently, "Where is the item?"

Lu Yan was taken aback. "Ah? What item?"

The emperor couldn't stand Lu Yan's pretentious attitude and furrowed his brows. "Don't tell Me that you kidnapped Zhao Yuxi and imprisoned him in the dungeon, and in one night, you didn't extract any information. If that's truly the case, I'll have to reconsider the fate of that half Blood Toad Pill."

Only then did Lu Yan smile. "Nothing escapes Father's notice."

He took out the two compiled sword manuals from his chest and respectfully handed them to the emperor. "Reporting to Father, both Dongli and Wuyun's sword sect heart techniques are here. This son has carefully examined them and confirmed their authenticity. However, there's still a lack of Tian Shui's..."

The emperor took the two manuals and casually flipped through a few pages. "The Tian Shui sword manual has already been presented by Xuan Hong, saving you the trouble. You got the half Blood Toad Pill for nothing."

Hearing this, Lu Yan's pupils constricted slightly. "Xuan Hong? How could he present the sword manual for no reason?"

The emperor looked deeply at Lu Yan. "Naturally, it was to exchange the hostage for his return. Do you think I should agree to his request?"

"..."

There was clearly a deeper meaning behind the emperor's words. From what he said earlier, he had secretly accepted Xuan Hong's sword manual, indicating that he agreed to the other party's request. Yet, he was suddenly asking Lu Yan whether he should agree...

After a moment's consideration, Lu Yan replied, "Tian Shui poses no threat to Immortal Spirit, and a gentleman's promise is worth a thousand golds. Letting them go wouldn't be a problem."

The emperor handed the sword manuals to Eunuch She, looking at Lu Yan and shaking his head slightly, sighing as if disappointed. "Sentimentality."

Sentimentality...

Even as Lu Yan left the palace and returned home, he pondered the meaning of these words. The emperor criticized him for being soft-hearted. Did he really intend to keep the items and not release Gongsun Wuyou and the others?

For the first time, Lu Yan realized that not just anyone could sit on the emperor's throne. One needed to be ruthless and merciless. Recalling the half Blood Toad Pill in his possession, he temporarily set aside these matters and hurried to the backyard to find Shang Junning.

The Dragon Spring Department had found Zhao Yuxi and the others on the outskirts, but unfortunately, Zhao Yuxi's injuries were severe, and he remained unconscious. They could only question Shang Junning and the others, hoping to find clues about the assassins.

Shang Junning had some abrasions on his face, which he explained were caused by accidentally tumbling down a slope. "The target of those assassins seemed to be someone else, so they didn't do anything to me. After dawn, they blindfolded me and threw me outside the city."

Shang Junnian wore an inner white robe, leaning against the bed with several fresh, red scabs on his face, standing out starkly against his pale skin. After speaking, he coughed weakly a few times, appearing frail, making it difficult for the questioner to press further.

He Jian霜stood by the bedside, silently tightening his grip on the sword at his waist, feeling that this matter wasn't so simple: "Of the three of you who were captured, only Prince Yuxi suffered the most severe injuries. Isn't that somewhat unreasonable?"

Shang Junnian closed his eyes to rest, speaking indifferently: "Those assassins wanted to force the secrets of the Goddess Sword Heart Technique. I had never learned it, nor had Prince Yuzhang. They could only brutally interrogate Prince Yuxi, hence his most severe injuries. What's unreasonable about that?"

This explanation mirrored Zhao Yuzhang's exactly. Even if He Jian霜had doubts, she couldn't find any flaws, inevitably feeling defeated.

Lu Yan entered the inner chamber just then, observing the scene with interest: "What wind has blown Envoy He here today?"

He Jian霜turned around, realizing it was Lu Yan, and quickly saluted: "It's His Highness, the Prince of Fengling. Your humble servant is investigating the assassination attempt at the embassy under the Emperor's orders, thus I've come to ask questions."

Perhaps due to Lu Yan's assistance during yesterday's banquet martial arts competition, He Jian霜was particularly courteous.

Lu Yan nodded: "I see. However, seeing their serious injuries, questioning them now might be inconvenient. Why don't you come another day, Envoy He?"

He Jian霜hesitated for a moment, then saluted: "Your humble servant will take my leave then. Today's disturbance, I hope His Highness will forgive me."

The Dragon Spring Department was notoriously difficult to deal with, but they retreated like a tide, showing that He Jian霜gave considerable respect to Lu Yan.

Seeing the door close, Shang Junnian asked: "How is it? Did the Emperor blame you for last night's incident?"

Lu Yan sat down beside the bed, shaking his head: "Father didn't say much, only asking where I learned my swordsmanship. I made up a story on the spot. Although he didn't believe me, he didn't press further. But why is Zhao Yuxi still alive?"

Meeting Lu Yan's gaze, Shang Junnian spoke casually: "If he died, Wu Yun would surely pursue the matter. I thought about it and decided not to, there's no need to invite trouble."

Zhao Yuxi's death would indeed be beneficial, allowing him to better support Zhao Yuzhang's ascension, but it would inevitably cause problems for Lu Yan. Thus, Shang Junnian hesitated for a long time outside the city before finally deciding not to end Zhao Yuxi's life.

A sudden warmth touched his cheek, and Shang Junnian looked up instinctively, unexpectedly meeting Lu Yan's smiling eyes: "Why didn't I realize before how understanding Chancellor is? But if you let Zhao Yuxi go, won't he say something he shouldn't?"

Shang Junnian was inexplicably startled by the warmth of the other's palm, unconsciously turning his head: "Don't worry, Zhao Yuxi won't utter a word. He's a coward. If it's known that he leaked the Goddess Sword Heart Technique, he'll be unable to escape his punishment."

Lu Yan touched the wound on Shang Junnian's cheek, as if seeing a flaw in a piece of jade, sighing softly: "It's hard on you, deliberately inflicting these wounds to deceive He Jian霜."

After saying this, he seemed to remember something, taking out a brocade box from his chest and handing it to Shang Junnian: "Eat this medicine, it will benefit your injuries."

It was half of the unknown red pill again.

Shang Junnian was taken aback, his suspicions growing even more: "Where did this medicine come from?"

"..."

Lu Yan paused, then smiled: "Everything in my mansion is bestowed by Father. Naturally, this medicine was also given by Father."

Shang Junnian took the medicine box, noticing the imperial seal on it, indicating it was a precious item registered in the imperial palace. His fingertips slowly caressed the bottom of the box, finding a line of uneven letters. Carefully discerning the contours, three vague words emerged in his mind:

Blood...

Toad...

Pill...

Shang Junnian suddenly opened his eyes: It was actually the Blood Toad Pill, a treasure of Tian Shui?!

"How could such a treasure be granted to you for no reason?!"

Shang Junnian grabbed Lu Yan's wrist, his voice barely concealing his shock. He remembered how Lu Yan had rushed into the palace today to present the heart technique to the Emperor, returning with this half pill in hand. A barely believable guess surfaced in his mind: "Did you agree to obtain the Sword Sect's heart techniques for the Emperor just for this half pill?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a part of his heart seemed to quietly collapse, something insidiously drilling into the cracks, causing immense discomfort.

Lu Yan hadn't expected Shang Junnian to guess this, momentarily stunned. Coming back to his senses, he took a cup of tea from the low table beside the bed: "Your body is too weak, and your meridians have been damaged. The imperial physician said the Blood Toad Pill has miraculous effects. Father happened to have one in his treasury, so I asked him to give it to me."

He spoke casually, not mentioning anything else.

Shang Junnian stared motionlessly at Lu Yan, seemingly wanting to know what he truly thought. After a while, he spoke hoarsely: "This is a treasure. Although the Emperor dotes on you, he wouldn't grant it lightly..."

He paused: "Lu Yan, my life isn't worth that much."

It was the first time Shang Junnian addressed him by his full name.

"I've lost my position as chancellor and lack the power of the Sword Sect. Even if I support you, it would be like pouring water on a burning cart, not worth your efforts to obtain those few sword manuals for my crippled life."

Some say that the lowest thing in this world is dust,

But Shang Junnian knew that the lowest thing in this world was human life, and the hardest thing was to survive.

The King of Wu Yun once regarded him as a trusted minister, yet treated him like a weed sent to Xian Ling. Without power, he was like a dog locked in a dungeon, his pipa bone pierced when they wished, his martial arts abolished when they desired. Past achievements seemed to dissipate like clouds, insignificant in the face of the nation's stability.

Countless sleepless nights, he endured unbearable pain, yet nurtured boundless hatred, sustaining his breath, unwilling to die easily.

How could his life be worth Lu Yan's painstaking efforts to obtain the sword techniques, or this pill that everyone in the world sought after?!

Shang Junnian couldn't control his tightening fingers. His eyes were bloodshot, his chest heaving as if trapped in a nightmare, unable to escape. Suddenly, Lu Yan's soft whisper reached his ears, his cheeks being gently wiped: "Don't cry..."

Shang Junnian was startled. Had he been crying?

Lu Yan kissed him lightly: "Medicine is meant to save lives. No matter how precious it is, if it can't save someone's life, it's just a dusty pearl in a warehouse."

"Who says your life isn't worth it? I think it's worth a thousand times more..."

No matter how many times he recalled those words later, Shang Junnian felt they were among the few warm moments in his life, untainted by calculations of profit. He had even planned how to help this man ascend to the highest position, how to serve as his minister for life. Yet, he hadn't expected change to come so swiftly.