The Crown Prince's Mystery

When Lin Ye opened his eyes again, he found himself lying in the medical room at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Sunlight streamed through the window onto the white bedding, and a faint medicinal fragrance filled the air. Tang San had fallen asleep slumped beside the bed, dark shadows beneath his eyes. Clearly, he had been up all night.

"Awake?" a gentle voice said. Yu Luomian walked in carrying a bowl of medicinal soup. "How do you feel? The aftereffects of Golden Crow Nirvana are no small matter."

Lin Ye struggled to sit up. His chest still felt a little tight, but more than half his Soul Power had recovered. "Much better. Thank you, Dean. Where's Xiao Wu? Is she all right?"

"She's fine. Just a few superficial wounds. Oscar's sausages worked very well." Yu Luomian handed her the medicinal soup. "That boy Tang San watched over you all night. He only just fell asleep."

Lin Ye looked at Tang San's weary sleeping face, warmth rising in his heart, and gently pulled the blanket over him.

"By the way, the crown prince..." Remembering the danger they had faced the night before, Lin Ye hurriedly asked.

At the mention of it, Yu Luomian's expression darkened. "We found some bloodstains and a torn dragon robe in the palace's secret passage. Our preliminary judgment is that Xue Qinghe may have already..." He did not finish, but his meaning was clear.

Lin Ye's heart tightened. "What about the puppet crown prince?"

"Salas took him away, probably because he was afraid of leaving evidence behind." Yu Luomian sighed. "The imperial family is in chaos now, and several princes are fighting for the position of crown prince. You could say Spirit Hall has achieved half its goal."

"Half?"

"At least they failed to pin the blame on you, and they didn't manage to capture you either." Ning Fengzhi's voice came from outside the door. He walked in with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. "And we found this at the end of the secret passage."

He handed Lin Ye a broken jade pendant. Half the character for "moon" was engraved on it, and its material was identical to that of Xue Qinghe's personal seal.

"This is..." Lin Ye was puzzled.

"Xue Qinghe's mother is the master of Moonlight Pavilion. This jade pendant is a token shared by mother and son," Ning Fengzhi explained. "Moonlight Pavilion is in Suotuo City. It specializes in teaching noble etiquette. On the surface, it has no connection to the imperial family, but in truth, it is within Xue Qinghe's mother's sphere of influence."

"You mean Xue Qinghe may have escaped to Moonlight Pavilion?" Lin Ye's eyes lit up.

"It's possible." Ning Fengzhi nodded. "The master of Moonlight Pavilion is a Titled Douluo. Spirit Hall's people wouldn't dare provoke her lightly. If Xue Qinghe really is there, he should be safe."

Just then, Tang San woke up. Seeing that Lin Ye was all right, a trace of joy flashed in his eyes. "You're awake? How do you feel?"

"I'm fine." Lin Ye handed her the jade pendant. "Sect Master Ning says Xue Qinghe may be at Moonlight Pavilion in Suotuo City."

Tang San took the pendant and examined it closely. "Moonlight Pavilion... I think I've heard of it. Grandmaster mentioned that its master specializes in sound-wave Soul Skills and has unfathomable strength."

"That's right. Her name is Tang Yuehua. She's Tang Hao's younger sister, which makes her your aunt," Ning Fengzhi said.

Tang San froze. "My aunt?" He had never heard his father mention that he had such a relative.

"Tang Yuehua fell out with her family in her early years and founded Moonlight Pavilion in Suotuo City on her own. Few people know her true identity," Ning Fengzhi explained. "Xue Qinghe's mother was her disciple, so it would make perfect sense for Xue Qinghe to seek refuge with her."

"Then let's go to Moonlight Pavilion and find him right now!" Xiao Wu's voice came from outside the door. She walked in with Dai Mubai and the others, who had evidently all heard the conversation.

"No." Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "Suotuo City is Spirit Hall's territory now. It would be too dangerous for you to go. Besides, we need people to stay in Heaven Dou City and stabilize the situation, in case Spirit Hall takes the opportunity to stir up trouble."

"I'll go," Tang San said suddenly. "I'm a member of the Tang family, so it makes sense for me to visit my aunt. It won't easily arouse suspicion. Besides, my Blue Silver Grass is good at concealment. Even if I run into danger, I can get away."

"I'm going with you!" Lin Ye said at once.

Tang San looked at her, his expression complicated. "You've only just recovered..."

"That's exactly why I need to get moving." Lin Ye clenched his fist, Golden Crow Fire dancing at his fingertips. "Besides, we'll be safer if we go together."

Dai Mubai also stepped forward. "Count me in. My Hell Spirit Cat is good at moving stealthily. I can help."

"Me too!" Xiao Wu, Tai Long, and Oscar said in unison.

Ning Fengzhi looked at them, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. "Very well. With more of you, you can look after one another. But remember, keep a low profile. Once you find Xue Qinghe, bring him back immediately. Don't confront Spirit Hall head-on."

"We understand." Tang San nodded and put the jade pendant away safely.

Before they set out, Yu Luomian gave them ordinary clothes and travel passes. "Change into these and pose as commoners going to Suotuo City on business. You'll be less likely to attract attention." He also handed Tang San a map. "This is a secret route to Moonlight Pavilion. It avoids all of Spirit Hall's checkpoints."

After saying goodbye to everyone, the five disguised themselves and left Heaven Dou City. To be safe, they chose not to take a carriage, instead traveling on foot toward Suotuo City along the route Yu Luomian had marked.

As expected, they avoided most of Spirit Hall's checkpoints along the way. Whenever they encountered patrolling Soul Masters, their travel passes and inconspicuous clothes allowed them to bluff their way through.

Five days later, the outline of Suotuo City appeared in the distance. The city that had once been so familiar was now shrouded in an oppressive atmosphere. There were several times as many Spirit Hall deacons at the gates as before, and inspections were stricter as well.

"We'll enter the city separately," Tang San said quietly. "Xiao Wu and I will be one group, Lin Ye and Dai Mubai another, and Tai Long and Oscar the third. We'll meet at the old pagoda tree in the south of the city."

Entering in groups was the safest approach and less likely to arouse suspicion.

Lin Ye and Dai Mubai followed the crowd to the city gates. As the deacon inspected their travel passes, his gaze lingered on their faces for a long time. Lin Ye in particular seemed somewhat familiar to him.

"What do you do?" the deacon demanded.

"We trade in medicinal herbs," Dai Mubai answered calmly, pulling a small packet of herbs from his bag. "We're delivering them to a pharmacy in the city."

The deacon picked up the herbs and sniffed them, then looked over the travel passes again. Finding nothing amiss, he finally let them through.

Once inside Suotuo City, Lin Ye and Dai Mubai both breathed a sigh of relief. Few pedestrians were on the streets, and most of the shops were closed. Only Spirit Hall's branch and some of the businesses that cooperated with it were still open. The atmosphere was eerie and oppressive.

"I never thought Suotuo City would become like this," Dai Mubai said quietly, a flash of anger in his eyes.

"Don't talk. Let's hurry." Lin Ye pulled him along toward the south of the city.

The old pagoda tree in the south of the city was a place where they had often gathered before, and its branches and leaves were as lush as ever. Tang San, Xiao Wu, Tai Long, and Oscar were already waiting there. They all breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the two arrive safely.

"How did it go? You weren't discovered, were you?" Tang San asked.

"No, but something's very wrong with the atmosphere in the city," Lin Ye said. "Spirit Hall's people are everywhere. We need to find Moonlight Pavilion as soon as possible."

According to Yu Luomian's map, Moonlight Pavilion was in the northeast of Suotuo City, near the noble district. It was heavily guarded, and getting in would not be easy.

"I have an idea." Tang San took a set of splendid clothes from his bag. "Grandmaster left these behind a while ago. He said they might come in handy when needed. We can pose as young nobles going to Moonlight Pavilion to study etiquette. We should be able to slip in."

It was a risky plan, but it was also the only one they had at the moment.

After changing into the splendid clothes, Tang San and Xiao Wu posed as a noble couple, Lin Ye and Dai Mubai pretended to be their guards, and Tai Long and Oscar acted as servants. Together, they headed for Moonlight Pavilion.

Moonlight Pavilion stood on a secluded estate. Two stone pillars carved with moon patterns stood at the entrance, where two maids in simple, elegant white dresses kept watch. They had gentle, graceful bearings, but faint fluctuations of Soul Power radiated from them.

"May I ask if you have an appointment?" one of the maids asked politely.

"No, we've come to study." Tang San took out a gold coin and handed it to her. "We heard that Moonlight Pavilion's etiquette instruction is the best on the continent, so we came especially to pay a visit."

The maid accepted the gold coin, a smile appearing on her face. "I see. Please follow me. I'll announce your arrival."

As they followed the maid into the estate, Lin Ye could not help feeling surprised. Green trees provided shade, little bridges spanned flowing water, and faint zither music drifted through the air. It was utterly different from the oppressive atmosphere outside, as though it were another world.

In the main hall, a woman dressed in white was playing the zither. She looked to be in her thirties, with exquisite features and a gentle, graceful bearing. Soft fluctuations of Soul Power radiated from her, instilling a sense of peace.

"This is the master of Moonlight Pavilion, Lady Tang Yuehua," the maid said.

Tang San and the others hurriedly bowed. "Greetings, Lady Tang."

Tang Yuehua stopped playing and looked at Tang San, a complicated emotion flashing in her eyes. "What is your name?"

"My name is Tang San."

"Tang San..." Tang Yuehua softly repeated the name, a glimmer of tears flashing in her eyes. "Is your father's name Tang Hao?"

Tang San froze. He had not expected her to know his father's name. "Yes, my father is Tang Hao."

Tang Yuehua stood and walked over to Tang San, studying his face closely. Her voice caught slightly. "You look like him, so much like him... Especially those eyes. They're exactly like your father's when he was young."

"You... you know my father?"

"I'm your aunt, Tang Yuehua." Tang Yuehua could no longer hold back her tears. "I never thought I would live to see my elder brother's child."

The sudden revelation of their kinship left everyone stunned.

Tang San was so overcome that he could not speak. He had never imagined he would meet a relative under such circumstances.

"Aunt..."

"Good child, get up." Tang Yuehua helped him to his feet and wiped away her tears. "You didn't come to Moonlight Pavilion just to study, did you?"

Only then did Tang San remember the matter at hand. He told her about Xue Qinghe and where the jade pendant had come from.

Tang Yuehua's expression grew grave. "Xue Qinghe is indeed here with me. A person dressed in black brought him here, saying his life was in danger and asking me to take him in for the time being. But he was gravely injured and has remained unconscious."

"Can we see him?"

"Come with me."

Tang Yuehua led them to a secret room in the rear courtyard. Xue Qinghe lay on a sickbed, his face pale and his breathing faint. A wound on his chest was deep enough to expose bone. It was clearly the work of a Soul Skill.

"He was struck by Spirit Hall's Heart-Eroding Curse. Soul Power has been constantly eating away at his internal organs. I used a sound-wave Soul Skill to suppress it temporarily, but I couldn't eliminate it completely," Tang Yuehua said.

Tang San examined Xue Qinghe's injuries, his brows tightly furrowed. "This curse mark is very overbearing. It can only be neutralized with pure Soul Power. My Blue Silver Grass might be worth a try, but it will take time."

"I'll help you," Lin Ye said. "The purifying power of Golden Crow Fire might be able to counter the curse mark."

Tang Yuehua nodded. "Then I'll leave it to you. With me guarding Moonlight Pavilion, Spirit Hall's people won't dare come in for the time being. You can treat him without worry."

Over the next few days, Tang San and Lin Ye took turns treating Xue Qinghe. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass supplied gentle life force to mend his wounds, while Lin Ye's Golden Crow Fire burned away the Soul Power of the Heart-Eroding Curse and purified the toxins in his body.

Dai Mubai and Tai Long stood guard, while Xiao Wu and Oscar helped attend to Xue Qinghe's daily needs. Tang Yuehua occasionally came to visit and spoke with Tang San about Tang Hao's past. The atmosphere was warm and peaceful.

Under their combined treatment, Xue Qinghe's injuries gradually improved, and much more color returned to his face. He still did not wake, however.

That evening, Tang San was channeling Soul Power into Xue Qinghe when Xue Qinghe's finger suddenly moved. His lips fluttered, as though he were trying to say something.

"He's waking up!" Xiao Wu said, pleasantly surprised.

Everyone hurried over and gathered around him.

Xue Qinghe slowly opened his eyes. A trace of surprise flashed in them when he saw Tang San and the others. Then he said weakly, "Water..."

Oscar immediately handed him some water.

Xue Qinghe drank a few mouthfuls and looked a little more alert. He gazed at Tang San. "Was it you... who saved me?"

"Lady Tang Yuehua saved you," Tang San said. "Do you remember who injured you?"

A flicker of fear crossed Xue Qinghe's eyes. "It was... Salas and a masked woman... They said I'd learned a secret I shouldn't have known, and they wanted to kill me to silence me..."

"What secret?"

Xue Qinghe struggled to sit up and lowered his voice. "They... they're grooming a fake crown prince to replace me and take control of the Heaven Dou Empire... That fake crown prince looks exactly like me. Even his Soul Power fluctuations are very similar..."

Everyone was startled. It was just as they had guessed.

"What else?" Lin Ye pressed. "Did they say anything else? About Soul Bones or resurrection, for example?"

Xue Qinghe thought for a moment, and his face grew even paler. "They mentioned... the 'Angel God'... They said that once they gathered all the Soul Bones, they could resurrect the Angel God and rule the entire continent..."

"The Angel God?" Tang San and Lin Ye exchanged a glance, each seeing shock in the other's eyes.

They had never heard the name before, yet it could drive Spirit Hall to such madness. Clearly, she was an exceedingly terrifying existence.

Just then, a maid from Moonlight Pavilion rushed in, panic-stricken. "My lady, trouble! Spirit Hall's people have surrounded Moonlight Pavilion. They say they're searching for assassins!"

Tang Yuehua's face darkened. "They came after all."

Tang San clenched his fists. "Looks like we have another fight on our hands."

Lin Ye's Golden Crow Fire blazed, and a trace of resolve flashed in his eyes. "This time, we won't let anyone get hurt again."

From outside Moonlight Pavilion, Salas's voice rang out with a cold laugh. "Tang Yuehua, hand over Xue Qinghe and the Shrek brats, or Moonlight Pavilion will be reduced to rubble today!"

A new battle was about to erupt in this peaceful estate. And the "Angel God" Xue Qinghe had spoken of was like a great riddle, making an already complicated situation even more mysterious and confusing.