Su Fan's figure vanished in an instant.
Everyone in the imperial study was startled.
"Protect the Emperor!"
Eunuch Li was the first to rush to the Emperor's side, shouting for protection.
The Imperial Guards outside immediately rushed in, closely guarding Xiao Yuan.
After waiting for a while and finding no abnormalities, they breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sorcery?"
Xiao Yuan's eyes sharpened.
Only a skilled sorcerer could possess such miraculous abilities.
Zuo Junyi was also startled. He had never expected Su Fan to have such extraordinary means.
"Issue a nationwide warrant for Su Fan and search for the Princess's whereabouts!"
Xiao Yuan said furiously.
"By imperial decree, a warrant is issued for the wanted criminal Su Fan. All properties under Su Fan's name are to be confiscated, and those closely associated with Su Fan are to be temporarily detained pending further investigation!"
A royal edict was issued, and those friendly with Su Fan, such as Cheng Yaoyin, were all implicated.
Cheng Yaoyin and others were arrested, the inn was sealed, and Qi Ling was also thrown into prison.
Even Grand Commandant Xu Mu was almost implicated.
"Su Fan is wanted? Why?"
Xu Mu, unaware of the Princess's disappearance, was bewildered.
Just a few days ago, he was being rewarded for his merits and publicly honored by Su Fan in court. Now, he was a wanted criminal?
"My Lord, it's best not to mention Su Fan. Everyone connected to him has already been taken in," the butler said fearfully.
"What heinous crime did this Su Fan commit to incur such wrath from His Majesty?"
Xu Mu couldn't understand.
The Third Prince was also completely clueless.
When he finally understood the cause and effect, he frowned.
Su Fan kidnapped the Princess?
Xiao Zhihong shook his head, disbelieving.
He had dealt with Su Fan for a long time and could tell that Su Fan was a person without ambition or desire.
He wasn't greedy for wealth or women, nor did he seek to climb the social ladder. Otherwise, he would have already subdued Su Fan.
Why would such a person kidnap the Princess? It was a thankless task.
Xiao Yan was even more incredulous when he heard the news and went directly to the Emperor.
"Father, Su Fan isn't that kind of person. There must be some misunderstanding!"
Without a second word, Xiao Yan, forgetting even to bow, found Xiao Yuan and immediately began to explain on Su Fan's behalf.
"Such haste, what is your demeanor!"
Xiao Yuan was very displeased with Xiao Yan's behavior.
"An outsider has made you lose your composure?"
Xiao Yuan said coldly to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan took a deep breath to calm himself.
"Father, Su Fan has no reason to kidnap my sister. There must be something strange going on."
"I know, but Su Fan escaping the imperial study with sorcery in plain sight is enough to warrant a death sentence. If you want to help him, find evidence. We still don't know where your sister is."
Xiao Yuan naturally understood that Su Fan might be framed, but proof was needed.
Moreover, Xiao Xue'er's whereabouts were still unknown, and he needed someone to rescue her.
The wanted Su Fan was the best candidate. Under the pressure of the warrant, he would be more eager to find Xiao Xue'er and thus prove his innocence.
"Then, perhaps, the warrant for Su Fan could be secretly revoked?"
Xiao Yan, guessing Xiao Yuan's intentions, tentatively asked.
"So many people are watching. Can I just revoke it as I please?"
Xiao Yuan had no intention of revoking it. A ruler's word is his bond. Without evidence, he could not withdraw the warrant.
"Don't worry, your friend is skilled in sorcery and won't be easily captured."
Xiao Yuan had great confidence in Su Fan. The fact that Su Fan could escape the palace instantly proved that ordinary people couldn't apprehend him.
Xiao Yan was still worried, but Xiao Yuan had no more time to discuss it with him.
"If you have nothing else, hurry and leave. Have your men search for the Princess's whereabouts. Don't just worry about an outsider; care more about your sister."
Xiao Yuan said with some dissatisfaction.
A member of the royal family was more concerned about an outsider than his own sister.
Xiao Yan could only retreat helplessly.
He led his men to search for Xiao Xue'er's whereabouts in Tianlong City, and also to look for Su Fan.
At this time, Su Fan had arrived in Tianxin City, a hundred miles away from Tianlong City. It would take some time to find him here.
[Ding! Triggered hidden quest: Narrow Escape, Evade Pursuit, Prove Innocence. Reward: 250000 Experience, 200 Reputation, Attribute Pills * 10, Martial Essence Stone * 2]
As soon as Su Fan teleported over, he triggered a hidden quest.
Good heavens! The rewards were generous, indicating the difficulty of the quest.
"Damn it! If I had a choice, I really wouldn't want to do this quest. It's too damn difficult, a nationwide manhunt!"
Su Fan had no choice. Although he knew it was Zuo Junyi's doing, returning to Tianlong City now was too dangerous. He would observe the situation first.
When night fell in the game, Su Fan teleported to his previous small courtyard. He did not return to the Qi mansion, fearing an ambush.
Su Fan gently pushed open the courtyard gate and saw many teams of soldiers patrolling the streets outside, clearly in a state of full alert.
This was obviously due to Su Fan.
Su Fan sighed slightly and quietly headed towards the Zuo mansion.
Zuo Junyi was responsible for this, so he had to find Zuo Junyi.
Zuo Junyi would definitely know where Xiao Xue'er was.
However, the distance from here to the Zuo mansion was quite long, and there were too many patrolling soldiers along the way.
Su Fan had to dodge as he walked, trying his best not to attract the soldiers' attention.
As Su Fan was walking, a team of soldiers approached him. Su Fan quickly changed direction, but another team of soldiers was also heading this way.
Su Fan frowned.
Looking at the shops with their doors tightly shut on both sides, Su Fan felt helpless.
"Hey, up here!"
Just as he was about to force his way through, a voice came from the rooftop.
A fully armed man in black waved at Su Fan.
Su Fan was stunned. He immediately flipped over and climbed onto the roof, lying flat on the tiles, waiting for the soldiers to pass.
"Thank you."
After the soldiers left, Su Fan thanked the man in black.
"You're welcome, we're on the same side."
The man in black took off his mask and smiled at Su Fan.
Su Fan's eyes widened slightly upon seeing the man's face. It was so familiar.
"Li Qiusheng!"
Su Fan suddenly remembered. The person in front of him was Li Qiusheng from the second branch of Baiyue Villa! (A character who appeared in Chapter 44)
He was the Li Qiusheng who helped the Third Elder's grandson find trouble with Xiao Yan after Xiao Yan stole the Martial Essence Stone.
"Why are you here?"
Su Fan asked, confused.
"The Martial Arts Tournament is about to begin. My master sent me to scout ahead," Li Qiusheng replied truthfully.
"Then why are you dressed like this?"
Su Fan looked Li Qiusheng up and down. He didn't seem to be just scouting.
"Uh... don't mind the details. What's going on with you? Why are there so many soldiers patrolling in Tianlong City? What happened?"
Li Qiusheng also asked Su Fan, bewildered.
Hearing his words, Su Fan was certain that Li Qiusheng had just arrived and didn't even know what had happened.