The chaos deep within the Eastern Palace, like a stone dropped into a pond, rapidly spread its ripples. Screams, running footsteps, and the shattering of objects merged, dissolving the inherent solemnity and oppression of the palace. Ling Zhao was like a fish swimming against the current, moving swiftly along the shadows of the corridor. His mental power was fully engaged, filtering out useless noise, and capturing every useful scrap of information.
"His Highness has succumbed to another fit!"
"It's worse this time than the last!"
"Where is Grand Eunuch Sun? Go find Grand Eunuch Sun quickly!"
"We can't hold him! We can't hold him at all!"
Panic permeated the air. Maids and eunuchs dashed about like headless chickens. Several strong guards attempted to rush into the main sleeping hall but were driven back by the sounds of roaring and smashing, like a trapped beast, their faces filled with terror.
Ling Zhao's eyes fixed on a relatively quiet small door at the rear side of the main hall. This was a passage leading to a small tearoom and changing room, usually used only by the immediate attendants, and currently unguarded. He flashed through the doorway like a wisp of smoke.
The tearoom was empty, the air laced with the smell of medicine and a faint, unsettling sweet, fishy odor. Ling Zhao didn't pause. He passed through the tearoom, pushed open a slightly ajar inner door, and found himself in a narrow passage leading to the inner chamber of the sleeping hall.
The sounds of roaring and crashing became clearer here, deafening his ears. Ling Zhao could even hear heavy, bellows-like breathing and the sound of teeth fiercely grinding.
He silently approached the inner chamber entrance and peered through the gaps in the bead curtain.
The sleeping hall was a wreck. Expensive porcelain and jade objects lay shattered on the floor; the draperies were torn and ruined. Several eunuchs and guards were sprawled in the corners, moaning, seemingly injured by a violent force.
In the center of the hall, a figure with dishevelled hair, wearing only a white undergarment, stood with his back to Ling Zhao. He tightly clutched his own head, his body convulsing violently, emitting an utterly suppressed groan of pain from his throat. The figure was shockingly thin, his exposed wrist bones gnarled, and his skin bore an unnatural grayish-blue pallor.
It was Xiao Jin!
Just one look at his back conveyed infinite pain and despair.
Ling Zhao was about to step in when, suddenly, from the opposite entrance of the hall, Eunuch Sun rushed in, accompanied by two grim-faced men in close-fitting uniforms who were clearly not ordinary guards. Eunuch Sun's face was ashen, yet a flicker of subtle ruthlessness crossed his eyes.
"Your Highness! Calm yourself!" Eunuch Sun shrieked, but his steps were steady. He and the two muscular men positioned themselves in a pincer movement, closing in on Xiao Jin. Their movements were swift and precise, clearly intending to subdue him, not merely to dissuade him.
Ling Zhao's eyes grew cold. They were not here to soothe; they were here to forcibly control him! Perhaps even… to carry out some kind of "final disposition"!
He could not wait any longer!
Just as Eunuch Sun's hand was about to touch Xiao Jin's shoulder, Ling Zhao shot out from behind the bead curtain like an arrow from a bow! He did not rush at Eunuch Sun, but aimed directly behind Xiao Jin!
"Who is it?!" "Protect His Highness!" Eunuch Sun and the two strong men cried out simultaneously, reacting instantly and turning toward Ling Zhao!
But Ling Zhao was faster! He clamped down on Xiao Jin's shoulder, which was taut with pain, feeling icy sweat beneath his grasp. Xiao Jin jolted violently, let out a beastly growl, and instinctively tried to claw at Ling Zhao!
"Look at me!" Ling Zhao barked, his voice not loud, but carrying a powerful mental shock, like cold water thrown into boiling oil!
Xiao Jin's movement froze for a split second. His confused, bloodshot eyes met Ling Zhao's intensely calm dark pupils. In those eyes, there was no fear, no pity, only a cold resolution and… a hint of familiar sharpness that his chaotic consciousness vaguely recognized.
"Save… me…" Xiao Jin forced out fragmented syllables, filled with the desperation of a drowning man grasping for driftwood.
"Do not move," Ling Zhao commanded. Simultaneously, his other hand flashed into his robes, pulling out a simple cloth package. Inside were several slender golden needles that he had secretly sharpened and sterilized with fire at Lin De Hall—his preparation over the past few days.
"Stop him! He is assassinating His Highness!" Eunuch Sun shrieked, as he and the two strong men lunged forward!
Ling Zhao didn't turn his head. His mental power suddenly burst forth like an invisible barrier! Though weak, it precisely disrupted the footing of the closest strong man, causing him to stumble slightly. Seizing this gap,