ASER - Chapter 136
Chapter 136: Eradicating the Roots
After Dongguo Jiaoqing of the Dongguo Clan teleported away, he suppressed his injuries and meticulously severed all potential traces of pursuit. He even crushed several priceless teleportation talismans, taking detours, before finally returning to the Dongguo Clan. He secretly made a series of arrangements, but he specifically did not contact any Dongguo clan members still in the Southern Sea Region.
He knew that anyone from the prominent clans of the Five Prefectures in the Southern Sea Region would undoubtedly be under strict surveillance by the Intelligence Bureau. He knew the Xiao siblings well; neither was easy to deal with. Especially Xiao Jin, who was meticulous and left no loopholes.
The body had been destroyed, but all the storage equipment was in Zhao Ritian's hands. If this person wasn't killed, he would have no peace of mind. But he also understood Dongguo Yunmiao's caution; he would never put anything in the storage equipment that could prove his family's identity. Even if some treasures might belong to their family, they could deny it—for example, claiming the Cult Leader killed Dongguo Yunmiao and took the treasures.
Or perhaps…
Dongguo Jiaoqing meticulously mended any potential flaws he might have left, while keeping an eye on the outcome in the Southern Sea Region.
Until dusk, the news was confirmed.
They had won.
They had won. The Xiao Clan of Qingzhou's authority was as stable as Mount Tai, dominating the Five Prefectures.
Dongguo Jiaoqing was somewhat stunned. "So quickly?"
According to his calculations, it should have taken at least another hour.
"It's because a wave of Extreme Cold Confinement just occurred on the battlefield."
"From the Snow Demons? Wouldn't that make it harder to fight? How could it have sped things up?"
"Not the Snow Demons. Instead, a mental power cultivator from the Five Prefectures, down in the lair, turned the sacrificial altar to their advantage. They altered the array diagram's content, and in turn, seized the energy contained within the numerous Snow Demon corpses in the lair. Not only did they restart the altar, but they also imprinted their Extreme Cold Confinement racial talent, thereby decisively shifting the tide of battle."
Dongguo Jiaoqing was extremely shocked, his expression constantly changing. "Mentally imprinting a talent? This person is definitely a one-in-a-million cultivator, a spiritual mutant who would be considered an unparalleled prodigy even among the first generation. Otherwise, no matter how strong their spiritual body, they wouldn't possess such a terrifying innate ability. Can their identity be confirmed?"
"No. There were too many cultivators from the Five Prefectures in the lair at the time, especially many highly talented academy students. Their identities are unknown. But Qu Jiangnan had just entered the lair then. Many people now believe it's related to her, and she hasn't denied it."
Qu Jiangnan's attacks were too unique; she already possessed exceptionally strong spiritual characteristics and knew many techniques. It wouldn't be surprising if she could accomplish this.
Dongguo Jiaoqing found it troublesome. He suddenly realized that when the Five Prefectures issued the summons, Xiao Mieluo had secretly invited two inconspicuous individuals from Danzhou Academy. It was truly a brilliant, decisive move.
But the question was, how many more such moves had he made?
Ding. A message arrived from a mysterious signal— "The three prefectures entering the Five Prefectures, We will attribute the credit to the three prefectures. You all remember to push this narrative. Only then will there be a reason to issue a decree to divide Qingzhou's military power and suppress the Xiao Clan. You go contact the Li Clan of Yunzhou. As long as you join forces…"
Dongguo Jiaoqing's face was gaunt, skin stretched over bone, showing no ripple of emotion. He replied to the other party, but his fingers tapped on the table. After a moment, he summoned a trusted subordinate and entrusted him with two tasks.
One was to take a flesh and blood sample for DNA testing. He had to know if this Zhao Ritian was a descendant of the Zhao Clan, or if he had some other identity.
People with such hidden identities were the most terrifying.
You never knew which power they represented, to be able to single-handedly destroy the situation to such an extent.
Drip, drip. Water from a bamboo pipe outside the source trickled, striking the stone edge of a pool. Verdant green rushed by. Crimson maple leaves uniquely adorned the branches, hanging like vibrant pendants.
It was autumn, a season of abundance and richness. Everyone was enjoying the joy of the autumn harvest. Those with official rank were also orderly managing the various accomplishments from the Imperial Court and their jurisdictions.
But she was so fragile, only six or seven years old, like a listless newborn kitten.
An hour ago, she had been drowsy in her grandmother's arms and was gently taken by an old nanny to a small inner room to rest.
This was originally her place. When she was young, she was often raised by her grandmother. Sometimes, it wasn't even easy for her mother to see her. But as time went on, she and her grandmother gradually grew distant. It seemed her grandmother increasingly favored her healthy and outstanding older brothers and sisters.
She lay in the dim little room, smelling the strong medicinal scent that still lingered even though she hadn't been there for over half a year. She thought to herself, who would like a child who always reeked of medicine? Ugly, weak, and not expected to live long.
Besides, her grandmother was old, and some people always advised her not to stay with a seriously ill child, saying it was contagious.
Even her father had mentioned it a few times.
Today, she heard his voice again, and he had brought a stranger with him.
He seemed to be an old man too, referring to himself as "this humble Daoist," saying he was a Daoist priest.
The Daoist priest said he could save her, but he had to take her away.
"According to this humble Daoist's calculations, your esteemed household's young lady has a fragile fate, her foundation is damaged. Her birth characters do not belong to your esteemed household; your household's fortune cannot bear it. If this continues, I'm afraid…"
Chen Ran: "You mean A'Diao's fate is bad, and it will harm my Chen family's feng shui? She must be taken away?"
She heard it. Only six years old, yet she thought: Clearly, the old Daoist didn't mean that. Why must it be that I bring bad luck to the Chen family? Couldn't it be that you're just too unlucky? Couldn't it be that the Chen family's feng shui and fortune are too poor to bear my fate? Clearly, few people are smarter than me. The things they learn, I understand them at a glance. Even the things Big Brother taught me, I can remember after seeing them once. Father, I could have been your most outstanding child.
You, dislike me so much.
She lowered her head, tears glistening in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
The old Daoist: "To save her life, this is the only way."
Chen Ran: "But how certain are you?"
The old Daoist: "Fifty percent."
Chen Ran: "Only... only fifty percent?"
The old Daoist: "If she is not taken away, she will not live past this autumn."
Chen Ran: "You haven't even seen her yet!"
The old Daoist: "This humble Daoist made a quick calculation... Your esteemed household's young lady vomited blood last night, didn't she?"
His voice was hoarse. "Fate has arrived. If one wishes to cling to life in this world, one must make choices. She never belonged here."
Chen Ran fell silent. Then he turned to his mother (A'Diao's grandmother) and said, "Mother, there is no other way."
The grandmother, however, asked the old Daoist to step out first. When only the two of them remained in the room, she said lightly, "Is your official career in trouble again?"
Chen Ran lowered his head, his spirits low. "I fear it's a great disaster, one that could very well destroy our entire family."
Grandmother: "Blaming A'Diao?"
Chen Ran: "Mother, you worry too much. No matter how shameless your son is, I wouldn't go that far... It is your son who is useless."
Grandmother: "No need for pretty words; there's no one else here. I only ask you, must she be sent away?"
Chen Ran: "To let A'Diao live."
Grandmother: "You could ask this old Daoist to stay. It's just a matter of money."
Chen Ran was suddenly startled. "Mother, the Imperial Court forbids such practices. If it's discovered, I will face severe punishment. And besides…"
Grandmother: "Is a daughter not worth avoiding a severe punishment? What if it were Second Sister?"
Chen Ran: "Mother…"
Grandmother: "Naturally, you wouldn't be able to do it either, unless it was Xun Ge'er."
Chen Ran: "Mother, Xun Ge'er is the family's hope. The continuation of our lineage depends entirely on him. Naturally, he is treated differently."
Grandmother: "It's not strange that you think this way. Nine out of ten men in this world would act the same. The tenth probably can't have children. It's all about continuing the family line, isn't it? If a group of people are all eating shit, none should complain about the other's stench. However, if you do this today, I hope you will understand a consequence in the future."
Chen Ran: "Mother, please speak."
Grandmother: "In the future, if a great disaster befalls us, as a parent, I too would abandon you. If she doesn't die in the future, and you, father and daughter, meet again, I hope you understand that there will be no debt between you."
"I gave birth to you and raised you, gave you life and a future. Instead, you owe me."
Chen Ran: "Naturally. Mother's kindness and affection towards her son are supreme. Your son will definitely be filial."
"You fathered her. First, you couldn't give her a healthy life. Second, you couldn't raise her by your side. This act of sending her away is tantamount to severing the bond between father and daughter. Whatever consequences arise in the future, will you accept them?"
Chen Ran probably never expected to hear such ruthless words from his own mother. But he had likely known since childhood of his mother's cold and detached nature. A woman who, after losing her husband, endured oppression, humiliation, and suffering from all sides, yet managed to raise her only son and support the household—how could you expect her to be soft and kind?
"What Mother says is right. Your son naturally... naturally accepts it."
"Very well. Since you accept it, what about Yuqing? Though she's not very bright, she still only has one daughter. No matter how much she dislikes her, she still loves her. She has confronted me many times about taking A'Diao back. How will you convince her?"
"Your son will tell her that A'Diao is being sent away to save her life, and that there's an eighty percent chance of survival. If she's not sent, she will surely die."
She lay in the room. When she heard Chen Ran, after some hesitation, say he accepted it, she buried her small head in the quilt, hearing the final words.
She thought: Mother will agree. She doesn't like me. It's just that she has no other children. If she had a healthier, more beautiful child, she would surely be very happy. She loves beauty so much.
She thought: Will Grandmother be reluctant to let me go? Probably not. She seems to have tacitly agreed. She probably started thinking about distancing herself from me over half a year ago. That way, if her little granddaughter died, she wouldn't be too sad.
She thought: What about Big Brother? Is Big Brother... abandoning me too?
She thought: But I don't want to go. I'm so scared.
Later, she sat in her wheelchair and secretly went to her big brother's courtyard. He, however, knelt halfway before her wheelchair, lowered his head, and tucked the blanket snugly around her.
"A'Diao, go. Survive."
"Big Brother doesn't need you to be a great scholar or incredibly smart, but you must survive."
"Wait for my letters. Wait for me to visit you. The food you want to eat, the books you want, everything you want—Big Brother will personally deliver them to you in the future."
"Wait for me to bring you back."
She was convinced. She thought, as long as she survived, she could go home.
Two days later, on a morning with a soughing autumn wind, she was sent away from the Chen family. She leaned against the window, watching that household grow smaller and smaller.
She wanted to keep watching, but the Daoist priest pulled down the window curtain.
"Stop looking. If you catch a cold from the wind, don't just die on me and ruin my reputation."
At that time, she felt this old Daoist wasn't impressive at all. She thought he was like a child trafficker and was a little scared, so she tested him: "Old Grandpa, why did you come to our house?"
"For money."
"???"
"What, is that not allowed? Do I have to say saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda? You'll know in the future, in this life, if you want to gain something, you must first pay a price. I earn money standing up, it's not shameful. And you struggling to survive isn't disgraceful either."
His face was already hard to see clearly; she only felt his eyes were exceptionally profound.
"Chen A'Diao, do you want to survive?"
Chen A'Diao, do you want to survive?
Survive?
Of course, she wanted to survive. Moreover, born with such intelligence and talent, why shouldn't she enjoy power and wealth, glory and nobility?
Not only did she want to survive, she also wanted to climb up by stepping on everyone else's heads.
No one could block her path.
She, Chen A'Diao, was destined to stand at the peak!
Toilet saw the dark world within her mind churn with a black tide. Soon, a massive, solid spiritual body was revealed. It was melting, releasing a large amount of golden spiritual body fragments that fell into the sea of her soul, dissolving into powerful spiritual liquid that surged forth.
Her spiritual world was undergoing a metamorphosis.
Toilet withdrew from its internal view, waiting obediently.
It knew that after this wave, its host would leap to an even loftier peak, gazing out at a vaster world.
However, Toilet didn't know A'Diao's current thought: Back then, did Grandmother know I wasn't asleep? Otherwise, why let Chen Ran speak in the inner room? According to etiquette, they should have gone to the main hall outside.
Was she... intentionally letting me hear it?
Drip, drip, drip.
In the courtyard outside, a bamboo pipe, its weight increasing with the flowing water, repeatedly struck the edge of the pool as it tipped, delivering stream water into it, allowing the golden and red koi within to swim freely.
Inside the room, a light, elegant incense smoke curled upwards.
When A'Diao opened her eyes, out of an instinct cultivated since childhood, even while her vision was still hazy, she keenly sensed that there were other people here.
Not far away, by the sliding window, a woman, barefoot on the warm red wooden floorboards, leaned against a wheelchair. Her seemingly boneless, delicate grace was contained within the small space of the chair's backrest.
In this space, she was casual and unrestrained, yet she was also confined within that small area, exuding a subtle aura of inner discipline and outward restraint. But her pale, slender fingers held a scroll, resting idly over the armrest, languid yet almost provocative, casually flipping the pages... On the small tea table before her, water was boiling, brewing tea.
Outside the window, the warm light of the setting sun danced on the clear pool's surface, climbed the bamboo tips and eaves. Wind chimes tinkled faintly, allowing those separated rays of light to gently penetrate her form.
A single hairpin casually secured her dark hair, a few strands at the ends veiling her slender neck. One wisp was tucked behind her ear. She turned her head to look.
Rosy clouds descended from the heavens, a clear breeze passed through the earthly gates.
Mountains red, waters jade, sky a single hue.
She alone embodied a stroke of peerless beauty.
Their eyes met.
She spoke: "Zhao Ritian."
"I am Xiao Jin."
Her voice was light yet steady, full of penetrating power, like the most unique and clear secret signal amidst a cacophony of complex, dense magnetic sounds.
But A'Diao instantly sensed the strength of the other person's spiritual body.
Very strong. Stronger than both the old and young members of the Dongguo Clan.
Then the question arose: why could she suddenly sense the strength of the other's spiritual body?
It meant her spiritual body was stronger than the other's, and she possessed a special sensory talent.
A'Diao, after all, had been influenced by Xie Yuqing for many years, and was only momentarily dazed by the other's beauty before snapping back to reality. She immediately slipped into her persona. "Ah, Director Xiao, have you been looking after me all this time? How embarrassing."
Just then, a maidservant came in with medicine, delivering it first to Xiao Jin's hand.
Holy crap, is she going to feed me personally?
A'Diao: "You're too kind. I can do it myself."
Xiao Jin glanced at him and took a sip.
A'Diao was shocked. "You're even tasting the medicine for me? I couldn't possibly allow that! No matter how bitter, I can drink it."
Xiao Jin: "This is my own medicine. Young Master Zhao is fine; the military doctor didn't prescribe any medication."
A'Diao: "..."
Is that so? Awkward.
But how could I be fine? I have a bloody hole in my chest! Relying on cellular self-repair?
These Xiao siblings are too damn stingy.
"Oh, oh, then you drink it. Drink more."
"..."
Xiao Jin finished her medicine. Servants naturally attended to her, with ease and elegance.
Born as the noble legitimate daughter of the foremost prominent clan in the Five Prefectures, and alongside Xiao Mieluo, forming the core of the Xiao Clan's power, her dignity was cultivated from childhood, already ingrained in her very bones.
If it were A'Diao, no matter how powerful she became, she would never adopt the style of these dignitaries.
Because her disposition was already set.
After the servants withdrew, Xiao Jin put down her book, her hands clasped. Controlled by her thoughts, the wheelchair moved over.
A'Diao looked and only then realized the other person seemed to have a frail constitution.
Wheelchair, frailness—it instantly reminded her of her younger self. The emotions belonging to her Zhao Ritian persona suddenly gained a few other nuances.
A sense of closeness?
No, she thought—Damn! With a spiritual body this strong, at least Glimmer rank, she's still pretending to be in a wheelchair, looking like a frail, Lin Daiyu-style delicate flower. Inside, she's such a drama queen! And drinking medicine—is that dark stuff chocolate soup?
"Zhao Xiansheng, we owe you a great deal this time. The crisis was averted thanks to you."
"You're too kind. Even without me, you would have won in the end. It just would have wasted some time and other things."
The so-called "other things" meant many people's lives.
Her casual understatement, coupled with a touch of Big Brother Zhao's feigned sincerity, probably couldn't fool Xiao Jin's insight. But A'Diao didn't care. They were both cunning foxes; why play out a "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" drama? The reason they didn't expose each other's motives was simply because they were both "cultured" people.
Maintain decorum, appear more elegant.
"Nevertheless, a favor is a favor. There will be a reckoning tonight. If Zhao Xiansheng is feeling up to it, you can go and watch."
"I'd like to, but my foundation is severely damaged now. I don't even know how long I have to live. And I don't know if I'll be assassinated by that terrifying expert. It's frightening to death! Director Xiao, will you and the Grand Governor protect me?"
A'Diao, whose spiritual body had defied nature and strengthened severalfold, wore a pale expression, even her posture as she half-sat on the couch deliberately mimicked Mei Changsu's.
The frail-looking Xiao Jin, however, remained unfazed and said, "Rest assured, Big Brother will definitely protect us. But is Zhao Xiansheng so sure the other party will eradicate the roots? Actually, as long as you don't possess any confidential information about their identity, they wouldn't dare be so audacious. They're too busy lying low right now."
A'Diao looked at her sitting there in the wheelchair beside her, with a gentle, reassuring demeanor. "I don't know if it counts as possessing information. After all, I'm quite slow-witted. When I encounter such big scenes, I don't know how to handle them."
Xiao Jin smiled. "I'm slow-witted too, but I know there's strength in numbers."
A'Diao: "Then shall we discuss it together?"
Xiao Jin: "Alright. If we really can't solve it, we'll let my big brother handle it. We just need to recuperate. This kind of fighting, killing, and scheming is really not suitable for us."
A'Diao: "Exactly, exactly! It's too terrifying. Before I came, I had no idea the Southern Sea was so dangerous. Heavens! At first, I only came here to buy some seafood to eat out of low self-esteem."
What logical connection is there between buying seafood and low self-esteem?
Toilet: "..."
What's terrifying isn't this world, but the drama queens in this world.
In the evening, almost everyone who participated in the war gathered on the beach along the southern coastline for the victory celebration.
The dead were dead, but those who survived, having survived, naturally had their own benefits and honors.
However, before the main event, everyone's mood was quite somber.
Mourning the dead?
No. It was because they all sensed there might be a reckoning tonight.
There must have been traitors who betrayed humanity in this battle; otherwise, this incident wouldn't have happened in the first place.
The Five Elements Cult were traitors to humanity. Then what about those behind the Five Elements Cult?
On the beach, the seats were packed, a dense crowd. Everyone was seated.
Dark Guards stood watch around the perimeter, servants stood on the outside.
A'Diao sat in a wheelchair, and saw Qu Jiangnan and others, as well as students like Song Ling.
She didn't rashly release her spiritual body, because she wasn't sure, with so many experts gathered here, if there were any super experts still hiding low-key. Her mental power had undergone a transformation, but she still needed to be cautious.
The impact Dongguo Yunmiao had on her was no small matter.
Don't underestimate the prodigies of this world. Who knew if they were wearing some other awesome disguise under their prodigy skin.
However, A'Diao still saw someone from the Dongguo Clan approaching.
That's right. The Dongguo Clan's Second Young Master came over to offer thanks, saying things like, "If it weren't for you, I would have died," and so on.
A'Diao looked at this insincere second-generation heir, smiled faintly, and offered a couple of perfunctory replies. But inwardly, she thought: You might actually die. To cover up the Dongguo Clan's schemes, sacrificing a direct-line second young master would eliminate suspicion. Once the Xiao Clan fell, the Dongguo Clan would naturally rise.
After all, who would have thought this family was hiding such formidable figures?
But it was also because of the birth of a monstrous talent like Dongguo Yunmiao, and a figure like Dongguo Jiaoqing, that its ambitions expanded without limit. However, there must have been support and assistance from Imperial Court factions behind them.
As A'Diao thought this, she looked at the Dongguo Clan Head not far away, conversing with other clan heads, watching him gravely offer condolences to those cultivators.
Impressive. The father, Dongguo Jiaoqing, is Half-step Star Rank.
The eldest son reached Glimmer Middle Rank at nineteen.
The Dongguo Clan Head is practically cheating, and he's also excellent at feigning innocence.
However, the Li Clan was in an awkward position. Many cultivators avoided the Li family members, making Li Zhaowu and her brother particularly conflicted: You really can't do bad things! Do it once, and you're a scapegoat for life. It's too hard! But Grandpa, Father, it really wasn't arranged by you, was it?!!
A group of young Li Clan disciples were also quite apprehensive.
Dong!!! A bell rang.
Xiao Mieluo arrived. As soon as he came, he didn't sit. "Sit later. After all, if the traitors resist later, we'll have to fight. You all don't move either, lest I think you're trying to flee. Sit tight and wait for my announcement."
Everyone: "..."
The atmosphere instantly became tense and stifling.
A'Diao really hadn't expected Xiao Mieluo to be so direct and brutal. But she also saw Xiao Jin in her wheelchair under a nearby corridor. This person, with her frail demeanor, through a sea of flowers and moonlight, was smilingly resting her chin on her hand, watching them.
As if waiting for a grand show to begin.
Announce what?
Everyone was on tenterhooks.
Qu Jiangnan paid no attention to any of this, just staring into the distance, lost in thought. Jiang Zhou was eating meat. The Qingzhou Academy Principal was pouring wine. And then...
Xiao Mieluo waved his hand, and a video played.
A video of the Cult Leader. When he was fighting A'Diao, his mask was destroyed.
He grabbed a bottle of wine, flicked his finger, and the cap flew off. He raised the wine, then inverted it.
Glug, glug. The wine poured out, flowing onto the ground.
He said calmly, "A toast to Dongguo Yunmiao, who rendered great service in this Southern Sea Region invasion incident."
"Let's applaud his painstaking schemes, and his monstrous talent in achieving the position of the Five Elements Cult Leader."
"Dongguo Clan Head, your Dongguo Clan is truly blessed."
"By the way, you can say people look alike, that this person deliberately disguised himself. And that your eldest son, Dongguo Yunmiao, in order to temper himself, had long hidden his identity among cultivators, painstakingly killing demonic spirits. You can even provide proof of his identity, and find some people to testify for him. Unfortunately, he was killed by the Cult Leader, who also seized his treasures and identity. So, this matter isn't enough to prove he was the Cult Leader. However, the blood from the wound where Young Master Zhao backstabbed him has been collected. The DNA test results are out. Linzhou Academy cooperated with the investigation and submitted DNA data."
"You can also say the blood on that knife might be a frame-up. After all, the body has been destroyed without a trace. Such a heinous crime, your Dongguo Clan would never admit to it."
"But in the sacrificial altar belonging to the Five Elements Cult beneath the lair, his spiritual body's aura remains, bound to it. The aura data also matches the data provided by Qingzhou Academy."
"Now, you can decide whether to fight back."
Is this getting straight to the point?
No, this is directly bringing Mount Tai down on them!
And this "Hongmen Banquet" didn't even require drinking. Xiao Mieluo had no intention of giving them time for even a single cup of wine.
The Dongguo Clan must be annihilated.
A'Diao lowered her head and drank water, secretly thinking: Took my blood? You must be eager to investigate my identity now, you dog. I'll destroy your privileges first. Without privileges, how will you use blood to search the national official ranks and academy core databases?! Just wait to be eradicated by the Xiao Clan!
Heh!
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