Chapter Fifty-Two: A Ray of Hope

At this moment, within the tent of Wen Shan Yuan, Su Bo, who had been transferred here, lay prostrate. His brows were tightly knit, his expression twisted, as if enduring immense pain.

Zhang Yuan, seasoned by years of medical practice, showed no change in demeanor at the sight of this wretched figure. He sat down as usual, placing a hand gently on Su Bo’s wrist to feel his pulse in detail.

It took only a short while for him to sense something amiss, prompting him to glance at Su Bo’s face in confusion. As he did so, he felt a hand grip his wrist firmly.

He first looked down at the hand, and when he raised his head again, met a pair of sharp, intense eyes staring back at him. He was about to cry out, but the youth shook his head rapidly in a small motion, seemingly urging him to stay silent.

Yet the shock had caused him to tremble, and Wen Shan Yuan, watching from outside the gauze curtain, noticed the disturbance. Wen Shan Yuan stepped forward softly, asking in a gentle voice, “Sir, is the young master’s injury serious? Is treatment possible?” He spoke as he looked to the elder.

“Oh… I took a glance. If medicine is administered punctually…” The elder paused, and Su Bo scratched him twice with two fingers.

Sensing Su Bo’s hint, Zhang Yuan feigned composure, stroking his beard as he replied slowly, “He should recover in about two months.”

“Two months? That’s quite long,” Wen Shan Yuan mused.

“That is already the fastest possible. Injuries to muscles and bones take a hundred days at least, and the young master’s wounds are extensive. Several whip marks have damaged his internal organs. It will take days of careful treatment for him to recover. My estimate of two months is somewhat exaggerated, to be honest,” Zhang Yuan continued calmly, though his eyes never left Su Bo.

Su Bo, too, watched the elder closely, worried that a careless word might expose their ruse to Wen Shan Yuan. However, the old man’s answer was flawless, which eased Su Bo’s concerns.

Outside the curtain, Wen Shan Yuan, though somewhat skeptical, found the explanation logical and thorough, giving him no grounds for doubt.

He could only respectfully say, “Then, I must trouble you to write a prescription. I’ll send someone to purchase the medicine.”

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yuan waved his hand, saying quietly, “No need. I have enough stock myself; it should suffice to treat the young master’s injuries.”

“Oh? In that case, all the better.” Wen Shan Yuan raised his brows, surprised by Zhang Yuan’s attitude, but unconcerned about any potential tricks.

He then asked softly, “Your residence is dozens of miles away. I worry about the journey. Let me have some men accompany you for protection.”

“Well… very well, since the general insists, I shall comply,” Zhang Yuan was about to refuse, but Su Bo gripped his wrist tightly once more, forcing him to acquiesce.

Wen Shan Yuan was pleased at Zhang Yuan’s unexpected cooperation, attributing it to the pressure of his granddaughter’s situation, suspecting nothing further.

He instructed his men, “Very well, escort the elder back. Take utmost care. If anything happens to him, I’ll hold you responsible.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Please, sir, this way.”

As footsteps approached, Zhang Yuan eyed the gauze curtain nervously. When it was drawn aside, the grip on his wrist vanished, and Su Bo lay motionless as before, as if truly unconscious.

“Fortunately, during my years at Da Yan Sect, I learned this obscure breath-control technique from Xi Menghe’s library. Slowed heartbeat produces convincing symptoms—even Wen Shan Yuan may not see through it easily,” Su Bo thought silently, eyes closed.

“How is the young master?”

A fierce, oppressive aura filled the tent, overwhelming even Wen Shan Yuan.

“I’ve found a suitable doctor and received a firm answer: the young master should recover in about two months,” Wen Shan Yuan’s eyes flashed with murderous intent, but it faded quickly, replaced by wariness and respect.

The newcomer was Tang Jiu Yuan, leader of the rebel forces and the only extraordinary warrior here.

He ignored Wen Shan Yuan’s report, his gaze fixed on Su Bo. The thin gauze curtain could not block the scrutiny of a superhuman; in an instant, Su Bo was laid bare.

Yet Tang Jiu Yuan’s level only allowed him to detect Su Bo’s coma and severe external wounds, not whether the internal injuries were feigned.

This gave Su Bo a deep sense of peril, as if the man could crush him with a finger.

“What are you doing?” Wen Shan Yuan, disregarding the disparity in strength, boldly interrupted Tang Jiu Yuan’s psychic intrusion.

Tang Jiu Yuan snorted, forcing Wen Shan Yuan back, and snapped, “I should ask you—what are you doing?”

“I merely wanted to examine the young master’s condition. Is it your place to interfere?” Tang Jiu Yuan pressed closer, exuding a murderous aura that made Su Bo deeply uncomfortable. Yet he could not wake, lest he admit his feigned unconsciousness.

Meanwhile, Tang Jiu Yuan, despite advancing on Wen Shan Yuan, kept a portion of his psychic power focused on Su Bo. After thorough inspection, he confirmed Wen Shan Yuan had not lied.

He glanced at the restless soldiers around Wen Shan Yuan, wary himself.

When he was less than a step from Wen Shan Yuan, the gloom on his face dissipated; he clapped Wen Shan Yuan’s shoulder, laughing heartily, “Old Wen, you’re always so reckless. I won’t fuss this time. The young master needs rest, so I’ll take my leave.”

Tang Jiu Yuan turned to leave, then spun around at the tent’s entrance, “There’s something I need to discuss with you. I’ll wait in the main camp. Settle the young master, then come to me immediately.”

He cast a sweeping glance at Wen Shan Yuan’s old subordinates before departing with disdain.

Wen Shan Yuan remained in the tent, deep in thought.

One subordinate entered, advising, “General, caution is best. You just crossed him; now he wants a private talk—”

Wen Shan Yuan shook his head, “Impossible. Tang Jiu Yuan is impulsive, but not foolish enough to kill me at such a critical time. If I die, you all would threaten him. With only forty to fifty thousand men, if we splinter, the court will crush us effortlessly. He surely understands this.”

“My speculation was rash,” the man replied hurriedly.

Wen Shan Yuan waved dismissively, “It’s nothing. I was just wondering, if the young master awakens, should we honor him as a guest or merely ensure his safety?”

“That is indeed a dilemma. If it’s the former, Tang Jiu Yuan won’t give up his position easily,” his subordinate agreed.

“Yes, indeed.” Wen Shan Yuan sighed, “I had hoped he’d retain some reverence for the young master, but alas… When the wall falls, even allies abandon you.”

“Don’t be too disheartened, General. This is the way of things. You’ve already done all you could to protect the young master.”

Wen Shan Yuan smiled, shaking his head with bitter self-mockery.

“This matter isn’t as simple as you think. Prince Su’s death involves many lives and interests. The court intends to uproot all his foundations—but how could that be possible?”

He stopped abruptly, then instructed, “Li Mi, you’ve followed me for years. Though we’re officially superior and subordinate, I’ve always regarded you as a brother.”

Li Mi knelt, bowing, “I’m deeply honored by your regard, General.”

Wen Shan Yuan reached out to help him up, speaking solemnly, “To be honest, I knew much about Prince Su’s death from the day we rose in rebellion. The web is vast, involving the commander of the Imperial Guard, and numerous officials from all three departments and six ministries. Furthermore…”

He paused, his eyes fixed on where Su Bo lay, checking for any sign of eavesdropping. Ensuring no one was present, he lowered his voice to a whisper, inaudible even to Su Bo three yards away.

Su Bo wondered, “What could be so secret?”

After some time, Li Mi, trembling, finally asked, “General… is this true?”

Wen Shan Yuan shook his head, “I can’t be sure, but I’m seventy percent confident. Go now—let the young master stay in my tent.”

“Yes, sir.” Li Mi withdrew.

Once Li Mi had left, Wen Shan Yuan looked at Su Bo with concern. He had not revealed everything to Li Mi.

He had spent all his silver investigating the destruction of the Su family. One man, before dying, told him, “The young master may possess the secret the Imperial Guard has long sought.”

Recalling the man’s tragic end, Wen Shan Yuan’s gaze grew deeper as he looked at Su Bo, “Young master, you must endure. Even if we cannot, you must survive! The Su family’s fate rests with you.”

Su Bo, lying in bed, had no time for Wen Shan Yuan’s silent musings. He was focused on escape.

“The old doctor who treated me might be a blessing—perhaps there’s hope, if he cooperates. If these people are truly vigilant, then I’ll have to…”

Early the next morning.

Bathed in hazy dawn, the old physician opened his eyes, a faint pain stabbing at his head. He pressed his temples, lost in thought.

“That child’s origins are unknown. Should I trust him?” Remembering yesterday’s encounter with Su Bo, the physician was still bewildered.

He could not fathom why so many guarded this boy so tightly.

“My granddaughter is in the hands of these beasts; the longer I stay, the greater the risk. I must heal the boy quickly, and ignore all else for now.”

Zhang Yuan struggled to his feet and prepared to wash his face in the courtyard.

But then he thought, “They let me return so easily—did they do something to me as well?”

He had little time to ponder. Opening the door, he found two burly men standing like guardians on either side.

Before Zhang Yuan could speak, they said, “Since the doctor is awake, please follow us to treat our master.”

“This…” Zhang Yuan hesitated.

“Our master instructed: if you refuse, your granddaughter…” they said calmly when Zhang Yuan seemed unwilling.

“You!” Zhang Yuan’s sallow face flushed with anger, shaking a finger at them, “If you dare harm my granddaughter, I’ll die before treating you monsters!”

His fierce words were a last act of defiance; after shouting, he lowered his head, “Show me the way.”

The two exchanged a glance and smiled, full of disdain.

Escorted by them, Zhang Yuan returned to Wen Shan Yuan’s camp.

Meanwhile, Wen Shan Yuan was still digesting last night’s conversation with Tang Jiu Yuan.

“The court will launch a massive purge, with twenty thousand troops at the front. Do you have any strategy?”

“This is not the time for disorder. How many know of this?”

“The scouts were executed secretly; only Li Mi and I know.”

“Good. But…”

“But what?”

“But I do not wish to fight this war.”

“What do you intend to do?”

“That… I’ll decide as I please. The plan is not yet ready; it’s best not to discuss it now.”

………………………

“What is he planning?” Wen Shan Yuan frowned, unable to discern the answer.

As he puzzled, a dart whistled past his ear, embedding itself in a pillar, a note attached.

“Assassin!”

The guards shouted, soldiers rushing about like headless chickens.

Wen Shan Yuan, irritated, stood and shoved a few aside, barking, “Are you all idle? Get out!”

“Yes, sir!”

He gave Li Mi a look.

Li Mi understood, “Everyone, stand by outside. No one enters without orders.”

“Yes!”

Wen Shan Yuan took the dart and pulled off the note.

Li Mi examined the dart, immediately recognizing its origin, “Sir, this is a Black Bee Dart—exclusive to the Six Gates Bureau!”

Wen Shan Yuan did not reply at once, but stared at the note in silence.

“At the third watch tonight, ten miles east of the forest.”