Prefect Xue watched Chen Sanshi finish the wine, the corner of his lips curling ever so slightly.
"Good wine!"
Chen Sanshi turned the cup upside down, showing he had drained it. "Prefect Xue, such fine wine—why not have a cup yourself?"
"That would not do."
Prefect Xue stepped back half a step and said calmly, "Imperial gifts are not for others to partake in."
"What a pity. Such fine wine, and I must enjoy it alone."
Chen Sanshi poured himself another cup, drained it again, and asked, "Forgive my ignorance, but according to protocol, should I finish the entire flask?"
"There's no need for that," Prefect Xue replied, shaking his head. "You may take the rest with you as a keepsake."
"In that case, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Chen Sanshi turned to go.
"Lord Chen, a moment please."
Prefect Xue's voice stopped him. "I still have something to discuss."
He hadn't said anything before the drink—only waited until Chen Sanshi had finished it.
So Chen Sanshi's guess was right.
If he drank the poison, that meant he was obedient—useful.
If he refused, that would be defying the imperial edict. Even if they didn't execute him on the spot, his future would be death either way.
Chen Sanshi wanted to see just what secret the emperor was trying to hide so carefully.
"Lord Chen," Prefect Xue began, lowering his tone, "do you know why we were really sent here?"
Chen Sanshi feigned confusion. "Naturally, to serve as the magistrate of this county."
"That, of course. But aside from that, I have another imperial directive."
Prefect Xue's face clouded. "During your time with the Thousand-Household Division, have you heard of something called the 'Immortal Treasure'?"
Chen Sanshi shook his head blankly.
"You're still young in cultivation; it's normal you haven't come across it yet."
Prefect Xue continued slowly, "My true mission is to find a relic left behind by an immortal before this war ends."
"Prefect Xue must be joking," Chen Sanshi said in surprise. "There are no immortals in this world."
"Of course there are. Is not His Majesty himself the Eternal Sovereign?"
Prefect Xue turned toward one of his guards and said in a deep voice, "Tang Ming, how goes the investigation? Don't worry—Lord Chen is one of us. Speak freely."
"Yes, my lord."
Tang Ming nodded. "The martial halls are suspicious, especially that Liang family's. In the past few days, they've been loitering near the yamen, acting secretive, as if they have something to say but don't dare."
Liang Shengzhi?
Chen Sanshi immediately understood.
So the matter of the Immortal Treasure was already about to drag Xiang Tingchun into the fire. Secrets never stay buried—eventually the flames reach everyone.
"Use both persuasion and pressure," Prefect Xue ordered. "Don't push too hard. Find out what they know first—any punishment can wait."
He then changed the topic. "Any movement from the Witch God Sect?"
"The reports say…"
Tang Ming's face hardened. "A large number of experts above the Transforming Strength realm are on their way."
Above Transforming Strength?
Just as Chen Sanshi had suspected.
He had wondered all along—if the goal was to find an Immortal Treasure, why hadn't they sent true masters before now?
A small place like Poyang County—what right did it have to attract both armies and elite cultivators?
The Witch God Sect's involvement made sense—they would covet any treasure. But the barbarian army's invasion? That didn't add up.
Prefect Xue's expression grew grave. "Our time is running short. We must secure the treasure before the Witch God Sect arrives."
He stood up and said solemnly, "Lord Chen, what we've discussed today must remain strictly confidential. Speak of this to no one. And keep your eyes open—see if the treasure has any link to the army. If you discover anything, that will be your true path to glory."
Chen Sanshi bowed his head. "Understood."
Time is running short…
Clearly, Prefect Xue knew something deeper but wasn't about to reveal it.
Drinking that poisoned wine had indeed been the right choice.
It might even prove to be his one chance at survival.
Because drinking it meant—he now belonged to the emperor.
When the discussion ended, Prefect Xue gestured for Han Cheng to escort him out.
Once they were outside the residence, Han Cheng spoke in a low voice. "Lord Chen, whatever Prefect Xue asks of you next, just do it. Don't hide anything. Don't disobey. His Majesty's word is the will of Heaven."
Chen Sanshi understood immediately.
As a mere sixth-rank officer, a man at the tempering bone stage, defying an imperial order meant certain death.
Even Grand Commander Sun's own third son had once paid dearly for youthful arrogance.
In the end, it always came down to strength—or the lack of it.
"Thank you for the reminder, Guard Han."
Chen Sanshi cupped his hands respectfully.
It was obvious the man was giving him a veiled warning.
Whatever his personal feelings, the polite words still had to be said.
He probed carefully, "Guard Han, does this mean something big is about to happen?"
"I don't know."
Han Cheng shook his head. "I only act on the Grand Commander's orders—to look after you for now. Beyond that, nothing's certain."
"I understand. Farewell."
Chen Sanshi didn't ask further.
He mounted his White Swan horse and joined Wang Zhi on a reconnaissance mission outside the city.
Unlike their earlier expedition across the grasslands, they moved separately this time to reduce exposure.
Halfway through, Chen Sanshi veered off the planned route and headed straight for Tiger Head Mountain.
Inside a hidden cave, he began his work.
With the help of [Decipher All Poisons], Chen Sanshi swiftly formulated the antidote.
He had all the ingredients he needed.
Back when he'd looted the Liang family's storeroom, he'd taken every herb he could carry—including several precious antidotal medicines.
"Puh—"
A sharp pain twisted his abdomen. He spat out a mouthful of thick black blood, and the poison was finally purged.
The Verdant Blood Venom wasn't some world-ending toxin. Its strength lay in being colorless, tasteless, and nearly impossible to detect.
If not for Chen Sanshi's [Recognition of Formulas Upon Sight], he might truly have believed the emperor's "gracious gift" was genuine. After all, the poison showed no effect for months, lulling its victim into complacency.
Three months later, once he'd earned the emperor's trust, someone would quietly slip him the antidote.
And in this way, both sides could pretend nothing had ever happened—no distrust, no hostility.
But if he failed to prove his worth to the emperor?
Then he would simply die, inexplicably poisoned—never even knowing how.
What a cunning scheme!
"Fine, fine! I'll be your loyal dog, then!"
Chen Sanshi pulled out the small wooden box he'd been rewarded with. When he opened it, five crimson pills sat neatly inside—the so-called Bone-Tempering Treasure Pills. This time, thankfully, there was no poison.
The medicine was called the Xuan Yuan Bone-Forging Pill, and each one was worth over 500 taels of silver. That made the whole box worth several thousand taels—a fortune.
Even with his [Recognition of Formulas Upon Sight], it would be nearly impossible for him to gather all the rare ingredients to make them himself.
With these pills, reaching perfection in tempering bone was just a matter of time.
Wasting no moment, Chen Sanshi packed his things and left the cave. Riding Little Xun around the city outskirts, he discovered that the barbarians had indeed breached the outer wall.
By evening that same day, the enemy launched another fierce assault.
Once again came the rain of boulders from catapults, volleys of arrows, and siege engines crashing forward like waves. Fortunately, the four tempering organs experts each guarded one wall. Losses were heavy, but they barely managed to hold the line—for now.
However, the situation only worsened from there.
Three days later, Night-Scout riders brought back grim news.
The barbarians would complete their second reinforcement in seven days.
By then, their total force would rise to 10,000 soldiers, with three tempering organs experts among them!
"The Yu Wen tribe—have they gone mad?!"
A civilian house near the north gate had been seized and converted into the command center. Inside, Xiang Tingchun paced back and forth anxiously. His uniform and face were both stained with blood. Ever since the battle began, he hadn't gone home once, standing guard at the wall day and night.
"Tell me—what's their plan? Even if they capture Poyang, so what? Do they plan to cross Tiger Head Mountain and attack Anding Prefecture next?!"
That was utterly impossible.
From the sand table map, Anding Prefecture lay southeast of Poyang County, separated by the Tiger Head Mountain range. Even if the barbarians captured Poyang City, it was impossible for them to cross those mountains. Supplies and cavalry couldn't pass through that terrain.
To reach Anding Prefecture, they'd have to detour southwest toward Hengkang Prefecture, seize it first, and only then move on to Anding. That would be a pointless waste of men and time—completely illogical.
Unless…
The Great Wall of Anding Prefecture had already fallen.
If that were true, the barbarian army could circle behind the cities, attack from the rear near Hengkang Prefecture, while the Xi River tribe advanced from the front. They'd crush Hengkang between them, then cut off Anding from its allies, turning it into an isolated fortress. It was risky—but it was also the only explanation that made sense.
And all of this depended on one crucial condition: the fall of the Great Wall of Anding Prefecture.
Thinking back to what Prefect Xue had said about time running short, the pieces suddenly fit.
"Thousand-Household Officer Xiang!"
Chen Sanshi quickly said, "Please, send someone to Anding Prefecture immediately. We need to confirm what's happening there!"
"You mean Anding Prefecture might already be in danger?!"
"If that's true, then Poyang County will become a trap—we'll be the fish in the barrel!"
Xiang Tingchun's face hardened. "Zhao Kang! Follow Lord Chen's orders. Go at once—hurry!"
"Yes, sir!"
...
Three more days passed.
The Xi River tribe stayed quiet, holding their ground, clearly waiting for reinforcements.
For several nights in a row, Poyang County was eerily silent—so quiet it was unsettling.
Chen Sanshi swallowed the third Xuan Yuan Bone-Forging Pill and cultivated with the aid of spiritual grain.
[Technique: Undying Golden Serpent Spear (Minor Achievement)]
[Progress: 1559/2000]
At this pace, once he finished the pills, his tempering bone stage would reach perfection.
Meanwhile, his archery was also improving through constant practice.
[Skill: Archery (Minor Achievement)]
[Progress: 808/1000]
One more siege, and he might just reach major achievement.
On the fourth day, Zhao Kang finally returned from his mission.
"My lord!!"
He stumbled into the command hall, covered in dust and grime. Too exhausted to stand straight, he fell to his knees, gasping for breath.
"My lord! Captain Chen's prediction was right!"
"The relay station lost contact with Anding Prefecture six days ago!"
"I traveled day and night without rest. Halfway there, I met refugees fleeing the front. They told me—seven days ago, the Great Wall of Anding Prefecture was breached! The barbarians' 50,000 iron cavalry poured into our territory!"
"Anding Prefecture's defenders have now fallen back to the inner city and are holding out behind the walls. The barbarians have surrounded them on all sides, unable to break through yet—but they're preparing to divide their forces and circle around Hengkang Prefecture from behind. Once they seize Hengkang, they'll sever Anding's supply line completely. If that happens, the entire Yunzhou region could fall!"
Boom!
That news hit like a thunderclap.
Every person in the room felt it strike their chest.
It meant only one thing—
Poyang County could no longer expect reinforcements or supplies.
They would have to hold their ground with only 900 soldiers against an enemy of over 10,000.
"You're certain of this?!"
Prefect Ji Guangxian's voice trembled. "Anding Prefecture's walls are supposed to be impregnable. How could it have fallen so quickly?!"