Chapter 489: Chapter 133: Audacious Elixir Thief!

In the small courtyard in Sangzhi City, bought by Mu Qingge, stood Lady Feng beneath a tree. Dressed in white, her graceful figure tilted upward, seemingly contemplating the leaves on the branches, or perhaps thinking of something beyond them…

As Mu Qingge returned from the Medicine Tower, carrying Lou Chuanbai’s token, this was the scene she observed.

She slowed her pace, as if unwilling to disturb Lady Feng’s current thoughts.

She quietly entered the room where You He and Hua Yue were waiting. Apart from these two, Mo Yang had also returned. After months of absence, Mo Yang’s presence had grown even more intense, his sharp features carrying an air of iron and blood.

“Young Master.”

“Young Master.”

Seeing Mu Qingge enter, You He and Hua Yue quickly stood to greet her.

Mo Yang also stood up, looking at her, lips tightly pressed before he respectfully addressed her, “Young Master!”

“You’ve returned.” Mu Qingge briefly glanced at him and then moved to sit at the head of the room.

Mo Yang nodded, “Upon receiving your orders, I quickly gathered three hundred Dragon Tooth Guards and rushed over. Tonight, we intend to eliminate the mountain bandits. The remaining two hundred, due to the considerable distance, were not recalled.”

“Hmm.” Mu Qingge responded softly, raising her eyes to him, “My task for you was to bring Lady Feng back. Killing was not part of your duty.”

“…” Mo Yang pressed his lips in silence, uncertain how to respond to this. He couldn’t reveal his true thoughts—that his urgency to see her had driven him to travel day and night to bring Lady Feng here, while also completing her other orders.

“Never mind; since you’re here, you can lead the elimination task this time.”

Mu Qingge’s decision not to pursue further relieved Mo Yang internally.

Mu Qingge tapped her fingertip on the table and said to Mo Yang, “Discuss intelligence on the enemy with You He. I expect results tonight.”

“Yes!”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Mo Yang and You He replied in unison.

Mu Qingge slightly nodded and told them, “You two go make the arrangements. I won’t interfere with this matter.”

Mo Yang and You He left with their orders.

After a moment, Mu Qingge instructed Hua Yue, “Go bring Lady Feng in.”

Hua Yue bowed slightly and exited the room.

Moments later, Lady Feng appeared alone outside the door, while Hua Yue was nowhere to be seen.

Lady Feng stood by the entrance, not stepping inside, and met Mu Qingge’s gaze in the room. Her phoenix eyes were candid and calm, exuding poise and grandeur.

“Please come in, Eldest Princess.” Mu Qingge crossed her legs, smiling slightly as she invited her.

Lady Feng gave a slight, bittersweet smile, entering the room. “The Young Master still managed to discern my identity.”

“Sit down.” Mu Qingge gestured to the seat on the right.

Lady Feng complied and sat in the seat Mu Qingge indicated.

Beside her seat, a cup of hot tea and several delicate pastries had already been set. Lady Feng cast a gentle glance at them but did not touch them.

It wasn’t that she was afraid Mu Qingge might have put something in the food, but rather that she really didn’t have an appetite right now.

When Mo Yang found her, she could have chosen not to come. However, she was unwilling to give up any sliver of hope related to Mu Yi. So, even though she guessed that Mu Qingge, this little lord of Qin Country, had already figured out her identity, she still followed Mo Yang without hesitation.

“Regarding your identity, you have to be thankful that this lord is a person of integrity. Since I’ve received your thanks, naturally I have to be loyal in handling the matter. I was quite surprised that while investigating about Mu Yi, I ended up discovering the Eldest Princess of Li Country,” Mu Qingge said with a playful expression.

Feng Niang’s face remained calm, revealing nothing of what she might be thinking.

After Mu Qingge finished speaking, she stayed silent for a moment before calmly saying, “I am no longer the Eldest Princess of Li Country; I am just an ordinary woman waiting for her husband to return home.”

“I didn’t bring you here to verify your identity. I have to say, your story with Mu Yi intrigues me. And the biggest flaw with me is that once I take interest in someone or something, I will find ways to uncover the answer,” Mu Qingge looked at her and said.

Feng Niang looked at her, pursing her lips without speaking.

Mu Qingge continued, “I’ve already guessed most of your story with Mu Yi. What I want to know now is why, in the story of the princess and the hero, the hero, despite his high level of cultivation, disappeared in the mere Sunset Forest?”

Feng Niang broke into a wistful smile, her gaze seemingly enveloped in the past as Mu Qingge’s words stirred her memories. “It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t provoked him, he wouldn’t have ended up in such a life-or-death situation.”

“What really happened back then?” Mu Qingge’s eyes were fixed on Feng Niang.

Feng Niang, as if unaware, began to narrate her story with Mu Yi: “That year, I was eighteen. In the prime of youth, full of ambition. At that time, everyone saw me as someone proud, and I was accustomed to being the center of attention. Until he appeared…”

In Feng Niang’s story, it was initially just an entanglement between a proud princess and a man who didn’t give her any regard.

It was this man who told her that no one should be the protagonist, no one should be a supporting role.

Living is about following one’s heart, moving according to one’s heart, and not living in the eyes of others or in the way others want.

From initially finding each other displeasing, to ultimately pledging eternal love, for Feng Niang it was like a dream.

However, the dream was unbelievably real.

She believed this man was worth entrusting her life to. So, she went to her father and told him her decision. She wanted to be with him, even if it meant giving up her right to the throne.

She thought it was a marriage being blessed.

But she didn’t expect that when she made her request, she faced unprecedented opposition.

“…At that time, I didn’t know nor understood why my father would oppose it so strongly. It wasn’t just him, even my mother came to persuade me to give up Mu Yi. Mu Yi was outstanding, completely different from the usual family disciples, how could my father and mother not see that? I didn’t understand, and I could only constantly resist, insisting on what I wanted. Because I wanted to live as Mu Yi said, following my own heart. Later, seeing that my father couldn’t change my mind, he had to compromise. I thought I had won, and was filled with joy preparing for the wedding, but I didn’t expect my father to secretly dispatch many of the imperial family’s experts to ambush Mu Yi,” Feng Niang said, with a complex resentment in her eyes.

“The battle that day was quite tumultuous. I was trying on my wedding dress in the palace, but inexplicably felt anxious. Upon sensing the battle aura in the distance, I disregarded everything and rushed out of the palace. When I arrived, I saw countless bodies of the imperial family’s experts lying on the ground, the only one standing was Mu Yi. But he was also seriously injured. I knew, with his skills, even when faced with such a large-scale ambush, he wouldn’t have been so severely injured. It was because of me, he didn’t want to make it difficult for me, so initially, he didn’t strike lethally, mostly staying on the defensive. The moment I saw Mu Yi, I went mad. I couldn’t imagine that the father I respected would do such a thing. I didn’t blame Mu Yi but felt I was no longer worthy of staying by his side…” As the past unfolded, Feng Niang seemed to relive those events, and agonizing tears rolled down from her phoenix eyes.

Mu Qingge did not interrupt, quietly listening to her narrative.

Actually, Feng Niang’s story largely matched the rumors outside, only differing in some details. For instance, the Emperor of Li Country initially agreed to the marriage before orchestrating the ambush on Mu Yi. Also, though Mu Yi did kill the imperial family’s experts, he was severely injured in the process.

“After that incident, I didn’t want to return to the palace, nor did I have the face to stay by Mu Yi’s side. I tormented myself in pain every day, even contemplating death. Until one day, Mu Yi found me and asked if I was willing to leave with him. From then on, I would no longer be a princess of Li Country, let go of all fame and power, and travel the world with him,” Feng Niang lifted her hand, wiping away the tears on her cheeks with the back of her hand, revealing a smile that would move anyone.

Such a smile, only a woman fully loved by her partner could possess.

In that instant, Mu Qingge seemed to be moved by the feelings between Feng Niang and Mu Yi, making her momentarily wonder if there was a man in the world who could unconditionally embrace her and stay by her side no matter the circumstances.

Yet, unexpectedly, at that thought, Dean Si Mo’s old dying figure flashed in her mind, startling her to smack that absurd thought into a corner.

“You agreed,” Mu Qingge suddenly said, perhaps trying to conceal her own guilty conscience.

Feng Niang slowly nodded, displaying a contented smile, “How could I not agree? Mu Yi’s presence made me realize that neither the throne nor power could ever compare to a single smile from him or to every moment spent together with him. I went to my father and told him my thoughts, asking him to set me free. If he couldn’t forgive me, then consider me never born. I knew I was being selfish, abandoning the responsibilities instilled by my father for Mu Yi. But I couldn’t go against my heart. My father angrily refused, it was the first time I ever saw him so furious. I felt he would rather kill me than let me be with Mu Yi. In a moment of impulse, I questioned him on why he wouldn’t allow me and Mu Yi to be together.”

Feng Niang suddenly stopped.

She adjusted her breath before continuing: “It was at that moment that I learned Mu Yi’s secret. It turns out he wasn’t from Linchuan, but came from outside. Father said he wasn’t sincere towards me, just playing around, and then would leave Linchuan, while I would never find him again. I didn’t believe it. I neither believed Mu Yi was only speaking sweet words, nor did I believe the reason my father had given. Later, I went to ask Mu Yi about it, and he admitted he wasn’t from Linchuan, but the Young Master of the Mu Family in the Middle Ancient Realm. I didn’t know what the Middle Ancient Realm was or how the Mu Family existed in that world. I only knew that Mu Yi had come to Linchuan because he didn’t want the Clan Leader’s dispute to cause enmity between brothers. He said he didn’t care for the position of Clan Leader; he longed to travel everywhere. So, he left his family and used a Secret Method to come to Linchuan, thereby meeting me.”

Fengniang looked at Mu Qingge and said to her: “You don’t know how unbelievable it was to me when I learned all this. After knowing Mu Yi’s identity, I repeatedly thought about why my father stopped us from being together. Was it just because Mu Yi came from outside Linchuan? At that time, Mu Yi noticed my conflict. He told me perhaps my father misunderstood his appearance as having a purpose. He said where they were from, many families indeed extended their influence to Linchuan, wanting to control certain forces for their own use. Perhaps my father thought he was trying to use marriage to bring Li Country into the Mu Family’s power, so he stopped us.”

“Did you believe it?” Mu Qingge suddenly asked.

Fengniang paused, unexpectedly to Mu Qingge, she shook her head. “I believe Mu Yi’s speculation, but I don’t believe my father would be so simple-minded. At that time, I finally realized that as you experience things, you understand those closest to you more and more. Mu Yi… he has too good a heart, too easily uses kindness as a starting point for others to do evil.”

Mu Qingge smiled, the wisdom of Li Country’s Eldest Princess truly lived up to those rumors about her.

“No matter how my father opposed, I finally stuck to my choice. Since my father was unwilling to let go, I could only leave secretly. Before leaving, I went to see my mother. Mother knew I was determined to leave, so she didn’t try to stop me. She just handed me the dagger that had always been the Imperial Family’s treasure. She said to treat this dagger as my dowry. Mu Yi and I left quietly, knowing my father sent out numerous troops to search for us. He also told the outside world that I had taken the country’s treasure.”

Fengniang let out a loss-filled smile and said, “Mu Yi and I evaded pursuit and entered the Sunset Forest. That day, Mu Yi told me to wait for him where I was. He went to look for something. If he could find it, it would be useful, and we could leave here to go elsewhere. But I waited… for ten years…”

Fengniang’s story ended, but the events that followed, she didn’t need to say; Mu Qingge could guess.

For sure, Mu Yi had searched through Sunset Forest multiple times but found no news at all. She was unwilling to leave, afraid Mu Yi would return and not find her. Unable to continue staying in Li Country, she then went to Sunset Town in Qin Country, opened an inn.

Waiting for Mu Yi while having adventurers passing by help her inquire about Mu Yi.

But sadly, ten years passed with no news at all.

“You never thought that he might have abandoned you?” Mu Qingge asked.

Fengniang shook her head firmly, “From the time he disappeared until now, I have never thought that!”

“You are quite the devoted one.” Mu Qingge said with a smile.

Fengniang looked at her, her eyes reflecting her seriousness: “Little Lord must have not met someone he truly likes, for if you did, you wouldn’t ask me such a question today.”

Mu Qingge twitched at the corner of her mouth, feeling she was being laughed at.

Indeed, she didn’t understand what love is, why there are so many devoted men and women in the world risking everything for it. In the world she once inhabited, there are plenty of breakups between boyfriends and girlfriends, and divorces between husbands and wives. Yet none of them seem to live or die over it. Could it be that those were not true love?

Really can’t figure it out!

“Little Lord wanted to hear a story, I have finished saying it. I want to know, did Little Lord call me here because there was news about Mu Yi?” Fengniang bit her lip lightly, her eyes filled with expectation as she looked at her.

Mu Qingge raised her eyes to meet her gaze. With utmost candor, she said: “No.”

The simple two words shattered the expectation in Fengniang’s eyes, enveloping her in intense disappointment.

“Although there’s no exact news, there are some speculations.” Mu Qingge added.

“Speculations?” Hope rekindled in Fengniang’s eyes. Even without exact news, having speculations was good too.

For ten years, unconsciously, Fengniang’s hope for Mu Yi had changed from his return to just his safety.

Mu Qingge nodded, “I was still uncertain, but after hearing your story today, I feel there’s still a big possibility.”

Fengniang eagerly asked: “Please tell me, Little Lord.”

Mu Qingge slowly shook her head, “In fact, these speculations, you must have thought about them over the years. However, there’s one problem that blocks you.”

Fengniang looked at her without speaking.

“You’re scared to leave, afraid that once you leave, Mu Yi could suddenly return, and not find you, causing you to miss each other again.” Mu Qingge pointed out the knot in Fengniang’s heart.

Fengniang smiled wistfully: “Indeed, nothing escapes Little Lord’s eyes.”

Mu Qingge didn’t respond to her compliment, instead said: “In fact, where Mu Yi went isn’t hard to speculate. He once mentioned finding a thing to aid your departure, which should be the thing he used to come to Linchuan. Judging by his words, that thing is a consumable treasure, diminishing in power with each use, and might be somewhat unstable with some danger. So he was uncertain whether it was still usable. This might also be why he left alone, fearing to disappoint you and not wanting you to risk with him.”

Mu Qingge’s words left Fengniang silent.

“If we’re sure Mu Yi wouldn’t abandon you, then there’s only one possibility: he found the thing, but an accident occurred that took him away from Linchuan. Whether he returned to the Middle Ancient Realm or went somewhere else, we don’t know. But after so long, he hasn’t returned to find you. Assuming his feelings for you remain unchanged, there are only two possibilities. Either he died, or he’s trapped.” Mu Qingge voiced her speculation.

Fengniang, having listened quietly, remained very calm. As Mu Qingge previously said, these possibilities, over ten years, Fengniang certainly couldn’t be unaware of.

Mu Qingge looked at her, speaking after a long time: “I summoned you today just to say one thing. You can’t step out of Linchuan, but I can. The Middle Ancient Realm is also a place I must go.”

Fengniang suddenly looked up at Mu Qingge, shock filling her gaze.

She understood the implication of Mu Qingge’s words.

Mu Qingge was willing to continue helping her find Mu Yi, to investigate Mu Yi’s whereabouts. Regardless of whether Mu Yi was dead or trapped, she needed an answer.

But—

“What do you need me to do?” Fengniang asked in a resolute tone.

Mu Qingge laughed, how delightful it was to deal with smart people!

She extended a finger and said to Fengniang: “I can return that dagger to you. Let’s swap for another deal.” That demigod artifact dagger wasn’t useful staying with her, better to be generous.

Unexpectedly, Fengniang shook her head to refuse: “Since it was given to Little Lord, I won’t take it back. Leaving it with Little Lord, should you find Mu Yi in the future, it counts as a token of our acquaintance.”

Mu Qingge thought for a moment, not persisting further.

Fengniang asked again: “What does Little Lord wish me to do?”

“Do you know Feng Yugui?” Mu Qingge raised her brow and asked.

“Feng Yugui?” Fengniang’s expression flashed complexly, a faint tug at the corner of her mouth: “How could I not know? He’s my Third Prince brother.”

Mu Qingge laughed: “From the intel I gathered, your mother and his mother did not get along well.”

Fengniang’s eyes flickered slightly as she looked at Mu Qingge: “Indeed. The matters concerning my mother inevitably relate to his mother.”

Mu Qingge smiled: “Then this is easier. You must also want to avenge your mother and thoroughly understand the true reason your father hindered you and Mu Yi’s truth. Meanwhile, I have a vendetta against Feng Yugui.”

Fengniang kept silent, seemingly awaiting Mu Qingge’s follow-up.

Mu Qingge leaned forward, eyeing her: “I want you to return, assume the position of Li Country’s Crown Princess, and become the Empress of Li Country!”

Fengniang’s eyes widened suddenly, her expression filled with surprise.

Mu Qingge smiled lazily: “Feng Yugui very much desires this position, and what he wants, I simply refuse him to have. You return to the Imperial Palace, can pursue answers you seek, and can also avenge. It aligns perfectly.”

Fengniang was silent for a while before saying: “Back then, my father announced publicly that I was no longer a Royal Princess. Now that I want to return and seize the throne, it is challenging.”

“How you return to Li Country Palace and restore your identity as the Eldest Princess is your matter. During key moments, I will lend you assistance to ascend to the Crown Princess position. What I want, is Feng Yugui’s life once everything ends!” Mu Qingge said.

Fengniang suddenly laughed: “I am really curious as to how Feng Yugui dared provoke you.”

Mu Qingge shrugged: “I don’t understand either, why he continuously bothers me. To stop the endless troubles, I can only kill the source of the trouble.”

Fengniang’s smile gradually faded. “I once promised Mu Yi I wouldn’t pursue that position.”

“Now, you’re vying for that position, largely because of him. Once you become the Empress of Li Country, you’ll have more power to find him. Outside of Linchuan, you’ll have my help to find his whereabouts.” Mu Qingge said.

Fengniang pursed her lips tightly, seeming to seriously consider Mu Qingge’s words.

She wasn’t contemplating whether to agree to Mu Qingge’s demands but rather how she could return to her former home.

After a tea’s time, Fengniang raised her eyes and said to Mu Qingge, “Alright, it’s a deal.”

She stood up and told Mu Qingge, “One month from now, the Eldest Princess Feng Yufei will return to the Li Country Palace.”

Mu Qingge smiled faintly, “Half a month later, the Third Prince of Li Country will be expelled from the Medicine Tower and will return home in disgrace.”

Fengniang smiled and nodded, turned around, and left.

After Fengniang departed, Hua Yue entered and said to Mu Qingge, “Little Lord, Fengniang left alone.”

Mu Qingge stood up, stretched lazily, and said nonchalantly, “Let her go.” If Feng Yufei couldn’t manage to return to Li Country’s Huan City from here, there was no need for her to go to the Imperial Palace and meet her end.

Mu Qingge walked out of the house, looking at the big tree Feng Yufei had gazed upon earlier, softly murmuring, “Feng Yugui, I hope you appreciate the grand gift I’ve prepared for you.”

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept by, lifting the fallen leaves from the ground.

Mu Qingge stared at the leaves being lifted mid-air by the wind, silently thinking, “Li Country, a storm is brewing.”

That night, some forces lingering near Sangzhi City were annihilated overnight by unknown assailants, leaving no survivors. The next day, witnesses said, “Corpses littered the ground, blood stained the ravines.” Others said, “The sky blazed red with fire, illuminating the night’s darkness before dawn.”

When Mo Yang appeared in front of Mu Qingge again, although he had cleaned himself, there was still a faint scent of blood on him.

“Now that the task is complete, withdraw from Sangzhi City. For the time being, keep a group nearby. In a month and a half, help me send someone back to Qin Country. Remember, you must keep a low profile and ensure her safety,” Mu Qingge instructed Mo Yang, who was kneeling on the ground.

Mo Yang nodded and withdrew.

Having completed these matters, Mu Qingge also needed to return to the Medicine Tower for seclusion.

Now everyone was actively preparing for the selection tournament, and she could not afford to be too complacent.

As Mu Qingge returned to the Medicine Tower, some news also reached inside the tower.

“Hmph! Useless, all of them are useless!” Hua Cangzhu angrily slammed the table in front of him, his face dark and grim.

Diao Yuan knelt before him, his face equally pale.

The forces that were exterminated had all been painstakingly subdued by him but were wiped out overnight. Who could possibly be capable of such a feat?

The most infuriating part was that the exterminated forces were all linked to him. Those unrelated remained unaffected.

It was obvious without much thought that the target was him!

These forces were not solely his; they had been incorporated following his master’s instructions. Apart from him, an Intermediate Alchemist, there was naturally Hua Cangzhu, the Advanced Alchemist.

Seeing years of hard work swept away, the frustration of this master and disciple pair was palpable.

“Who on earth is it? Have you found out?” Hua Cangzhu asked Diao Yuan sternly.

Diao Yuan shook his head with difficulty, “The news came too late, the assailants had already left, and the scene was cleaned up thoroughly, leaving no trace.”

“Daring to touch these people must be related to you and me. Is there anyone who opposes us with such capability?” Hua Cangzhu asked.

Diao Yuan frowned.

Someone who could eliminate these forces overnight with such brute force likely commanded a terrifyingly powerful army. From those he knew, it seemed none had a similar background.

The only one able to mobilize an army was Zhao Nanxing. But he only had a few palace guards protecting him, not an army.

Who could it be?

Diao Yuan kept pondering this question.

’Could it be him?’ Diao Yuan suddenly thought of someone.

However, he immediately dismissed the notion: ’Just a guy with a bit of talent, but without background, how could he have such means?’

Diao Yuan asked Hua Cangzhu, “Master, what’s the situation with the giant Flood Dragon over there?”

Hua Cangzhu looked at him with a dark and vicious expression, “You’re asking me? I want to ask you why did they return safely after the Flood Dragon appeared? Even bringing back the Illusion Moon Bud?”

Diao Yuan was silent, he truly did not know.

He asked, “Should we go question the Flood Dragon?”

Hua Cangzhu’s face was stormy, shaking his head, “Now is not the time to pursue this matter, the selection tournament is about to begin, and I can’t withdraw to the Mimeng Forest. Moreover, Lou Chuanbai, that old codger, has been following me these days, he seems suspicious.”

Diao Yuan fell silent.

Hua Cangzhu paced in the room, the ethereal air once surrounding him now tainted by the sinister aura of Yin Zhe.

Diao Yuan’s aura, originally sinister, grew even colder.

“Hmph!” Hua Cangzhu snorted coldly.

Recently, misfortune seemed to assail him.

First, the carefully planned trap completely failed, instead boosting the enemy’s morale. Now, the forces outside Sangzhi City were wiped out, and he couldn’t find the culprit. Adding to the vexation, Zhu Ling, the treacherous girl, ran and hid in the Alchemy Room for seclusion.

Nothing was going smoothly!

“Zhu Ling still hasn’t come out?” Hua Cangzhu spoke with a hint of menace.

Diao Yuan shook his head, “I’ve had people watching outside, she hasn’t come out.”

Hua Cangzhu narrowed his eyes with a fierce glare, saying to Diao Yuan, “Forget it, put these matters aside for now. Focus on your preparations, make sure to clinch the top spot in the selection tournament.”

Diao Yuan said, “I’ve recently felt I’m nearing the bottleneck of an Advanced Alchemist, once I break through, I’m confident I can match the quality of the elixir Mu refined during the Dan Fighting.”

Hua Cangzhu sneered, “Do you think it’s so easy to produce a top-grade elixir? Mei Zizhong couldn’t, yet you can?”

Diao Yuan felt a chill in his heart.

Being compared to Mei Zizhong was what he hated the most.

If Mei Zizhong couldn’t, does it mean he can’t?

“Forget it, since you are my disciple.” Hua Cangzhu took out a small bottle from his bosom and tossed it to Diao Yuan. “The liquid within can greatly enhance the quality of the elixir. I brought it from the Main Courtyard; there’s not much of it, only one drop. Use it decisively at the crucial moment to secure victory.”

Such a miraculous treasure!

Diao Yuan was astonished and gripped the small bottle tighter.

At the same time, his heart was filled with resentment. Such a precious item, yet the master never mentioned it. Now, at this crucial moment, he only begrudgingly gave a drop. It’s truly despicable!

“You may leave.” Hua Cangzhu, somewhat reluctantly, looked at the bottle in Diao Yuan’s hand and prompted him to depart.

Diao Yuan withdrew.

Hua Cangzhu frowned, contemplating who could possess such abilities to kill so many people overnight. He was well aware of those people’s skills. If not for their prowess, he wouldn’t have chosen them among numerous factions.

…

Half a month later, at the Medicine Tower.

“Quick, someone has stolen elixirs—!”

A sharp cry shattered the tranquility of the night.

Countless Medicine Tower disciples emerged from their tree houses, hastening toward the source of the sound.

A shadowy figure dashed through the night, seemingly fleeing from something behind.

Stumbling, a hint of anxiety appeared on his face. The item in his arms made him feel he’s unable to defend himself.

He had just been released from the Water Prison and hadn’t had time to find trouble for Fu Tianlong and Mu Qingge, when he suddenly woke up at the entrance of the Hidden Pill Tower in the middle of the night, holding an elixir.

At that moment, he heard the cry claiming theft of elixir.

In panic, he subconsciously wanted to leave but forgot to discard the elixir in his hand.

Suddenly, a brightly lit area appeared before him.

He abruptly halted, looking at the people blocking his way.

“Feng Yugui, how dare you steal elixirs!” Leading the group was Zhao Nanxing, the second disciple of Master Lou, who along with ten other Medicine Tower disciples blocked Feng Yugui’s escape.

The firelight reflected on Feng Yugui’s face, masking his paleness, revealing only his panicked expression.

That look was identical to one harboring guilt, further solidifying the opposite party’s beliefs.

“No! I didn’t!” Feng Yugui tried to explain.

However, he forgot about the elixir he just took out.

Zhao Nanxing sternly pointed at him, “The evidence is right in your hand, and you still dare to lie?”

“This isn’t mine!” Feng Yugui defended.

Zhao Nanxing sneered, “Of course it’s not yours. This elixir belongs to the Medicine Tower. If it’s yours, would it still be called theft?” He emphasized the word ’theft’ with apparent disdain.

“You! Slandering me?” Feng Yugui retorted angrily.

He had been schemed against, and his intuition told him that the schemer was undoubtedly Mu Ge!

Zhao Nanxing jeered, “Slandering you? I bear no grudge against you. Tell me, why would I want to incriminate you? Besides, we were ordered to catch the elixir thief, and now the stolen elixir is in your possession. What? Are you telling me the thief threw it to you?”

“That’s exactly what happened! I was clearly resting in my room, only to wake up and find this elixir in my hand and myself moved elsewhere,” Feng Yugui said.

Zhao Nanxing laughed, “Still lying! Obviously, someone saw you sneak out of the tree house and stealthily approach the Hidden Pill Tower. Others saw you leaving the Hidden Pill Tower, and that’s why we sounded the alarm and pursued. We didn’t see anyone else suspicious.”

“Hmph! It’s a trap, a trap by that Mu!” Feng Yugui yelled.

“Feng Yugui, stop spouting nonsense! Who is really slandering who? Brother Mu has been in seclusion lately to improve his alchemy skills. Everyone in the tower knows this. How could he be unaware of tonight’s events and set a trap to frame you?” Zhao Nanxing righteously argued. Yet, he thought inside: It was actually I who orchestrated this, though it was a task entrusted to me by Brother Mu.

“You’re all in on this. You want to incriminate me! Dream on.” Feng Yugui, seeing his explanations were unanswered, unleashed a surge of spiritual power towards Zhao Nanxing and the others.

Zhao Nanxing’s gaze hardened as he told the others, “Feng Yugui’s theft of elixirs has been exposed, and he dares to attack fellow disciples. Let us capture him together.”

The group immediately surged forward.

Zhao Nanxing then shouted, “Disciple Zhao Nanxing, the villain is rampant, and we disciples are no match. Please Tower Guardian Elders intervene and apprehend this villain!”

“Ouch!”

“Ouch—!”

The furious Feng Yugui knocked all of his attackers to the ground.

With a fierce glare, he looked at Zhao Nanxing, ready to strike at him. But then a blue figure descended from the sky, feet landing directly on his shoulders, pressing his upper half into the ground like a mountain.

How could Feng Yugui endure such humiliation?

Furiously, he roared, attempting to use his spiritual power to shake off the person pressing on his shoulders.

Sensing his movement, the person on his shoulder’s eyes gleamed sharply, exerting more force, pushing Feng Yugui further into the ground, leaving only his chest and above visible.

Feng Yugui was immobilized, a previously unfelt sense of shame engulfed his heart.

The others stood up, drawing weapons and surrounding Feng Yugui.

Zhao Nanxing hurried over, respectfully saluting the person on Feng Yugui’s shoulders, “Thank you, Elder, for your assistance. Otherwise, this villain would have escaped.”

The Tower Guardian Elder glanced coldly at Feng Yugui beneath him and said to Zhao Nanxing, “Such a notorious individual, why keep him at the Medicine Tower? Just out of the Water Prison and already intent on theft. Next time, he might burn the tower down.”

This very Elder was the one who initially imprisoned Feng Yugui in the Water Prison, and his impression of him was far from favorable.

“The Elder’s words are right, I will definitely report to my master and the Courtyard Director, to strictly deal with this thief,” Zhao Nanxing hurriedly replied.

With arrogant approval, the Elder nodded and withdrew.

Once he left, Feng Yugui was immediately surrounded by countless sword and knife tips, pressing against him, making any move impossible.

With a vicious gaze, he looked at Zhao Nanxing, “I want to see Director Hua and ask him to uphold justice!”

Zhao Nanxing laughed, “Of course you’ll see the Director, after all, he needs to deliver your punishment.”

Feng Yugui’s gaze narrowed, sensing a hint of malice in Zhao Nanxing’s smile.

Sure enough, when he was tightly bound and met Hua Cangzhu, seeing the same Tower Guardian Elder beside Hua Cangzhu, he realized he was doomed.

The theft of elixirs was a solid accusation.

And his claims of slander lacked any evidence.

Under the watchful eyes of the Tower Guardian Elder, Hua Cangzhu made his decision.

The following day, news spread throughout the Medicine Tower that Feng Yugui was expelled. And this news rapidly reached Li Country.

By the time he returned disgraced to Li Country, no doubt the entire country already knew of the ’deeds’ of their Third Prince being expelled from the Medicine Tower for elixir theft!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep