The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 145: What If I Kill Him?

What If I Kill Him? . . .

Cha-Eun Xiao burst into laughter, thoroughly amused by the mysterious tale surrounding Jiang Tai-Sui's origins. He couldn't help but share more intriguing details. "His birth remains a mystery! His 'father' doesn't know who his real father is, and his mother knows nothing about it either!"

Zuo Wu-Ji joined in the laughter, his voice filled with delight. He recognized that Cha-Eun Xiao was weaving this narrative for his benefit, and it brightened his mood considerably. "So, nobody knows his true family name?" he quipped, adding to the jovial atmosphere.

Lan Lang-Lang chimed in, seemingly solving a great historical enigma. With an amused tone, he declared, "I see it now. That's truly something peculiar in the world."

"Indeed," Cha-Eun Xiao agreed, his smile never fading. "There are many more aspects of the story that you may not be aware of."

Zuo Wu-Ji, still curious, raised a question, his brow furrowing slightly. "I can grasp most of it, but there's one thing I don't quite understand. Why, with more than a hundred handsome men in that school, is this Jiang Tai-Sui so... well, unattractive?"

Cha-Eun Xiao patiently clarified, "Wu-Ji, you still have much to learn about observation. Look closely at Lord Jiang Tai-Sui. Each part of his face—the eyes, the nose, the mouth, the ears, even the eyebrows—is individually quite appealing. However, when you put them all together, it doesn't quite come together harmoniously. In essence, he is handsome in every part, but not so much as a whole. Do you understand?"

He continued, offering a valuable life lesson, "Let this be a reminder that even when someone has numerous advantages, they can still fall short when those strengths don't mesh seamlessly. So, that's our beloved Jiang Tai-Sui for you!"

Chuckling, Zuo Wu-Ji expressed his understanding, "Ah, I see now. It's a profound truth hidden in plain sight. All the profound truths are concealed within the obvious."

Cha-Eun Xiao encouraged him, "Precisely. If you ever encounter something you don't understand, keep learning and thinking. Eventually, you'll grasp it. With all these advantages from different parts, it becomes a mess! That's the essence of our beloved Jiang Tai-Sui!"

After pondering for a moment, Cha-Eun Xiao added, "Well, he must be quite bothered by the truth. But, in reality, he should come to terms with it. His situation is unchangeable, yet he insists on acting so arrogantly. It's rather pitiable."

Lan Lang-Lang chimed in, grasping the situation. "I completely understand now. The question of who his father is... well, it's practically an issue on a universal scale. Even the gods might find it puzzling. Truly a challenging enigma."

Zuo Wu-Ji couldn't resist jesting further, a playful grin on his face. "If he ever has to sign his name, he'd need a super long one, probably over a hundred names. He'd be exhausted just writing his own signature!"

The laughter that followed was infectious. Cha-Eun Xiao, Zuo Wu-Ji, Lan Lang-Lang, and Song Jue all shared in the joviality. Even onlookers, including some of the foppish lords standing with Jiang Tai-Sui, couldn't help but laugh.

What Cha-Eun Xiao had revealed was not just a tale but the truth. In the past, the families of those students who had perished had caused quite a commotion in the capital.

Jiang Yu-Ming had narrowly escaped facing the death penalty for his entire clan. His situation had been dire, but due to the previous king's intervention, he had managed to save his family's lives. To settle the disturbance, Jiang Yu-Ming had sold off all his properties and borrowed significant sums of money, making great sacrifices to rectify the situation.

Afterward, Jiang Tai-Sui developed an insatiable obsession with wealth, surpassing even his own regard for life. This fixation on riches consumed him entirely.

However, the scandal of his birth had already permeated far and wide. Thousands of people had converged on the capital, sparking a tumultuous uproar that was impossible to suppress. Consequently, the birth of Jiang Tai-Sui had become the most significant scandal to ever grace the Kingdom of Chen.

As Jiang Yu-Ming continued to amass political power, those beneath him dared not utter a word about this scandal, while those higher in rank dismissed it as beneath their consideration. Over time, discussions regarding the matter dwindled, but it remained etched in the collective memory of the kingdom's populace.

Cha-Eun Xiao had become privy to this piece of history during a conversation with Song Jue. The topic had been broached humorously, yet Cha-Eun Xiao had stored the information away for a future opportunity—like the one presented now.

Cha-Eun Xiao was not typically inclined to bring up painful histories, but Jiang Tai-Sui's audacious behavior had tested his patience. The fellow not only harbored lecherous thoughts about Su Ye-Yue but had also publicly humiliated Zuo Wu-Ji.

Zuo Wu-Ji, plagued by impotence due to a congenital condition, had never sought to make his ailment a spectacle. Yet the Jiang family's past actions had inevitably boomeranged onto them.

Jiang Tai-Sui wrestled with his emotions, his face undergoing rapid color changes—first purple, then cyan, and finally a dark hue. His facial expressions shifted with the unpredictability of a Sichuan Opera performance. However, he remained silent, his anger visibly trembling within him. His eyes, seemingly filled with rage-induced bloodshot veins, remained fixed.

Cha-Eun Xiao recognized that Song Jue had discreetly restrained Jiang Tai-Sui during this exchange, ensuring he couldn't speak or move. Song Jue's efforts were aimed at rendering Jiang Tai-Sui entirely defenseless, allowing him to be humiliated without the chance for retaliation.

This situation adhered to the oft-quoted wisdom in the martial world: "If you wish to insult someone, do so from a distance."

Cha-Eun Xiao concluded his speech, and simultaneously, Song Jue released his restraint on Jiang Tai-Sui.

With a blood-curdling scream, Jiang Tai-Sui unleashed his pent-up frustration. He began to hurl invectives toward Cha-Eun Xiao but was unable to finish his sentence. In a casual and seemingly effortless motion, Cha-Eun Xiao swung the horsewhip.

Back in the capital, news of the incident would surely spread like wildfire. The scion of the Northern General's house had publicly assaulted the son of the Revenue Minister, and the ramifications of this clash would reverberate through the kingdom. For now, though, the streets were filled with hushed whispers and awestruck gazes, as the memory of Cha-Eun Xiao's brutal retribution lingered in the minds of all who had witnessed it.

Li Cheng-Ze's voice rang out in desperation, attempting to halt the escalating brutality before it reached its gruesome conclusion. He was agitated, his anger apparent as he tried to reason with Cha-Eun Xiao. The situation had taken an unexpected and perilous turn, and Li Cheng-Ze was now grappling with the realization that his initial amusement had led them down a treacherous path.

As the horsewhip continued to strike mercilessly, Li Cheng-Ze couldn't deny that Cha-Eun Xiao's relentless assault was pushing the boundaries of acceptability. The initial laughter that had accompanied Jiang Tai-Sui's humiliation had transformed into a stifling tension among the onlookers. This was no longer a mere scolding; it was a public display of violence.

Cha-Eun Xiao, undeterred by Li Cheng-Ze's entreaties, retorted with a chilling indifference. His voice, as cold as ice, cut through the air. He questioned the concept of responsibility, pointing out the hypocrisy of a society that had allowed the deaths of countless students to go unpunished. He reminded Li Cheng-Ze of their respective family backgrounds—the power and influence of the Cha Clan versus the relative insignificance of the Revenue Minister's lineage.

With each word he uttered, Cha-Eun Xiao's dominance and defiance seemed to grow. He dared anyone to challenge him, asserting his right to deal with the "disgusting bastard" as he saw fit.

The crowd remained silent, paralyzed by a mix of fear and disbelief. The Northern General's son had unleashed a ruthless display of authority that left them in shock. Li Cheng-Ze, realizing the gravity of the situation, could only watch as Cha-Eun Xiao continued his assault.

Finally, as the realization dawned that this public spectacle could have dire consequences, Li Cheng-Ze made one last attempt to salvage the situation. "Cha-Eun Xiao," he implored, his voice filled with urgency, "We've made our point. It's time to go before this spirals out of control. We can't afford more trouble."

Cha-Eun Xiao's cold gaze remained fixed on Jiang Tai-Sui, who lay battered and bloodied on the ground. His silence spoke volumes, but he eventually nodded in agreement. "You're right," he conceded, his tone still laced with a chilling indifference. "Let's go. There's no need to waste any more time on this piece of trash."

As they rode away, leaving behind the fallen Jiang Tai-Sui and a stunned crowd, the echoes of Cha-Eun Xiao's brutal actions lingered in the air. The incident would undoubtedly send shockwaves throughout the kingdom, a clash between power and audacity that would be remembered for years to come.