WHO STOOD to benefit from the death of the Western Khaganate's second prince?
Obviously, the first prince. He was now Apa Khagan's only living son. Yet his subordinates couldn't have killed the second prince without alerting anyone—unless, of course, the first prince had colluded with the Sui envoys and asked Feng Xiao to do it for him. Either way, the envoys from Sui were the obvious suspects. Everyone had seen the second prince provoke them and promise they'd die here in the Western Khaganate.
Jinlian felt like her heart was being squeezed by a fist. She'd seen Cui Buqu's silver tongue at work and knew how capable he was. She could only hope he'd find a way out of this predicament. Perhaps he'd even anticipated this twist, and the moment he opened his mouth, all would become clear.
As Jinlian stared at him hopefully, Cui Buqu finally spoke. "If the khagan insists we did it, there isn't much I can say."
What? Jinlian suspected her ears had stopped working. She stared at Cui Buqu in disbelief, wishing desperately to rush over and clap her hand over his mouth.
Apa Khagan sneered. "Very well. Since you yourself admit it—"
Cui Buqu held up a hand. "What I said was, if the khagan wishes to pin this crime on us, there's not much I can say. However, accusations must be based on evidence. Are there any witnesses who saw us commit this murder? Did anyone see us leave the second prince's tent? The second prince had many guards around him. Maybe none could defeat Feng Xiao, but could none even notice him?"
"Your deputy envoy was absent from the banquet while Ade was killed." Apa Khagan's tone was cold. "He was also seen entering the hut of the Black Moon Shaman just before his death. One coincidence can be ignored, but two? How long will you refuse to admit your crimes? Guards! Seize them!"
"Give me one day," said Cui Buqu. "I will find the true killer."
Apa Khagan's eyes narrowed. "One day?"
"That's right," said Cui Buqu coolly. "One day. If we can't find the murderer in a day, the khagan can kill us or mince us up, whatever you please."
"No!" The khagan instantly refused. "Who's to say you won't just run off?"
"We came here on orders from our emperor. If we don't complete our mission, we won't be able to face him—there's no point in saving our hides here only to be castigated before the court. Besides, we're not the ones who need to worry. The Black Moon Shaman's killer is still hiding in your midst, ready to strike again at any moment. And it's likely their next target is you, Khagan."
One Göktürk noble, a close associate of the second prince, shouted, "You can't fool us with your lies! Who would believe you?!"
Cui Buqu paid him no mind. "Khagan, let's say you execute us now. The real murderer may still be lurking in the shadows, watching you. You don't have to let us go. I need but one day."
Jinlian seized her chance. "Khagan, Prince Ade was murdered right here in the open. These Sui envoys aren't so foolish; how could they be the murderers?"
The greater khatun spoke up as well. "I ask the khagan: please accommodate the envoy's request. Give them one day."
The khatun was unassuming, but Cui Buqu had seen that she was no fool. She, too, must have realized that a great many people would believe she and her son, the first prince, were colluding with the Sui envoys. They'd already killed the second prince; only the death of the khagan stood between them and the throne of the Western Khaganate. She had to speak frankly and demonstrate her innocence. Regardless of how many allies the second prince had, he was gone. Whatever the truth of his death, the khatun and her son were in a strong position that would only grow stronger. Many were unwilling to offend them and chimed in with agreement.
Apa Khagan was still suspicious, but he couldn't ignore the tide of opinion. After a moment's consideration, he turned back to Cui Buqu. "Only one day?"
"That's right," said Cui Buqu.
Apa Khagan pointed at Feng Xiao. "He's too powerful. If I give you a day, you'll run."
"We must investigate and look for evidence," Cui Buqu replied coolly. "How else can we track down the murderer and prove our innocence? If the khagan is worried, we'll leave someone here as a hostage."
From the moment Cui Buqu had asked for a day, Feng Xiao had caught a whiff of a familiar scent—one no one else could detect.
It was the smell of being thrown to the wolves.
Cui Buqu had asked for a single day to investigate. He had known the khagan would never allow them all to run freely about; he would demand one of their number as a hostage. Who else could Cui Buqu offer up but Feng Xiao?
Feng Xiao rubbed at his nose. The wound on his shoulder seemed to throb dully once more. He'd sensed it coming, but no one enjoyed being someone else's pawn.
"I'll stay," Cui Buqu said.
The hand on Feng Xiao's nose froze.
"Feng Xiao will look for the killer."
Feng Xiao gave Cui Buqu a startled look.
Apa Khagan frowned. "No. He's a skilled martial artist; he'll escape!"
"He's only the deputy envoy," said Cui Buqu. "I'm the head of this expedition. I may not know martial arts, but my life is worth far more than his. I'm willing to remain as hostage to put the khagan's worries to rest. If you refuse, we can carve a bloody path out of here. We're capable of that, are we not?"
Terrified, the khagan stepped quickly behind his guards, wariness written all over his face.
Feng Xiao had killed Fo'er with ease. He was obviously capable of demolishing everyone present. Even if the Göktürks managed to overwhelm him with numbers, there was no telling how heavy their losses would be. Apa Khagan was a man who greatly valued his own life. However profound his grief for the second prince, he wasn't willing to join him in the underworld.
Jinlian spoke quietly. "Khagan, our relationship with Ishbara died with Fo'er. We mustn't offend Sui too."
Apa Khagan looked at Cui Buqu doubtfully. "Can you really find the killer in a single day?"
Cui Buqu swore no heartfelt oaths. "I will do my best," he said simply.
"Your deputy envoy must return within the day, whether he finds the killer or not. If he's late, I won't hesitate to kill you."
Feng Xiao chuckled.
The khagan turned furiously. "Why are you laughing?!"
Feng Xiao stepped forward. Though he approached the khagan at a leisurely pace, no one dared stop him. The crowd instinctively parted for him as he sauntered up to stand before Cui Buqu.
"Be at ease, Khagan," he said. "He promised a day, so I will do everything in my power to investigate within that time. After all, what would I do if you killed my lover?"
Jinlian had been acting as interpreter, but at that final word, she froze mid-translation. She considered herself someone who'd seen all sorts, who'd weathered the waves and braved many storms, but this, it seemed, was too much even for her.
Cui Buqu knew Feng Xiao was merely putting on a show for Apa Khagan's benefit. If Apa Khagan thought they were lovers, he wouldn't worry Feng Xiao might drop everything and dash off. And he'd think twice about eliminating Cui Buqu before the deadline.
Thus Cui Buqu remained still, allowing Feng Xiao to embrace him and deliver a melodramatic proclamation of love: "Oh Ququ, you must wait for me. I swear, I will find the murderer and prove your innocence!"
Cui Buqu forced himself to reach out and return Feng Xiao's embrace, playing along.
Jinlian was dumbfounded, and the khagan looked only half-convinced. As for the first prince, he looked rather envious.
"Are you sure about this?" Feng Xiao murmured, his voice low in Cui Buqu's ear. "If we leave now, they won't be able to stop us."
Cui Buqu knew no voice transmission techniques, so he merely hummed his affirmation. Feng Xiao released him, then turned and walked away without looking back. Compared to his ardent show of adoration a moment ago, he was like a different person, unflinching and resolute.
The corner of Cui Buqu's mouth twitched as he shoved the small vial Feng Xiao had slipped him further into his sleeve.