The moon was bright and the stars were sparse.
It was already late at night, but the Poison Sect's forbidden grounds were so quiet that only the sound of the wind could be heard.
Even as she stood at the edge of the Poison Sect's Sky Pit, Bai Yuqiao still couldn't understand why her master had brought her here in the middle of the night.
If she had to trace her origins, the Hundred Poisons Sect was a branch of the Poison Sect. But in her memories, her master had never mentioned this place, much less come here.
Her senior brother, Jun Yi Xie, had come here for the Poison Sect's poison beast, but had returned in failure. She remembered that when her master found out about this, he only smiled and didn't say a word.
Anyone from the poison world yearned for this place. The mountains were filled with poisonous plants, and the Sky Pit beneath her feet had once held the poison beast, making it even more alluring.
The darkness of the Sky Pit seemed to have some kind of magic. Bai Yuqiao wanted to dive in and see what was inside.
She waited excitedly for a long time, thinking that her master would take her down. Who knew that her master would just stand there and watch? After a long while, he turned and said, "Yu lass, let's go back."
Go back?
"Master, we're already here … why don't we go down and take a look?" Bai Yuqiao asked in confusion.
"The bottom has already been destroyed, there's nothing to see," Bai Yanqing replied indifferently.
"Then … then what are we doing here?" Bai Yuqiao was really curious.
Bai Yanqing smiled. "Yu lass, don't you think the wind here smells?"
Bai Yuqiao lifted her head and sniffed the wind. "It smells like dirt."
"No, it smells like poison! Even the air here smells like poison. " Bai Yanqing sighed. "Only by smelling this place occasionally can I remember who I am."
Bai Yuqiao was even more bewildered. She probed, "Does master … come here often?"
Although she had been adopted by her master since she was young, she spent most of her time in the Hundred Poisons Sect. She did not follow her master around all the time. She remembered that when she was young, her master would often travel outside. Neither she nor her senior brother knew of her master's whereabouts.
It was only in the past few years that she had the opportunity to stay close to her master, serve her master, and understand her master.
Bai Yanqing raised his head and looked at the moon in the sky. He stroked his beard and smiled. "Of course, this place is the root of the poison world. It's Master's root!"
Bai Yuqiao's heart skipped a beat. "Master … Master is also a descendant of the Poison Sect?"
Bai Yuqiao regretted her question as soon as it left her mouth. Her bright mind quickly analyzed the situation. If master was a descendant of the Poison Sect, then what was his relationship with Han Yunxi?
Master didn't allow Senior Martial Brother to have any ideas about Han Yunxi, and now he was secretly plotting against Han Yunxi. Why was there such a contradiction?
Also, why did Master hide so many things from Senior Brother?
The more Bai Yuqiao thought about it, the more dangerous her situation became. People who knew too much didn't have a good ending.
Her hands clenched tightly in her sleeves, her palms sweating. She didn't even dare meet her master's eyes, afraid that he'd discover that she knew too much.
Unexpectedly, she heard a chuckle. "Yu lass, aren't you a member of the Poison Sect? Anyone who learns the poison arts is a member of the Poison Sect. You can't forget your roots! "
Bai Yuqiao jerked her head up to see her master chuckling. He was the same kind and easy-going person she remembered him to be when she was young.
So that's what master meant!
Bai Yuqiao didn't have time to ponder over which of her master's words were true and which were false. She only wanted to hide her nervousness.
She pretended to be very happy and asked, "Master, Yu 'er thought that you'd lose your temper. Now I know why you're so happy."
"Happy? Hehe, then tell me why? "Bai Yanqing was indeed happy.
"Because the Poison Sect has been rehabilitated. Our Hundred Poisons Sect is no longer a crooked sect!" Bai Yuqiao said with a smile.
"Mm." Bai Yanqing nodded. He was just brushing off Bai Yuqiao.
In his heart, the Hundred Poisons Sect was just like Jun Yi Xie. They were just tools. How could they compare to the land beneath his feet?
He looked back at the crater again, and his eyes, which had always been hidden, revealed a touch of nostalgia. He had lived on this land for many years and stood outside the crater many times. He had also looked at the bright moon above the crater many times, but he had never stepped in once.
By the time Bai Yanqing and his disciple returned to their residence, the secret missive from Northern Li's capital had arrived.
Originally, the Northern Dynasties Emperors had vented their anger on Jun Yi Xie because of the Northern Li crown prince's death. They'd stopped all of his work and secretly placed him under house arrest in the palace.
But now, the Northern Dynasties Emperors had no choice but to use Jun Yi Xie again. The second prince, who'd insisted on staying at Wintercrow Clan, had suddenly cut off all communications. There were no suitable ambassadors in the court, so the Northern Dynasties Emperors could only place their hopes on Jun Yi Xie.
Perhaps the Northern Dynasties Emperors had already realized the severity of the situation, but only Jun Yi Xie was familiar with Wintercrow Clan. If he sent someone else and angered the Wintercrow Clan, the second prince's life would be in danger.
The crown prince was dead, and he'd taught Jun Yi Xie such a lesson. Jun Yi Xie would at least restrain himself a little when it came to the second prince.
Bai Yuqiao sighed in relief after reading the letter. "Master, senior brother will definitely be able to turn misfortune into blessing!"
Bai Yanqing, on the other hand, was very confident in Jun Yi Xie. He smiled and said, "He set out yesterday, so he should be back with his battle horses in a month."
"Yu lass, have you made any progress on Su Xiaoyu's side?" Bai Yanqing asked next.
"I've already probed her and confirmed that she doesn't know anything about the phoenix birthmark. As for the Perplexing Butterfly Illusion, we're still probing her. " Bai Yuqiao replied honestly. "But master, if that girl really doesn't know anything, then won't we be wasting our efforts?"
"She and Baili Mingxiang are both Han Yunxi's servant girls. She should know everything that Baili Mingxiang knows," Bai Yanqing guessed.
"But master … that girl is still Chu Xifeng's person. Although she lost her memories, Han Yunxi might not trust her completely, right?" Bai Yuqiao said seriously.
"What's the point of keeping someone who doesn't trust by her side? And why did she teach her poisons? "Bai Yanqing asked next.
Bai Yuqiao couldn't retort. Suddenly, Han Yunxi's face floated into Bai Yanqing's mind. He chuckled and said, "That girl must be very similar to Old Man. She wouldn't keep useless people around. She must have taken a liking to Su Xiaoyu's innate talents. "
He told Bai Yuqiao, "Be careful when you strike, don't kill her. That girl will be useful in the end. Also, send someone to keep an eye on Ning Cheng. Report back immediately if he makes any big moves. "
"Yes, Yu 'er understands," Bai Yuqiao replied respectfully.
Bai Yanqing kept an eye on Ning Cheng while Long Fei Ye headed straight for Ning Cheng's army.
Long Fei Ye had long recovered his internal energy and secretly left Celestial Mountain with Baili Mingxiang in tow. He was rushing to meet up with Baili Yuanlong.
The wide and stable carriage was steady even as it galloped through the wilderness without any bumps.
Long Fei Ye sat inside the carriage, busy reading secret missives. No matter where he went, reports from all over the world would reach his hands. There were more than a dozen letters by his side, including those from Medical City, Baili Yuanlong, the south central region's commander-in-chief's estate, Pill Fiend Pharmacy, Northern Li, Celestial Mountain, Western Zhou, and Tian An. There were also reports about the Perplexing Butterfly Illusion. Even though he'd left the matter of the Perplexing Butterfly Illusion in Gu's hands, he still sent people to investigate.
He was very busy, with eyes and ears all over Cloud Realm Continent.
No matter how big or small the news was, or whether it was expected or not, his expression was always cold and distant. His eyes were focused, and he didn't let his emotions show on his face.
Although his internal injuries weren't as serious as they seemed, he had lost quite a bit of weight over the past few days. His chiseled features were even sharper than before, giving him an air of stubbornness.
Besides the sound of the wind, there was only the sound of horses' hooves.
Suddenly, he asked Coldly, "Is Lingyun Pass up ahead?"
The driver, Uncle Gao, quickly replied, "It's one li up ahead. If we head east, we'll pass through Medical City. If we head south, we'll reach Sand River."
When His Highness Duke of Qin didn't reply after a long time, Uncle Gao asked again, "Your Highness, should we change our route?"
His Highness had ordered him to head straight for Sand River to meet up with General Baili after leaving the mountain. But Medical City's missives had arrived yesterday, so Uncle Gao had no idea what was going on there.
Long Fei Ye still didn't reply, so Uncle Gao could only keep driving the carriage.
Uncle Gao didn't know what was going on in Medical City, but Baili Mingxiang, who was sitting next to him, knew very well. Ever since she learned of her mission on Celestial Mountain, she knew everything about His Highness Duke of Qin.
Of course, His Highness Duke of Qin hadn't told her this, but rather, Ah Dong, the personal Shadow Guard he had assigned to her. She knew that Ah Dong must have been instructed by His Highness Duke of Qin to tell her everything.
Separated by a curtain, her face was pressed against the curtain as soon as she turned her head. How she wished she could temporarily have a pair of see-through eyes to see the man's face inside the carriage.
Thinking of this, she mocked herself inwardly. Even if she could see him, what could she do? It was impossible for her to see through his heart through his eyes.
It was impossible!
Why did he ask that question earlier? Did he hesitate? Did he want to change his mind and go to Medical City? Did he want to see esteemed wangfei?
But how could a man like him hesitate or make a mistake when it came to something so important?
He had left Celestial Mountain in secret. The spies on Celestial Mountain would quickly discover that something was amiss. He had to hurry to the army and meet up with her father before the spies discovered anything.
If anything went wrong with this move, all his previous plans would be for naught!
Baili Mingxiang turned her head to look at the road ahead. It wasn't a long distance. They were about to reach Lingyun Pass.
She couldn't help but frown. She had never felt so conflicted before.
On one hand, she hoped that the man she liked would remain as calm and emotionless as he always was, and that he would prioritize the big picture. At the same time, she also hoped that this man would have a more worldly side to him. She hoped that he would change his mind and go to Medical City.
She knew that hesitation meant that something was on his mind. If he couldn't get what he wanted, how unbearable would that be?
His Highness Duke of Qin must be missing esteemed wangfei.
If he didn't make a sound, the carriage would pass through Lingyun Pass. Once they passed through Lingyun Pass, with his personality, he wouldn't turn back, would he?
Finally, they were getting closer and closer to Lingyun Pass.
Baili Mingxiang couldn't help but remind him, "Your Highness, we've reached Lingyun Pass."
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