Last Joy; Take Charge! . . .
Summoning the last dregs of his energy, Guan Zhengwen forced his eyes open, his words accompanied by a spray of blood. "But… My family… They… They… Know nothing…"
"So, you're begging now?" Cha Eun Xiao retorted without a shred of mercy. "You want me to spare them because you claim they're ignorant?" He continued in an icy tone, "Do you comprehend the fate that befell Minister Li's family after his death? His relatives were tormented to their graves, and two baby girls went missing… Have you any inkling of what transpired to Lord Liang's family following your murder of him? They were all..."
He coldly inquired, "So, only you have a family? Only your family is innocent? What about them? They're all innocent! You slew their beloved ones!"
Guan Zhengwen's eyes clouded with despair.
"I won't harm your family personally," Cha Eun Xiao conceded, his tone unwavering. "As you said, they are unaware of your misdeeds, and they have committed no heinous acts. Nevertheless, I won't intervene if someone else seeks their demise. They are your family, and they've enjoyed a relatively peaceful life thus far because of your actions. They must bear the consequences of your deeds in the future." He continued, "That grandiose future career you dreamed of... it's a pipe dream. I'm absolutely certain of this."
In response, Guan Zhengwen uttered a strained "Thank you."
And then he ceased to breathe.
It was apparent that he had used his remaining strength to sever the flow of energy within himself.
Cha Eun Xiao gazed at the lifeless form before him, a deep-seated sensation slowly melting within his heart.
This must be... the grudge harbored by the previous Cha Eun Xiao.
[Could it be that Guan Zhengwen was the one who poisoned the former Cha Eun Xiao?]
Cha Eun Xiao took a deep breath and turned his attention to his own hands.
He had initially anticipated that overcoming Guan Zhengwen would be a formidable challenge, but it had proven remarkably straightforward.
This unexpected upgrade had played a pivotal role.
Cha Eun Xiao was positioned at level eight of the Sky Origin Stage. In reality, he should be capable of contending with cultivators of up to level three of the Spirit Origin Stage in the Qing-Yun Realm.
Guan Zhengwen had ascended to the peak of level nine of the Sky Origin Stage. Although he didn't rank among the likes of Ning Biluo, Boundless Saint, or Zhao Pingtian, he still wielded the strength befitting a martial artist recruited by the royalty. Yet, their encounter resulted in an entirely one-sided victory.
In every respect, he was inferior to Cha Eun Xiao, and his martial arts techniques weren't top-tier either.
Indeed, Guan Zhengwen had never acquired a high-level martial art. The sole notable exception was the Bone Melting Palm, a skill he had self-taught.
While it was considered an impressive martial art in the Land of Han-Yang, it failed to provide a comprehensive enhancement of his cultivation.
"What a tragedy. A man such as this could have readily attained greatness... if only he had chosen the path of righteousness and secured a wise mentor. Instead, he veered down the wrong road, meddling with forces beyond his control," Cha Eun Xiao lamented while contemplating the lifeless body.
His white robes briefly fluttered in the fog before disappearing into the night.
It was certain that the night would be long and sleepless, particularly at the Crown Prince's Palace...
In the throes of alcohol, Crown Prince found himself inexplicably emboldened. When he encountered the Crown Princess, his wife, he adopted an air of arrogance, an abrupt shift from his usual demeanor, which was often characterized by a submissive attitude when facing her.
For years, he had been acquiescing to her wishes, like a dutiful spouse. It was a role he had grown accustomed to, yet the sudden shift in his attitude was palpable, and it provided him with a newfound sense of power.
This transformation in their relationship was catalyzed by the perilous situation in the Mu Clan, a once-powerful family that now lay in ruins. The Mu Clan had suffered a severe blow at the hands of two formidable sects, resulting in a complete loss of their former strength. In response, the Mu Clan had adopted an antagonistic stance against the five major clans, thereby subjecting themselves to the dominance and suppression of these powerful factions.
Consequently, the Mu Clan found themselves teetering on the precipice of obliteration. Stripped of their capacity to disrupt the existing order, they had nothing to offer the Crown Prince any longer.
As the Mu Clan's influence waned, so too did the importance of the Crown Princess. The symbiotic relationship between them had long been rooted in mutual benefit. However, with the Mu Clan's decline, it was a foregone conclusion that the Crown Prince would take the opportunity to vent the frustrations he had endured during the course of their marriage. Thus, the current circumstances favored the powerful over the powerless.
Capitalizing on this newfound ascendancy, the Crown Prince seized the moment. Following a banquet, he returned to their bedchamber, where he unceremoniously pushed the Crown Princess onto the bed. His inebriation had obliterated any vestiges of gentility, and he roughly tore her clothing asunder, heedless of her feelings. He proceeded with an unbridled and forceful union.
Although the Crown Princess was herself a formidable martial artist, she dared not oppose him. In silence, she bore the ordeal, recognizing the paramount importance of maintaining the Crown Prince's support. The Mu Clan was in precipitous decline, and she had adopted a pragmatic approach. With the Mu Clan facing near-inevitable ruin, her best course of action was to seek sanctuary in the Crown Prince's influence.
The Crown Princess had a well-conceived plan to secure her survival in the face of her clan's imminent downfall. The five major clans, having chosen the right side in a critical conflict, were relatively unscathed and had even gained access to supreme dan beads. Their amicable relations with the Ling-Bao Hall promised future prosperity.
In stark contrast, the Mu Clan had been decimated by the two powerful sects, suffering considerable losses, including the invaluable supreme dan bead. Consequently, they had incurred the wrath of the five major clans, which possessed overwhelming superiority in terms of power. The Mu Clan was now a shadow of its former self, teetering on the brink of disintegration.
The Crown Prince represented the Mu Clan's last hope and the Crown Princess's sole chance of survival. While the Crown Prince's influence might have held little significance for the Mu Clan as a whole, it was of paramount importance to the Crown Princess.
In the Kingdom of Chen, the situation was precarious. The entire family of the Second Prince had been annihilated, and the Third Prince was a feeble contender for the throne. The ailing King teetered on the brink of death, and Crown Prince stood as the sole candidate capable of ascending to the throne and becoming the next monarch.