TSWRLM -Chapter 314 General Wei, Long Time No See

Riding at full speed, it took only ten days for Wei Lingze and Prince Ying’s party to reach Wengzhou.

It had been just over a month since Wei Lingze last came, yet Wengzhou had already changed dramatically.

Most shops in the city were closed, every household had their doors tightly shut, and pedestrians hurried along with anxious expressions. Those who happened to be wandering on the streets looked deranged, like madmen.

“Alas, how has Wengzhou become so desolate? Hasn’t the war ended years ago?”

Lanshu lifted the curtain and peered outside, unable to hide a sigh. Wei Lingze found it odd as well but said nothing.

Prince Ying, exhausted from travel, had his eyes closed, resting and uninterested in these matters.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the Wengzhou government residence.

The prefect He Zhang had already received word and was waiting at the entrance to greet them: “Greetings, Your Highness and Young Lord Wei. The residence has prepared some light wine to welcome you. Please do not mind the humble offering.”

He Zhang’s face was all smiles, his posture low and servile, clearly eager to please.

Prince Ying responded politely and stepped into the residence.

The welcome feast He Zhang had prepared was lavish, with singing and dancing performances. With wine and music together, it was easy to forget the desolate state of Wengzhou outside.

After a few cups of wine, Prince Ying felt much less fatigued and more alert. When He Zhang asked the purpose of their visit, Prince Ying replied calmly, “I am here seeking a perfume master, to ask for a formula.”

“Oh? May I know the name of this perfume master? I can help Your Highness summon her.”

He Zhang was eager to assist, and Prince Ying did not hesitate: “The perfume master’s name is Bai Yu.”

He Zhang’s face lit up with joy. “What a coincidence! This perfume master is currently at the residence, along with her friend. I shall bring them to meet Your Highness at once!”

Before Prince Ying could respond, He Zhang dashed off. Wei Lingze frowned and instinctively reached for the sword at his waist.

After traveling such a long distance, Prince Ying himself had come to find this perfume master. Yet as soon as they arrived, she was already at the prefect’s residence. How could the world be so coincidental?

Wei Lingze already sensed danger, while Prince Ying and Lanshu were fully engrossed in the singing and dancing performance.

Soon, He Zhang returned, accompanied not only by a beautiful young woman but also by a familiar face.

Xuanyuan Lang!

Almost instinctively, Wei Lingze sprang to his feet and drew his sword, pointing it directly at Xuanyuan Lang: “Wasn’t the diplomatic mission long returned to Yuexi? Why are you still here?”

Months apart, Xuanyuan Lang looked healthy and exuded an even more domineering aura than before.

He did not mind Wei Lingze pointing a sword at him. Instead, he seemed pleased by Wei Lingze’s reaction, greeting him in the Zhaoling language with more fluency than during the winter hunt: “General Wei, long time no see.”

After that, Xuanyuan Lang looked at Prince Ying: “Your Highness, I hope all is well.”

Compared to Wei Lingze’s shock, Prince Ying and Lanshu remained calm. After all, they had already learned from Li Huaijing that the perfume master was from Yuexi and connected to Xuanyuan Lang, so it was not surprising to see him here.

Prince Ying, maintaining the air of a prince, did not rise but gestured politely: “General Xuanyuan, please be seated.”

Wei Lingze’s sword still hadn’t moved, and Xuanyuan Lang raised an eyebrow.

Prince Ying immediately said, “General Xuanyuan is our friend. Lower your sword.”

Wei Lingze’s mind exploded. He turned to glare at Prince Ying: “You knew all along that the Soul-Enticing Perfume was made by someone from Yuexi, yet you allowed it to enter Zhaoling. This is treason!”

Having personally experienced the power of the Soul-Enticing Perfume, seeing Xuanyuan Lang made Wei Lingze feel a chilling cold, like falling into an ice cellar.

Since the perfume originated from Yuexi, Xuanyuan Lang’s purpose was clearly not profit.

If this perfume spread widely, countless people would become useless shells, neither human nor ghost. And if Yuexi launched a large-scale military campaign then, Zhaoling would be defenseless.

The more Wei Lingze thought, the more terrified he became. But Prince Ying remained unconcerned: “General Xuanyuan only intends to exchange the perfume for some corn. There’s no need to overreact.”

All profits from selling the Soul-Enticing Perfume went into Prince Ying and Li Huaijing’s pockets. Xuanyuan Lang only received a small amount of corn, which Prince Ying saw as harmless.

Wei Lingze found Prince Ying utterly unreasonable. He twisted his wrist, preparing to strike Xuanyuan Lang, but Prince Ying’s guards stopped him.

Lanshu intervened: “Young Lord Wei, do not act impulsively. You are escorting Prince Ying here. We are all on the same side. Prince Ying would never commit treason; he only wants to make a big trade and share profits with everyone.”

As he spoke, Xuanyuan Lang took a seat.

He looked at Wei Lingze and sighed regretfully: “For the past three years, I’ve regarded you as my rival. Last time I saw you, I was disappointed. I didn’t expect that after a few months, you still haven’t improved at all.”

Xuanyuan Lang’s Zhaoling language had become much more fluent. Each word pierced Wei Lingze’s heart.

Then Xuanyuan Lang asked Prince Ying: “Did that Mr. Shen from the winter hunt get promoted? What is he doing now?”

Wei Lingze was no longer Xuanyuan Lang’s match. Yet hearing Shen Qingyuan’s name made him calm down.

The Soul-Enticing Perfume had killed Princess Baohua. With Shen Qingyuan’s years of case experience, it was impossible that he hadn’t foreseen this. Perhaps Xuanyuan Lang’s and Prince Ying’s plans were already anticipated by him.

Prince Ying did not want to waste time satisfying Xuanyuan Lang’s curiosity. He said coldly: “I am here to obtain the other half of the Soul-Enticing Perfume formula. You give it to me, and only then will I continue providing you with corn.”

Li Huaijing only had half of the formula; the other half was in Xuanyuan Lang’s hands. Prince Ying wanted to monopolize the business and avoid being controlled, hence his journey here.

After hearing Prince Ying’s urgent words, Xuanyuan Lang laughed loudly. Bai Yu laughed along, then quietly whispered something in Yuexi language.

Prince Ying did not understand and frowned at Lanshu. Lanshu discreetly opened her folding fan and whispered into his ear: “Your Highness, this woman just called you a fool.”

Bang!

Prince Ying slammed down his wine cup in anger: “How dare you! It is your honor to do business with me. Without me, the perfume you make is worthless!”

Prince Ying was furious, but as soon as he finished speaking, all the guards he brought from the prince’s residence were instantly killed.

The air was filled with the heavy stench of blood.

Prefect He Zhang shook his head: “Your Highness, this is Wengzhou, not Hanjing. Here, no one dares speak to General Xuanyuan like that.”