Seeing the blood on Shao Ping Bo's palms, Su Zhao immediately used her qi to regulate his breathing and internal energy.
She had heard that Shao Ping Bo had previously lost his temper to such an extent that he coughed up blood. Thus, she took the opportunity to examine his body. After checking, she sighed and said:
"You are far too enraged, and it is harming your heart and lungs. It seems Niu You Dao truly has an effect on you. You've already suffered damage from him once. There's no need to repeat it. Otherwise, not even a pill will be able to help you later. The wound will only grow larger with each recurrence."
"It’s nothing," Shao Ping Bo shook his head. "Liu Er was tempted by them. Now there are only two options: either she dies in their hands, or she falls into Niu You Dao’s hands. Even if that girl walked towards her own death, I would still rather she perish than fall into Niu You Dao’s clutches. Tell Father that they will most likely head towards the Yan Kingdom. There’s a high probability they will take a detour through the Zhao Kingdom or the Song Kingdom. They might travel by water through the Song Kingdom, and then via the sea channel to Qingshan. Tell Father to order the ships on the Pinglang River to forbid passage!"
Su Zhao hastily said:
"Calm down, alright? You don't need to overthink this. You'll only injure yourself further this way. The more you harm yourself, the more difficult it will become. It's better for you to rest while you are here. Don't worry about state affairs. Recover."
Then, turning to Shao San Sheng, she said, "Old Shao, when did Liu Er escape?"
Shao San Sheng thought for a moment, then replied:
"The guards say it couldn't have been more than three hours ago."
"Then there's no problem," Su Zhao nodded. She said to Shao Ping Bo:
"I will handle this matter. I guarantee that Liu Er will not leave Beizhou."
Shao Ping Bo: "Are you certain?"
He was overly worried about his sister, especially because Niu You Dao was so meticulous in his plans. What would he do if Niu You Dao captured his little sister?
Su Zhao: "When I learned you had trouble here, I brought some capable people from the organization with me, just in case. They are masters of tracking. Don't worry. Three hours haven't passed yet, so they won't escape!"
Then she turned to Shao San Sheng: "Go to Liu Er's chambers and find something with her qi. If you find something dirty, it will be even better. Quickly!"
"Understood!" Shao San Sheng nodded.
He was just about to leave when Shao Ping Bo called out:
"Tell Father to search the entire palace. Someone helped her acquire the poison. It might even be one of our own. Investigate thoroughly and find the traitor!"
The mere thought of Niu You Dao having a mole in the palace left Shao Ping Bo utterly restless. If no one was found, he probably wouldn't be able to sleep soundly.
"Yes, my lord!" Shao San Sheng bowed respectfully. He understood his master's anxiety.
Su Zhao waved him away, urging him to leave quickly. Then, she began to comfort Shao Ping Bo:
"I know you're worried about your little sister. I will definitely bring Liu Er back."
Shao Ping Bo gravely replied, "Together. I will go too."
He wanted to see who had orchestrated the escape. Perhaps Niu You Dao himself had come.
Su Zhao, pointing towards the prison, said:
"The people from Dachang Mountain are standing guard outside; they won't let you leave the prison. How will you get out?"
Shao Ping Bo: "When I first settled in Beizhou, I ordered my men to dig a secret passage from the palace leading outside the city. There's also a hidden route from the prison into that passage."
Su Zhao was speechless. This fellow truly couldn't stay still...
After she left the ruler's palace, accompanied by several cultivators, she reached Lingbo Palace.
In the hall of Lingbo Palace, two people sat on each side, making a total of four. Like Su Zhao, they were dressed in black cloaks and hats that covered their faces.
Su Zhao entered the hall and immediately removed her hat, revealing her true face. The four individuals stood up and spoke:
"Senior!"
Su Zhao nodded, then walked up to one of the people on the left. She extended her hand and gave him a piece of women's undergarment:
"Find this person."
This bra belonged to Shao Liu Er. Normally, her clothes were washed daily before noon, but this time, there was no one to wash them, so the bra remained soiled.
The brim of that person's hat was relatively long, so much so that even their eyes could not be seen. Only strands of gray hair cascading downwards were visible.
He took the bra and sniffed it. Then he raised his head and sniffed the air.
When he lifted his head, it became apparent that his face had no eyeballs. The sight was utterly terrifying...
The carriage rattled along the road, swaying violently. Shao Liu Er leaned against Tang Xiang Yang.
Previously, she had been under the care of her father and brother, but now she had to worry for herself. After all, Tang Xiang Yang was a refined and intelligent man, but physically weak. It was unlikely he could resist others.
She had serious doubts about this Brother Li. Where did he come from? But Tang Xiang Yang held him in high regard. She inquired a little about him and learned that Brother Li had primarily arranged everything. She also discovered that Brother Li had arranged the carriage as well.
However, at present, she couldn't simply act, even though she worried more for Tang Xiang Yang than for herself.
After pondering this, she realized there was nothing she could do for now. Later, she would have to act according to the circumstances.
After traveling a stretch of road, she pulled back the curtains and noticed that evening was approaching. Fortunately, they could already see the river stretching towards the horizon.
Seeing the coast, she whispered to Tang Xiang Yang,
"Tang, can you swim?"
"Uhh..." Tang Xiang Yang was surprised and, shaking his head, said:
"No, I can't. Why do you ask?"
Liu Er grew serious, but then smiled slightly:
"It's just that I can't swim either. If the boat were to capsize, what would we do? You wouldn't be able to save me, would you?"
Tang Xiang Yang smiled and reached out, stroking her cheek:
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine. The boat won't capsize."
"That's true!" Liu Er smiled, content in the warmth of her beloved's embrace.
The carriage reached the coast and finally came to a halt.
Two people stepped out of the carriage and saw Lu Sheng Zhong, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, watching them.
Seeing Liu Er arrive, Lu Sheng Zhong was overjoyed. The greater part of his task was complete. If nothing went wrong, he might even secure the position of head of the Wuliangshan Sect. This was his hope!
Tang Xiang Yang and Shao Liu Er approached.
Seeing Lu Sheng Zhong, Tang Xiang Yang also smiled. He released Liu Er's hand and, cupping his own hands, greeted him:
"Brother Li."
Lu Sheng Zhong also greeted him:
"Brother Tang has finally arrived. I've been waiting," he said, then looked at Liu Er:
"And this must be Miss Shao, whom Brother Tang spoke of so often."
Tang Xiang Yang smiled and, pulling Liu Er's hand, said:
"Indeed! Liu Er, this is our brother, or rather, our benefactor. Quickly, greet him."
After a girl and a boy sleep together, their relationship usually changes. Previously, Tang Xiang Yang had been afraid to even hold her hand, but now he treated her as if she were a part of himself. A glimmer appeared in Liu Er's eyes. She shyly said:
"Greetings, Brother Li."
"Hehe, no need, no need," Lu Sheng Zhong smiled, inwardly cursing the girl. Such chaos was brewing at home, yet she abandoned everything and ran away.
He turned and pointed at a boat with a retractable canopy made of bamboo strips, painted an inky black. This boat was larger than an ordinary one.
"Brother Tang, everything is ready. We must hurry. Get aboard!"
"Alright!" Tang Xiang Yang nodded and pulled Liu Er along.
At that moment, Shao Liu Er noticed the sword hanging from Lu Sheng Zhong's belt.
In truth, Tang Xiang Yang had also noticed it. He hadn't seen this sword before, but he saw it now. However, he didn't give it much thought. Even among scholars, many enjoyed wearing swords as ornaments.
Only Liu Er was not so calm. She knew that this sword was by no means for decoration. Such swords were typically used by cultivators.
"Careful!" As they boarded the boat, Tang Xiang Yang held her steady.
Lu Sheng Zhong, seeing this, chuckled and said:
"Brother Tang truly cares for his sister-in-law!"
Liu Er felt awkward, while Tang Xiang Yang said:
"She's afraid of water, so she's wary of boats."
As soon as Lu Sheng Zhong learned that the girl couldn't swim, he felt even more at ease.
Once they were aboard, Liu Er looked at the situation inside the boat. She immediately noticed a sheepskin bag at the front near the stern.
This item was used as a life raft when a boat capsized.
The boatman unmoored the rope. The small, unmoored vessel swayed as it drifted away from the shore. Liu Er also carefully observed the boatman. It was already dark, and Liu Er sadly looked towards the opposite bank. It was almost dinnertime, and Lu Sheng Zhong had prepared provisions for the long journey in advance.
Lu Sheng Zhong began to prepare the food.
Liu Er approached him and said:
"This is a woman's duty. I'll do it myself, myself."
She directly took everything from Lu Sheng Zhong, leaving him only to smile and sit down. He gave Tang Xiang Yang a thumbs-up:
"Sister-in-law is truly capable. Brother Tang is fortunate!"
Xiang Yang smiled awkwardly, also pleased. As they conversed and ate, laughing, Liu Er stood up. She took a cup of water and brought it to the boatman standing at the stern:
"Sir, you are working hard and must be tired. Please, have some!"
"There's no need!" The boatman waved her off, but it was difficult to refuse Liu Er.
Lu Sheng Zhong noticed this and again gave Tang Xiang Yang a thumbs-up.
When Liu Er returned, she looked again at Lu Sheng Zhong's sword:
"My father loves swords. Since childhood, I've heard his stories about swords. I wonder if Brother Li would allow me to play with his sword?"
Lu Sheng Zhong grasped the sword and placed it on the table:
"It's a bit heavy."
Tang Xiang Yang asked in surprise, "You like swords?"
"Do you despise me? I can perform a sword dance. Watch!" Liu Er stood up, took the sword, and walked to the stern. She began to wave the sword through the air, simultaneously muttering, "A good sword!"
Lu Sheng Zhong, shaking his head, smiled, but muttered to himself, "This sword is too heavy for you."
Seeing Liu Er swaying on the boat, Tang Xiang Yang grew worried. He stood up and approached her:
"That's enough. Be careful, you might fall into the river. Stop."
Liu Er stopped and stood with Tang Xiang Yang.
And as the lovers stood near the stern, admiring the sunset.
"Plop!"
At the bow of the boat, the boatman fell into the water.
Lu Sheng Zhong turned his head and immediately darted to the bow. He was looking for the boatman, wanting to know if he had fallen intentionally or if he had been helped?
At that moment, he felt his head throb and grow heavy.
Liu Er, with a swing of the sword, cut open the sheepskin bag and, pushing it, threw it overboard.
Tang Xiang Yang understood nothing. However, his Liu Er also pushed him into the water, and threw the sword into the water.
"You fiend!" Lu Sheng Zhong realized what was happening and suddenly cried out in rage. He instinctively reached for the sword on his belt, only to remember he had given it away.
He was about to head to the stern, but he swayed and nearly fell into the water. Lu Sheng Zhong immediately sat down, cross-legged, and popped an antidote pill into his mouth.
In the water, Tang Xiang Yang struggled and cried out, while Liu Er swam towards him with the sheepskin bag. Who said she couldn't swim? She could swim perfectly well.
The poison that Lu Sheng Zhong had given her, she hadn't used all of it earlier. But now, it had truly run out completely.