Chapter 189: Zheng Xu's Poisonous Scheme

What's wrong? Why are you screaming like a ghost?

His voice was as icy as frozen steel, filled with frustration over the snowstorm last night that had ruined their plan to burn down Chu Yun City.

The soldier approaching him seemed utterly oblivious to the fury on his face and hurriedly spoke.

"General Tu, someone's dead."

What?

Tu Kesulian froze in shock—could Zheng Xu have sent raiders? But with this much snow, how could they possibly have gone unnoticed?

Jiang Mingyu frowned.

"What's going on? Did Zheng Xu launch a surprise attack?"

Even as he spoke, he realized it was unlikely—how could Zheng Xu possibly launch a raid in such a blizzard? Could his men really be that reckless?

Despite the howling north wind, beads of sweat broke out on the soldier's forehead. Under the piercing gazes of Jiang Mingyu and Tu Kesulian, he shuddered.

"Lord Jiang, General Tu, I don't know what happened. Just now, my comrades and I were on patrol along the riverbank."

"Ma Liu, who was with us, accidentally fell through the ice. By the time we pulled him out, he was already dead."

For easy access to water, Jiang Mingyu's camp was set up on a flat riverside beach. The river's surface had frozen into a thick layer of ice, yet water still flowed slowly beneath.

Tu Kesulian immediately spoke up.

"This is bad—the water must be poisoned."

Jiang Mingyu agreed wholeheartedly and turned to the soldier.

"Take me there."

Jiang Mingyu nodded in grim agreement—he recalled how, days ago, during the standoff before Chu Yun City, Zheng Xu had used poisoned arrows to kill their horses. That poison was vicious; even a tiny drop meant death and complete disintegration.

Could Zheng Xu have devised a new tactic—poisoning the river?

Jiang Mingyu and Tu Kesulian followed the soldier to the riverbank, where a vast expanse of snow and ice covered the surface, with occasional wisps of steam rising from cracks in the ice. Several soldiers stood around a small tent, inside which lay a dark, lifeless corpse emitting a foul, metallic stench.

Inside the tent, Jiang Mingyu and Tu Kesulian saw the corpse had been grotesquely mutilated—its clothing and flesh corroded into tatters, exposing pale, gleaming bones. A massive, gaping wound pierced its chest, as if torn open by a sharp blade. The snow around it was stained crimson, a horrifying sight.

Both Jiang Mingyu and Tu Kesulian gasped in horror—this poison was the work of a demon, utterly terrifying. They both remembered how Zheng Xu had used the same kind of poison to kill their horses beneath Chu Yun City. That poison was lethal—just a drop meant death and total disintegration.

Could Zheng Xu have devised a new tactic—poisoning the river?

Jiang Mingyu's rage boiled over. "That bastard Zheng Xu! He'd stoop to such a despicable trick! He knew we had no other source of water, so he deliberately poisoned it. Thank heaven we discovered it in time—if not, we'd all be dead!"

Tu Kesulian's fury matched his own. "Damn him! Everyone says that bastard is treacherous—and they're right! He hasn't even left the city, yet he's already cooked up this vile scheme. The son of a bitch deserves to die a thousand deaths!"

"As long as that bastard lives, he'll always be a threat."

"Lord, what should we do?"

Jiang Mingyu paused, thinking deeply, then spoke: "Send men to trace this river upstream—where does it come from?"

After reviewing all the facts, he had a clear idea. He recalled earlier reconnaissance reports: this river wound its way from the direction of Chu Yun City—the very stronghold of Zheng Xu.

Jiang Mingyu said coldly: "I'm certain Zheng Xu's men poisoned this river. They must have set up a hidden channel or mechanism upstream, secretly releasing poison into the water. Even though the surface is frozen, the current still flows beneath. If we drink this water, we'll die just like Liu Er."

Tu Kesulian shuddered at the thought—imagine the entire army drinking the poisoned water. He asked anxiously: "Then what do we do? Can we still get water?"

Jiang Mingyu shook his head. "This poison likely has no antidote. We must find another water source or melt snow for drinking. But that will severely hinder our operations. We must capture Chu Yun City as soon as possible to solve this."

Tu Kesulian nodded. "You're right—we can't delay any longer. Zheng Xu has gone too far; we must respond in kind. Brother, when do we strike?"

Jiang Mingyu looked up at the sky—dark clouds loomed, and the blizzard showed no sign of stopping. He sighed. "The weather's too dangerous for an assault. We'll wait until the storm clears. But before then, prepare: gather the camp's physicians and alchemists—see if they can find anything to neutralize the poison. Maybe we can still save some of the poisoned soldiers."

Tu Kesulian bowed and left. Jiang Mingyu remained by the river, staring at the endless white snow, silently vowing: Zheng Xu, your time is up. I'll avenge every fallen soldier—I'll tear you limb from limb!

At that moment, another soldier rushed into the tent.

"Lord! We caught a spy—bound outside the tent."

Jiang Mingyu's eyes lit up—this was perfect timing, as if fate had handed him the answer just when he needed it.

"Bring him in immediately."

This man must be Zheng Xu's agent, sent to check whether any of his men had survived.

If we can extract information from him about Wangyun City, everything will become clear.

Soon, a middle-aged man, bound tightly like a dumpling, was dragged before Jiang Mingyu. He wore a tattered cotton robe, had an ordinary face, but his eyes darted nervously, radiating suspicion and cunning.

Before Jiang Mingyu could speak, the spy spoke first.

"Who are you? Arresting an innocent man in broad daylight—do you have no law?" His voice was shrill and sharp, yet utterly fearless—he was either brazenly reckless or thoroughly trained.

Jiang Mingyu's face remained cold as ice. He sneered.

"You've been spying on my camp, yet you dare call yourself innocent? Do you really think I'm that easily fooled?"

"I know you're Zheng Xu's spy, sent to gather intelligence. Too bad you slipped up and got caught, isn't it?" Jiang Mingyu's tone dripped with contempt and threat.

Yet the man struggled fiercely, his shifty, rat-like eyes refusing to yield.

"I'm a hunter—just out gathering game. Isn't that reason enough?" he tried to explain.

Jiang Mingyu's gaze hardened, his voice icy.

"I advise you to be sensible and confess—otherwise, I'll end your life right now." He pointed to the cold blade beside him, issuing a clear threat.