Home! And Got Shocked . . .
The crown prince's eyes widened as he finally comprehended why his father had treated Cha Nan-Tian as such a crucial figure in their kingdom.
He had now witnessed the fury that simmered beneath the facade of the typically gentle Cha Nan-Tian. The war god, known for his invincibility, had displayed his formidable power the moment he arrived in the city. It was a display of control that bordered on audacity, a fearless demonstration of authority.
The crown prince's thoughts raced as he considered the implications of this revelation. If Cha Nan-Tian ever harbored ambitions for the throne, could anyone stand in his way? What if Cha-Eun Xiao didn't survive, and the enraged Cha Nan-Tian launched an assault on the city, laying waste to the capital? Could anyone prevent such a catastrophe?
He dared not contemplate the consequences if Cha Nan-Tian were to discover his involvement in Cha-Eun Xiao's potential demise. The mere thought sent shivers down his spine.
"Gods, please, do not let Cha Nan-Tian learn the truth," he whispered fervently to himself. The fear of what might transpire if the furious general uncovered his role was enough to haunt his every thought.
Fortunately, he found himself safely ensconced within his palace. Had he been standing atop the city wall, overlooking the unfolding chaos, he might have truly been terrified beyond measure. From his vantage point, all he could see were successive rolling clouds of dust billowing toward the heavens, evidence of an overwhelmingly powerful force hurtling toward the city.
The blood guards had arrived, their journey marked by the loss of several thousand warhorses. They had doggedly followed in Cha Nan-Tian's wake, pushing themselves to reach the city in time. Though exhaustion clung to them, their eyes retained their sharpness and resolve.
Meanwhile, within the House of Cha, a whirlwind erupted, heralding the arrival of the imposing figure of Cha Nan-Tian. His furrowed brow fell upon the plaque that read 'General's House,' and an unfamiliar sensation gripped him.
As he hurried to his son's side, the very thought of what he might find filled him with dread. He feared the sight of Cha-Eun Xiao, lying in his sickbed, gasping his final breaths. The trepidation gnawed at him, casting doubt on his son's chances of recovery.
"General Cha, you have returned," a group of men greeted him, their expressions oily with insincere smiles.
They had been waiting for days, representatives of the Right Prime Minister's house, Minister Jiang's house, and others. Their lords, forbidden to leave their residences, had sent them in their stead. They waited outside the House of Cha, knowing that gaining entry was a near-impossible feat, given the deep-seated animosity harbored by the Cha Clan towards them.
Cha Nan-Tian's frown deepened. "What do you want?" he demanded.
The steward from the Right Prime Minister's house spoke with a forced smile, "The Right Prime Minister has been confined to his residence by royal decree. He has dispatched me here to accept any punishment General Cha deems fit. He stated that regardless of your demands, we will comply without protest. If you find our compliance insufficient, we are willing to surrender our young lord, Li Cheng-Ze, to face whatever punishment you see fit. We won't raise a word of objection. Even if you choose to end his life, we shall consider it a deserving fate."
The steward's words were not mere flattery; the Right Prime Minister had indeed made this offer. Being a veteran courtier who had served for decades, he possessed a shrewd understanding of when to yield. He believed that Cha Nan-Tian would not resort to killing a young lad like Li Cheng-Ze, as it would tarnish his own reputation. Sacrificing Li Cheng-Ze, the young and foolish scion of their house, seemed a reasonable concession to resolve the issue.
The other men, observing the steward's conversation with Cha Nan-Tian, inched closer, eager to present their own conciliatory gestures.
Suddenly, an air of tension and unease permeated the surroundings as Cha Nan-Tian made his presence known.
"Get out of here, all of you!" Cha Nan-Tian's voice held no room for negotiation. He whipped his sleeves, and a powerful gust of wind surged forth, sending the more than forty men sprawling like tumbleweeds in the breeze.
Among them were not just ordinary individuals; some were superior cultivators, although none had attained the level of Tianyuan. These cultivators had been hired by various influential houses at a premium to safeguard the House of Cha. These houses had become aware of the assassination attempt on Cha-Eun Xiao and had dispatched their most capable protectors to reinforce Cha Clan's defenses. However, none of these cultivators possessed the prowess to withstand a mere sleeve's movement from Cha Nan-Tian.
Their faces paled as they stared at Cha Nan-Tian in sheer terror. His display of power was nothing short of terrifying.
It was a force that seemed beyond the realm of the Grade of Tianyuan, leaving them in awe and fear.
Far removed from the immediate scene, Guan Zheng-Wen observed with trepidation. Witnessing the incredible display of power, he was overcome with dread. "[This is not the strength of a mere Tianyuan cultivator... Cha Nan-Tian is far more formidable than what the crown prince had led me to believe. He is, in fact, a superior cultivator, one who has transcended the limits of this world.]"
A chilling realization settled over him, making him acutely aware of how thoroughly he had been deceived by the crown prince. "[If Cha Nan-Tian discovers my role in Cha-Eun Xiao's attack, my life will be forfeit.]"
Cha Nan-Tian's voice, tinged with a sneer, pierced through the tension. "While I was in the north, shedding my blood for the country, my son suffered indignities in the capital. I've heard that the families of my soldiers were mistreated. I had intended to address this issue upon my triumphant return. But you despicable scoundrels went too far. You dared to lay hands on my son. Spare me your talk of Li Cheng-Ze. The lives of your entire clans are worth less than my son's."
He continued icily, "I have no time for idle chatter with you. Get out of here and inform your masters that I won't accept anything from you. If my son pulls through, I will still hold you accountable for your actions. And if my son perishes... You..."
Cha Nan-Tian pointed a stern finger at each of them and declared, "Your entire clans... I, Cha Nan-Tian, vow that not a single member, not even a dog or a chicken in your households, will be spared."
"Leave!"
His command sent the dozens of men scurrying away, their heads hung in shame. Even the cultivators among them trembled; the palpable aura of death surrounding Cha Nan-Tian had driven fear into their very souls.
"General!"
The four guards stationed at the door knelt in unison.
"How is Xiao Xiao?" Cha Nan-Tian inhaled deeply, attempting to regain his composure.
"The young lord... He..." The four blood guards prostrated themselves and confessed, "We have failed in our duty to protect him."
"Rise." Cha Nan-Tian sighed, his anger abating slightly. The situation, though dire, was not the worst possible outcome. His son still clung to life, and where there was life, there remained hope. With resolve, he entered the house, saying, "Take me to him."
His imposing figure strode purposefully forward, exuding a sense of determination. Yet, from behind, a trace of sorrow and pity lingered in his wake.
A storm of palpable anger brewed within Cha Nan-Tian as he advanced, each step drawing him closer to the brink of eruption. The intensity of his fury hung in the air, a volatile force that, if unleashed, could reduce the entire city to ruins within moments. However, as he strode forward with purpose, Cha Nan-Tian was oblivious to the fact that Cha-Eun Xiao was not present in their home.
The truth was simple—he was absent.
The irony of the situation was not lost on those who knew the circumstances. Cha-Eun Xiao was currently engaged in discussions with Wan Zheng-Hao at the Ling-Bao Hall, far removed from the chaos brewing within his own household. Unbeknownst to him, his father, Cha Nan-Tian, had returned to the city, unaware of the turmoil transpiring in his absence.
Song Jue was one such individual privy to the situation. Concealed beneath layers of blankets, he lay motionless on the bed, feigning death to protect his nephew's identity. Unbeknownst to him, the outside world remained a mystery, and he had no knowledge of Cha Nan-Tian's return.
—Creak!—
The door swung open.
Cha Nan-Tian stepped into the room, his eyes immediately falling upon the figure lying on the bed. The absence of any signs of life from the man before him sent a shiver down his spine, filling him with a sense of dread. With a wave of his hand, he shut the door behind him, encasing the room in silence.
Advancing slowly, he traversed the expanse of the room, the weight of his emotions evident in his every movement.
"Xiao-Er..." Cha Nan-Tian's voice quivered as he stood beside the bed, gazing down at the figure beneath the covers.
Gently, he raised the quilt, revealing the form of his son. Tears welled up in his eyes, threatening to spill over. This was the one ray of hope in his life, and now, his son was teetering on the precipice of danger. The prospect of his son's demise weighed heavily on his heart. How could he ever face his wife, who had sacrificed everything for the sake of their family?
"You are our only child..." Cha Nan-Tian's voice cracked with emotion.
Yet, in the next moment, a peculiar scene unfolded.
Unbeknownst to Song Jue, who had stationed guards at the door to prevent anyone from entering the room, there was an unexpected intrusion. He was confident that his precautions would prevent anyone from entering, not even the king himself. Thus, he relaxed his vigilance and dozed off.
However, the door swung open, followed by an unsettling silence that enveloped the room.
Song Jue couldn't help but wonder if the blood guards had come to inspect the room. Just as he was pondering this, he felt the quilt being lifted from his head.
"What in the world... Who dares to disrupt my perfect plan!" Song Jue's anger flared, and he began to shout, "You—"
But before he could utter another word, he locked eyes with the intruder standing before him, and both men were overcome with shock. Staring at each other, their expressions mirrored that of complete astonishment.