MSW Chapter27

57

This sudden turn of events came without warning. Fortunately, the tea stall was at a corner of the street where there weren’t many passersby. Even so, the incident still caused a flurry of screams as people fled in all directions.

 

Duan Linzhou and Mu Peixuan had come out just to stroll through the lantern festival, so much so that they hadn’t even brought Liu Guang and Fen Mo along. The black-clad assassins, once within striking range, didn’t spare Duan Linzhou a glance but rushed straight toward Mu Peixuan, it was clear he was their sole target.

 

Since leaving the capital, this was Duan Linzhou’s first time seeing Mu Peixuan fight.

 

Mu Peixuan was highly skilled. Once the attackers closed in, he swiftly seized a sword from one of them. Blood splattered as, within moments, two black-clad bodies lay sprawled on the ground.

 

He stood only a few paces from the tea stall, yet managed to keep all the assailants at bay, his figure forming a steadfast barrier. Duan Linzhou gazed at Mu Peixuan’s tall, agile form. He knew Mu Peixuan usually wielded a spear, yet even with a sword, he was no less formidable.

 

The couple running the tea stall were just ordinary folk. Faced with the chaos, they were terrified and huddled against the wall. Duan Linzhou glanced sideways at them and said, “Go.”

 

The stall owner looked at Duan Linzhou, gradually regaining his senses. There was no time to pack up; he grabbed his elderly wife and, legs trembling, said, “Boss Duan…”

 

Out of the corner of his eye, Duan Linzhou caught a flash of cold steel heading straight at him. He reacted swiftly, lifting a long leg to kick the bench beside him. The bench flew up into the air, smashing toward the black-clad attacker.

 

The assassins had originally come for Mu Peixuan, but upon noticing how fiercely he protected the man behind him, their leader immediately shifted targets. Abandoning Mu Peixuan, he charged at Duan Linzhou. The group was clearly well-trained, at the leader’s signal, several others surged in to hold Mu Peixuan back, buying time for the attack on Duan Linzhou.

 

Mu Peixuan’s expression grew colder as the sword pierced through one of the assassins’ chests, his strikes growing increasingly ruthless.

 

With a sharp clang, Duan Linzhou unsheathed a flexible, silver sword that coiled around the enemy’s blade like a snake. The moment their blades met, Duan Linzhou could tell this opponent was no easy match. If it had been three years ago, he might have been able to fight him, but now, after only a few exchanges, he could feel a dull pain in his chest.

 

The masked assassin clearly sensed the change, and the malice in his sword grew sharper as he pressed forward step by step. Duan Linzhou retreated two steps, feeling the blade draw closer. His heart skipped a beat as the icy sword’s intent nearly grazed his cheek. Just then, with a sharp clang, a warm, strong hand landed on his shoulder. Mu Peixuan had closed the distance, his long sword just managing to block the opponent’s downward strike.

 

Mu Peixuan glanced at Duan Linzhou and asked, “How are you?”

 

Duan Linzhou swallowed down the blood rising in his throat and whispered, “No harm.”

 

Mu Peixuan’s voice was low and firm as he said, “The ones coming are no good people. You go first.”

 

Before Duan Linzhou could respond, Mu Peixuan was already engaged in another battle with the masked assassins. Duan Linzhou stood frozen for a moment, staring at Mu Peixuan’s back. A wave of memories hit him, as if he was transported back to three years ago, when he had fallen ill in the capital. All the physicians there had been helpless, and in the end, he had been forced to leave the capital and head south to return to Ruizhou.

 

To his surprise, as soon as he left the capital, he encountered the people sent by Duan Linyu, whose sole intention was to put him to death.

 

At that time, Duan Linzhou had been suffering from a severe poisoning, his consciousness clouded for days. The attackers came at him with fierce force. The jolting of the carriage caused him to fall out, and for the first time in days, his senses became a little clearer.

 

When he opened his eyes, he saw a tall, slender figure standing in front of him, holding a red-tasseled spear. Blood dripped from the spear’s tip. The person turned his head slightly, revealing a youthful face with a hint of defiance. He lazily remarked, “Who is so shameless as to dare to act so recklessly in the important area of the capital?”

 

Blood dripped from the spear tip with a quiet plop. In his daze, Duan Linzhou could only make out a pair of eyes, bright as the rising sun. He coughed up a mouthful of blood and then lost consciousness.

 

That brief moment of hesitation now came at a cost. An enemy had already closed in. Duan Linzhou’s soft sword coiled around the attacker’s blade, but before he could withdraw, he felt a chill at his neck, a fine cut had already split his skin.

 

He killed two more assassins, but the ghost-masked figures surged forward again, clearly determined not to let them leave alive. Mu Peixuan’s brows furrowed tightly. These people were not only skilled, but what was even worse was that they fought with no fear of death.

 

They were clearly deathsworn, sent solely for him.

 

Mu Peixuan glanced at Duan Linzhou. He hadn’t expected Duan Linzhou’s martial skills to be this refined. But even so, the pallor on Duan Linzhou’s face told him all he needed to know, Duan Linzhou was at the end of his strength and could not fight any longer.

 

Suddenly, Mu Peixuan caught sight of someone raising their arm, revealing a dark, compact crossbow on their wrist. His heart skipped a beat as an arrow loosed instantly, flying straight for Duan Linzhou’s back.

 

Mu Peixuan grabbed Duan Linzhou’s arm and yanked him toward himself. With a sharp clang, he raised his sword and knocked the bolt aside, the jolt sent pain shooting through the web of his thumb.

 

Duan Linzhou’s hand, still clutching the soft sword, was trembling from exhaustion. In a hoarse voice, he called out, “Mu Peixuan, go. Leave me.”

 

Mu Peixuan might have a chance to escape if he abandoned Duan Linzhou.

 

Mu Peixuan turned a deaf ear to him, his palm gripping Duan Linzhou’s slender wrist tightly. “Don’t worry,” he said, scanning the area with a cold and grim expression. His voice, however, carried an awkward thread of comfort as he added quietly, “Just hold on a little longer. The yamen guards should arrive soon.”

 

“Stay behind me. Leave everything to me.”

 

Duan Linzhou blinked slowly. For the first time in his life, he realized this was the first time someone had ever stood in front of him with the sole purpose of shielding him completely.

 

After a long and grueling battle, both Mu Peixuan and Duan Linzhou had sustained injuries. The masked assassins, too, had suffered heavy losses, more than a dozen bodies now lay strewn across the ground. The leader’s eyes glinted with both fury and desperation. Abandoning all restraint, he pointed at Duan Linzhou and barked, “Kill him.”

 

At his command, the remaining attackers immediately charged toward Duan Linzhou.

 

Mu Peixuan was suddenly under intense pressure.

 

The tea stall had been completely overturned, tables and benches either shattered or sprawled crookedly across the ground, a chaotic mess that bore witness to the ferocity of the fight. Fortunately, Mu Peixuan was deeply familiar with Ruizhou. Ever since the rebels had appeared in Fengzhou, the city had been under martial law. Even though today was the Lantern Festival, patrols within the city were far more frequent than usual.

 

Within moments, a large group of patrolling guards arrived, shouting, “You daring thieves! Surrender at once!”

 

The leader of the masked men, upon seeing this, realized they couldn’t kill Mu Peixuan. Gritting his teeth, he shouted, “Retreat!”

 

However, before he could escape, Mu Peixuan leaped forward to block his path. The two exchanged dozens of moves begote Mu Peixuan finally kicked the man squarely in the chest, sending him crashing to the ground. Mu Peixuan stepped firmly on the man’s chest and reached out to remove his mask, revealing a face twisted with grotesque features. As he did so, he asked, “Who exactly are you guys?”

 

The mask was torn away, revealing a face riddled with scars.

 

The masked man let out a cold laugh and said, “Your Highness, our master sends his regards.”

 

Mu Peixuan looked down at that face from above, his gaze sharp and assessing. “Who is your master?”

 

The man grinned, baring yellowed teeth. “Our master — is waiting for you.”

 

Mu Peixuan instantly sensed something was wrong. Just as he moved to dislocate the man’s jaw, the masked man had already bitten off his own tongue. Blood gushed out, and he died with his eyes wide open.

 

Lifting his head, Mu Peixuan saw that the other captives seized by the city patrol had all bitten through their tongues as well, leaving the guards frozen in shock.

 

58

The Lantern Festival night was nothing short of harrowing.

 

As soon as the city patrol arrived, Mu Peixuan handed over the masked men for them to deal with. But before he could even speak to Duan Linzhou, Duan Linzhou swayed, then suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed.

 

Mu Peixuan’s face changed drastically. He caught Duan Linzhou in his arms, his blood running cold.

 

The blood Duan Linzhou vomited was black, his face was as pale as paper, and the soft sword in his hand clattered to the ground. Even when facing the fierce, charging masked assassins, Mu Peixuan hadn’t panicked for a moment, but in that instant, seeing Duan Linzhou lying weak and unconscious in his arms with his eyes closed, Mu Peixuan felt as though he had been plunged into an icy abyss, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

 

“…Duan Linzhou, Duan Linzhou.” Mu Peixuan wiped the blood from his lips, the blood was warm and sticky, and the sensation jolted him wide awake. He turned to the guards frozen nearby and snapped, “What are you all still standing around for? Go get a physician!”

 

The guards snapped out of their daze as if waking from a dream and hastily responded, “Yes, Your Highness!”

 

Mu Peixuan took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm, and said, “Wait, go fetch Physician Ji from Huichun Tang and bring him to Marquis Annan Mansion.”

 

With that, he picked up Duan Linzhou and mounted a city patrol official’s horse. Choosing a less crowded route, he sped toward the Marquis Mansion. One hand holding the reins and the other wrapped tightly around Duan Linzhou’s waist, his heart was in turmoil. Duan Linzhou’s breath was faint, and the body in his arms so light it felt as though it might disappear with the wind.

 

Mu Peixuan had never been so frantic, he wished he could whip the horse and fly straight to Marquis Annan Mansion in a heartbeat.

 

It was the Lantern Festival, and Old Physician Ji had just taken his grandson out to enjoy the festivities when the guards dragged him out of the crowd and rushed him nonstop to Marquis Annan Mansion. By the time he arrived, his face was dark with anger, like a storm about to break.

 

Old Physician Ji, though over sixty, had the appearance of a sprightly old man with white hair and a youthful face. The moment he laid eyes on Duan Linzhou lying on the bed, his expression shifted drastically. He strode over in quick steps and placed his fingers on Duan Linzhou’s wrist. After a long moment, he snapped, “Who let him fight, huh?”

 

“Is he tired of living?” Old Physician Ji was fuming, nearly jumping with rage. Mu Peixuan, trying to contain his anxiety, said patiently, “Physician Ji, please, just diagnose him first.”

 

Old Physician Ji sneered and said, “Diagnose my ass! Laozi already told him not to engage in any fighting. He didn’t listen to me, so what’s there to treat? I’ve wasted my efforts for nothing.”

 

Mu Peixuan glanced at him, then solemnly replied, “This isn’t his fault. He was dragged into this because of me and had no choice but to fight.”

 

Old Physician Ji met his gaze for a few moments, then cursed under his breath and said, “Bring the medicine chest.”

 

“All of you, get out.”

 

Liu Guang, already familiar with Old Physician Ji’s temper, was worried but still pulled Fen Mo along and ushered all the servants out. Mu Peixuan didn’t move a step. Old Physician Ji coldly said, “You go out too.”

 

Mu Peixuan stared at Old Physician Ji, then lowered his eyes, glancing deeply at Duan Linzhou before turning and walking out. The bright full moon hung high in the sky, and Mu Peixuan stood silently outside the door. Fenmo spoke in a soft voice, “Your Highness, Divine Physician Ji is inside. You should tend to your wounds and change into fresh clothes.”

 

Mu Peixuan continued staring at the tightly shut door, remaining silent.

 

Fen Mo sighed quietly.

 

Mu Peixuan thought to himself, If they hadn’t gone out tonight, none of this would have happened. He knew Duan Linzhou had wanted him to relax, but now, Duan Linzhou was lying in bed, seemingly at death’s door, his fate uncertain.

 

Just thinking of the moment Duan Linzhou had coughed up blood made Mu Peixuan’s heart tighten. He knew Duan Linzhou’s health was fragile, but in front of him, Duan Linzhou always appeared calm, laughing and handling everything with ease. Over time, Mu Peixuan had almost forgotten that this person was always walking on the edge of life and death.

 

Mu Peixuan pressed his aching chest with a trace of confusion on his face. At first, he hadn’t wanted to marry Duan Linzhou, but now, just the thought that Duan Linzhou might never wake up again made his heart ache terribly. He could hardly bear the thought of it.

 

Duan Linzhou — Duan Linzhou.

 

The full moon silently moved away from the treetops, hidden behind clouds. Mu Peixuan stared fixedly at the door, every moment seeming longer and more agonizing.

 

After a long while, the door creaked open. Mu Peixuan stood up straight, hurried forward, and asked, “How is he?”

 

Old Physician Ji looked tired and gruffly said, “If he keep doing this, don’t call me again.”

 

Mu Peixuan’s eyes lit up, grabbing Old Physician Ji, and asked, “Is Duan Linzhou alright now?”

 

With a heavy breath, Old Physician Ji cursed, “He’s fine, but it’s serious! Let go!”

 

“I’ll tell you this, the poison in Duan Linzhou’s body can only be suppressed for now. If he engages in combat, the poison will attack his heart, and even a great immortal won’t be able to save him.”

 

Mu Peixuan asked, “Isn’t it possible to remove it?”

 

Old Physician Ji replied coldly, “If it were that easy to remove, would it have dragged on until today?”

 

Mu Peixuan stared at him and said, “Just because it’s hard to remove doesn’t mean it can’t be removed, right?”

 

Old Physician Ji was momentarily speechless, then replied reluctantly, “The poison in him is rare. I’ve only ever seen it mentioned in ancient texts once. It’s called ‘Jian Huangquan’, it’s a deadly poison from the southern regions, refined from a hundred different toxins.”

 

“To find a cure, we need to first figure out precisely which hundred poisons were used to create it,” he let out a long sigh. “My medical skills are not enough to resolve this.”

 

Mu Peixuan fell silent as well. After a moment, he quietly said, “There must be a way.”

 

Old Physician Ji caught the seriousness in Mu Peixuan’s tone and glanced at him in surprise. “Everyone has their fate,” he said. “That lad Duan Linzhou knows full well he doesn’t have long to live, yet he still chose to marry you. Just dragging you down for nothing, why bother with him?”

 

Mu Peixuan’s face remained expressionless. “That’s none of your business.”

 

Old Physician Ji let out a snort of laughter. “If you ask me, best let Duan Linzhou die and be done with it. Spare him the torment, he’s just suffering as it is. I’ll tell you this, once that Jian Huangquan poison can no longer be suppressed, it won’t be anything pleasant. When it flares up, Duan Linzhou will slowly lose all five senses, and each day will feel like having his flesh carved and bones ground, he’ll suffer like that until it kills him.”

 

Mu Peixuan stared at him without a flicker of emotion. Old Physician Ji continued, “You’re still young. Once he’s gone, with your status, you could easily marry another kunze of suitable rank—”

 

Before he could finish speaking, Mu Peixuan cut him off with a cold voice, “Fen Mo, escort the Old Physician to prepare the prescription.”

 

Without another glance at Old Physician Ji, he turned and walked straight into the room. Old Physician Ji stood there stunned for a moment, then snapped, “What good will that do by taking it out on me? Go curse the King of Hell instead! Using me and then tossing me aside, don’t bother trying to invite Laozi next time!”

 

Fen Mo chuckled awkwardly and said, “Divine Physician, please don’t mind our Highness. Junwang Fei is ill, and he’s anxious. When you speak like that, you’re only making him more upset. Can you blame him for being angry?”

 

Old Physician Ji gave him a sideways glance, half-smiling, and as he was about to leave, he couldn’t help but glance back. A trace of worry appeared between his eyes.