The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 201: How Dare You Hit Me?

How Dare You Hit Me? . . .

Master Bai observed the swaying bamboo forest and eventually ceased his frowning. In a soft tone, he spoke, "Regardless of what unfolds in the next three days, I wish not to be disturbed... I need to find relaxation and inner calm."

He chuckled casually, the weight of his responsibilities notwithstanding. "The more intense the situation, the greater my need for serenity. Perhaps I ought to grant myself a vacation..." Master Bai mused, his demeanor surprisingly relaxed. "Even with the weight of the world on my shoulders, if I don't allow it to affect me, who can compel me otherwise?"

With that thought, he erupted into hearty laughter, appearing remarkably at ease.

Meanwhile, as nightfall descended, Cha-Eun Xiao immersed himself in cultivation, as did Song Jue and others. The moon cast a brilliant glow upon the world, illuminating the night with its radiance.

Throughout the night, the moon remained luminous, and a peculiar occurrence unfolded. Those who had been diligently cultivating that night soon realized that their progress had accelerated significantly compared to their previous efforts.

A single night of cultivation had yielded gains equivalent to ten days of practice. Although this development was quite odd, they opted to keep it a secret, believing it to be a stroke of good fortune not worth sharing, lest it provoke jealousy.

Another mysterious event transpired during that night. The entire family of Wang Da-Nian, head of the guards in the Crown Prince's Palace, met a gruesome fate. Every member of his household, including servants, had perished. Not a single soul survived.

Wang Da-Nian's lifeless face bore an expression of sheer terror, suggesting he had endured unimaginable fear in his final moments. His body bore numerous wounds, and his internal organs had been brutally torn apart.

Clearly, his assailants had subjected him to an intense interrogation before his death, though the nature of their inquiries and Wang Da-Nian's responses remained shrouded in mystery.

Word of Wang Da-Nian's demise eventually spread, prompting various reactions from the populace. While some families merely sighed or gloated discreetly, the Crown Prince exhibited an entirely different response.

Leaping up from his chair, his complexion drained of color, he anxiously inquired, "Does anyone know who committed this act? Has anyone uncovered what questions were posed to Wang Da-Nian?"

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he asked these questions, a palpable sense of apprehension overtaking him.

The Crown Prince was gripped by an acute sense of dread, aware that Wang Da-Nian's knowledge held the potential for catastrophic consequences if revealed. Yet no one present had the answers he desperately sought, and he lamented the murderer's unyielding silence.

Standing nearby, the Crown Princess adopted an icy demeanor, her words laced with indifference. "Even if the murderer had uncovered your dark secret, what of it? It may not even involve a member of the Cha Clan. And even if it did, what difference does it make? Do not forget that regardless of the individual's strength, they remain an adherent of the Kingdom of Chen. You, on the other hand, are the heir to the throne, a scion of the dragon lineage, the Crown Prince. I fail to comprehend your apprehension."

Annoyed by her seemingly simplistic perspective, the Crown Prince retorted, "What do you, a woman, know of such matters? It is easy for you to speak. If it were truly that uncomplicated, would I be so plagued by this situation? Our kingdom is currently in jeopardy, and we require Cha Nan-Tian to rescue us all. Even in times of peace, he remains a formidable figure. His loyalty to the royal family holds little sway over him. Did you not grasp this blatant fact?"

With frustration welling within him, he hurled a cup to the floor, his anger palpable. "At the very least, I am only a Crown Prince! A mere title! Do you comprehend this?"

"I do," responded the Crown Princess coldly, her words laden with disdain. "One that could be replaced at any moment."

In a fit of rage, the Crown Prince struck her across the face with a resounding slap. The Crown Princess's visage recoiled, her hair billowing in the aftermath. She slowly turned her face back towards him, eyes half-lidded, and spoke icily, "How dare you?"

Unfazed by her reaction, the Crown Prince replied coldly, "What? Am I not allowed?"

The Crown Princess offered a slow, sardonic nod. "Yes, you are."

Then, without warning, she leapt forward, seizing the Crown Prince's hair and forcing him to the ground. Pinning him down, she struck him vehemently. "Since our marriage, I have bestowed countless advantages upon you, elevating you to your current position. And now you strike me? How dare you raise a hand against me?"

Her slaps continued relentlessly. "Without my Mu Clan, without my efforts, do you truly believe you would have become the Crown Prince? You were nothing more than an ordinary, insignificant prince, the king's second son, devoid of cunning or profound insights. Yet you have the audacity to strike me?"

The Crown Princess's physical prowess exceeded that of the Crown Prince, leaving him immobilized and flushed with embarrassment from the relentless blows. Though he struggled against her, his face reddened from the humiliation. He shouted angrily, "Release me!"

"All the plots we orchestrated on your behalf in those years," she continued, her voice laced with contempt. "We orchestrated the death of the eldest prince, framed Concubine Li for adultery, secured the ousting of Queen Yu, and even eliminated those infant princes. Every success that led to your ascension, the Mu Clan engineered! And now you strike me?"

The slaps rained down upon him, unrelenting and fierce. The echoing sound of each impact resonated through the chamber, marking a tumultuous turn of events in the palace.

- Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap! -

Throughout their marriage, the Crown Prince had been the dominant figure, issuing orders and having his way while the Crown Princess dutifully complied. It was an unspoken understanding, and the Crown Princess had never challenged this dynamic until now. Her sudden aggression marked a drastic departure from their usual roles.

In mere moments, the Crown Prince found himself bearing the brunt of her fury, enduring a flurry of relentless slaps that left his face swollen and bruised. Years of maintaining his composure as the Crown Prince and concealing his emotions were unraveling under the merciless assault. He was reduced to a pitiable figure subjected to a relentless barrage of strikes.

Eventually, the Crown Princess's anger seemed to wane, and she drew in a deep breath, regaining her composure. Her tone was laced with pride as she addressed her husband, "Your highness, never presume yourself to be an esteemed Crown Prince with a lofty position in my presence. I hold the reins to your darkest secrets... Never treat women as objects to be casually insulted. Sometimes, a woman's strength can be formidable beyond your imagination. Do you understand? Do you comprehend the gravity of this?"

She continued with an air of cold-blooded determination, "We can elevate you or obliterate you." Her words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the power she held over him.

Breathing heavily, the Prince staggered to his feet, coughing up blood. Fear flickered in his eyes as he gazed at the Crown Princess. He muttered in a voice tinged with desperation, "If you hadn't ordered me to poison Cha-Eun Xiao, I wouldn't be in this predicament. We have provoked Cha Nan-Tian, a formidable and ruthless adversary. If he decides to turn against us, our fate is sealed. Do you not bear any responsibility for this outcome?"

The Crown Princess responded with icy indifference, "Do you believe this is the time to discuss right and wrong? Poisoning Cha-Eun Xiao was just one step in our plan. You agreed to it. There were many other strategic maneuvers beyond poisoning him. We sought to bolster your position as Crown Prince and eliminate your two brothers. Poisoning Cha-Eun Xiao and inciting Cha Nan-Tian's fury were crucial steps in weakening the king's power. Otherwise, how could you control the military forces? All our plans were executed diligently. The only unforeseen obstacle was Cha Nan-Tian's overwhelming control over the kingdom's military. We could hardly challenge it. Nevertheless, it was not a flaw in our plan. Sometimes, individuals fall short of the grand schemes they conceive. It is not our fault."

A heavy silence enveloped the room, broken only by the Crown Prince's sudden outburst. "Not your fault? You excel at shifting blame. Wasn't it your Mu Clan that orchestrated everything? You manipulated and pushed events to the brink. Then you tangled with an adversary you were ill-equipped to face and fled! All of you! You abandoned me to grapple with this wretched mess. That's the legacy of your Mu Clan!"

The Crown Prince sneered bitterly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "The renowned Mu Clan cowered before a mere servant in the employ of someone named Master Bai. A mere servant! They managed to terrify this so-called great clan into submission... Hahaha... Haha... The eight noble clans... I once believed you were formidable and mighty. How wrong I was. When confronted by a more powerful force, you knelt at their doorstep, begging for forgiveness. Even after hundreds of your members were slain, you kneeled and begged... Hahaha... What an illustrious Mu Clan!"

As the Crown Prince ridiculed the Mu Clan, a chilling voice interjected from an unseen source, "Members of the Mu Clan have always been present. We never truly departed. It was you, your highness, who abandoned us."