The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 14: Poisoned? What's the fuss about it?

Poisoned? What's the fuss about it? . . .

At this very moment, the tumultuous turmoil in the capital showed no signs of abating. The city harbored over a thousand gangs, varying in size and influence, but fear and trepidation prevented any rash actions on their part. They knew all too well the consequences of attracting the wrath of the formidable Zuo Xiang Fu forces.

With unwavering determination, the Zuo Xiang Fu forces had positioned themselves at the city's four gates, systematically scouring the darkest corners of the city known for criminal activity. Under the pretense of a lofty mission—combating crime and restoring peace—they unleashed their might against the various gangs.

Every gang, regardless of its past bravado, found itself under intense scrutiny and investigation. Those who once reveled in street-level thuggery were now confronted with the consequences of their actions.

A growing suspicion gnawed at the minds of the city's residents: What on earth had been stolen from Minister Zuo's residence? Several days had passed, and the investigation showed no signs of waning. The audacity of the crime and the relentless pursuit of justice had left the entire city in a state of uneasy anticipation.

Simultaneously, word of two other significant events began to ripple throughout the kingdom of Chen, setting tongues wagging and hearts pounding.

Firstly, news of the Tu-Tian Group—the enigmatic and deadly organization that had struck terror into the hearts of many—rocked the nation. A surprise raid had crippled their ranks, eliminating many of their top assassins. The once-hidden location of their secret hideout was now exposed, marking the operatives who had revealed their identities as the kingdom's most wanted. The identity of the informant who had betrayed the Tu-Tian Group remained shrouded in mystery.

With their sanctuary exposed, the Tu-Tian Group members were hunted like rats in broad daylight. Scores of individuals with grievances seized the opportunity to exact revenge.

Meanwhile, the group's leader, Ning Bi-Luo, the world's most elusive assassin, managed to evade capture during the chaos, vanishing without a trace.

The second monumental event was the emergence of the Supreme Dan Beads, a revelation that reverberated across the martial world. The prestigious Ling-Bao Hall Salesroom announced their intention to auction these extraordinary dan beads at their upcoming event.

While the Pei-Yuan Dan was generally considered of low value for accomplished martial sects, primarily benefiting practitioners in their initial stages, these particular Pei-Yuan Dan beads defied conventional wisdom. Once the dan cloud formed within them, they transformed into legendary artifacts, coveted by dan craftsmen the world over.

The allure of these mythical dan beads extended beyond mere consumption. Dan-makers perceived them as the key to elevating their craft to unprecedented heights, bolstering their sects' foundations. In a realm where strength depended on mastering the art of dan-making, martial sects recognized the profound significance of these beads.

Without hesitation, every martial sect issued a single, resolute command: send their most skilled individuals to the capital, equipped with orders to acquire the Supreme Dan Beads at any cost. These orders, driven by a shared determination, were not without foresight. Each sect dispatched experienced dan-makers, ensuring they weren't deceived in the fervor of the bidding war.

The martial sects grappled with a gnawing uncertainty: How many of these legendary dan beads would be presented at the auction? What if only one existed? The notion of a Supreme Dan with a dan cloud was the stuff of legends; daring to hope for multiple seemed almost sacrilegious. Yet, with the tantalizing promise of the beads, martial sects galvanized their forces, sparing no effort in the quest to secure them. The pursuit of these coveted artifacts promised to be a fierce and unrelenting competition.

While Zuo Xiang Fu continued its ostentatious "hunt for the criminals" throughout the capital, a parade of enigmatic martial sects and influential noble clans began converging on the city. The once-orderly capital was swiftly descending into chaos, besieged by a myriad of forces.

From the renowned Qing-Yun Sect to the formidable Cang-Shan Sect, the esteemed Ling-Yun Sect to the revered Zi-Yu Sect, and the elusive An-Ning Sect to the venerable Wu-Liang Sect—these superior martial sects had all set their sights on Chen-Xing City, the heart of the Chen Kingdom. Even the long-bearded, reclusive elders, who had remained hidden for countless years, began reemerging from their seclusion.

Cha-Eun Xiao could scarcely fathom the consequences of his seemingly innocuous actions. When he had inadvertently mimicked the movements of Ning Bi-Luo, he had unwittingly triggered the downfall of a top-tier assassins' guild within the Kingdom of Chen. Similarly, the mere unveiling of those dan beads had triggered a global sensation within the mortal realm. His initial goal had been rather modest—to accumulate wealth and acquire high-quality treasures that would hasten his journey of cultivation. Little did he know that these beads would garner such widespread attention; had he foreseen the magnitude of their impact, he might have chosen a more discreet path.

In his previous life, Cha-Eun Xiao had inhabited the higher echelons of the Qing-Yun Realm and remained aloof from the mortal world. Consequently, he was oblivious to the notion that even the most commonplace dan could incite such upheaval in the mortal realm.

Motivated by his pursuit of resources and lack of financial means, Cha-Eun Xiao had casually produced the supreme dan beads as a pragmatic solution to his financial constraints. Little did he realize that this seemingly innocuous act would set off shockwaves across the lands, irrevocably altering the course of events in the Kingdom of Chen. Oblivious to the unfolding events in the kingdom, he now reveled in leisure within the capital.

...

At this moment, Cha-Eun Xiao found himself within Wang Xiao-Nian's residence, his intention solely to stir up trouble.

The pressure exerted by these three flamboyant lords weighed heavily on Wang Xiao-Nian, making it difficult for him to breathe or stand upright. They were determined to create turmoil, and the young lord Wang struggled to contain the mounting tension. In desperation, he had covertly sent for his father.

"Was it you who poisoned me that night in Shan-Hua House, Wang Xiao-Nian?" Cha-Eun Xiao fixed an intense gaze upon Wang Xiao-Nian.

"Yes! I can vouch for it. It was indeed Wang Xiao-Nian who poisoned you!" Lan Lang-Lang, ever eager to foment discord, seized the opportunity to interject. Whether it was fact or fiction mattered little to him; he simply relished sowing chaos.

"You scoundrel, daring to poison my brother. Unforgivable!" Zuo Wu-Ji exclaimed jubilantly.

In the minds of these two effervescent young men, Cha-Eun Xiao's poisoning was likely a fabrication. They remained blissfully unaware of the stark reality. Their primary aim was to fan the flames and, at the very least, elicit beads of sweat from Wang Xiao-Nian.

Cha-Eun Xiao, too, maintained a fa?ade, acting as though he were concocting groundless accusations. Wang Xiao-Nian found himself entangled in a web of deceit, struggling to discern fact from fiction in the tumultuous exchange.

Wang Xiao-Nian's complexion turned ashen as he stammered, "Cha-Eun Xiao... You can't just make baseless accusations like this! When did I ever poison you? You're trying to frame me!"

"I was there, and it was blatantly Wang Xiao-Nian who poisoned you! I'm a witness to it all!" Lan Lang-Lang declared with wide-open eyes. "Otherwise, how could you have become intoxicated after just a few drinks?"

Wang Xiao-Nian's face paled further, and it seemed as if he might keel over at any moment. "What? Getting drunk quickly is the same as being poisoned?"

"Yes, indeed! So what do you say to that?" Lan Lang-Lang retorted.

"Wang Xiao-Nian, you need to explain yourself today!" Zuo Wu-Ji chimed in.

"Or else, we'll tear this place apart right now," warned Cha-Eun Xiao.

The three young men acted as if they were monsters, uttering nonsensical accusations and spewing unfounded allegations. It was as if they were searching for a needle in a haystack, and Wang Xiao-Nian found himself overwhelmed with anxiety, anger, and a profound sense of injustice. The situation was beyond his control, and he was nearly brought to tears.

What recourse did he have when faced with the three most irrational individuals in the capital? Cha-Eun Xiao had indeed been poisoned at Shan-Hua House on that fateful night, and Wang Xiao-Nian had been in the company of these three extravagant lords. Furthermore, his father, Wang Da-Nian, had connections with Shan-Hua House. For these reasons, Cha-Eun Xiao harbored suspicions about the Wang clan.

However, the crucial question remained: Was Wang Xiao-Nian truly capable of resorting to such underhanded tactics in a place like Shan-Hua House?

Cha-Eun Xiao and the other two flamboyant young lords continued to spew unsubstantiated claims, blurring the line between fact and fiction, and leaving Wang Xiao-Nian desperately seeking a way to clear his name. It was as though they were saying, "We're pinning you down—so what? Bite us!"

Zuo Wu-Ji hailed from the esteemed Zuo clan, Cha-Eun Xiao boasted the Northern General in his corner, and Lan Lang-Lang had the Southern General supporting him. These three high-ranking officials held significant sway, and even the Crown Prince might hesitate to cross them if the three clans decided to unite against the Wang clan.

"You're unscrupulous! How dare you poison me!" Cha-Eun Xiao barked.

"You're heartless! How dare you poison Cha-Eun Xiao! I witnessed it with my own eyes!" Lan Lang-Lang exclaimed with glee.

"You're vile! You actually poisoned Cha-Eun Xiao!" Zuo Wu-Ji chimed in, his tone playful.

"You've betrayed your family! You're worse than a beast! You've defied the gods! You're abominable! You actually poisoned Cha-Eun Xiao!" Lan Lang-Lang articulated, producing unexpectedly sophisticated words, though the accusation of betrayal seemed somewhat excessive.

"I... I didn't poison you... I truly didn't... I don't even know what poison you're talking about..." Wang Xiao-Nian teetered on the brink of tears. Suddenly, his father, Wang Da-Nian, burst onto the scene.

Upon spotting Cha-Eun Xiao inside his home, Wang Da-Nian's expression underwent a rapid transformation. The moment he heard the words "actually poisoned Cha-Eun Xiao," he felt his legs grow weak, and his complexion turned an alarming shade of pallor. These reactions, indicative of a panicked individual, were uncharacteristic for the leader of the guards in the Crown Prince Palace.

Wang Da-Nian swiftly regained his composure and approached the situation with feigned enthusiasm. "Ah, what an honor it is to have three esteemed lords gracing my humble abode as honored guests! You truly bring warmth to my home," he effusively greeted them before turning his attention to his son. "You scoundrel! We have three distinguished lords visiting, and you haven't even prepared tea for them? Is this how I raised you—to neglect your guests?"

Notably, Cha-Eun Xiao had detected Wang Da-Nian's peculiar reaction earlier—his facial changes and unsteady movements had not escaped Cha-Eun Xiao's keen observation. Consequently, Cha-Eun Xiao saw through the charade and sneered.

"Dad..." Wang Xiao-Nian had been feeling dejected, but the timely arrival of his father, Wang Da-Nian, offered a glimmer of hope. "Regarding that night, it's evident that Cha-Eun Xiao has a low tolerance for alcohol and got drunk. Now he's intentionally accusing me of poisoning him. If he had truly been poisoned, he wouldn't be standing here today. He's just trying to intimidate me, isn't he?"

"Low alcohol tolerance and getting drunk?" Wang Da-Nian inquired, a perplexed expression on his face.

In this moment, his countenance was genuinely bizarre—a blend of confusion and bewilderment.