Jian Yi accepted the order and took a step forward. His posture was as upright as a pine tree, and his black outfit revealed his muscular physique.
"Envoy, please, do not disturb my master's rest."
"I am acting on His Majesty's orders. It won't be so easy for you to send me away."
Seeing this, Jian Yi didn't waste any more words and rushed towards the messenger in an instant.
The sword in his hand transformed into a streak of light, stabbing straight at the opponent's arm, seemingly intent on crippling him.
This time it was no longer a bare-handed fight, but a test of strength with swords drawn.
The messenger's expression changed, and he leaned back. At the same time, his soft sword shot out like a snake, instantly coiling around Jian Yi's abdomen.
One was tough, the other was gentle; they immediately began their confrontation.
Everyone around held their breath and tacitly refrained from stepping forward, giving the two enough space.
Back and forth they went, swords clashing, producing a series of crisp clanging sounds, and for the time being, neither side could determine the victor.
But just as Jian Yi was entangled and forced to retreat, preparing to launch another attack, a sinister glint appeared in the messenger's eyes.
As Jian Yi approached, he suddenly shot out several hidden weapons from his sleeve.
The hidden weapons gleamed with a ghostly blue light, clearly coated with potent poison, and flew towards Jian Yi like raindrops at an astonishing speed.
"Despicable!" Jian Yi cursed inwardly, and unexpectedly swung his sword to defend. However, there were many hidden weapons at tricky angles. Although he avoided most of them, one still cut his arm.
A sharp pain shot through his meridians, and Jian Yi knew he had been poisoned.
If you are already poisoned, urging your internal energy to fight back will only worsen the poisoning!
Jian Yi frowned deeply, but could only retreat angrily and unwillingly to Fu Zhun's side. "I'm sorry, Master, I underestimated you!"
Seeing Jian Yi struck by the arrow, the envoy revealed a triumphant sneer, unexpectedly retreating without pursuing the matter further.
"I'll let you off the hook for now, but we'll see what happens!"
After saying that, he flashed away, leading his guards out of the inn, and disappeared from everyone's sight in a few leaps.
Su An was completely bewildered by this plot development.
The other party was just relentlessly attacking Fu Zhun, so how come they suddenly injured someone and left so easily?
She looked at Fu Zhun with a puzzled expression, but Fu Zhun's eyes were somewhat gloomy as he frowned at Jian Yi's purplish-black wound.
Now that there were no outsiders present, Jian Yi immediately told the truth:
"According to my deduction, this poison is the method used in the palace to train shadow guards. It is said to be made by fusing nine of the most poisonous substances in the world, allowing the poison to gnaw at the flesh and blood of the shadow guards, thereby tempering their will and stimulating their potential. However, it will also shorten the lifespan of those poisoned, who will not live more than ten years."
Fu Zhun nodded, his eyes half-closed in thought.
Su An was greatly shocked upon hearing this, and looked at Jian Yi with a mixture of shock and sympathy, "The emperor is treating people like dirt in order to cultivate his own power!"
Then, thinking about it again, he gritted his teeth in anger: "Damn that damn messenger! It's one thing to die young, but when you can't win, you resort to these underhanded tricks, trying to drag Brother Jian down with you!"
No wonder they ran away so quickly after poisoning me!
Fu Zhun paused for a moment and said, "The envoy's features look somewhat familiar, and his eyes are filled with resentment. He must have an old grudge against us."
"An Yi, investigate his identity and make sure you find out his background."
"Yes!" a voice responded from the shadows, then vanished without a trace, as if merging into the darkness.
As soon as the order was given, Jian Yi suddenly began to lose his balance and sway.
The veins on his forehead bulged, as if he were enduring great pain, and he let out a muffled groan.
Just then, Xie Qingfeng arrived. He had been called by Su An to examine Fu Zhun, and he immediately began to take Jian's pulse.
After a moment, Xie Qingfeng frowned, then relaxed. "This poison is indeed troublesome, but it is not incurable."
"It's quite a coincidence. The prince was assassinated by the shadow guards several times before and was poisoned by a similar poison. The antidote we developed back then can be used here. Combined with my acupuncture technique, the toxins will be eliminated in a few days."
Upon hearing this news, Su An felt a weight lift from her shoulders, but then her heart tightened slightly again.
She looked at Fu Zhun incredulously, stammering, "Survived multiple assassination attempts? How dangerous must your past experiences have been..."
Even someone as powerful as Jian Yi was instantly tormented by the poison, turning his face deathly pale. Fu Zhun had encountered this poison many times before.
A hint of heartache spread through her eyes.
Fu Zhun was surprised that Su An's focus was on him. After a moment of surprise, he chuckled and said, "Times have changed, it's all in the past, not worth mentioning."
The more nonchalant his tone, the more heartbreaking it was to see.
Who wouldn't fear death? Yet Fu Zhun's expression was one of calm numbness, as if he had experienced many life and death.
But whether he is truly numb or just putting on a brave face and refusing to show weakness, it is clearly not a good sign.
In a moment of impulsiveness, Su An cupped Fu Zhun's calm and aloof face in her hands.
"Some pain won't disappear with time. There's no need to carry everything on your own. You're not a god. If you're in pain, shout it out. If you're tired, rest."
Thinking of the near-death experiences Fu Zhun had gone through, Su An pursed her lips and stroked his face repeatedly as if coaxing a child.
"Oh, poor thing, it doesn't hurt anymore. You're a prince, why do you always risk your life? When you're in pain, no one can take your place."
Su An frowned and muttered, hoping that Fu Zhun could at least listen to a little and not risk going out alone in the future.
Fu Zhun swallowed hard, speechless.
I felt that her hands were so gentle and warm, like a spring breeze, silently seeping into my heart.
Jian Yi, who was standing to the side, suddenly felt numb all over, and his eyes stung with pain.
Xie Qingfeng made no attempt to hide the twitching in his eyes, covering his mouth with a look of nausea.
"Alright, alright, stop disturbing their lovey-dovey moments. I'll accompany you, my fellow sufferer, to find a secluded spot to detox!"
Jianyi: "Agreed."
Fu Zhun and Su An then realized what was happening, and their faces suddenly turned red.
"Well then, let me help you back to your room to rest!"
Su An chuckled and touched his nose. Fu Zhun coughed lightly, the hint of pleasure in his eyes vanishing in an instant, unnoticed by anyone.
...
The next day, the seemingly peaceful morning was quickly broken by a burst of noise.
The envoy was still dressed entirely in black, his face covered, revealing only his sinister eyes, which showed a ruthless determination to achieve his goal.
The group, full of bravado, was about to step into the inn when they were rudely stopped by the soldiers guarding the door.
Compared to the royal guards, these soldiers and confidants stood tall and straight like pine trees, their armor gleaming coldly in the sunlight, exuding an aura of majesty and fighting spirit.
"Please leave, messenger. The prince does not welcome guests!"
The leader of the envoys immediately frowned.
After poisoning Jian yesterday, he left with great confidence, thinking he could wait for Fu Zhun to come and feign weakness to ask for the antidote, but he waited in vain for a whole day.
I came here today to find out what's going on, so how can I be stopped outside?
"How dare you! Now you dare to obstruct this envoy? Does everyone in the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion intend to openly defy the Emperor's will?"
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