Surprise! The Straight Man Long Aotian Actually Steals the Villain's Skirt - Chapter 19: The Saint of Southern Border Obsessed with Gu Poison (19)

Chapter 19: The Saint of Southern Border Obsessed with Gu Poison (19)

Under normal circumstances, these guards from the Dark Guard Camp would be no match for Lu Yi.

But even the fiercest lone wolf, stripped of its claws and fangs, stands little chance when outnumbered.

Lu Yi’s blade had long been tossed into the lake to feed the fish on the day he was captured and brought to Rosy Valley.

【Protagonist’s Pain Value +3】

Xie Rong lowered his gaze and gently stroked the little green snake’s head. The system prompt ringing in his mind didn’t make him turn to look at Lu Yi even once.

He heard the man being surrounded and attacked by the group, heard the sound of sharp blades cutting through flesh, heard the man being forcibly forced to his knees with a heavy thud as they slammed against the ground.

Master Lu, throughout the entire Swift Feather Guard, you are the one Her Majesty the Empress Dowager holds in highest regard. Do you know why? The chief eunuch flicked his horsetail whisk and snorted coldly. Because you are straightforward, don’t cause trouble, and are a dutiful and useful official. Now, the opportunity to succeed as the commander is right before you. Don’t displease Her Majesty and let someone else benefit for nothing!

Lu Yi gritted his teeth, panting heavily, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on the detached figure in the prison cart, slowly turning red.

To prevent Lu Yi from causing more trouble, he was tied up and thrown onto a horse.

The chief eunuch rode alongside the prison cart, personally overseeing the transport, accompanied by several junior eunuchs from the Empress Dowager’s palace.

This time, Father has accomplished another major task. Surely the Empress Dowager will reward you handsomely? one of the junior eunuchs flattered with a sycophantic smile.

The chief eunuch lifted his chin slightly, wrinkles forming at the corners of his eyes as he feigned humility. I seek no great rewards. I only hope that when the Empress Dowager receives the Saint of Southern Border in the future, if we truly obtain the method for immortality, she might grant me some medicine dregs to consume.

By capturing this wicked Witchcraft Master, will we really be able to lure the Saint of Southern Border?

The chief eunuch snorted coldly: The people of Southern Border despise traitors the most. I heard that two years ago, a Witchcraft Master fled to the Central Plains and recklessly revealed Southern Border’s Gu techniques to others. Three months ago, the Empress Dowager received news that the Saint of Southern Border had also left Southern Border and come to the Central Plains, likely to capture that escaped Witchcraft Master.

Coincidentally, just after the Empress Dowager received this news, this Witchcraft Master emerged and committed crimes right under the Emperor’s nose. It seems Heaven itself is helping us!

The prison cart was transported back to the capital overnight, and its occupant was temporarily imprisoned in the Imperial Prison, awaiting judgment.

The nobles in the capital were all rejoicing, as every person taken to Rosy Valley had been rescued unharmed, with all limbs intact. Aside from being somewhat tanned and stronger, and bearing a few more whip scars, they hadn’t suffered any incurable injuries.

But Father, we still have Gu poison inside us. Shouldn’t we just release him? Perhaps if we treat him well with good food and drink, coax him a little, he’ll detoxify us, Young Master Zhao lingered at the entrance of the Imperial Prison, refusing to leave.

Zhao Shilang slapped his son’s forehead in frustration. Fool! Did serving that Witchcraft Master like a beast of burden in Rosy Valley make you stupid? The fact that you all returned safely means someone has already neutralized the Gu poison in your bodies!

Who? Young Master Zhao covered his head.

A young man wearing a Flying Fish Uniform dismounted and strode toward the Imperial Prison. Zhao Shilang turned to greet him, smiling broadly. Vice Commander Liu, we owe you our thanks for neutralizing the Gu poison this time.

Vice Commander Liu was a tall, handsome man who carried an air of unapproachable coldness. Upon hearing this, he merely gave a slight nod and walked straight past Zhao Shilang, striding quickly into the Imperial Prison as if urgently needing to see someone.

The Imperial Prison had long been deprived of sunlight, where even the echoing footsteps clung to the walls like damp, chilly geckoes.

Liu Zhanyi paused outside the only cell illuminated by candlelight.

Following his gaze, one could see that the haystack originally meant for prisoners’ rest had been replaced with a soft couch. Xie Rong sat on it cradling a snake, while another man stood beside him, carefully combing his hair and fastening silver ornaments into his temples.

After finishing his hair, the man brought a basin of warm water and silently wiped the dust from Xie Rong’s face, hands, and legs. Then, fetching another basin of hot water, he set it on the ground, bent down, and gently held a pair of delicate jade-like feet, washing them in the wooden basin.

Liu Zhanyi’s hand clenched and unclenched at his side before he stepped into the cell with a calm expression.

Junior Brother, it’s been a while.

Xie Rong stroked the tail of the green snake. I heard you lifted the Gu for those fools?

Suddenly, he chuckled. You’re still as unimpressive as ever. You can deceive others, but don’t deceive yourself.

In your eyes, am I forever this worthless? Liu Zhanyi said coldly.

Wrong, Xie Rong tilted his head with a smile. I’ve never even had you in my eyes.

You’ve never held anyone in your eyes, Liu Zhanyi muttered to himself. Never mind. Someday you’ll understand—I never intended to betray Nanjiang, much less betray…

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Staying any longer would only humiliate him further, so he turned to leave, the words he had prepared left unspoken.

Lu Yi continued tending to Xie Rong’s feet, just as he had in Rosy Valley.

Host! What do we do? We haven’t collected enough suffering points, and the plot’s gone wrong—completely wrong! At this point, we should’ve been killed by the protagonist for revenge, smoothly completing the mission to move to the next world. Why is the protagonist still washing your feet? So annoying!

Xie Rong’s eyelids drooped as he protectively tucked the little green snake closer into his embrace.

This snake was his only child now, and he would protect it at any cost.

Lu Yi was splashed in the face by Xie Rong’s restless foot but said nothing, silently drying it before pulling two tangerines from his robe. In a hoarse voice, he said, I’ve transplanted both tangerine trees to a safe place.

Xie Rong acted as if he hadn’t heard, still ignoring him.

Master Lu, the Empress Dowager summons you. Please hurry to the palace.

Xie Rong, what must I do for you to acknowledge me?

Xie Rong slapped him across the face, then rubbed his stinging palm and asked softly, Is this how I acknowledge you, Commander Lu?

Lu Yi glanced at him, silently picked up the basin of fragrant water, and left the cell.

Curled up on the soft couch, Xie Rong held the snake and hummed a lullaby to lull it to sleep, dozing off halfway through the tune.

Three days later, at the victory banquet.

To celebrate the capture of the villain, the Empress Dowager had specially pardoned this feast—first, to reward those who had contributed, and second, to console the frightened noble youths.

Your Majesty, according to Eunuch Liu who escorted the prisoner to the capital, that Witchcraft Master is quite young?

The Empress Dowager, clad in phoenix robes, sat solemnly beside the Emperor. Though nearing sixty, only a faint wrinkle graced the corner of her eye. She smiled faintly and replied, He’s merely a prisoner. If any of you wish to see him, I’ll have him brought up.

About an hour later.

Several guards carried a square iron cage into the grand hall.

A red cloth covered the cage, obscuring the view of the person inside.

The banquet hall fell silent for a moment, then gradually grew restless with anxiety until the red cloth was lifted.

The iron cage stood empty.

The Empress Dowager rose abruptly, scanning the left side of the seating area. Finding no one, she demanded angrily, Lu Yi, where is the person I asked for?!

Your Majesty, Master Lu is unwell today and did not attend the palace banquet.

The Empress Dowager then turned her gaze to the opposite seating area.

Reporting to Your Majesty, Old Madam Jin is critically ill today. Young General Jin requested leave early and likewise did not attend the palace banquet.