The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 417: Who Did This?

Who Did This? . . .

Cha Eun Xiao and his men mounted their horses, preparing to depart with a sense of disquiet looming over them. Just as they were about to ride away, a voice cut through the tense air. It was Zhao Pingtian who spoke, "Leave my horse alone. And provide another one."

Cha Eun Xiao almost felt his blood boiling with anger.

[This contemptible person! He has cost us the lives of many of our men, and now he dares to request our horses for that conniving trickster Feng Zhiling? It's as though he believes he's in charge of our group! Who does he think he is?]

He was on the verge of shouting out his refusal when an overwhelming wave of killing intent enveloped him. Death felt closer than ever.

There was no room for negotiation.

"Leave the horses or forfeit your life!" Zhao Pingtian's demand was delivered with a chilling intensity.

Cha Eun Xiao trembled, torn between humiliation and anger, and finally yelled, "... Fine, take the three horses!"

In a matter of seconds, he had considered his options and decided not to provoke Zhao Pingtian further at this moment. Sometimes, tolerance made more room for survival.

After issuing the order, Cha Eun Xiao felt too ashamed to remain any longer. He kicked his horse into action and departed swiftly.

The other members of the God Slayer Team followed suit. Dust billowed into the air, and the thunderous sound of their horses' hooves faded into the distance.

They had come and gone in haste. It was as though they had arrived and left in the time it took to boil two pots of tea.

They didn't even bother tending to the corpses; they simply left them behind to rot in the wilderness.

As for the horses...

In truth, they didn't just abandon three horses. More than thirty horses were left behind in that spot!

They had departed hastily. Cha Eun Xiao had shouted, and many had responded by leaving behind three horses each. These horses were now ownerless.

It had nothing to do with the living members of the group anymore.

They were fleeing for their lives on horseback, and no one cared about the number of horses left behind.

When their leader was rushing away like a madman, who had the time to worry about horses?

Their top priority was to escape as quickly as possible.

There were actually over thirty horses remaining, including those of the deceased.

…

Zhao Pingtian remained expressionless as he watched the fleeing men. He stood there like an unyielding spear.

Cha Eun Xiao was bleeding profusely, but he bore the pain without a hint of discomfort from his numerous wounds.

"Feng Monarch, now it's our turn," Zhao Pingtian said, his expression anxious. "You're safe now. I suppose we can have a proper conversation, can't we?"

Cha Eun Xiao replied, "I am safe here for now. However, we shouldn't linger. Let's find a place where I can tend to my wounds, and you can relax as well."

He subtly gestured toward a specific direction, and they both mounted their horses, urging them forward. With a sharp crack of the reins, they galloped away like arrows through the air.

...

As they disappeared from view, a large, dark yellow boulder shifted on the other side of the mountain.

A man seemingly materialized from the ground as if by magic. He brushed the dust off his clothes and wore a bewildered expression as he muttered, "What was that? Ji Mengzhan is baffled, and so am I. Why did Zhao Pingtian suddenly change sides? He's a renowned killer king; he should be more discerning. Feng Zhiling's words couldn't deceive a three-year-old. How could Zhao Pingtian place so much trust in him?"

He scratched his head, utterly perplexed. "I can't fathom how Zhao Pingtian could be an assassin. How did he manage to rise to his current position? He's undoubtedly a powerful cultivator and a killer king, but his mental acumen... it's questionable."

"If he weren't somewhat lacking in wit, how could he have fallen for Feng Zhiling's shoddy deception? What an unpredictable turn of events... Truly unbelievable."

He shook his head, dismissing the thoughts. "Never mind. I should report to Master first."

With that decision, he soared into the sky, heading toward the bamboo forest like a speeding arrow.

"However, Feng Monarch is an extraordinary figure, one not to be underestimated. I've been hidden here for a long time, and even if Zhao Pingtian didn't notice, Feng Monarch did. That look he gave before they left had a depth to it."

And with that, he vanished into the distance.

...

Wan of Clouds and Xiu of Heavens finally returned to their master's presence. They approached him with the usual enthusiasm.

"Master, we're back," they announced.

However, Master Bai remained facing away from them, his response devoid of his usual warmth. "Hmm. Good. You're not needed here. Go rest."

The two women exchanged uneasy glances, sensing that something was amiss. They couldn't fathom why their master was acting so strangely.

Xiu of Heavens was feeling especially elated, realizing that her master cared for her deeply. She couldn't suppress her emotions and hurried over to Master Bai, ready to share her happiness. "Master, I... Ah!"

But before she could complete her sentence, she let out a startled cry.

Xiu-Er was pointing at Master Bai with trembling hands. "Master, you... You... Ah!"

Wan-Er overheard and rushed to join them, her voice filled with concern. "Xiu-Er, what's wrong? Why are you stammering like that... Ah! Ahh!"

Her scream was even louder than Xiu-Er's.

Before them stood a figure that bore little resemblance to the handsome Master Bai. Instead, it was like looking at a pig's head. There were a few minute details that hinted at it being Master Bai, but otherwise, there was no trace of his usual appearance.

His face displayed a chaotic mix of cyan, red, purple, and dark hues. None of them were pleasant.

[Is this still our handsome, pretty, and elegant Master?]

"Master, what happened to you? What's going on? Did the Lady visit again?" They asked with deep concern, tears welling up in their eyes.

Master Bai cleared his throat, appearing embarrassed as he rubbed his head. "It wasn't the Lady. It... It was an accident. Oh yes, it was definitely an accident."

Xiu-Er couldn't contain her fury. She stood up abruptly, her voice laced with determination. "It wasn't the Lady? Then who was it? I'll go find them! How dare they!"

"I'll go with you!" Wan-Er chimed in, her anger matching Xiu-Er's. "How could someone beat our master into such a state? It's outrageous!"

"That person has absolutely gone too far!"