The maids had already sprung into action, bringing large towels to wipe away the bloodstains. Their movements were practiced and efficient, suggesting this was not their first time performing such a task.
Gu Qingcheng was greatly shaken by what she had witnessed today; the truth was so…
Prince Xia was suffering from a strange illness, transforming into a monster that ate humans, drank blood, and consumed flesh…
It was no wonder Prince Xia was bound to his bed with iron chains.
It could be imagined that these chains allowed for a certain range of movement, but within that range, Prince Xia could still capture his prey.
As long as one stayed outside the attack radius of these chains, they were safe. This explained why the guards and maids were so nonchalant and desensitized.
Gu Qingcheng withdrew her gaze, took Mi Guo's hand, and turned to leave.
Leaving Prince Xia's cabin, they were to head down to the next level to reach the water's surface and launch the speed boat.
As the two were descending the stairs, they heard the sound of footsteps coming from above.
Gu Qingcheng stopped. Fortunately, the staircase was divided into two sides. The people coming up were on the left, while they were going down on the right.
Gu Qingcheng quickly pulled Mi Guo down, so the approaching individuals wouldn't see them.
"Your Highness, this cannot continue. His Highness is gravely ill and delirious. He likely cannot be saved. We should give up!"
"Alas, my father's authority still holds. I can still rally people. If he dies, I fear no one will support me. The subordinates are already scattered. The current situation is so chaotic; a scattered populace is difficult to lead."
It was the Crown Prince's voice.
It seemed the Crown Prince had some self-awareness.
So, his desperate attempts to hide the truth of Prince Xia's illness and his active pursuit of a cure were all for his own ability to command his subordinates.
"Your Highness, Prince Xia was on the verge of death. After drinking Ge Hong's elixir, he became this living dead state, needing to consume live human blood daily. This also resulted in the Princess and Your Highness being bitten by Prince Xia. To end this matter, Prince Xia must be buried. This is unpalatable but loyal advice. If we delay, it will be too late. If this spreads to the common folk, the entire realm may descend into further chaos!"
A strategist beside him earnestly advised the Crown Prince.
"Hmph, is my father's life less important than that of ordinary citizens? It is their honor to die for my father."
The Crown Prince sneered.
Gu Qingcheng silently offered a prayer for the Crown Prince in her heart.
Indeed, in the eyes of these nobles, only they themselves mattered. The lives of ordinary people were utterly insignificant to them.
"Yes, I overstepped. However, according to Ge Hong's account, Prince Xia's condition seems to be curable, though even then, he would only cease to be a living dead person."
The strategist pondered for a long time before speaking again.
"This Ge Hong is superstitious and unreliable. He used to refine elixirs on Mount Jinsha. My father actually fell for his deception, believing his pills could grant immortality. This led to a qi and blood imbalance, causing him to fall ill. It enrages me. I no longer believe a word Ge Hong says. However, you still must send men to capture him. There is something peculiar about this man!"
The Crown Prince ordered.
"Yes."
The two continued their conversation as they walked, but Gu Qingcheng overheard all the important parts.
Taking advantage of the Crown Prince's departure, the two quickly hurried to the first level.
Fortunately, a short while later, they successfully found the cabin door leading to the deck on the first level.
Opening the cabin door, the deck on the first level was closer to the water's surface.
Gu Qingcheng quickly retrieved the speed boat and placed it in the water, then boarded it with Gu Dou.
The two immediately, without hesitation, started the speed boat. They could no longer care about the "dada" sound of the engine as it moved, twisted the throttle, and sped away.
Naturally, with such noise, the abnormality was immediately discovered by the servants on Prince Xia's ship.
Ships began to pursue them from behind. Several people rowed in shifts, keeping a distant tail on them. Fortunately, the speed boat was very fast, and having seized the initiative, they weren't caught yet.
But this situation was unsustainable!
Gu Qingcheng had a flash of inspiration. She steered the yacht into an area rich with aquatic plants, then docked and went ashore to retrieve the yacht.
Then, the two climbed the mountain and ran swiftly.
The pursuing boats, though fast, also entered this area. However, their boats became entangled in the grass, and they were temporarily unable to take action, watching helplessly as the duo escaped.
After running for a while on the mountain, Gu Qingcheng and Mi Guo crossed the entire ridge to the water's surface on the other side. Only then did they release the speed boat again, board it, and accelerate away.
Although Prince Xia's men could hear the sound of the speed boat's engine from the opposite side, they were trapped in the aquatic plants and could only watch as Gu Qingcheng and the others escaped.
Gu Qingcheng breathed a sigh of relief, glad they had shaken them off.
To avoid detection and exposure of their identities, Gu Qingcheng dared not stop. The speed boat did not stop, and they drove for a day and a night, finally returning to the yacht's docking area and reuniting with their family.
It was now three days after they had left the yacht. Upon boarding their own yacht, Gu Qingcheng was utterly exhausted and slumped onto the yacht's sofa.
Gu Zhaobei and his wife, hearing the commotion, came down from their cabins upstairs and saw their children looking utterly weary.
"Where did you two go? You made us incredibly worried."
The two parents inevitably came forward to check them, looking for any abnormalities.
Gu Zhaobei, after observing for many days, had confirmed his body was normal and that the illness did not spread between people. He was now at ease to meet with his children.
"Father, are you alright?"
Gu Qingcheng, before she could even report their whereabouts, immediately asked upon seeing her father appear.
"I'm fine. Apart from that chicken that died last time, my wife and I have shown no abnormalities in the past few days. I judge that this virus, assuming it is a virus, does not spread through normal human contact, and its toxicity is constantly weakening. Yesterday, I was in contact with another chicken, and this time it was lively." Gu Zhaobei said.
"That's good."
Gu Qingcheng breathed a sigh of relief.
If contact with humans caused animals to become infected, it would be bad for both humans and animals. Therefore, as long as there were no symptoms of neurological dysfunction, the possibility of infection could be ruled out.
Gu Zhaobei did not have modern scientific instruments or the ability to discuss with pathologists and microbiologists, so he could only rely on his own medical experience for basic judgments. However, he estimated that this was likely the case.
"Father, Prince Xia has now reached the point where he eats live creatures and drinks blood."
When Gu Qingcheng recounted what she had seen and heard, it greatly astonished Gu Zhaobei.
"I did notice Prince Xia was bound by chains back then, but how could we dare to speak of it? The Crown Prince offered no explanation. I could only pretend not to see and treat him as usual. I never expected that even doctors were within his attack range. Fortunately, he wasn't in an episode when I went, or I would have met you all."
Gu Zhaobei felt a lingering fear upon hearing his daughter's words. Ah, so he had once been so close to death's door.