Chapter 39 I dreamed of a very big black scorpion!
The lights were on in the study of the Imperial Master's Mansion, and the air was filled with a faint smell of blood and fireworks, which was incompatible with the fragrance of ink in the past.
Chu Xuanyi and Xiao Yu stood side by side, with several freshly transcribed confessions spread out on the table in front of them - detailed confessions from the "Sand Snake".
"'The Owl Lord', whose real name is unknown, is approximately forty to fifty years old. He has an old burn scar on the back of his left hand, shaped like a waning moon... He has been hiding in a secret house in the backyard of the 'Bai Xi Lou' in the south of the city for many years, using the identity of a silk merchant as a cover..." Chu Xuanyi read the key information in the confession word by word, his brows furrowed tighter and tighter.
"The Night Owl Alliance's influence in the capital is far greater and more secretive than we imagined," Xiao Yu continued, his tone grave. "Not only do they have their own intelligence networks and assassin organizations, they've even infiltrated some...lower-level government officials, facilitating their operations."
What frightened them the most was the so-called "big conspiracy" confessed by the "Sand Snakes".
"'Awakening Plan'..." Chu Xuanyi pronounced the code name, his eyes sharpening. "The Sand Snake said that 'Owl Lord' has been secretly training a group of assassins and collecting detailed maps of the major government offices and important officials' residences in the capital, even including... defense maps of the imperial palace! They seem to be planning to create massive chaos on a special day, with internal and external support. The goal... is unclear, but it's very likely related to assassination or the seizure of some important item."
"Special days..." Xiao Yu pondered, "Are there any important festivals or court meetings recently?"
Chu Xuanyi pondered for a moment and shook his head. "There haven't been any major national festivals in the past month. There have been some regular court meetings, but it would be extremely difficult to take action during them."
"Unless..." A gleam of light flashed in Xiao Yu's eyes. "Their goal isn't to strike in the imperial court, but to exploit the chaos to achieve other goals. For example... to fish in troubled waters and sneak into a heavily guarded area."
The two looked at each other and thought of one place - the palace!
"The Sand Snake also mentioned that the 'Owl Lord' seemed to be extremely interested in a certain 'secret treasure' in the palace. He had sent people to spy on it many times, but all failed." Chu Xuanyi added.
"The secret treasure in the palace?" Xiao Yu frowned. "There are many treasures in the imperial palace. Which one is he referring to?"
The "Sand Snake" couldn't explain this question clearly, he only knew that the "Owl Lord" was determined to get this thing.
"No matter what their goal is, this 'Jingzhe Plan' must be stopped immediately!" Chu Xuanyi said firmly, "'The Owl Lord' is the key, he must be apprehended as soon as possible!"
Xiao Yu nodded. "I agree. According to the Sand Snake's confession, the Owl Lord is suspicious and cunning by nature. With the destruction of the Eagle's Nest and the disappearance of the Sand Snake, he must have become alert. We must act before he completely relocates or activates the Jingzhe Plan!"
He looked at Chu Xuanyi and said, "Xuanyi, this must be done quickly. I intend to personally lead the raid on the 'Baixi Tower' tonight! You will stay at the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion to prevent the 'Owl Master' from having any other backup or accomplices who come to cause trouble. At the same time, I need you to appease Ah Jiu."
Chu Xuanyi understood Xiao Yu's concerns. Although Ajiu's "ability" was sometimes effective and sometimes not, it could always play an unexpected role at critical moments. But because of this, she was more likely to become the target of certain forces.
"Don't worry, Your Highness," Chu Xuanyi said solemnly, "I will make all the arrangements at the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion. I'll leave the capture of the 'Owl Lord' to Your Highness! Be careful, as this man, who commands the Night Owl Alliance's power in the capital, is no ordinary person."
"I understand." Xiao Yu nodded.
At this moment, there was a slight sound of footsteps outside the study, accompanied by the housekeeper's low voice: "Miss Jiu, the master and the prince are discussing business, you...what can I do for you?"
Then, Ah Jiu's soft, sleepy voice came out: "Uncle housekeeper, I... I had a strange dream... I want to tell you..."
Chu Xuanyi and Xiao Yu looked at each other.
Chu Xuanyi rubbed his brows and said to Xiao Yu with a wry smile: "It seems that this girl has made another 'new discovery'."
He raised his voice and said, "Let her in."
Ah Jiu, wearing a loose nightgown and rubbing her sleepy eyes, walked in little by little. In her arms was a crookedly sewn little cloth tiger, which was a "talisman" she had made herself.
Seeing Xiao Yu was also there, Jiu awkwardly gave a rather awkward salute: "Xiong... Xiong Xiong brother is here too..."
"Ajiu, what strange dream did you have?" Chu Xuanyi tried his best to make his voice sound gentle.
Ah Jiu yawned and said in a baby voice, "I dreamed... I dreamed of a huge black scorpion! It... it hid under a stage where many beautiful women were singing and dancing. The tip of its tail was poisonous! It also wanted... wanted to use its tail to sting the big golden bird above Prince Brother's head!"
As she spoke, she used her little hands to imitate the action of a scorpion's tail stinging a person, and her little face was full of worry.
Chu Xuanyi and Xiao Yu's expressions changed when they heard this!
Black Scorpion? Under the singing and dancing stage? Isn't that the "Bai Xi Lou"?
The tip of the tail is poisonous, and it wants to sting the "Golden Bird" - this clearly means that the "Owl Lord" wants to harm the Regent!
"Ah Jiu," Xiao Yu leaned over, "Think carefully again, is there anything else special about that black scorpion besides its poisonous tail?"
Jiu tilted his head, trying to recall. Then he touched the back of his left hand and said, "Yes! Its left... one of its little paws looks like it's been burned. It's black, like a crescent moon!"
The back of my left hand! A burn scar! Shaped like a waning moon!
This is completely consistent with the characteristics of the "Owl Lord" in the confession of the "Sand Snake"!
Chu Xuanyi and Xiao Yu's eyes flashed with horror. Ah Jiu's dream had so accurately predicted the danger, even predicting the physical characteristics of the "Owl Lord"!
Xiao Yu took a deep breath. "Ajiu is really amazing. She told me a very important secret. I'm going to catch that bad scorpion now. Ajiu, please stay in the house obediently, okay?"
Ah Jiu nodded vigorously: "Yes! Brother Xiong Xiong should also be careful! That black scorpion is very fierce!"
Xiao Yu didn't delay any longer and said to Chu Xuanyi solemnly, "Xuanyi, it seems that tonight's trip to the 'Baixi Tower' will be dangerous. You must guard the Imperial Master's Mansion and protect Ah Jiu!"
"Don't worry, Your Highness!" Chu Xuanyi said in a deep voice.
Xiao Yu turned around and strode out of the Imperial Master's Mansion, his figure quickly disappearing into the night.
Chu Xuanyi looked at the direction he left, then looked at Ajiu who was rubbing his eyes with a confused look on his face, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings.
He picked up Ah Jiu and gently scratched her nose: "You, you are really my... lucky star, but you are also a little worry bag!"
Jiu was held in his arms and started giggling. The sleepiness she felt just now seemed to have dissipated a lot.
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