Chapter 250 Undercurrent
Wu Zetian stormed out in anger, letting go completely and entrusting all matters related to the Snake Spirit to Di Renjie and Zhao Ji.

With the withdrawal of the emperor's carriage and a large number of guards, Hanguang Temple, which had experienced several days of turmoil, finally ushered in the long-awaited peace.

The scene in the temple changed drastically. Half of the guards withdrew, which meant that half of the monks were also missing. At dusk, the golden sunset sprinkled on the empty courtyard, adding a bit of loneliness.

Di Renjie finally had time to ask Jingkong in person: "Master Jingkong, can I still call you this?"

He walked in the front, Jingkong was slightly behind, and Zhao Ji, Li Yuanfang and Ruyan followed silently beside them.

Jingkong quickly agreed: "Of course, it's up to you, Lord."

Compared to the snake spirit, Di Renjie was obviously more concerned about another question: "Were you once the personal bodyguard of His Royal Highness Prince Yong?"

"That's right." Jingkong said again in a timid tone.

Di Renjie nodded and asked further: "According to what you said, His Royal Highness Prince Yong entrusted his young son to Yuan Tiangang, and when Yuan Tiangang was arrested, the child did not fall into the hands of the emperor or the snake spirit, but disappeared from then on?"

Jingkong quickly replied: "Yes, we spent a lot of effort to find His Highness, but in the end, we found nothing! According to our speculation, His Highness sensed the danger and took the opportunity to escape from Yuan Mansion!"

Di Renjie frowned when he heard this: "When Yuan Tiangang was arrested, he was just a teenager. How did he escape from the encirclement of the inner guards?"

Zhao Ji spoke up behind him, trying to muddy the waters: "Maybe Yuan Tiangang has other plans, and His Highness is still in the hands of the Snake Spirit, or even killed him after Xiao Qingfang came to power!"

Upon hearing this, Jingkong turned around and looked at Zhao Ji, responding in a slightly flustered tone: "Uh... yes, yes, it is indeed possible!"

Hearing this tragic ending, Di Renjie was obviously not willing to believe it.

He thought for a moment and shook his head, "It shouldn't be the case. If His Highness fell into the hands of Snake Spirit or Xiao Qingfang, why wouldn't they use His Highness to threaten Jingkong and others to surrender?"

"Jingkong and the others wouldn't have any news about His Highness. It seems that His Highness has not fallen into the hands of the Snake Spirit!"

Jingkong's voice trembled a little, and he echoed: "Yes, yes, what the elder said makes sense."

Di Renjie stroked his beard and asked, "Then, does Your Highness have any distinctive features?"

Jingkong shook his head and said, "Your Highness has followed Yuan Tiangang since he was a child. When he escaped, he was only a teenager. Now that ten years have passed, I'm afraid no one can recognize him!"

"Beside His Highness, there is a jade pendant carved from white jade with the words 'Keep Faith' engraved on it. It can be regarded as a token of his identity!"

Di Renjie nodded helplessly and said with regret: "So that's how it is..."

Seeing this, Zhao Ji had to interrupt again: "Sir, since there are so few clues, let's put that prince aside for now! The first priority at the moment is to destroy the snake spirit!"

Di Renjie took a deep breath and calmly returned to the topic: "Well! Jingkong, who among the snake spirits is responsible for contacting you?"

Jingkong pondered for a moment, and then said: "Among the Snake Spirits, after I entered the Hanguang Temple to guard Yuan Tiangang, I felt like I was in a cage. From then on, I was separated from the core of the Snake Spirits and rarely contacted anyone..."

Zhao Ji's gaze was as sharp as an ice blade, staring straight at Jing Kong: "So, before and after the assassination at Hanguang Temple, someone must have contacted you!"

Jingkong hesitated for a moment, and finally sighed and told the truth: "You may not be unfamiliar with this person, he is the Shining Kui Wenzhong!"

"Kui Wenzhong?" When these words came out, Zhao Ji, Li Yuanfang and Ruyan all showed surprise on their faces.

Di Renjie remained calm and asked, "So you are in the same group with Kui Wenzhong?"

Jingkong nodded slightly and admitted: "You can understand it that way."

"Can you still contact Kui Wenzhong now?" Di Renjie asked.

Jingkong shook his head, his tone full of helplessness: "I'm afraid it's not possible. Kui Wenzhong has already escorted Yuan Tiangang back to the Liuzhou headquarters!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanfang and Ruyan couldn't help but look disappointed and a little discouraged.

Zhao Jize chased after him, looking at Jingkong sharply: "Who is responsible for contacting you now? Who can you contact?" When Jingkong heard this question, his eyes flickered again: "After my mission in Hanguang Temple came to an end, I was instructed to stay in Luoyang and wait for further instructions..."

Di Renjie keenly caught the subtle changes in Jingkong's eyes and did not let it go easily: "How did they convey these instructions to you?"

Facing the questioning of Di Renjie and Zhao Ji, Jingkong could no longer hide the truth: "Yuan Tiangang's old house in Luoyang City is our secret contact point. Kui Wenzhong told me that someone will meet me there at the hour of Hai in two days."

Di Renjie nodded in satisfaction and said in a deep voice, "Okay! In two days, we will go to Yuan Tiangang's old house to find out what happened. Come on, take him away and keep him under strict guard!"

After saying that, several Qianniu Guards quickly stepped forward and took Jingkong away from the scene.

Zhao Ji approached Di Renjie and lowered his voice and said, "This person's words are evasive and seem to be holding something back. I'm afraid he is not completely honest!"

Di Renjie smiled calmly, with wisdom glittering in his eyes: "It doesn't matter, as long as we have him under our control, the truth will be revealed one by one like peeling off silk threads from a cocoon!"
-
In Luoyang Xiuzhenfang, an ordinary horse-drawn carriage stopped in front of a small courtyard.

Crown Prince Li Xian, wearing a black cloak, got down from the carriage, walked up the steps and rang the doorknob of the courtyard.

There was silence from inside the door and no one answered. Li Xian became suspicious and pushed the door gently, and it opened.

Since the door was open, Li Xian walked in on his own. The courtyard was unusually quiet, without any sound.

Li Xian walked forward slowly, with doubts in his heart, and couldn't help but call out softly: "Xiao Hui, Xiao Hui..."

He was answered with silence again.

Li Xian quickened his pace and headed straight for the main room. As soon as he entered the house, he was shocked by the scene before him.

The house was empty; all the furniture and furnishings were gone.

He stood there in a daze, his throat moving slightly, and he was unable to speak for a moment.

"Are you looking for me?" A female voice came from behind Li Xian.

Li Xian turned around and saw a woman in purple clothes and a snake-like bun standing in front of him. It was Xiao Hui.

Xiao Hui walked up to Li Xian and said with a slightly seductive smile: "Why, you don't even recognize me?"

Seeing a familiar face, Li Xian's nervousness eased a little, but he still couldn't hide his surprise: "Xiaohui, it's you! Why... why are you dressed like this?"

Xiao Hui smiled and said, "Why, isn't this good?"

Li Xian quickly shook his head: "No, I'm just a little surprised. What happened here? Why are all the furnitures moved out?"

Xiao Hui sneered, walked around Li Xian and said, "Because I want to leave here."

Li Xian was shocked: "Leave? Where to?"

Xiao Hui sneered: "Of course I'm going to your East Palace!"

Li Xian was very anxious when he heard this: "How can this be possible? Once the emperor finds out, we're done for!"

"That's not up to you!" Xiao Hui continued to sneer and clapped her hands.

"What did you say?" Li Xian finally realized that something was wrong.

Before he finished speaking, another "Li Xian" walked in with steady steps: "Hi, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Li Xian on the opposite side screamed and took two steps back: "You...you guys..."

　I should stop writing today. I was really stuck in a writing jam. I wrote a lot and then deleted it. I need to sort out the next plot...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)