The white crane spread its wings and flew, every gaze following it. Only when they saw it fly out of the hall did everyone come to their senses.
"The divine crane flew away!" "It flew away-but what about the State Preceptor?"
"What State Preceptor? He's clearly a fiend!"
Though fear filled Crown Prince Jian Xu's heart, he had to suppress it. Beneath that fear, a dawning realization and a sense of relief were quietly growing.
"Father, are you all right?"
The old emperor stood in a corner of the raised dais, protected by more than a dozen guards, yet he remained badly shaken. Hearing the crown prince, he answered with a slight tremor.
"I... I'm all right. Quickly, see how the State Preceptor-no, see how that sorcerer is doing!"
"Quickly! Check on that sorcerer!"
Jian Xu shouted an order for several palace guards nearby to examine Han Shiyong. Forcing himself to rally his spirits, he followed behind them, approaching Han Shiyong step by step.
Truth be told, even the skilled palace guards were trembling with apprehension. Who could have witnessed that scene without being afraid? Still, they had no choice but to obey the crown prince.
That went without saying for the old emperor, while the other ministers also kept their distance, not daring to approach. Only a few military officials stood closer, ready to support the crown prince at any moment without stepping forward to steal his thunder.
Han Shiyong was not dead, of course. As the crown prince followed the guards closer, he could already hear his faint, labored breathing.
Though the white crane seemed to have swallowed a giant serpent, the demonic aura around Han Shiyong remained. Its stench was still unbearable, making the crown prince cover his mouth and nose.
"Urgh... hhh... hhh..."
Pain wracked Han