CHAPTER 673: CHAPTER 555: THE MIAO KING TAKES ACTION

A sneaky head peeked out from the corner.

After looking around to ensure no one was watching, the Miao King slipped into the Imperial Study Room.

He almost effortlessly discovered that the ink block had been tampered with.

"Exactly the same. Good thing I have sharp eyes."

To be precise, his sense of smell was keen enough to detect the faint medicinal scent on the ink block.

This was the unique Firefly Grass of Miaojiang, whose scent could excite Gu Worms.

Ordinary people wouldn’t be affected by it, but Emperor Liang only needed to smell it for an hour or two for the Heart-devouring Gu to release poison in large quantities, causing him to gradually lose his mind.

"Tsk, if it weren’t for the sake of the child, I wouldn’t bother with your life or death."

After complaining, the Miao King felt there was something off about his words.

Never mind, better put the ink block away first.

The Miao King also had a Gu, and he couldn’t let his own Gu be affected.

He found a decree in the Imperial Study Room, wrapped the ink block tightly, and placed it in his leather pouch.

"Still doesn’t feel right, perhaps sealing it with wax first."

He took out the ink block again, and as he was about to drip wax, Duke Jiang appeared at the door of the Imperial Study Room.

His grandson Nie’er had stayed in the Imperial Palace for quite some time, and the family was eager to have him brought back home.

Since he was already there, he couldn’t avoid paying his respects to the Emperor.

Not that he wanted to pay respects.

When he initially requested to see Emperor Liang, the Emperor was still in the Imperial Study Room.

Little did he know, the Emperor had been called to the Imperial Garden by his treasured great-granddaughter.

At the wedding banquet at the Jin Prince Mansion yesterday, Duke Jiang had met the Miao King once. Due to the Miao King’s distinctive features, Duke Jiang recognized him immediately.

"It’s you? Who were you again in the Crown Prince Mansion?"

Duke Jiang thought for a moment, "Master Liu!"

His gaze fell on the Miao King’s hand.

Being caught off guard, the Miao King didn’t have time to drop the ink block and candle in his hand.

How awkward.

The Miao King quickly said, "Wait, listen to my explanation first, it’s not what you think..."

Duke Jiang rushed in, exclaiming, "You want to poison Your Majesty!"

The Miao King replied, "I didn’t, it’s not me."

Duke Jiang turned, shut the door, walked up to the Miao King, and placed a porcelain bottle on the table: "Is this enough? If not, add some more of this!"

The Miao King: "..."

"I’m really not here to harm him."

"I understand, I understand, neither am I!"

Duke Jiang gave the Miao King a knowing wink.

The Miao King sniffed his medicine bottle: "Croton?"

Duke Jiang’s eyes lit up: "You know your stuff, indeed a fellow enthusiast! Let me tell you, this isn’t ordinary croton; used well, its potency is comparable to arsenic!"

The Miao King was speechless: "..."

If the Miao King hadn’t been certain he had no spies around Emperor Liang, he would almost have thought this guy was on his side.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Get on with it!"

Duke Jiang was eager to see the disgraced old fellow in the court let out gas and diarrhea!

Just thinking about it brought satisfaction!

The Miao King took a deep breath towards the sky.

Suddenly, he felt a bit sorry for the old Emperor Liang. What was this all about?

"Where to put it, where to put it?"

Duke Jiang asked enthusiastically.

The Miao King, busy with sealing with wax, said perfunctorily, "In the teapot."

"Okay!"

Duke Jiang poured a whole bag of croton powder into the teapot, not forgetting to shake it for even distribution.

The Miao King’s ears twitched.

Emperor Liang was coming.

"Sending me into exile, sending me into exile! You think so much croton should be enough..."

When Duke Jiang turned around, the Miao King’s figure was already gone from the Imperial Study Room, "Eh, where did he go?"

"Duke Jiang?"

Emperor Liang entered the Imperial Study Room, looking at him with suspicion.

Duke Jiang discreetly put the teapot down, blocking it with his body, and greeted as if nothing had happened: "This minister entered the palace to fetch Nie’er and wishes Your Majesty good health."

Emperor Liang glanced at the suspicious teapot.

Eunuch Yu couldn’t bear to look.

Emperor Liang entered the room with authority.

He detected a candle scent.

He looked at the shortened candle on the table and touched the wick: "Who was here just now?"

Duke Jiang: "No one!"

Emperor Liang gave him a deep look, his gaze lingering on Duke Jiang’s clean fingers for a moment, then slowly paced two steps: "Come out!"

Duke Jiang pricked up his ears.

Eunuch Yu looked in wonder toward the Imperial Study Room: "Your Majesty?"

Emperor Liang struck his palm against a bookshelf.

Sweeping inner strength passed through layers of books, directly targeting the hiding Miao King.

The Miao King’s expression changed, quickly evading to the side.

What a marvelous technique of attacking through obstacles!

At the moment when he saw the Miao King appear, Eunuch Yu was totally shocked: "Master Liu?"

Duke Jiang, frustrated, said, "I thought you left, why are you hiding there?"

Eunuch Yu swiftly looked at Duke Jiang: You two are in cahoots?!

Emperor Liang coldly asked, "What sneaky business are you up to in my Imperial Study Room?"

"Nothing, we didn’t do anything!"

"He wants to poison you with croton!"

Both spoke in unison.

Duke Jiang’s body shook: You betrayed me!!!

The Miao King pointed at the teapot on the table and said seriously, "I saw him sneaking into the Imperial Study Room, so I came in first to hide and observe him from the shadows. Unexpectedly, I caught him in the act."

Duke Jiang was dumbfounded!

The Miao King continued, "Now that you’re here, how to deal with this is your affair. I’m leaving first."

With that, he placed his hands behind his back and swaggered out of the Imperial Study Room.

"Stop."

Emperor Liang spoke coldly.

Not listening, not listening, the turtle’s chanting.

The Miao King walked with his head held high.

Emperor Liang sent another palm strike towards the Miao King.

The Miao King felt a chill down his spine and quickly turned to grip his wrist, looking into his deep eyes, a hint of doubt flashed in his mind.

Something was clearly wrong with him.

But the Firefly Grass Ink Block had already been sealed with wax...

While pondering this, the Gu Bell hanging at his waist moved, emitting a faint ringing sound.

Someone was using a Gu Flute to manipulate Emperor Liang’s Heart-devouring Gu!

This was a special Gu Flute from Miaojiang, and its sound could only be heard by the Gu, not by humans.

The Gu inside the Gu Bell heard the Bone Flute and began to stir.

This was precisely the function of the Gu Bell.

It seemed the opponent had made dual preparations, using both Firefly Grass and Gu Flute.

The Gu Flute was much more intense than the Firefly Grass; Emperor Liang’s eyes instantly turned dark, and he twisted his hand in return.

Duke Jiang exclaimed, "Oh dear! Your hand’s gonna break!"

The Miao King took advantage of the situation and twirled, dangerously slipping out of Emperor Liang’s grip.

Cold sweat broke out on Duke Jiang.

Having fought mental duels with his brother-in-law for years, he never won once, almost always being suppressed, so how could he not know his brother-in-law’s prowess?

That move just now, even Great General Hu might not have been able to dodge.

Who is this person?

Why is his martial arts so profound?

Eunuch Yu was dumbfounded.

Why was His Majesty fighting with Master Liu again?

The Miao King exchanged a palm strike with Emperor Liang, and his arm felt slightly numb.

Is the old man going all out?

"You all stay back!"

He said to Duke Jiang and Eunuch Yu.