Chapter 949: Festering Wounds

Editor: Henyee Translations

Xu Yuan left the high tower, still unaware that his brother had been killed by Xiao Xiwen and was frantically trying to find help.

The Grand Master of Divine Music approached the secret room where the real Grand Master of Divine Music was confined, looking completely drained and sitting in the corner. Upon seeing the imposter, he involuntarily shrank back, swallowed nervously, and asked, “What are you planning to do?”

Yan Zihao pulled a stool over, sat down in front of the Grand Master of Divine Music, and his expression darkened, “I have a few questions. If you answer honestly, I won’t make things difficult for you.”

The Grand Master of Divine Music was visibly nervous, “What do you want to ask?”

Yan Zihao didn’t beat around the bush and asked directly, “Who is your master?”

The Grand Master of Divine Music looked resolute, as if guarding a secret, “If I tell you who my master is, I won’t be far from death.”

Yan Zihao drew a dagger from his boot, the blade glinting menacingly, “If you don’t speak now, you’ll die here and now. Be sensible—it’s better for everyone. Besides, consider this: I’m now the Grand Master of Divine Music, so if there’s any blame to come, it’s on me, right?”

He tapped the blade lightly with his finger, creating a rhythmic sound that echoed in the air for a long while.

Under the influence of the sound, a trace of confusion appeared in the Grand Master of Divine Music’s eyes, “My master is the Second Master of the Xiao family in Shu City.”

“Xiao family?” Yan Zihao frowned, “You mean the maternal family of the mother of the Prince of the eastern border, the Xiao family?”

The Grand Master of Divine Music nodded, “Yes.”

Yan Zihao thought to himself, if so, why would the head of the Xiao family want to act against the second master?

The silver supplied to the second master of the Xiao family had been stolen, and after Xu Yuan’s brother went to report this, he was killed by someone dispatched by the head of the Xiao family. What conflict exists between these two?

Yan Zihao couldn’t make sense of it and asked further, “If you were to meet the second master of the Xiao family, who would you contact?”

The Grand Master of Divine Music replied, “I meet directly with the second master of the Xiao family.”

Yan Zihao wiped his dagger with his sleeve, its reflection flickering ominously in his eyes, “Do you have any secret signals or tokens for such meetings?”

The Grand Master of Divine Music handed over a waist badge from his belt, “This is needed to meet the second master of the Xiao family.”

Yan Zihao took the badge and examined it closely—it was an ordinary badge decorated with carved osmanthus, with a name in the center, “Xiao Chongye.”

Yan Zihao thumbed the center of the badge, “Is Xiao Chongye your name?”

The Grand Master of Divine Music reluctantly answered, “Yes…”

Following this, Yan Zihao thoroughly interrogated the Grand Master of Divine Music, extracting complete details including his age, birthplace, and family background before finally leaving the temple.

…

In the military camp.

A guard entered the command tent, “General, Yan Zihao requests an audience.”

Tang Jinghong, surprised, instructed, “Let him in.” Did he already have some results?

Yan Zihao entered and bowed respectfully, “I have seen the General.”

Tang Jinghong appraised Yan Zihao, “You seek an audience with me, is there something important?”

Yan Zihao relayed the information he had gathered, omitting the part about Chu Qingzhi’s assistance, “General, I need three hundred thousand taels to enter the Xiao estate.”

Tang Jinghong neither approved nor rejected immediately, “Tell me your thoughts.”

Yan Zihao explained, “General, with the sect about to be struck down in the city, I can use this opportunity with the three hundred thousand taels to return to the side of the second master of the Xiao family. This could help gather evidence of their illegal activities to prepare for your future confrontation with the Prince of the eastern border.”

Tang Jinghong leaned back slightly, assessing Yan Zihao, “Your idea isn’t bad. Go back and wait for news. I will assign someone to find the three hundred thousand taels.”

Yan Zihao was visibly pleased, “Thank you, General.”

Tang Jinghong cautioned, “Be careful in your actions outside, don’t act rashly in pursuit of quick success. I care about results, but the process must also comply with the law. Understood?”

Yan Zihao saluted, “Understood, General.”

Tang Jinghong nodded, “Dismissed. You’ll be notified once we find the silver. Be prepared to withdraw.”

Yan Zihao responded, “Understood.”

As Yan Zihao left, Meng Shengdong entered the tent. Tang Jinghong inquired, “Did you hear our conversation?”

Meng Shengdong replied, “Yes, General.”

“Send someone to investigate,” commanded Tang Jinghong. “Three hundred thousand taels is a huge amount, and moving it can’t be done without leaving some trace.”

“Understood, General!” Meng Shengdong saluted and left the tent to arrange for people to trace the whereabouts of the three hundred thousand taels.

Tang Jinghong tapped his fingers lightly on the table, pondering. The Xiao family’s actions were heartless; they must face the consequences of exploiting the common people in the future.

At that moment, another guard rushed in, “General, there’s trouble.”

Tang Jinghong straightened, “What’s happened?”

The guard hurriedly reported, “The soldiers who were injured with General Zhongwu when they went to the city to fight, all their wounds have festered.”

Tang Jinghong’s fingers pressed down hard on the table, “Is it all of them or just a few?”

The guard grimly replied, “All of them.”

Tang Jinghong stood up and headed towards the infirmary.

“General.”

“General.”

Tang Jinghong entered the infirmary, and immediately, a foul smell hit him. “What happened?”

Fang Zerong approached Tang Jinghong and explained, “Initially, everyone’s wounds were healing well, but today everyone suddenly complained of pain. When we unwrapped the bandages, all the wounds had festered.”

Tang Jinghong asked sternly, “What went wrong?”

Fang Zerong looked somewhat hesitant under Tang Jinghong’s intense gaze and said quietly, “We suspect there’s something wrong with the medicinal supplies.”

Chu Qingning approached, “Jinghong brother, it’s the medicines that are problematic.”

She spread her hands to show him a vial, “This medicine contains belladonna. Initially, it acts fast to reduce inflammation and pain, but with repeated use, it turns into a poison, causing the wounds to fester. If used after the wounds have festered, it can lead to cardiac failure, and in severe cases, death.”

A soldier suddenly cried out, “General, general, he can’t breathe!”

A soldier on the ground was writhing, clutching his throat, struggling to breathe as if something was blocking his airway, clearly in agony.

Chu Qingning stepped forward and fed the soldier a pill, “It’s okay, don’t panic.”

After a while, the soldier calmed down, and his breathing stabilized. His comrades helped him sit up against the wall.

Tang Jinghong asked, “Qingning, is there a way to solve this?”

Chu Qingning replied, “I’ll try, but I can’t guarantee success.”

Tang Jinghong nodded, “Handle this matter, and you’ll be recognized for your efforts.” He then left with his entourage.

Chu Qingning watched as Tang Jinghong departed.