396(bad(2) - Senior Sister Is on Top

Tang Muxi pondered for a moment before ordering, "Bring them into the camp. I will interrogate them personally. Make sure not to alert anyone else." The scouts obeyed and quickly gathered enough men to leave. Their efficiency was impressive. In just a few moments, they had blindfolded the group, sealed their senses, and brought them before Tang Muxi. At first, the captured men seemed to mistake them for officials sent by the Eastern Domain court, and one of them cursed loudly, "Traitorous scum, colluding with the Ghost Demon Clan! I, Guang Liangji, would rather die than associate with you!" However, only he spoke out, while the others, severely injured, lacked the strength to echo his words. When they learned that they had been captured by agents of the Eastern Domain court, many of them showed signs of despair. Tang Muxi exchanged a glance with Jiang Yin, and both saw confusion in each other’s eyes. "Be cautious, this might be a trap," Jiang Yin warned, sending a secret message to her junior sister, wary that she might be too trusting. Tang Muxi nodded and stepped forward to remove the cloth blocking Guang Liangji's vision. Guang Liangji squinted as the sudden light hit his eyes, and after his vision cleared, he froze upon seeing the person before him. His cultivation and senses had been temporarily sealed, so he couldn't perceive her level of power. However, after years in the military, he had developed a keen sense for reading people. The person before him had a gentle appearance and a calm demeanor, making her seem like a kind and harmless female cultivator at first glance. However, her eyes were icy blue, her hair snow-white, and she exuded an aura of supreme nobility. Looking into her eyes felt like facing the heavens themselves, striking fear into him. Standing behind her were several cultivators with overwhelming presences, each with unfathomable cultivation. Guang Liangji recognized one of them as the Western Domain's border general, and as if something had suddenly become clear to him, his eyes widened in shock, and he began to tremble before prostrating himself on the ground. "This humble servant, Guang Liangji, pays his respects to the Divine Sovereign." His words sent a shock through his companions. Tang Muxi feigned surprise, "You recognize me?" Guang Liangji swallowed hard, clearly terrified. "Your Excellency's aura is unmatched, blessed by heaven and earth. Even among a sea of people, you would stand out, impossible to ignore. Besides, with the general personally serving by your side, who else but the Divine Sovereign could deserve such honor?" Tang Muxi glanced at Feng Kai, suddenly feeling mischievous. She smiled and said, "It seems the general is indeed favored. Even the Divine Sovereign must rely on your might." Feng Kai was taken aback, not expecting the princess to say such a thing. He was momentarily flustered, unsure if he should respond seriously or not. Fortunately, Tang Muxi was only joking and didn't expect a reply. She quickly refocused her attention on Guang Liangji and his companions. As she scanned them briefly, she realized the scouts' description had been understated. Their clothes were torn and covered in dried blood, with some on the verge of unconsciousness, clearly having narrowly escaped death. As soldiers of the Eastern Domain, they should have been fearless on their home ground. Why, then, had they faced such an attack? Combined with Guang Liangji's earlier words, Tang Muxi began to form some guesses in her mind. "Why were you fleeing for your lives?" she asked. At this, Guang Liangji's expression darkened, and his companions also showed signs of sorrow and regret. "Your Excellency, yesterday we learned of the court’s betrayal, siding with the Ghost Clan, which incensed us. We refused to align with such vile creatures, so we abandoned our positions and sought to leave the army. However, the city was visited by the imperial guard commander, who, upon hearing of our intent, sought to execute us for treason. It was only thanks to the sacrifice of a close friend that we managed to escape with our lives. But now, with him captured and beyond our ability to save, we have been wandering the outskirts in despair." "Your Excellency, I, Guang Liangji, am willing to offer my life in exchange for your aid in rescuing my friend. The imperial guard commander is a branch of the Azure Dragon Clan, with cultivation at the Mahayana stage, and is incredibly powerful, not to be faced directly. He has also placed many formations around the city, which will unleash divine fire if triggered, something even a cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage would struggle to withstand. However, I have guarded this city for years and know of a hidden path that could bypass the city's defenses undetected. I swear this is true, and if Your Excellency still doubts me, I am willing to lead the way myself, even at the cost of my life!" After he finished speaking, Guang Liangji kowtowed heavily, splitting his head open without hesitation, his sincerity evident. But after all, it was still just his word, with no evidence to back it up. Tang Muxi hesitated, not responding immediately, instead ordering him to be taken away and well cared for. "Junior Sister, what do you intend to do?" Jiang Yin asked. Normally, she wouldn't interfere too much, as she was only the Divine Sovereign’s consort, with no official power, and her junior sister needed to secure her position on her own. But seeing her sister troubled and indecisive after Guang Liangji was taken away, she couldn’t help but want to ease her burden. Tang Muxi frowned, not answering directly, but instead asked, "Senior Sister, how much of what he said do you believe is true?" Jiang Yin held up three fingers, "Seventy percent false, thirty percent true." "That little?" Tang Muxi was surprised, thinking it would be at least half and half. Jiang Yin smiled, "That’s already my most lenient estimate. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't believe any of it and would immediately resort to soul-searching." She was cold by nature and cared little for Guang Liangji's plea. She wouldn’t make the foolish decision to endanger thousands of cultivators for one man's personal cause. However, the "hidden path" he mentioned intrigued her. Yesterday, Xu Lan had been defeated and fled, and he would have surely reported their forces' details. The next battle would be several times more difficult. If there really was a hidden path to bypass the city's defenses and infiltrate undetected, it would be a huge advantage, minimizing their casualties. But the timing of Guang Liangji's appearance was too coincidental, making it hard not to suspect it was a trap. Soul-searching was the quickest and most straightforward method she could think of. No matter how well he lied, it would be exposed under the scrutiny of his soul’s memories. Even if someone had tampered with his memory, there would still be traces, and the truth would be revealed. "If we search his soul, will he survive?" Tang Muxi knew this was the best method, but she still struggled with the decision.