Nanling at this time.
Zhou Changling rode at breakneck speed, killing three horses in the process, and finally arrived at Nanling before nightfall on the fifth day to meet up with the people who had been following and monitoring her.
Upon arriving at the agreed-upon inn and sitting down, three or four figures gathered in his room.
"How is it? Has she noticed?"
Zhou Changling poured himself a cup of cold tea. His hand holding the teacup trembled slightly, a result of his prolonged lack of sleep and extreme physical exhaustion.
These guards, who had been searching for Zhao Xueqing's whereabouts from all directions, have now gathered in one place, guarding all the entrances and exits of Nanling tightly without any slip-ups.
"Reporting to Master, Miss Zhao is still staying at a local family's house and hasn't come out since."
"There's no time to lose, let's go. I'll go and arrest him myself." Zhou Changling put down his cold tea, picked up his cloak, and went out first. The secret guards never offered advice to other officials; their duty was absolute obedience, so they naturally wouldn't contradict him.
Fortunately, the result was gratifying. When the group arrived at the dilapidated thatched hut and heard the coughing coming from inside, Zhou Changling did not hesitate and stepped inside.
When Zhou Changling captured Zhao Xueqing alive, her face was withered and pale; she was nothing like the fairy-like woman who had stayed at his mansion.
"Ahem, it really is you! Why can't you let me go!"
Zhao Xueqing lay on the bed in a disheveled state, her hands bound, one end of the rope tied to the corner of the bed frame. She was barely clothed, clearly having endured some ordeal. Her eyes were filled with venomous resentment, as if she wanted to tear a piece of flesh from these people.
"No need to untie her, just take her away." Zhou Changling looked at her with the eyes of someone looking at a dead person. He had no extra sympathy. Thinking of Bai Lingxi, who was still suffering from poison, Zhou Changling felt even angrier towards her.
"Wait!" Knowing she was in for a bad time, Zhao Xueqing panicked. She wanted to exchange some of the things she had for something in return. Although she didn't have the antidote, she could deceive people!
Seeing that the guards were about to gag her without saying a word, she quickly shouted to stop and begged for mercy.
"Zhou Changling, you've come all this way, you must know Bai Lingxi is poisoned, right? I have the antidote! Just untie me, and I'll give it to you right now."
Zhou Changling shook his head. He knew this woman might be lying, but he really wanted the antidote, he really wanted it. It was as if some unseen force was making him obey, and his eyes gradually became less clear.
He opened his mouth, about to utter the words "untie," when a sudden surge of reason pulled him back, and his eyes regained their clarity.
"She really is a witch. Gag her, blindfold her, and tie her hands and feet." Zhou Changling's heart sank. He wondered if there really was some invisible bond binding them together.
Zhou Changling's heart sank lower and lower. The closer he got to the truth, the more amiss he felt. Everything seemed eerie, like the Zhao sisters' bizarre opportunities—were they all connected to him?
"Ugh, ugh!" Zhao Xueqing struggled fiercely, but no matter what she did, it was all in vain.
Seeing that she was firmly bound, Zhou Changling felt a little relieved. In any case, there had to be some things that were under control, otherwise, they would truly be at the mercy of others.
Back at the inn, his intelligence station, he had established intelligence networks throughout the country when he was a prince, including various inns, restaurants, and brothels. Now that he could find the demoness, it was truly thanks to his foresight back then.
Thinking of this, Zhou Changling looked at the shopkeeper in charge of intelligence and gave him a look. The shopkeeper understood and followed him in. As for Zhao Xueqing, she was locked up in another place.
Zhou Changling helped the kneeling shopkeeper to his feet: "No need for such formalities when you're traveling. Has any news come from the palace?"
"My lord, this is today's letter."
The shopkeeper took out a secret letter from his pocket and respectfully handed it to Zhou Changling. After Zhou Changling nodded, the shopkeeper left the room.
Zhou Changling was puzzled. He had been away from the palace for so long, and had been instructed to send him a letter every day reporting on matters in the palace, but why was there only one? His question was soon answered.
He opened the letter, and just one sentence made his face change drastically: The previous dynasty was peaceful, but the Empress of the inner palace had disappeared.
The date on the signature is the day he left the palace!
Just as he was reeling from the shock of the news, another unexpected event occurred: someone outside shouted, "Fire! Fire!"
Zhou Changling had no time to grieve. His mind raced, and his feet moved swiftly. He immediately went to the place on the first floor where firewood was stored, which was where Zhao Xueqing was being held.
When he arrived, there was only one guard left. The woodshed was empty except for two bundles of hemp rope. The source of the fire was not there.
Thick smoke billowed as the fire grew larger. The guards stopped climbing the stairs when they saw Zhou Changling emerge and reported the situation: "Master, one person has gone to help put out the fire, and two others have begun searching for them. I was just about to go and call you."
Zhou Changling nodded and exchanged a glance with him: "Chase!"
It wasn't because Zhou Changling didn't believe in their abilities, but because Zhao Xueqing seemed to be a favorite of the heavens, always managing to evade their pursuit through sheer luck.
However, Zhou Changling's successful capture of this demoness made him realize that he was probably the only one capable of capturing people, while others would only return empty-handed.
Sure enough, following the clues left by the two guards, they walked all the way to a narrow alley. Suddenly, Zhou Changling seemed to sense something and stared at the abandoned water vat.
He slowly walked over, intending to uncover the weeds blocking the view. The guard went ahead first and suddenly ripped away all the coverings, revealing a woman curled up. Her face was none other than Zhao Xueqing, who had run away.
Zhao Xueqing screamed, "Ah! Impossible! How could you see me?!"
Zhou Changling narrowed his eyes, his phoenix eyes gleaming as he pondered. Could it be that the invisibility cloak Zhao Xueqi mentioned before her death was true?
As he was pondering this, he saw Zhao Xueqing vanish into thin air right in front of him, as if she had never existed at all, not even a trace of her presence.
Zhou Changling and his guards stood back to back on guard. Suddenly, Zhou Changling swung his long sword and stabbed a certain spot. A woman's scream rang out in the air, followed by blood seeping out.
Now, Zhao Xueqing had no way to escape.
The guard stepped forward and tentatively pulled something off. Sure enough, Zhao Xueqing was completely exposed. The guard then carried the shimmering cloak in one hand and brought Zhao Xueqing to Zhou Changling with the other.
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