Chapter 63 Launching the All-Out Offensive

The capital city, the general's mansion.

Ye Xunyang returned to the General's Mansion and found Anar, who was taking care of her father. He asked if there was any progress on the items from last time and also took a few newly found poisons.

Anar's expression was more solemn than last time.

She carefully opened the bamboo tube, sniffed it briefly, and immediately sealed it again, her expression changing slightly. "This is 'Soul-Stealing Elixir,' made by mixing the saliva of a poisonous bird called 'Ghost-Faced Dove' from our dense forests in the southwest with several poisonous herbs. It can confuse the mind, and in large doses, it can even make people mentally impaired."

She picked up the withered leaf again, and after examining it carefully, a hint of panic flashed in her eyes. "This...this is called 'Bone-Rotting Vine'. Its toxicity is the opposite of 'Miasma Hibiscus'. It causes wounds to fester and become unable to heal, eventually leading to death from bone rot...but this Bone-Rotting Vine only grows in the forbidden area behind our Kapok Village! It's impossible to find it outside!"

She grabbed Ye Xunyang's arm suddenly, her voice filled with unprecedented anxiety: "Third brother! It's definitely not normal for this thing to appear here! Either there's a traitor in our village who smuggled it out, or... the village might have already been taken over! Father and the others might be in danger!"

Ye Xunyang's heart tightened. If the tentacles of the "Shadow Serpent" had already penetrated deep into the southwestern tribes and even controlled Anar's hometown, then their schemes were probably far greater than imagined!

"Anar, don't panic." Ye Xunyang steadied himself. "This matter is of great importance; we must plan carefully. Can your knowledge of these venomous creatures and 'Shadow Serpents' provide any further clues?"

Anar shook her head anxiously, tears welling in her eyes: "I know only so much. Many secrets are known only to the elders and my father in the village. Third brother, I... I want to go back to the southwest!"

"I must go back and see how my father and the village are doing! Only by going back can I find out what the 'Shadow Serpent' is up to and where they got these poisonous creatures that belong only to our village!"

Just then, a maid rushed in excitedly: "He's awake! He's awake! The general is awake!"

Upon hearing this, the group immediately put everything else aside and rushed towards Ye Qing's bedroom.

Inside the bedroom, Ye Qing indeed opened his eyes. The imperial physician was carefully examining his pulse, a relieved smile on his face: "Congratulations, Madam. Although the general's pulse is weak, it has stabilized. The poison has been eliminated. He only needs to rest and recuperate, supplemented with gentle tonics. In time, he will surely recover completely!"

Mrs. Ye wept with joy and held her husband's hand tightly.

Ye Qing's gaze slowly swept over his wife and children, finally landing on Ye Xunyang. He nodded slightly, his voice weak but clear: "Thank you for your hard work. How is the situation outside?"

Ye Xunyang gave a brief overview of the current situation.

After listening, Ye Qing closed his eyes and pondered for a moment. When he opened them again, his eyes were clear and decisive: "The bigger picture is important... You... just go ahead and do it... You don't need to... worry about me..."

After calming his father down, Ye Xunyang left the room, his mind still racing with thoughts about Anar's request.

He was truly worried about sending Anar back to the perilous southwest alone. But how could he uncover the origins of the "Shadow Serpent" if he didn't let her return?

Two days later, Ye Xunyang found an opportunity to discuss the matter with his second brother, Ye Xunqin, in the study.

“Second brother, what Anar said is true. If the Southwest has truly been infiltrated by the ‘Shadow Serpent,’ the harm it causes may be no less than that caused by the Rong tribes in the Northwest. I am really worried about letting her go back alone, but there are many things to do in the capital, and Father also needs someone to take care of him. I really can’t be in two places at once…”

Before he could finish speaking, a weak but still steady voice came from inside: "There's no need to argue."

The two were startled and turned around to see Ye Qing standing at the door, supported by guards and wearing an outer robe. Although his face was pale, his eyes were as sharp as ever, indicating that he had overheard most of their conversation.

"Father! Why are you up?" Ye Xunqin quickly stepped forward to help him up.

Ye Qing waved his hand, indicating that it was alright. His gaze fell on Ye Xunqin and Anar, and he made a decisive decision: "Xunqin, you... accompany Miss Anar back to the southwest."

"Father!" Ye Xunqin exclaimed anxiously, "Your health is not yet fully recovered, and the situation in the capital is still unclear. How can I leave at this time?"

Ye Qing coughed twice, his breathing a little unsteady, but his tone was resolute: "This old bone of mine... won't die! The imperial physician said that rest is all I need. With the foundation left by your elder brother in the capital, and with Xunyang and the entire Prince Jin's Mansion behind me, things won't fall apart!"

He looked at Anar, his tone softening: "Miss Anar, you have done a great service to the Ye family. This trip back to your hometown to investigate is fraught with unknown dangers. I can only feel at ease if Xunqin escorts you. Finding out the origin of the 'Shadow Serpent' will be a great achievement for both the country and the family!"

Looking into Ye Qing's resolute gaze, and then at Ye Xunqin beside her, whose brows were furrowed but whose concern was undeniable, Anar was deeply moved and nodded emphatically: "Thank you, General! Anar will definitely find out the truth!"

Seeing his father's resolute attitude, and considering the great importance of the matter in the southwest, Ye Xunqin clasped his hands and said in a deep voice, "Yes! Father, your son will protect Anar and find out the truth!"

Without delay, Ye Xunqin and Anar made some preparations and quietly left the capital early the next morning, riding swiftly towards the southwest.

Ye Xunyang personally escorted them to the pavilion outside the city. Watching his second brother and Anar disappear side by side at the end of the official road, he silently prayed for their safe journey and swift success.

Northwest, Yumen Pass, Commander's tent.

Lou Jin stared coldly at the interrogation transcripts that had just been presented to him. Under separate and severe torture, some of the captured "Central Plains Rong tribesmen finally broke down and revealed some crucial information.

They did indeed come from an organization called "Shadow Serpent," tasked with infiltrating the Rong army to train Rong soldiers in simple formations and assist in drawing maps and analyzing the weaknesses of the Sheng army.

Their direct superior was a mysterious figure known as "Viper," who seemed to have close ties with the Rong tribe's high command.

More importantly, a minor leader, in a moment of despair, revealed that Lord Viper and the high priest of the Rong tribe were planning a major operation, intending to launch an unprecedented and fierce attack on Yumen Pass around the time of the "Lunar Eclipse," working together from within and without to break through the pass in one fell swoop!

The so-called "insiders," besides these spies who infiltrated the army, seem to... also point to those inside the pass!

"The night of the lunar eclipse..." Lou Jin looked at the calendar. There were less than twenty days left until the next lunar eclipse!

He stood up, walked to the sand table, and his eyes were piercing.

"Issue the order to the entire army!" Lou Jin's voice was resolute, carrying an unquestionable killing intent.

"Rest for a day, and prepare sufficient provisions and arrows! At dawn the day after tomorrow, gather all available troops and launch a general offensive!"