FRGNM -Chapter 246 The Crown Prince is Poisoned

Luo Mingyu stretched lazily, looking slightly helpless, and pinched Ling Ruoxi’s cheek with a light smile. “What do we do now? Leave, or stay and watch the fun?”

“Let’s watch,” Ling Ruoxi replied, glancing at Wu Ma, who looked anxious. She was worried for them—if they left, the so-called Crown Prince in front of them probably wouldn’t let her off either. At the very least, he should know clearly that they were not spies.

Dongyang Ze didn’t have time to play games. He shouted sharply, and the soldiers around immediately rushed forward, tying the four tightly to a large tree trunk.

The armored man leapt onto his horse, holding a longsword as he charged forward. From above, he looked down at the woman below, coldly smiling. “Princess of Jinqin, you’ve arrived at a perfect time.”

“Hmph.” The woman below only snorted, her beautiful eyes flashing with light. They were fast, rushing over to catch her off guard, but it didn’t matter—they had been discovered, yet she remained unfazed.

“Oh, right. I also caught spies from your country. Want to take a look?” Dongyang Ze’s lips curved coldly upward. The soldiers behind him shoved the four into view, fully exposing them.

The countless eyes staring made Silver Wolf feel uncomfortable. He hung his head and asked, “Why are we tied up?”

“Do you think those ropes matter?” Ling Ruoxi said softly. The ordinary rope was nothing to them—just straw. It was merely a symbol of being captured.

Silver Wolf rolled his eyes, frowning.

The people below seemed confused. “Who are these? Spies from Jinqin? Ha! Dongyang Ze, do you really think spies from our country would be so easy to catch? You’re dreaming! I don’t even know these people!”

“Don’t know them? Fine. Men, drag them out and execute them!” Dongyang Ze sneered.

The soldiers grabbed the ropes and began dragging the four outside.

Princess Shen Qing of Jinqin’s face darkened. “Dongyang Ze! Why kill innocents recklessly? I told you I don’t know them. Release them! Our war doesn’t need ordinary people involved!”

“Our war? No, it’s your war with Yunshui Country. If you don’t want him to die, I’ll make sure these people do!” Dongyang Ze’s hand flicked, his sword thrust forward.

Silver Wolf cursed his luck—why was he the first target? Before the sword reached him, he twisted to the side—but Ling Ruoxi behind him pushed, and he froze, colliding with the sword with a clang.

“I’m dead…” Silver Wolf rolled his eyes, leaning on the others.

Dongyang Ze’s face changed drastically. “Who dares mock me!”

His sword hadn’t pierced Silver Wolf—it felt like striking solid rock. And yet this brat actually claimed he was dead? His sword hadn’t even touched him!

“Dongyang Ze!” Shen Qing’s face darkened. She grabbed her bow, aimed, and released an arrow without hesitation. Swoosh!

Dongyang Ze grunted, and a shield soldier blocked the sword.

“Princess, I intend for you to enter standing upright and leave horizontally! Open the barricades and charge!” He wouldn’t let anyone who dared breach his camp go unpunished.

Realizing the danger, Shen Qing drew back and fired another arrow. The shield soldiers knelt, but the arrow released white powder into the air. Its pungent scent spread immediately, and everyone nearby covered their noses, faces pale.

“Go!” Shen Qing shouted, whipping her horse forward.

Trying to pursue, the soldiers collapsed to the ground. The smell was unbearable—even Dongyang Ze’s eyes widened in alarm. He quickly covered his nose but was too late; a wave of dizziness hit, and with a clang, he fell forward.

“What a potent substance! But the princess didn’t intend to kill them, otherwise she wouldn’t have released it and fled,” Green Robe remarked, nodding approvingly. For them, as Dou Qi practitioners, the gas had no effect at all—like drinking plain water. Ling Ruoxi nodded and untied the ropes, pressing one hand on Dongyang Ze’s neck, frowning. This Crown Prince…

“Oh?” Green Robe touched Dongyang Ze’s pulse, slightly startled. “Interesting. For ordinary people, it just causes sleep, but for Dongyang Ze, it’s lethal poison.”

“Can… can you save His Highness?” Wu Ma asked, holding a wet towel over her nose. She had stood farther away and hadn’t inhaled the gas, but seeing many soldiers unconscious made her nervous. What if the Jinqin army…

Boom…

The ground trembled. The water in front rippled violently, rows of torches suddenly appearing among the trees, accompanied by shouting. Judging from their attire, they were Jinqin soldiers who had retreated—but this time, their leader was a man.

“The Jinqin soldiers are attacking! What do we do? They can’t resist at all…” Wu Ma panicked, supporting the fallen Dongyang Ze as she struggled backward.

“Brilliant plan!” Green Robe’s eyes glimmered. He stroked his chin. “Knock out the enemy with a drug, then ambush their city. Impressive. Very domineering strategy, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but now they’re attacking us. What will you do?” Silver Wolf said helplessly. Rows of soldiers surged forward, charging the mountains.

The wind was in their favor—they were climbing up, breathing in the gas, but nothing happened. This meant they were prepared and had taken antidotes beforehand.

Inside the camp, very few could stand. Most inhaled the gas; some farther away only took a little and leaned against posts, semi-conscious.

“Capture Dongyang Ze alive!” shouts came from below. The charging army broke through the barricades in moments, nearing the mountaintop.

Taking a deep breath, Green Robe waved his hand, scattering white powder in his mouth, then inhaled sharply. “Fight fire with fire!”

Dou Qi surged. The powder shot down the mountainside.

The attacking soldiers’ faces changed. They reined their horses, clutching stomachs in pain.

“You little brat! What did you do?!” One cried out, clutching his stomach. Soldiers behind froze; those ahead who had inhaled the powder stopped. Those behind, unaware, charged on and collided with the front ranks, falling with moans.

Snapping his fingers, Green Robe smiled faintly. “Of course, this is potent. I wouldn’t normally tell anyone. It’s a miraculous medicine made from hundreds of herbs, refined in a Dan furnace. Treats constipation. Early effects cause stomach pain—endure it. General, if you wish, you can relieve yourself here, and my army will spear your backside. Let’s see who’s luckier.”

He waved slightly. The soldiers who could still stand quickly took positions behind Green Robe, appearing numerous, though in reality they were supporting each other. They cannot lose.

“You! Who are you?!” The man’s face changed. How embarrassing to be thwarted like this—but who was this man? He had never been seen before.

Green Robe smiled and bowed. “Don’t be so formal. I’m a strategist. Believe me? Go back. Half an incense stick of time hasn’t passed—you better relieve yourselves quickly.”

“Charge!” The rider yelled, galloping forward. Moans came from behind, but the soldiers had no choice and hurried after the horses.

Dust flew, screams echoed—it was truly a chaotic scene.

“Impressive, seriously impressive. I never knew you had this skill,” Silver Wolf said, giving a thumbs-up. First time seeing war done like this—very interesting.

Even Ling Ruoxi was speechless. She looked back at Wu Ma, supporting Dongyang Ze. “Wu Ma, the antidote normally takes three hours to work. But his case is unusual. Can you tell me what’s different about him?”

Wu Ma hesitated, then with help from Ling Ruoxi and Silver Wolf, she carried Dongyang Ze back into the tent.

Different? Wu Ma thought for a moment, then shook her head. The prince wasn’t different—he lived just like any ordinary person. If he were different, it was only because he was the Crown Prince.

Ling Ruoxi pressed her hand to his pulse, channeling Dou Qi into his body to slow the drug’s effects. Eyes half-closed, she monitored him carefully.

“Still nothing,” she murmured, withdrawing her hand. Everything about Dongyang Ze seemed normal—but why did this drug act on him specifically? It seemed to have fused with another medicine, forming a new, lethal poison.