C16 He Saw Through the Prank

The following morning, Dust Taoist emerged from his room and finally lifted the Second Prince's punishment, no longer requiring him to squat at the door for his cultivation practice.

The Second Prince had spent a sleepless night, filled with frustration. He had never anticipated that the Grand Upper Elder would resort to using a Pill for interrogation.

Dongfang Menghuan was a recent arrival at the Star Cloud Sect and hadn't even undergone her Root testing. It was unthinkable that she could stand up to the Grand Upper Elder.

As Dust Taoist armed himself and prepared to depart, the Second Prince quickly approached him. "Master, may I offer an apology to Bai Yu?"

Dust Taoist was unsure whether the Second Prince's apology was genuine or merely an excuse. "To apologize properly, you must show true sincerity. I expect you not to repeat your past errors."

The Second Prince's initiative to apologize was a sign of growth, which pleased Dust Taoist. With great respect, the Second Prince saw Dust Taoist off, then discreetly retrieved a packet of medicinal powder from his clothing.

Each courtyard had a separate kitchen, and it was clear the Second Prince was no cook. He used silver to persuade two disciples to start bustling about in the kitchen.

"The Second Prince is showing some heart. We thought you two would keep at it indefinitely," they remarked.

In the time it took an incense stick to burn, the disciples lifted the lid, releasing the delicious aroma of the meal.

The Second Prince took in the scent and burst into laughter. "Your culinary skills are quite impressive."

Careful not to ruin the presentation, he arranged the dishes neatly on plates, making a special effort with a chicken leg, which he placed beneath the steamer basket.

Once the disciples had left, the Second Prince prepared a separate bowl of chicken soup. He then sprinkled the medicinal powder he had taken from his clothes over it, muttering, "I'll show you the consequences of crossing me."

Carrying the steamer basket, he made his way to Bai Yu's courtyard and peered inside.

Bai Yu noticed the Second Prince's gaze fixed on him, puzzled by his presence. After all, it had only been yesterday that Bai Yu had reprimanded him, and he wondered what could bring the Second Prince back so soon.

"What's going on?"

He remained at the doorway, not permitting the Second Prince to enter further.

Lifting the steamer basket he was holding, he offered, "I apologize for yesterday's incident. I had them specially prepare this old hen chicken soup."

Without waiting for Bai Yu's consent, he made his way to the table.

Upon opening the basket, it revealed three bowls.

One contained rice, while the other two held chicken soup and chicken meat.

Following the Second Prince to the table, he noticed that all the servings were meant for one person.

Despite his intention to apologize, it wasn't feasible to prepare more than one serving of everything.

"Haha, I believe that as fellow disciples, we should share both our fortunes and our hardships."

He slid the chicken soup towards the Second Prince and then picked up the bowl of rice for himself.

Bai Yu wasn't certain if the rice was poisoned, but he suspected the chicken soup might be.

Previously, the Second Prince had doubted that Bai Yu would drink the soup, so he had sprinkled the powder into the soup and vegetables instead.

The rice, however, was untouched and therefore safe.

"Just eat here in peace; no one will come looking for you."

He gestured for the Second Prince to drink the soup while he feigned interest in the vegetables.

The Second Prince, reluctant to risk his safety, took a sip of the chicken soup.

It tasted good, but his anxiety was palpable.

The powder in the soup was an antidote, yet he dared not take it with Bai Yu watching.

Bai Yu maintained his pose, hesitating to eat the rice and vegetables.

The Second Prince, observing Bai Yu's reluctance, pointed at the food.

"What's the matter? Doesn't it suit your taste?"

Bai Yu shook his head and set down the rice.

"It's not that it doesn't suit my taste; I'm just not accustomed to the Second Prince treating me this way."

The Second Prince's slightly flushed face was a giveaway that he had tampered with the food.

As for what exactly was in it, Bai Yu couldn't determine at the moment.

After a moment's consideration, the Second Prince stood up.

"I have other matters to attend to. Dust Taoist requires my presence for the morning lessons."

Using this as an excuse, the Second Prince sought to leave.

Bai Yu had already noticed something amiss with the food, suspecting his chicken soup was compromised as well.

"Wait a moment, I haven't finished speaking."

Bai Yu leisurely motioned for the Second Prince to take a seat, maintaining a composed demeanor.

The Second Prince was clutching his stomach, his face contorted in discomfort.

Bai Yu feigned concern as he approached the Second Prince. "What's the matter? Was the chicken soup too hot?"

None of the three dishes had been touched. An antidote was available, yet there was no way to administer it.

Pointing at the dishes on the table, he speculated, "Could it be... the dishes are poisoned?"

The Second Prince writhed on the ground, clutching his stomach as audible gurgles emanated from within.

In frustration, he delivered a fierce kick to the stone bench, scattering the food on the ground.

Bai Yu had no intention of informing anyone else, so the thought of reporting it didn't even arise.

The Second Prince was fraught with worry, fearful that someone might discover the toxic substance in the food.

"I need to go back... Ah..." Before he could address Bai Yu, a sharp pain in his stomach seized him, and he hurriedly climbed over the wall to return to his room.

It was clear to any observant person that the food must have contained a laxative.

The Second Prince had been tormented by the laxative to such an extent; it was truly excessive.

Glancing at the mess beneath the bench, Bai Yu swept up the food with a broom and disposed of it outside.

To ensure no one would secretly retrieve it, Bai Yu reinforced the disposal with a burst of his Qi.

Bai Yu had believed that this incident was known only to them, unaware that they were under surveillance.

In a cave on the back mountain, the Grand Upper Elder lowered his hands and let out a sigh. "With such potential, why engage in actions that only bring disdain?"

The Second Prince's Root was commendable, yet his focus was not on the path of righteousness.

The Grand Upper Elder knew he had to keep a watchful eye, for without guidance, the Second Prince was bound to stray.

The approach had to be measured, avoiding the harsh reproach of the Dust Taoist's methods.

Employing such tactics could provoke rebellious thoughts in the Second Prince.

Unaware of the watchful eyes, Bai Yu returned to his room.

He placed the Secret Scripture on the bed and skimmed through a few chapters, finding enough material to cover the fundamentals.

Regarding the cultivation techniques at the end of the Secret Scripture, he was confident that the Grand Upper Elder would deliver it to him punctually.

Meanwhile, the Second Prince emerged from the restroom, his face so dark and foreboding it was almost frightening, and there was a distinctly different aura about him. "Bai Yu, don't fool yourself into thinking you can dodge my assault that easily."

As long as Bai Yu resided in the neighboring courtyard, it was only a matter of time before he would face an attack, proving the extent of the Second Prince's might.

Unbeknownst to Bai Yu, the Second Prince had already marked him as a target. Bai Yu believed that the Second Prince had suffered enough and likely learned his lesson.

The food and chicken soup in the pot were not poisoned. The Second Prince served the food onto the table. Just then, Dust Taoist returned and promptly set the bowls and chopsticks down.

Observing the meal laid out on the table, Dust Taoist mistook it as a sign of the Second Prince's maturity and felt a wave of relief.