Reborn Song Qingshu: Besieging Bright Peak at the Start

Chapter 64 Wang Baobao

Inside the thirteen-story pagoda of Wan'an Temple, masters from the six major sects sat cross-legged in their respective cells.

The antidote has been administered, and everyone is now focused on guiding their internal energy to restore their strength.

Everyone knows that the more internal energy they recover, the greater their chance of escaping.

If nothing unexpected happens at this critical moment, something unexpected is going to happen.

When the Prince of Ruyang summoned Lady Han to his bedchamber that night, he was furious to find that she was missing.

He sternly ordered a thorough investigation, demanding that the person be found no matter how deep the ground was dug.

It must be said that the Prince's mansion is full of talented people. Among them is a master who is most skilled in tracking and is known as the "Wind Catcher". He is the best at finding traces.

Following the slightest clues, he managed to track them all the way to the guest room of Luzhang at Wan'an Temple.

Due to the time constraints, Fan Yao's handling of the scene was riddled with errors. They quickly discovered corpses in two rooms, unaware that this Bitter Monk was highly suspicious.

Fan Yao carried his bedding to the pagoda and saw quite a few people. Finding out his whereabouts wouldn't be too easy.

The steward in charge of the matter then led his warriors to surround the tower.

Fan Yao was anxiously waiting inside the tower; now was a time to race against time.

He knew his actions couldn't withstand scrutiny; it was only a matter of time before he was discovered. Just then, Fan Yao heard someone shouting from below the tower: "Bitter Monk! Your deeds have been exposed! Come out and surrender immediately, and we might spare your life!"

Fan Yao was startled; at this moment, the six major sects' experts were at a critical juncture in recovering their internal energy.

If he couldn't escape today, there would be no chance in the future. He gritted his teeth, took the bedding wrapped around Han Ji, and came to the tower, hoping that Han Ji could hold off the enemy.

He recognized the leader at the foot of the tower as the chief steward of the Prince's mansion, and raised his voice: "Ha, Chief Steward, Lu Zhangke is so audacious that he dares to steal the Prince's beloved concubine and hide her in the tower!"

"It was I who orchestrated the execution of the Xuanming Elders, ridding the royal palace of a scourge, and yet you bring men to arrest me?"

As soon as Fan Yao spoke, the warriors below erupted in uproar.

Everyone knows that the Bitter Monk is a well-known mute in the Prince's Palace, and has not uttered a single word for more than ten years.

He suddenly spoke today, his words clear and distinct. Everyone was first surprised, and then a chill ran through them.

The fact that someone can remain silent and pretend to be mute for over ten years, without revealing their intentions, is chilling in itself.

Steward Ha refused to believe his nonsense, cursing inwardly that this guy was still being stubborn even when he was about to die, but he remained calm on the surface and replied loudly, "Master Ku, the truth will be decided by the Prince."

"You should come down first, and we'll go together to the Prince to discuss this, so as to avoid a fight and damage our relationship."

As he spoke, he secretly made a gesture behind his back with his left hand, and several agile warriors immediately crouched down and began to sneak towards the tower gate.

Fan Yao, who had a clear view from the tower, sneered, then with a mighty swing of his arms, he raised the blanket wrapped around Han Ji high into the air and shouted sternly, "I advise you to behave yourselves! Anyone who dares to step into the tower will be thrown down by me and smashed to pieces!"

The torches below were like a forest, illuminating the surroundings as bright as day. Although they could not reach the top of the tower which was more than ten feet high, the shadows made it clear that the beauty peeking out from under the bedding was none other than Han Ji.

The group of warriors immediately stopped in their tracks, looking at each other in bewilderment, none daring to make a move.

If a prince's concubine were to fall and die, how many heads would they have to chop off?

For a moment, the area below the tower truly froze.

Fan Yao felt a little more at ease, hoping to stall for as long as possible until everyone inside the tower recovered their strength, at which point there would be a chance for a turn of events.

As expected, something unexpected is about to happen; the one who will break the deadlock has arrived.

With the sound of hooves, a horse galloped to the tower, and all the warriors bowed in unison: "Young Prince."

Fan Yao looked down from the tower and his heart sank. He knew all too well that this prince was decisive and ruthless.

The newcomer wore a gleaming golden crown, rode a tall white horse, and wore a brocade robe. He was none other than the heir apparent of the Prince of Ruyang, Kukutmur, whose Han name was Wang Baobao.

Wang Baobao reined in his horse, glanced at the heavily guarded tower, frowned, and demanded sharply, "Where is Han Ji? My father is furious and ordered me to come and investigate personally."

Chief Steward Ha stepped forward and reported: "Your Highness, your beloved concubine is being held hostage by that ascetic monk on the tower. I am at a loss and we are at a stalemate."

Wang Baobao looked up at the tower, never expecting that it was this ascetic monk who had taken Han Ji hostage.

Taking the opportunity, Steward Ha explained the whole story to Wang Baobao.

Upon learning that the Xuanming Elders had been poisoned by this man, Wang Baobao was shocked.

He asked in a deep voice, "What exactly is this person plotting?"

Chief Steward Ha only knew that Fan Yao's kidnapping of Han Ji was definitely a way to buy time, but he didn't know why he was doing this.

Manager Ha was sweating profusely and bowed, saying, "This humble servant—this humble servant—"

Just then, Lu Zhangke's eldest disciple suddenly knelt forward and exclaimed, "Young Prince! The people imprisoned in this tower are all rebels from the six major sects. They have all been poisoned by the Ten Fragrant Softening Powder and have lost all their internal strength!"

The poison and the antidote have always been the responsibility of my master and Uncle He!

This villain poisoned my master and his wife, surely he must have stolen the antidote to give to the rebels. He's stalling for time now to allow the rebels to recover their strength!

Wang Baobao's eyes suddenly sharpened.

His sister Zhao Min had always managed the affairs of the martial arts world, and he rarely got involved, but how could he not understand the stakes involved?

If the more than one hundred experts from the six major sects were to recover their strength and escape from Wan'an Temple, all the grand plans my sister had made for so long would be in vain.

The expert inside the tower has been taking the antidote for some time now, and his strength must have recovered to some extent.

It would be too troublesome to rush into the tower and capture the enemy; it would be easier to burn the tower down.

He looked up at the tower again and saw that Han Ji was wrapped in a quilt, her hair disheveled, clearly naked.

Even if there was nothing improper going on, after this incident, my father would never allow her to stay.

In an instant, he made his decision.

Wang Baobao abruptly turned his horse around and shouted sternly, "Chief Steward Ha! Pass down the order: set the tower ablaze! Mobilize archers to surround it from all sides. Anyone who dares to jump down from the tower, shoot them dead! Leave no survivors!"

"Young Prince, what about Consort Han—" Steward Ha was taken aback and spoke subconsciously.

"Hmm?" Wang Baobao's single word silenced Steward Ha.

The order was given and carried out immediately.

The archers immediately stepped forward, drew their bows, and nocked arrows, their tips gleaming coldly, surrounding the pagoda like an iron barrel.

Another samurai brought firewood and kindling, piling it under the tower gate and windows. When the tinderbox was lit, the firewood met the flames and burst into flames with a "boom," the flames licking the brick walls and wooden pillars, and billowing black smoke rising straight up.

Fan Yao watched from the tower, his eyes wide with fury. He never imagined that Wang Baobao would be so ruthless, abandoning even his father's beloved concubine.

Enraged, he laughed coldly, raised his arms, and shouted sternly, "Wang Baobao! If you dare to burn down the tower, then you can collect this concubine's corpse!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he flung the blankets wrapped around Han Ji straight down.

Wang Baobao sat on his horse, not even lifting his eyelids.

With a muffled thud, the bedding fell to the ground and remained motionless; Han Ji had died on the spot.

Wang Baobao said in a flat tone: "Add firewood."

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