Chapter 62
The token seemed to be made of some rare metal, smooth and polished, entirely black with two gilded characters.
“Beast Taming.”
Wang Jin stepped forward, glanced at the token, and after a moment of thought, slowly spoke:
“This should be the Beast Taming Token of the Beast Taming Sect. Implanted into a ferocious beast, it can briefly control the beast’s mind. The assassin likely used the Beast Taming Token to drive the Silverlight Giant Elephant and incite the beast tide. Then, at the end of the beast tide, he attempted to assassinate Your Highness.”
Upon hearing Wang Jin’s analysis, Lin Wanqiu’s expression darkened, deep in thought.
“So, you’re saying the Beast Taming Sect wanted to assassinate Your Highness?”
At this, Wang Jin frowned and said:
“The Beast Taming Sect is located far from Great Xia. We’ve had no interactions with them, nor any grievances. Why would they want to harm Your Highness?”
Though he didn’t explicitly say it, the implication was clear: this assassination attempt must have been orchestrated by one of the princes in the capital.
The one with the greatest suspicion and the capability to carry out such a deed.
There was only one.
The Second Prince.
Aside from him, no other prince could command a Divine Sea Realm martial artist to stoop so low as to assassinate a junior.
Lin Wanqiu clearly understood this as well, but the mysterious Divine Sea Realm martial artist had already been killed with a single palm strike, leaving no trace of his body. Gathering evidence was now impossible.
Wang Jin was also well aware of this. When the assassin had suddenly appeared, he had acted in a panic, striking with full force and no restraint, forgetting in the heat of the moment to capture the assassin alive.
He slightly bowed and apologized:
“This old servant panicked and accidentally killed the assassin. Please punish me, Miss Lin!”
Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu quickly waved her hand and said kindly:
“Eunuch Wang, please don’t blame yourself. The assassin’s sudden appearance made protecting Your Highness the top priority. You acted correctly in killing the assassin.”
Lin Wanqiu knew that Wang Jin’s deference to her was entirely due to Xiao Minghuang’s status.
She couldn’t let this favor go to her head or treat Wang Jin with disrespect, as that would be improper and damage Xiao Minghuang’s reputation.
Seeing that Lin Wanqiu didn’t blame him, a faint smile appeared on Wang Jin’s wrinkled face, and he thought to himself:
The daughter of Beiyang City is both wise and brave, remaining calm in the face of danger. Coupled with her outstanding beauty, she is a perfect match for the Ninth Princess!
Wang Jin had made his judgment.
At this moment.
After some time recovering, Xiao Minghuang’s body gradually improved, and she finally woke up.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Ye Ruoshui’s tear-streaked face, her eyes swollen and red, her face pale and haggard, as if she had been seriously ill.
Ye Ruoshui had been watching Xiao Minghuang’s every move, and when she saw her princess open her eyes, she immediately exclaimed in joy:
“Your Highness, you’re awake…”
Before her words could fully escape, Xiao Minghuang covered her mouth.
Xiao Minghuang’s voice was weak, her tone low and feeble, as she said:
“Ruoshui, don’t let anyone know I’ve woken up. Call Wanqiu over.”
Seeing Xiao Minghuang awake, Ye Ruoshui was overjoyed and nodded obediently.
She didn’t make a fuss and instead went to summon Lin Wanqiu.
A few moments later.
Lin Wanqiu arrived at Xiao Minghuang’s side. Seeing her beautiful face pale and haggard, devoid of any color, her heart twisted painfully.
She had thought she could remain rational and not let her emotions take over, but in reality, she couldn’t.
If she could, she would have dragged out the damned mastermind behind this and torn him to pieces right now!
Lin Wanqiu slowly leaned down, gently embracing Xiao Minghuang, and asked softly:
“Your Highness, are you feeling better?”
Seeing Lin Wanqiu’s expression, Xiao Minghuang knew that despite her heartache and anger, she remained calm and rational, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
She knew that Ye Ruoshui possessed a pure heart, untainted by the filth of the world. The dark and dirty deeds that lurked in the shadows were not something that could be entrusted to her.
Lin Wanqiu, however, was different. She was born with a clever and insightful mind, her thoughts were clear, and her considerations mature. She was someone who could be relied upon in schemes and strategies.
“Wanqiu, have the assassins been captured?”
Just moments ago, Xiao Minghuang had indeed suffered a heavy blow from that attack.
One reason was that the strike had come too swiftly, making it difficult to evade.
The second reason was that the assassin was not alone. Besides the assassin hidden within the elephant corpse, there was another one concealed among the guards.
At the moment the assassin inside the elephant corpse struck, the assassin hidden among the guards revealed a trace of killing intent. If not for that, she would never have noticed.
Lin Wanqiu leaned close to Xiao Minghuang’s ear and whispered:
“The assassin was struck dead by Eunuch Wang with a single palm strike, leaving no trace of his body.”
Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang’s gaze shifted, glancing at Wang Jin, who was standing guard not far away. Her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
“Was there anything else discovered?”
Lin Wanqiu replied:
“Inside the elephant’s belly, we found a Beast Taming Token from the Beast Taming Sect. It was this very token that triggered the beast tide. The assassin used this opportunity to attempt to assassinate Your Highness.”
The Beast Taming Sect had no prior dealings with the Great Xia, and Xiao Minghuang was well aware of this.
The only ones with a motive to assassinate her were the princes in the capital.
After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Minghuang’s eyes flickered, and she already had a plan in mind.
“Wanqiu, don’t let anyone know that I’ve already regained consciousness. Wait until tonight…”
Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu’s pupils constricted sharply, and a look of shock flashed in her eyes.
“This is too dangerous!”
Xiao Minghuang calmly said:
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu stopped trying to persuade her. She knew that Xiao Minghuang was wise and cautious, and would never act without certainty.
“At this point, we can only trust Your Highness and fully cooperate with her… I just never expected that the trouble would arise from within our own walls…”
Lin Wanqiu thought to herself, then, together with Ye Ruoshui, helped Xiao Minghuang onto the carriage and returned to the City Lord’s Mansion to settle her in.
Just as they returned to the room, there was a knock at the door.
Ye Ruoshui was helping Xiao Minghuang clean the bloodstains from her body.
Lin Wanqiu opened the door and saw the captain of the city lord’s mansion guards standing at the entrance.
“General Li, what is the matter?”
General Li was a burly man with a square face, giving off an honest and simple appearance. He held a long sword in both hands and respectfully said:
“Reporting to the young lady, the City Lord has ordered me to return this sword!”
Lin Wanqiu glanced at the sword. It was about three feet long, with a shimmering blade and faint dragon patterns engraved on it. It was indeed an extraordinary sword.
But Lin Wanqiu had no time to appreciate the sword at the moment. She took it and said indifferently:
“Understood. You may leave.”
General Li acknowledged and turned to leave.
Lin Wanqiu watched his retreating figure, her eyes flickering. Suddenly, she called out:
“General Li, wait!”
Hearing this, General Li stopped and turned back, his resolute square face showing a look of confusion.
Lin Wanqiu stepped forward, approaching General Li, and whispered:
“There are still assassins within the City Lord’s Mansion. Please select some men and deploy them around, especially near my courtyard. Make sure to secretly station heavy guards to ensure Your Highness’s safety!”
Hearing this, General Li’s pupils showed a trace of surprise, and he asked:
“Isn’t Your Highness inside the room? Why should we deploy guards around the young lady’s courtyard?”
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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