Chapter 22: Hunter
"So I guessed correctly earlier." Li Musheng didn't seem surprised by this.
"General Wu'an's manor was secretly searching for the whereabouts of the lost Seventh Prince, while these two fabricated identities to deliberately get discovered, then followed General Wu'an's people to Shangyang City."
As Cang Yinyue spoke, she glanced at the ugly woman on the ground.
At this time, the woman withdrew her gaze from the dead scholar. Her eyes showed terror as she hurriedly said, "The matter of Great Li's Seventh Prince is known throughout the entire martial world. My junior brother and I only wanted to try and see if we could get away with it. We thought that if we really succeeded, we could enjoy endless wealth and glory in the future."
Hearing this, Li Musheng showed an expression of realization, "Indeed, excellent hunters often appear in the guise of prey."
Cang Yinyue's gaze shifted as she suddenly asked, "You seemed to have known this scholar had problems earlier. How did you discover it?"
Li Musheng stroked his chin, "This scholar's disguise wasn't very good. Whether walking along the steep mountain paths or later being hunted by the Blood-Bathed Alliance people, although he outwardly pretended to be exhausted and weak, he was actually at ease."
"Not only did he not have a single injury on his body, but after such a day of trouble, he was still like nothing had happened. That was very abnormal."
"Of course, when his senior sister was being hunted by the Blood-Bathed Alliance people, probably because he was worried about her, he inadvertently revealed a trace of his aura. This also made me certain he had problems."
Hearing this, Cang Yinyue nodded thoughtfully. After listening to Li Musheng's words, the ugly woman's head suddenly drooped down as she murmured, "I knew Junior Brother couldn't be heartless toward me... We're childhood sweethearts. When he was little, he even said he would marry me."
"If it weren't for my face being ruined from practicing poison techniques and feeling unworthy of him, perhaps we would already be husband and wife..."
The ugly woman's gaze looked toward the scholar's bloody corpse. She suddenly laughed, "Junior Brother also said that once he became the Seventh Prince, he would have the imperial palace's best imperial physicians treat my face and restore my appearance..."
Saying this, the ugly woman fell silent for a while.
Then, with tears streaming down her face, she slowly raised her head. Her gaze looked coldly at Li Musheng as she said viciously, "You killed Junior Brother. I know I won't escape death tonight, but even if I die, I'll make you pay the price."
Having said this, the ugly woman suddenly seemed to bite down on something. Then she began laughing maliciously, "Master will avenge us!"
Visibly, her face began to corrode and melt from the inside out, then spread to her entire body.
Within several breaths, the ugly woman's flesh, skin, and bones all transformed into black water and thick smoke, emitting an extremely strong fishy stench that dispersed in all directions, floating toward the mountain forest's high sky.
Seeing this, Cang Yinyue's expression was somewhat ugly, "By doing this, she's sending out a special signal. She's transmitting a message to that Formless Elder."
Li Musheng waved his hand, frowning, "Too smelly. Let's continue on our journey."
Cang Yinyue turned to look at him, "Aren't you worried at all?"
Li Musheng glanced at the scholar's corpse, then leaped onto the mule-horse with a chuckle, "The disciple didn't give me what I wanted. Having the master come from far away to deliver it can be considered thoughtful of her."
Hearing this, Cang Yinyue silently stared at Li Musheng for a while. Those curved dark brows unconsciously furrowed as she said, "You could kill this scholar, so you must at least have Martial Dao Master realm strength. Although I know I shouldn't probe too much into your affairs."
"But I guess you definitely had some fortuitous encounter, and it was a great one that countless martial world people would fight over until their heads bled. Otherwise, you couldn't possibly have such astonishing cultivation at such a young age, nor possess that rare martial art of sealing acupoints from a distance."
Saying this, a trace of complexity arose in Cang Yinyue's eyes, "However, I still must advise you: before confirming your prince identity, unless absolutely necessary, try not to expose your strength."
"The imperial capital is far more complex than you imagine. Before the dust settles, anything could happen. You could lose your life at any time."
"Also, once you reach Shangyang City, don't easily trust anyone, not even me."
Hearing this, Li Musheng immediately showed a surprised expression and asked curiously, "Why?"
"No why. I've said all I can say. You just need to remember my words tonight. I won't say this again in the future."
Having said this, Cang Yinyue turned and walked toward the mountain valley, personally cutting off the heads of the three seriously injured Blood-Bathed Alliance experts.
Without a doubt, these three were naturally also on the court's extermination list.
Then Cang Yinyue glanced at Meng Shan and Yuan Mei. In the end, she still didn't strike and returned to the mountain path's edge, lightly leaping onto the mule-horse.
"Let's go."
She calmly called out and took the lead along the mountain path.
Li Musheng shrugged. Everything she had just said went in one ear and out the other.
He immediately patted the mule-horse beneath him and set out on the night path. The moonlight had emerged, illuminating the mountain forest ahead, appearing especially quiet and bright.
The horses gradually moved away from the mountain valley filled with horrific corpses, as if entering two different worlds.
...
Two days passed. Cang Yinyue and Li Musheng encountered no more obstacles along the way and smoothly entered Jing Province's territory.
As soon as they entered Jing Province, Li Musheng clearly felt it was different from Great Li's other provinces.
The cities here were orderly. Agricultural and commercial affairs were very prosperous. Although martial world people carrying blades and swords were not uncommon, along the entire journey, he hadn't witnessed a single fight or killing scene.
The martial world forces here seemed to have changed their nature, treating government constables politely and courteously.
They had even encountered on the road a group of government soldiers marching in grand formation to suppress mountain bandits, with quite a few righteous martial world heroes voluntarily joining to assist along the way.
"Miss Cang, this Jing Province looks quite good. Shangyang City is right under the emperor's feet. Is it really as bad as you said?"
Since that night, whenever Li Musheng tried to make conversation with Cang Yinyue along the way, she didn't really respond much, looking preoccupied.
Li Musheng felt that the main reason for this should be that after he killed that scholar and slightly revealed some of his strength.
At that time, Cang Yinyue had said quite a lot to him. Although he hadn't taken it too seriously, he had observed all the changes in her attitude toward him as this Seventh Prince.
This young lady is definitely hiding something from me.
Li Musheng looked at Cang Yinyue's back thoughtfully.
At this time, Cang Yinyue suddenly turned back, "Jing Province is indeed peaceful. If you were just an ordinary commoner, you could live out your life here in stability."
"But unfortunately, you're not. Moreover, do fierce tigers and poisonous snakes easily reveal their claws and fangs?"
"When they reveal their claws and fangs is when they're about to devour people. And in that Shangyang City, too many fierce tigers and poisonous snakes are hidden."