Chapter 440: Descendants of nobility (2/2)
“West Qin imperial clan…imperial clan…” Bai Qingyan muttered to himself. “I never expected the Shadow Clan to still have living members today.”
“Master, this disciple attempted to draw him to my side, but unfortunately…” Jun Yixie was quite contrite.
“Did you reveal your identity?” Bai Qingyan said sharply.
“Master needn’t worry. Aside from Northern Li’s emperor, nobody else knows of our identities,” Jun Yixie said earnestly. Because he and his master came from very special backgrounds, Northern Li’s emperor had treated them well and given them vast amounts of authority.
Jun Yixie was a member of the Black Clan, one of the Seven Noble Families! In the past, it had been his grandfather, the Black Clan’s youngest general, who had witnessed the arrow that killed West Qin’s last and final heir. It was also the Black Clan that had sowed discord between West and East Qin, thus causing the civil war of the Great Qin Empire. As one of the Seven Noble Families, the Black Clan had boasted the greatest numbers amongst their kin. They had ruined the peace between the two Qins and created internal strife, but lacked the power to control the final phase of their chess game. In the end, they too, suffered heavy losses and retreated to the shadows.
Meanwhile, his master was from the Wind Clan, another member of the Seven Noble Families! The Wind and Black Clans had always been allies. His father and his master were the closest of brothers and friends. When his father had left him in his master’s hands, it was with hope that they could cooperate and fulfill the Black Clan’s unfinished plans. Master had left the Northern Li emperor with knowledge of Jun Yixie’s origins and promised to help the emperor win the entire continent. Of course, their true motives were to use Northern Li country as a stepping stone to achieve their own ends.
Jun Yixie assumed that the Seven Noble Clans were all extinct so that nothing would stand in their way. The world would belong to the Black Clan in the end! And yet, the white-robed gentleman from the Shadow Clan had appeared, along with Han Yunxi. Both of them were a threat, but he hadn’t used knowledge of the Shadow Clan against Han Yunxi yet because he had his own worries. He wanted to find his master and discuss their plans first, but didn’t get a chance until now.
Thankfully, master had personally appeared!
Bai Qingyan remained silent, his fingers rapping softly against the surface of the table. It wasn’t clear what he was thinking about, but Jun Yixie didn’t dare to disturb him. Finally, Bai Qingyan lifted his eyes and murmured, “You should return to Northern Li. Figure out what happened with South City’s horse farms. As for Han Yunxi and the Shadow Clan…let your master look into them first before I give an opinion.”
Jun Yixie was startled by his words. “What happened to South City’s horse farms?”
Bai Yuqiao had been quiet this entire time, but now spoke up to explain about the plague that had spread through the farms. By now, the horse pestilence had extended beyond to infect the grazing grounds as well, leaving Northern Li’s emperor almost frantic with worry. Jun Yixie finally understood why Northern Li hadn’t waged war and rescued him. Something this big had happened!
The horse farms and grazing grounds were the lifeblood of Northern Li!
“All of that seems rather fishy, doesn’t it?” Jun Yixie asked doubtfully.
“No matter what you have to do, secure your position first. Take Yuqiao along, she’ll accompany you for the future. Neither of you need to worry about the Hundred Poisons Sect,” Bai Qingyan replied.
Bai Yuqiao was delighted and stepped forward to pay her respects. “Thank you, master!”
Jun Yixie was sincere as well. “This disciple understands! This disciple will leave for the capital right away!” None of his sentiments were faked. When faced with his master, his arrogance and presumption gave way to full obedience.
On the third day of his trip to Northern Li’s capital, news of his escape had already spread throughout Tianning Country. Some people applauded his emancipation, while others stomped their feet. Still others accepted the news dispassionately. Of course, many more were waiting to see the fallout. How could Tianning’s Duke of Qin simply let the matter drop? And how could Northern Li’s Duke of Kang not seek revenge?
Gu Qishao’s views on the matter were unknown, but Mu Linger ended up shouting at the seas, “Jun Yixie, why didn’t you just drop dead?!”
For the sake of finding Qi gege, she already went to the Hundred Poisons Sect but found nothing. Then she resolved to head to Fishery Island. No matter what Qi gege’s plans were, he’d hunt down Jun Yixie eventually. Unexpectedly, Jun Yixie had already escaped before she made it to the island!
If Jun Yixie’s gone, Qi gege won’t come to the island at all!
She was a seasick type, too! It had taken her vast amount of effort to sail one day on the oceans, but it was all for nothing. Now she had to make her way back to the mainland again and chase after Jun Yixie’s tracks.
Currently, Long Feiye and Han Yunxi had already arrived at Fishery Island, where the latter was examining the poisoned soldiers and archers. Many of them had succumbed to the fog, but each of them had been unconscious for different amounts of time. Han Yunxi examined them in batches and took meticulous notes. She remained silent the entire time, her serious air making it impossible for Baili Yuqi to say a peep. He had given His Highness Duke of Qin multiple glances, but the man was only sitting to one side and observing esteemed wangfei like some sort of art piece.
Baili Yuqi couldn’t help but wonder whether His Highness Duke of Qin would be in a better mood with esteemed wangfei here. Would their penalty be lighter as a result? As it turned out, he was right. Qin Wangfei would be their savior!
“Your Highness, I underestimated our enemies. Even you wouldn’t have held up after prolonged exposure to this fog,” Han Yunxi said bluntly.
Baili Yuqi almost fell over at the words. Thank goodness the navy and archers had already withdrawn, leaving him the only man here. Otherwise, how was His Highness Duke of Qin supposed to maintain his dignity?! He assumed that the man would be unhappy, but Long Feiye only nodded his head and said nothing. Han Yunxi sat down to drink a cup of tea. She was about to speak up when Long Feiye signaled Baili Yuqi to withdraw.
They really weren’t going to be punished!
Baili Yuqi privately vowed to stay on esteemed wangfei’s good side in the future. Following esteemed wangfei is the safest way to secure steady days ahead!
Once everyone was gone, Han Yunxi spoke. “Your Highness, though I can understand and analyze this poison fog, the skill of the poisoner far exceeds me or Jun Yixie. Chenqie thinks that this person might be Jun Yixie’s…master?”
Jun Yixie had always stood out amongst Cloud Realm Continent’s poison circles. Han Yunxi was an outsider, so many people (including Long Feiye) had wondered at the origins of her skills. But she herself was more concerned with Jun Yixie’s background. Where had he gained his knowledge? And who had taught him the art of using poison Gu? Such skills originated from the Poison Sect and was a taboo in Medical City, so could Jun Yixie’s teacher be related to the Poison Sect?