377: Chapter 377

Feng Ming sighed inwardly, helpless. Since the Xun Luoyuan had already agreed, what difference did his own willingness make?

Though he thought this, he still cupped his hands in salute and said, 'To marry the Xun Luoyuan is a blessing for Feng Ming. Naturally, I desire nothing more.'

King Xibei's expression darkened slightly, his tone carrying a hint of displeasure. 'I understand. You may withdraw for now. I need to consider this matter further.'

'Yes,' they both responded. Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan took Feng Ming's hand and led him away quickly.

As soon as they left, Xun Yu stepped forward. 'Master, you have always admired Feng Ming. Why do you not approve of this marriage instead?'

King Xibei sighed softly. 'I'm just afraid Luo Yuan was pressured by the Crown Prince and agreed reluctantly to spare me worry. Feng Ming's talent is acceptable, but matters of the heart ultimately require mutual affection.'

'Fortunately, His Majesty has not set a wedding date. Let us wait a while longer.' He paused and looked at Xun Yu. 'As for you, have you truly never considered marrying Luo Yuan?'

Xun Yu was startled and quickly shook his head. 'This Disciple watched the Xun Luoyuan grow up. In my heart, she is no different from my own younger sister. If Master insists, I dare not refuse. But if the Xun Luoyuan can find a better match, I would be genuinely happy for her.'

'You...' King Xibei shook his head and said no more.

Outside the corridor, Feng Ming looked at Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan and said softly, 'To be honest, you don't have to marry me. Your father loves you so dearly. For your sake, he would do anything.'

Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan, however, shook her head gently, a trace of bitterness in her eyes. 'How could I not know? But precisely because of that, my heart aches even more for him. His health is far from as stable as it appears on the surface.'

'Therefore, you must marry me. As for the future... we'll deal with it later. At least in his final days, I don't want him to worry about me anymore.'

Feng Ming sighed helplessly. 'Your father-daughter bond runs so deep, why must you drag me into it? I also miss my wife. She is with child. What you are doing is truly putting me in a difficult position.'

Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan said, 'It won't delay you for more than a few days. Once the marriage is done, I will let you go. It will not delay the birth of your child. You go back and rest first. I will go ask Father if he will allow you to detoxify the soldiers in the army.'

Having said that, Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan left first.

Feng Ming was just about to return to his quarters when Wanyan Lin's voice sounded again from within his storage ring. 'Young Master.'

'What is it?' Feng Ming asked.

Wanyan Lin was silent for a moment before speaking slowly:

'There is one thing I feel I should tell you.'

'What is it?'

'King Xibei... he is very likely already poisoned.'

Feng Ming's heart tightened. 'Poisoned? What poison?'

Wanyan Lin's voice lowered slightly. 'It seems like... Child-Swapping Poison. I just don't dare be completely certain. This poison is extremely hidden. Ordinary people cannot detect it at all, but I can sense it.'

Feng Ming frowned. 'Since you have sensed it, why do you still not dare be certain?'

'Because Child-Swapping Poison is extremely rare. After being poisoned, there are no abnormal symptoms, but it has an extremely peculiar side effect.'

'What side effect?' Feng Ming asked urgently.

'The poisoned person will be unable to bear children for life.'

'What?' Feng Ming was shocked. 'Then how did Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan come about?'

Wanyan Lin said, 'The Child-Swapping Poison in King Xibei's body has already penetrated deep into his bones. The poison is extremely severe. To this degree, he must have been poisoned for at least a hundred years.'

'With my Ten Thousand Poison Body, I could not possibly sense it wrongly. But the contradiction lies with the Xun Luoyuan. If King Xibei was poisoned with this a hundred years ago, it would have been absolutely impossible for him and his wife to have given birth to Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan.'

'But the Xun Luoyuan clearly exists... That's why I don't dare be completely certain. I think it's necessary for you to ask the Xun Luoyuan directly. If she is not King Xibei's biological daughter, then everything would make sense.'

Hearing this, Feng Ming's heart shook violently. 'Not his biological daughter? How could that be... King Xibei holds a high position and wields immense power. How could such a thing happen to him?'

Wanyan Lin's words were completely beyond his expectations.

But this was no small matter.

Feng Ming couldn't help but suspect whether King Xibei's poisoning had some intricate connection with that suspected evil Cultivator, the Master Gu.

He had thought leaving the imperial capital would simplify his situation. He never expected Xun Prefecture to be a place of such undercurrents.

With this thought, Feng Ming immediately chased after Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan in the direction she had left. She was the most crucial person in this entire matter and the only one who could verify whether King Xibei was poisoned.

He had to find Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan and clarify things. However, he was unfamiliar with the City Lord's mansion. After wandering around for a few circles, he couldn't find any trace of her.

Left with no choice, he could only return to his quarters first and look for Feng Da.

After hearing Feng Ming's question, Feng Da was also stunned. 'Young Master, in all my days gathering information, I have never heard such rumors.'

'If the Xun Luoyuan truly isn't the Prince's biological daughter, how could there be not even a whisper of it in a place as big as Xun Prefecture? Young Master, how exactly did you discern this?'

Feng Ming waved his hand, saying nothing more, and silently took out the Ten Thousand Poison Manual to peruse.

He trusted Wanyan Lin deeply, but he had never heard of this Child-Swapping Poison. Without verifying it personally, he couldn't be at ease.

Fortunately, he had the Ten Thousand Poison Manual. Consulting it wasn't difficult. Moments later, the record on Child-Swapping Poison clearly came into view:

[Child-Swapping Poison]: A rare, strange poison originating from male Ground Wolf Spiders. Female spiders do not possess it; it is naturally carried by male spiders. The toxicity deepens gradually with the years. Adult male spiders, due to excessive poison, cannot reproduce.

When mating is required, the male spider must disperse all the toxins in its body to complete copulation, after which it dies. Hence the name 'Child-Exchange'.

[Friendly Reminder]: When this poison is used on a Cultivator, there are no obvious symptoms. Ordinary people find it difficult to detect, but it accumulates over time, causing irreversible damage to the body.

Many Cultivators die without ever knowing they perished from Child-Swapping Poison. The only definite effect of this poison: the poisoned person, regardless of gender, cannot conceive offspring.

After reading the record, Feng Ming's mind became completely clear. It was exactly as Wanyan Lin had said, without the slightest discrepancy.

In other words, if King Xibei truly was poisoned with Child-Swapping Poison, then Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan absolutely could not be his biological daughter.

Conversely, if it could be proven that Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan was not King Xibei's biological daughter, then Wanyan Lin's judgment would be completely valid.

Thinking of this, Feng Ming sighed softly. This matter must be the deepest secret and pain in the hearts of King Xibei and Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan.

To uncover it now would be no different from rubbing salt in the wound.

But it concerned King Xibei's life. He had no other choice. After waiting in the room for about an hour, Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan finally returned.

As soon as she entered, her face lit up with joy. 'Father has agreed. When is convenient for you? Brother Fang and I will arrange for you to detoxify the soldiers.'

Looking at her bright smile, Feng Ming ultimately sighed softly. 'Xun Luoyuan, please sit down first. I have something to say to you.'

Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan was taken aback. 'What? Have you changed your mind?'

'No, it's something else,' Feng Ming said.

Though full of confusion, Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan sat down as instructed.

Feng Da tactfully withdrew from the room, gently closing the door and standing guard outside.

'What do you want to say?' Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan asked.

Feng Ming looked at her. 'I would like to set up a Soundproofing Array here to prevent outsiders from eavesdropping. Would King Xibei mind?'

Xun Luoyuan Luo Yuan frowned slightly. 'Why set up an array for no reason? This is within my residence. What are you afraid of?'