Chapter 194: Will Become a Bloodthirsty Maniac

Everyone's gaze instantly focused on that azure-green figure.

Pei Zhi was Prince Rui's most trusted strategist, having been by his side since the rebellion began, but his behavior now bore an inexplicable strangeness.

Prince Rui also sensed something was off, his face gradually darkening: 'Pei Zhi, what are you staring at? Move quickly! I promised you that if we take Jingcheng, I will appoint you as State Preceptor!'

Pei Zhi finally turned his head to glance at Prince Rui, his eyes devoid of former respect, and said coldly, 'Your Highness, forgive my offense.'

Prince Rui stared in shock.

Seeing Pei Zhi raise his hand, the 'rebel troops' behind him instantly reversed direction, their long blades all pointing at Prince Rui's remaining soldiers!

Pei Zhi said, 'Prince Rui has plotted treason and slaughtered the people, losing all popular support! If you surrender obediently and rein in your forces, you may spare your lives; otherwise, this place will be your burial ground.'

Prince Rui's remaining troops were utterly panicked, exchanging glances; they never expected that the reinforcements brought by the strategist would turn against them in the heat of battle!

Some secretly lowered their weapons, others stepped back, and the formation instantly fell into chaos.

'You… you betrayed me?!' Prince Rui trembled with rage, the wound on his shoulder bleeding again, 'Pei Zhi, how dare you deceive me!'

Pei Zhi looked at Prince Rui's collapsing state, his expression unruffled: 'Your Highness, from the day you raised your army, you should have known that the path of rebellion is a dead end. I merely followed heaven's will and people's hearts, doing what needed to be done.'

Most of the 'rebel troops' behind Pei Zhi were civilians forcibly conscripted by Prince Rui earlier, and they largely harbored resentment toward him.

Winning them over was as easy as turning one's hand; this time, it could also be said that Prince Rui reaped what he sowed and could not escape his fate.

At that moment, Pei Zhi suddenly noticed Xiao Jingyuan's abnormality and immediately dismounted,

only upon approaching did he see Xiao Jingyuan's face full of killing intent, staring at Prince Rui like a ferocious beast.

Pei Zhi felt a slight alarm, quickly grabbed his arm, and said in a low voice, 'Xiao Jingyuan, Prince Rui must not die yet.'

The arm his fingertips touched was hard as iron, still trembling slightly from extreme anger.

Xiao Jingyuan's gaze locked onto Prince Rui, his hand gripping the spear shaft with such force that veins bulged: 'He offended her; I will make him pay for his words and deeds.'

Pei Zhi instinctively glanced at Prince Rui.

Prince Rui's face was ashen as paper, blood continually flowing from his shoulder; seeing Xiao Jingyuan truly intent on killing, he finally panicked and shouted hoarsely, 'I didn't do it! That was just to provoke you—I never touched Shen Shuangning!'

But Xiao Jingyuan seemed not to hear a word; he snapped his wrist with force, actually pulling the spear straight out of Prince Rui's shoulder blade!

Immediately after, he thrust the spear tip fiercely toward Prince Rui's throat!

Prince Rui shuddered in shock, closed his eyes—no matter how arrogant, everyone fears death.

At the critical moment, a hand suddenly reached out and firmly gripped the spear's sharp tip!

Blood kept flowing down Pei Zhi's palm, dripping onto the ground.

Pei Zhi frowned, resisting the force, cold sweat seeping from his forehead; versed in medicine, he could clearly sense that Xiao Jingyuan's condition was abnormal.

What's wrong with this person?

No time to think, Pei Zhi gritted his teeth and said urgently, 'I stake my life on it—Prince Rui definitely did not offend her!'

With him here, how could Prince Rui dare to insult her?

Xiao Jingyuan finally suppressed the killing intent in his eyes, spared Prince Rui, but as he turned, he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Pei Zhi's expression shifted slightly, as if recalling something.

In the moment Pei Zhi was lost in thought, Prince Rui suddenly attacked, curling his fingers into claws to grab at his neck!

Pei Zhi had betrayed him; he would drag him down even in death!

However, Pei Zhi didn't even turn his head before delivering a punch that knocked Prince Rui unconscious.

'Overestimating oneself.'

Prince Rui and the remaining troops were all escorted to Tongzhou City's heavenly prison and kept under strict guard.

The sun gradually rose, dispelling the blood mist over Tongzhou City.

Yet the entire Tongzhou City remained tightly surrounded by heavy troops, not even a bird could fly out.

Although Prince Rui had been defeated, he was merely a small fish; the real big fish had not yet appeared. Xiao Jingyuan had the troops under his command change into Prince Rui's uniforms, raised Prince Rui's military banner over Tongzhou City, and then ordered a three-day rest.

Soon, goose-feather snow fell over the lord's mansion, dyeing the whole Tongzhou City from blood-red to silver-white.

It seemed even the bloody stench in the air was temporarily suppressed by the snow.

Xiao Jingyuan sat beside the warm couch in the inner chamber, his fingertips resting on the cool window lattice, gazing at the snow falling outside; his expression was calm, revealing no emotion.

Until Qing Yun lifted the curtain and entered, bowing to report, 'The Crown Princess has been properly settled in the East Court,' did he give a slight nod, though his eyes remained fixed on the snow.

Qing Yun sensed that his master seemed off; despite winning the battle and capturing Prince Rui alive, he showed no sign of joy.

Could it be that Pei Zhi is provoking his master again?

Thinking this, Qing Yun looked at Pei Zhi with a displeased expression.

Xiao Jingyuan said, 'I understand. You may withdraw.'

After Qing Yun left, Pei Zhi slowly said, 'The poisonous mist of Black Stone Mountain has nurtured the toxin within your body. Originally, according to the toxin's spread, it would take another three to five years to manifest its harm, but now… the heavier your killing intent, the more likely you are to lose your reason.'

When facing Prince Rui today, Xiao Jingyuan already showed the first signs.

From the time he was conceived and regarded as a 'medicine person' to be refined, the demonic daoist had already planted a time‑bomb inside his body.

These years he has lived like an ordinary person, but that does not guarantee lifelong safety.

The mastermind behind all this is none other than the Holy Heaven Sect lurking behind the scenes. Xiao Jingyuan will destroy them no matter what!

The man leaning by the windowsill still maintained his composure, but a close look revealed his fingertips had carved a shallow mark into the window lattice.

Pei Zhi glanced at him and continued, 'I think you also know that once you cross that line, you will completely become a bloodthirsty madman.'

Today's Xiao Jingyuan is like walking on a suspended steel wire, with an abyss of ten thousand fathoms below; a moment's carelessness will lead to eternal ruin!

Xiao Jingyuan slowly lowered his gaze; his long lashes cast a faint shadow beneath his eyes, obscuring the emotion there.

He remained silent for a moment, then replied in a low voice, 'I understand.'

Pei Zhi watched his state, a flicker of complex emotion crossing his eyes, yet he said nothing more.

He knew that even if Xiao Jingyuan truly went mad, he would rather kill himself than harm a single hair of Shen Shuangning.

Still, Pei Zhi felt uneasy; before leaving, he took out a jade‑green medicine bottle from his sleeve and placed it on the table before Xiao Jingyuan.

Xiao Jingyuan lifted his eyelids to look at him.

Pei Zhi said, "If you trust me, when you truly reach that point and can no longer control yourself, take it."

Xiao Jingyuan's gaze deepened.

They were in a cooperative relationship, yet each was a thorn in the other's side. What Pei Zhi gave him was naturally not an antidote, but very likely a poison that would kill on the spot.

But Xiao Jingyuan still accepted it.

Shen Shuangning and Su Wan were temporarily staying in the East Courtyard, and A Heng also returned to Shen Shuangning's side.

Before they knew it, New Year's Eve had arrived.

Previously they always celebrated at the Duke's Mansion, surrounded by family and friends, but this time was quite different—they could only observe the holiday in a foreign land, following a group of soldiers.

"Miss, the kitchen says there will be a victory feast tonight, and they've even stewed mutton soup," A Heng said, thinking she was homesick, lowering his voice to comfort her, "Though it isn't as lively as home, it will still warm you up."

Shen Shuangning shook her head slightly, a flicker of worry crossing her eyes.

Xiao Jingyuan had already told her the full plan.

Prince Rui was merely a pawn; their true target was the Holy Heaven Sect behind him.

For now, the soldiers of Tong Prefecture had changed into Prince Rui's armor and raised his banners—merely to lure the snake out of its hole—and likely a tough battle lay ahead.

Knowing this hidden worry, how could she still have the heart to celebrate?

Shen Shuangning couldn't help but think of her parents far away in Jingcheng, wondering whether they were safe under the Empress's control...

Just then, Xiao Jingyuan lifted the curtain and walked in.

Though she had not been mistreated at Prince Rui's place, she had grown noticeably thinner; now she sat beside the warm kang by the window, brewing tea, and as she lowered her head, a strand of black hair slipped down her cheek.

Xiao Jingyuan reached out to tuck the strand behind her ear, saying, "Rest assured, your parents are fine. Although the Empress harbors ambitions to seize the throne, she also understands the current situation. Northern Qi and the Jurchen are invading together, the borders are at war, and the court has few usable officials—at a time like this she would not readily move against military officers."

Hearing this, Shen Shuangning relaxed, but seeing his hesitant expression, she felt a little uneasy and asked, "What's wrong?"

Xiao Jingyuan then told her the misfortune that had befallen the three branches of the Duke's Mansion.

Upon hearing that even her third aunt had died, Shen Shuangning was startled, and after a moment she asked, "What about A Ling?"

Xiao Jingyuan replied truthfully, "I heard she was rescued in time by Vice Minister of Justice Gu Fengchun and has now safely returned to the Duke's Mansion."

Shen Shuangning nodded slightly, feeling somewhat reassured.

Leaning into his embrace, she felt completely at ease and whispered, "What do you plan to do next?"

Xiao Jingyuan wrapped his arm around her waist, pulled her closer, and his lips uttered a few careless words: "Release the hound."

Shen Shuangning blinked, then realized that the "dog" Xiao Jingyuan meant was Prince Rui.

Only by sending Prince Rui back to the capital could they deceive the Holy Heaven Sect's leader and draw him out.

Xiao Jingyuan's eyes sank: "By then you will stay in Tong Prefecture; once everything settles, I will come fetch you back to the capital."

Shen Shuangning also did not want to be a burden, and upon hearing this she obediently nodded.

"If you don't want to attend tonight's victory feast, you may rest here; there's no need to join the revelry."

Shen Shuangning gave an affirmative hum.

A moment of silence passed.

Frost clung to the lattice of the East Courtyard window, the falling snow outside rustled softly, and the silver-thread charcoal in the brazier occasionally crackled, lending their silence an even deeper tranquility.

Xiao Jingyuan lowered his gaze to her, recalling the Prince Rui's earlier obscene remarks about Shen Shuangning.

Those filthy words were like needles, repeatedly pricking his nerves; a chill flickered in his eyes, and the murderous intent surging in his chest nearly broke free.

But he soon suppressed it without a twitch, his nails digging into his palm as he slowly closed his eyes.

Shen Shuangning, unaware of his oddness, recalled something and blurted, "If we succeed in this, will we be enthroning the Crown Prince?"

When Xiao Jingyuan opened his eyes, the hostility in them had completely faded.

Xiao Jingyuan keenly sensed Shen Shuangning's dislike for the Crown Prince from her words and said, "He is the legitimate heir; barring any mishap, he will become the new emperor. But if you, Ningning, do not wish him to be emperor, I will find you another."