Chapter 290: Illusion?

Mu Yuanzhi curled her lips: "Isn't it good to draw the snake out of its hole?"

Qi Shihuai suddenly said: "Tomorrow is just 'Wood', which means the killer will come out to kill again. If we set the date for tomorrow, wouldn't that be lively?"

The previous Imperial Garden death case was hushed up completely; not a hint of news leaked out, and many assumed the killer had stopped killing, though of course no one dared let down their guard—after dusk the streets remained empty.

Qilin: "The killer might strike at the wood-direction in the Mao hour tomorrow, but how many places in the east belong to Wood? Senior Sister, have you figured them all out?"

Mu Yuanzhi took out a map of Jingcheng: "East, the Wood-associated Magnolia Mountain, the Imperial Garden, and… the Companion Palace."

When she said that, everyone's expressions changed.

I don't know why, but the Companion Palace became everyone's answer.

Because the least likely place is often the most likely.

The Imperial Garden was like that last time.

Everyone fell silent, and the atmosphere grew strange for a moment.

"What should we do? Leave someone here to watch?" Qilin asked.

Gu Rongjin: "I'll stay behind. Let Grand Master Yuan Yan go with you to the palace, or you can come back at the Mao hour?"

Mu Yuanzhi: "We'll try to return at the Mao hour, but we won't rule out that someone might prevent us from returning then."

Qi Shihuai: "No need to be so jumpy; it's not necessarily the Companion Palace."

"Last time they even stormed the mountain villa." Gu Rongjin said, "In any case, we need to be careful—try to stay with me or Grand Master Yuan Yan when coming and going."

The others nodded.

Everyone returned to their rooms with mixed feelings; Qilin prepared the items needed for tomorrow's detoxification—there weren't many, and he could finish sorting them quickly.

At dinner time, he went to find Mu Yuanzhi; she had little appetite, so she decided to just have some sour plum congee and skip the meal.

"Senior Sister, they say pregnancy makes your appetite good—why do you have no appetite? How can that work?" Qilin worried.

Mu Yuanzhi: "It's not like this every day; I just have no appetite today."

"Well then, have some sour plum congee—anything else you'd like to eat?"

"I don't feel like anything for now."

Qilin: "Could it be you've drunk too much tonic soup? When I first arrived I saw Gu Rongjin brewing soup, and the smell was exactly that kind of heavy tonic soup."

"Isn't that okay?" Mu Yuanzhi said, "I don't feel sick of it either—I just have no appetite."

Qilin sighed: "We need to hurry back to Great Zhou; maybe it's because we're not used to the local water and soil."

"Once Pei Di's mother recovers, we'll return to Great Zhou—she's already improved a lot; I think in another half month she'll be able to come back with us." Mu Yuanzhi said.

"Hmm."

The next day, at dawn, aside from Gu Rongjin and the Pei clan left to guard the Companion Palace, everyone else went to the palace.

Upon reaching the palace gate, Qilin asked the monk: "You'll set things up outside later, right?"

Monk: "Don't worry."

Qilin and Mu Yuanzhi both brought their medicine boxes to the side hall of the Infant Void Emperor's Bedchamber; the Nine Thousand Years Old was still accompanying them, forcing them to stay highly alert, fearing he might cause trouble.

Qilin lowered his head to check the medicine box's contents: "Senior Sister, did you bring the Aucklandia?"

He turned around—there was no sign of Mu Yuanzhi in the side hall.

"?"

Qilin was a bit bewildered: "Senior Sister?!"

Still no one answered.

What's going on?

He had taken a pill; Yuan Yan's illusion should have no effect on him!

Could it be the Nine Thousand Years Old pulling tricks?

No, it's impossible for anyone's illusion to surpass Yuan Yan's!

What on earth is going on?!

"Senior Sister?!"

Qilin searched the entire side hall but found no trace of Mu Yuanzhi; he summoned the palace servants, yet none had seen her.

This is just strange—if the Nine Thousand Years Old's illusion were truly stronger than Yuan Yan's, then he shouldn't be able to interact with others so clearly.

No, Yuan Yan's previous illusion could already pass as real.

Qilin opened the door and stepped out; outside seemed perfectly normal—except Mu Yuanzhi was missing.

"Pei Di?!"

"Pei Di isn't here either?"

Is this really an illusion?

"What's wrong, Young Master Qilin?"

Qilin whipped his head around—it was the Nine Thousand Years Old!

He was smiling as he looked over.

Sure enough, it was this guy pulling the strings!

"Haven't you started yet? His Majesty's getting impatient." The Nine Thousand Years Old peered forward suspiciously and asked, bewildered, "Where's the Princess? It seems even the Young Master's gone—where did they go?"

He's asking even though he knows the answer!

Qilin ground his teeth and forced a strained smile: "Just let me treat His Majesty alone—trouble Eunuch Yao to show the way."

"It's just up ahead." The Nine Thousand Years Old made a gesturing invitation.

Qilin followed behind, pondering whether the Nine Thousand Years Old before him was real or an illusion.

If it's real, with him right here, how is the illusion being maintained? If it's an illusion, how did he fall under it?

Has Yuan Yan noticed the anomaly?

Nine Thousand Years pushed open the door ahead, he entered, and Qilin also entered.

Behind the screen it was very quiet; Infant Void Emperor heard the movement but also made no sound.

It's too strange; this must be an illusion!

Qilin observed Nine Thousand Years' every move without leaving a trace.

"Your Majesty, Young Master Qilin has arrived." Nine Thousand Years cupped his hands behind the screen.

No one responded.

Qilin frowned.

"Your Majesty, Young Master Qilin has come to treat you." Nine Thousand Years, after a moment of doubt, repeated.

Still no one answered.

Nine Thousand Years walked straight to behind the screen.

He's pretending pretty well! Qilin thought, heh.

He wanted to see what medicine this Nine Thousand Years was selling from the gourd!

Qilin also walked over; he flashed ahead faster than Nine Thousand Years, and upon looking, there was not even half a person's shadow on the bed.

"What's going on, Eunuch Yao?" Qilin snorted.

Nine Thousand Years' eyes flashed with something unusual; he didn't answer Qilin's words, but turned and hurried away.

What the heck is this guy up to!

Qilin also rushed out, but outside there was already no trace of Nine Thousand Years!

This person is indeed a martial arts master!

Qilin casually grabbed a palace attendant and asked, "Where is Eunuch Yao?"

"Yao...?" That person looked as if seeing a ghost, terrified!

"I'm asking you where Nine Thousand Years is!!" Qilin repeated harshly.

The attendant then timidly said: "Nine Thousand Years went toward the palace gate!"

Qilin's pupils contracted sharply.

Nine Thousand Years is going to accompany the palace in killing people!

Qilin ran a few steps, then stopped again.

Wrong, it's still far from mao hour; there are several more hours to go.

"And where is Your Majesty?!"

The palace attendant, bewildered, said: "Isn't Your Majesty inside?"

"He's not there; go look yourself!"

The palace attendant stood dazed.

Qilin didn't want to waste time talking nonsense; at this moment there were no clues, he had no choice but to go find a monk.