Catching Monsters

Chapter 346 Then I escaped for nothing, didn't I?

The Sixth Prince has disappeared?

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Yun paused slightly, glanced at Feng Yu with some surprise, and asked in confusion, "Missing? Or kidnapped, or something else?"

Feng Yu's expression darkened, and he slowly said, "The situation is still unclear. After the Sixth Prince's collusion with the Hu people became public, His Majesty sent people to detain him."

"For a long time afterward, the Sixth Prince behaved very well and sincerely repented. Later, His Majesty softened and confined him to his princely residence, forbidding him from leaving even a step."

“Last night, His Majesty sent me to the Prince’s residence for a surprise inspection, but to my surprise, the Sixth Prince disappeared without a trace, and the servants and servants in the residence also claimed that they did not know what happened.”

"The steward of the prince's residence was arrested and interrogated overnight."

"The Sixth Prince secretly left the capital about ten days ago."

Feng Yu's eyes showed a hint of helplessness as he took a deep breath and said, "If the Sixth Prince simply doesn't want to be confined any longer and just wants some freedom outside, then so be it."

"What His Majesty is worried about is that he ran to Wang Longzhi."

At this point, Feng Yu looked around and then lowered his voice to say, "I won't hide it from you, His Majesty's health is deteriorating. He has secretly sought out several alchemists to refine elixirs for His Majesty to prolong his life."

"An elixir?" Jiang Yun was stunned for a long time.

Feng Yu nodded and said, "Alright, don't mention this to anyone. You can freely mobilize the personnel of the Eastern Garrison Command, but you must find the Sixth Prince."

"If it is discovered that he has fallen into Wang Longzhi's hands."

Feng Yu paused, took a deep breath, and said, "According to His Majesty's decree, we must see him alive or dead; in short, we must bring him back to the capital."

"A corpse is fine too."

Jiang Yun nodded with a stern face to indicate that he understood, but he couldn't help but ask another question: "How do those alchemists Your Majesty invite refine the elixirs?"

"You even know about elixirs?" Feng Yu looked at Jiang Yun curiously, and couldn't help but look him up and down. She said with admiration, "I've discovered that you're quite the all-rounder."

"I know a little bit..." Jiang Yun smiled awkwardly.

Feng Yu patted Jiang Yun on the shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Alright, we can talk about the elixir later. Those alchemists are making it, so you don't need to worry about it. The most important thing right now is to find the Sixth Prince."

"This is the real issue!"

Watching Feng Yu leave, Jiang Yun couldn't help but mutter to himself, hoping that the alchemists in this world wouldn't be like those in his previous life, just feeding the emperor heavy metals every day.

He quickly regained his composure and focused his gaze on the file, carefully examining it.

After Feng Yu left, Xu Suwen and Linglong quickly walked over and asked curiously, "What happened?"

"The Sixth Prince has run away."

"Ran away?" Linglong's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. After carefully questioning her, she whispered, "Ran away ten days ago?"

"At that time, we should still be on our way back to the capital with Xiao Min'er."

"Could it be that……"

Jiang Yun's expression darkened, and he took a deep breath and said, "Suwen, you go back to the East Garrison Command to rest first. I'm going to the North Garrison Command to see Xiao Min'er."

"Hey Jiang Yun, wait for me, I'm coming too." Linglong called out, ran a few steps, and didn't forget to turn back to Xu Suwen and say, "Miss Suwen, don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him for you, he definitely won't go to Feng Beier."

After leaving the Sanqing Temple, Jiang Yun and Linglong hurried towards the Northern Garrison.

On the way, Linglong hurried beside Jiang Yun and asked, "Jiang Yun, what's the use of seeing Xiao Min'er? She probably won't say anything."

Jiang Yun simply smiled and didn't say anything more. Soon the two arrived at the Northern Garrison Command. Hearing that Jiang Yun wanted to see Xiao Min'er, Zhou Yi, the Garrison Commander of the Northern Garrison Command, rushed over.

Zhou Yi led Jiang Yun and Linglong into the main hall of the Northern Garrison: "Brother Jiang, it's not that I'm stingy, but Xiao Min'er is a wanted criminal whom His Majesty values ​​highly. Ordinary people cannot easily meet her."

"Hey, bro, I'm not saying you're just some nobody. What I mean is, this matter needs to be reported and approved by the higher-ups."

Jiang Yun said with a smile, "Then I'll trouble Brother Zhou to inform Lord Li."

"Unfortunately, you'll have to wait. Lord Li Wangxin went to the palace; I heard it was for important business."

"Everything must be done according to the rules and regulations."

Upon hearing this, Linglong asked curiously, "Can I see him directly?"

"Let's go straight to the imperial prison. If Lord Li blames us later, let him come find me."

“Oh, Your Highness, this is against the rules.”

Seeing this, Zhou Yi stopped trying to stop them, but he still had to say a few words to them.

He followed behind the two, and the three of them soon arrived at the prison of the Northern Garrison Command. After asking the jailer, they soon arrived at a cell near a corner inside.

Outside the prison, there were more than a dozen Imperial Guards on guard.

Xiao Min'er's cell was clearly a special cell, with even the walls covered in soft clay, just in case she had a moment of despair and committed suicide by hitting her head against the wall.

At this moment, Xiao Min'er sat leisurely inside, lit a candle, and was intently looking at a military book in her hands.

"Lord Zhou." The guards in the Imperial Guards all stood up and saluted.

"Alright, everyone step back." Zhou Yi waved his hand.

Jiang Yun smiled and turned around, saying, "Brother Zhou, why don't you excuse yourself for a moment? I need to ask about something confidential, and it won't be good if you hear it."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi turned and left. Curiosity killed the cat, and he had no interest in knowing too much that wouldn't benefit him.

Soon only Jiang Yun, Linglong, and Xiao Min'er remained.

Xiao Min'er then put down the military book in her hand: "You two seem to have quite the leisure and refined taste, even coming here to see me."

“After all, Miss Min’er came to the capital with us. Now that you are imprisoned here, it would be a bit unreasonable for the two of us not to come and see you.” Jiang Yun walked to the side of the prison with a smile.

Xiao Min'er said calmly, "Speak if you have something to say."

"The Sixth Prince, Xiao Jingqi, is dead," Jiang Yun said calmly. He couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, "Miss Min'er, you've ruined him."

"He was originally just imprisoned by His Majesty, but now he has lost his life because of it. It's a real pity."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Min'er's eyes flickered for a moment before she narrowed them: "Xiao Jingqi is dead, what does that have to do with me?"

"He died on his way to seek refuge with Wang Longzhi," Jiang Yun said in a deep voice.

Xiao Min'er remained calm and slowly said, "There's no need to use such petty tricks on me. Whether he lives or dies is none of my business."

With a hint of confusion on her face, Jiang Yun slowly asked, "Miss Min'er, I find it strange that Xiao Jingqi is also His Majesty's son."

“If you raise an army to overthrow His Majesty, won’t you still have to make the Sixth Prince the emperor? What difference does it make?” “Who becomes emperor has no effect on me.” Xiao Min’er replied calmly, “I just want Xiao Yuzheng to experience what it’s like to be betrayed by his closest relatives.”

"My father was killed by his beloved younger brother, so why can't he die at the hands of his own son?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun immediately smiled and said, "Thank you, Miss Min'er."

Jiang Yun then turned and left. Xiao Min'er's expression changed slightly. Oh no! She'd been tricked! This bastard hadn't even confirmed the Sixth Prince's whereabouts yet!
Seeing Jiang Yun turn and leave, Linglong couldn't help but wonder, and followed after him: "Is that all you asked?"

Jiang Yun nodded: "I've already got the answer, is there anything else I need to ask?"

"Answer?"

Jiang Yun nodded: "Didn't Xiao Min'er's words already imply that the Sixth Prince went to her place?"

Linglong frowned and asked in a low voice, "But we still don't know Xiao Jingqi's exact location."

"Xiao Jingqi left the capital ten days ago, not to mention whether Xiao Min'er knows his whereabouts."

"Even if they knew, they probably wouldn't tell us."

"We just need to know Xiao Jingqi's destination."

"Martial Spirit Palace!"

……

Ten days later.

In recent days, Wuling Prefecture has suddenly begun to tighten its security. The previously lenient entry process has become strict, and any merchant entering or leaving the city must be carefully checked.

Of course, most people were not surprised, as it was said that the rebels in the three southwestern provinces suddenly attacked the passes guarded by the imperial army.

After three days and three nights of fighting, although they still hadn't broken through the pass, the situation was becoming increasingly tense, especially since Wuling City was home to the main force of 400,000 troops.

It's not surprising that General Wang Longzhi was also stationed here, so the search was more thorough.

As some people entered the city, others also wanted to leave. Many wealthy merchants, along with their female relatives, fled north with their gold, silver, and valuables.

It is said that this group of rebels was ruthless and committed countless atrocities, including rape and plunder.

Although Wuling Prefecture has a large army stationed there, what if something happens?

The rich dare not gamble.

As a result, prices in the city skyrocketed.

Wangxilou is a commoner's inn in Wuling Prefecture, where most of the guests are merchants.

After the food and drinks were served, and a couple of small cups of wine were consumed, people's favorite topic of conversation was discussing current affairs.

"Have you heard? The battle at the front is fierce. It's said that the leader of that rebel group is a reincarnation of a Daoist master who can turn beans into soldiers."

"Look, just like these beans, a handful scattered out and hundreds of soldiers appear out of thin air. How can the imperial court possibly fight them?"

"Brother Liu, you mustn't spread rumors. If you really had such incredible abilities, wouldn't you have already made your move?"

"I'm not spreading rumors, I just heard it from someone else."

"Who said that?"

"I heard about this not long ago when I went to the three southwestern provinces to buy goods and was drinking with those rebel soldiers."

By the window of the inn, Jiang Yun, dressed as a merchant, sat with Linglong, while Qi Da sat opposite them.

Zidane frowned and said in a low voice, "Are these merchants out of their minds? In a crowded place, how dare they admit to drinking with rebel soldiers?"

Linglong smiled and took a sip of tea, saying, "Don't be so sensitive. This isn't the capital; nobody cares about such trivial matters here."

If you were to say something like this in the capital and the Embroidered Uniform Guard overheard you, your life would be over.

Even if they don't die, they'll probably be extorted for a large sum of money.

"Alright, let's get down to business." Jiang Yun glanced around; the surrounding tables were all empty. He lowered his voice and asked, "How many brothers have gone into the city?"

"The search was too thorough; only a little over three hundred people managed to get in. There are still five hundred people waiting outside the city," Zidane said.

The entire city is under martial law now, so getting in is really not easy. Only the Imperial Guards, with their methods, can obtain genuine credentials and sneak in.

Zidane then whispered, "After our people come in, they'll spend a day getting familiar with the environment before we can start the search tomorrow."

Jiang Yun nodded slightly, took a deep breath, and asked, "Also, investigate Wang Longzhi's whereabouts thoroughly. If there's an opportunity, we should ambush and kill him as well."

"Yes."

Inside the general's mansion, Wang Longzhi was sitting in his study, reviewing the troop movements and the situation of the rebels attacking the front-line passes.

He planned to release these rebels at the appropriate time.

Soon, there was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

He Zhenhong walked in from outside, his face showing some displeasure. He said in a deep voice, "General, that distinguished guest is insisting on going out for a stroll. He says he's been cooped up in the General's mansion for many days..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Longzhi frowned, his face darkened, and he took a deep breath before saying, "I'll go take a look."

Behind the general's mansion was a secluded courtyard, surrounded by elite soldiers. At the entrance, an old man with white hair sat cross-legged.

The old man carried a wooden sword on his back, his eyes closed, meditating peacefully.

"Master." After arriving at this place, Wang Longzhi respectfully bowed to the old man first.

The old man opened his eyes, his gaze sharp, and said calmly, "That guy has been yelling inside all day. You should go in and take a look."

"Yes."

After Wang Longzhi entered the courtyard, Xiao Jingqi, dressed in plain white robes, paced back and forth in the courtyard, loudly proclaiming, "You cannot treat me like this! I, the prince, have been imprisoned for such a long time in the capital."

"Even after we arrived here, we are still not allowed to leave this courtyard."

"Then I escaped for nothing!"

"Summon Wang Longzhi to see me!"

(End of this chapter)