The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 60: Killers Were From The House of the Chaotic Storm

Killers Were From The House of the Chaotic Storm . . .

"It was… It was the man I was attempting to eliminate…" The ice covering the third man began to thaw, trickling down like a gentle stream. However, his eyes betrayed a lingering terror.

Reflecting on his audacious attempt to take someone's life with a single sword stroke and the unforeseen calamity it had triggered, he felt a chilling sensation creeping up his spine, causing involuntary tremors.

The three men stood there in dumbfounded silence, grappling with the staggering turn of events. The man they had been pursuing had already been weakened and was on the brink of capture as he staggered around the corner of the alley, contemplating his imminent demise. His thoughts raced: "I've spent my life traversing the world freely, invincible! And yet, it seems I'll meet my end here today!"

In the next moment, his eyes widened in astonishment. He too beheld the three knives glistening like stars in the night sky. He watched as these ethereal blades found their mark on the three pursuers, who simultaneously lost the will to continue the chase.

A glimmer of hope ignited within him, and he quickened his pace, eager to make his escape. "How fortunate!" he thought. "The man I pushed aside earlier must be responsible. There was no one else within a hundred meters of us. It had to be him. I'm not typically one to show kindness, but I extended this favor because I couldn't bear the thought of an innocent person perishing on my account. Little did I know that my actions would end up saving my own life. If I had been indifferent or attempted to clear my path by killing him, I shudder to think of the consequences. I'd likely be lying lifeless on the ground now."

The realization drenched him in cold sweat. "I remember his face vividly," he resolved. "For such a monumental debt of gratitude, I must find a way to repay him. I am Ning Bi-Luo, and I am not one to forget a favor owed."

With determination, Ning Bi-Luo vanished without a trace, his figure blending seamlessly into the surroundings.

Meanwhile, back at the Cha Clan residence, only two days had passed since Cha-Eun Xiao's departure. In normal circumstances, a two-day absence would hardly warrant concern. However, during these perilous times, it felt like an eternity to the stewards tasked with overseeing the household's affairs. The stewards, burdened with anxiety, were on the brink of madness as they awaited Cha-Eun Xiao's return.

A tempestuous atmosphere hung over the capital, shrouding the streets in an air of fear and suspicion. Venturing out in such troubled times was akin to courting death.

Indeed, these recent days had been marked by a series of peculiar events. Most notably, the Mu Clan, once poised for vengeance against the Cha Clan, had inexplicably ceased their hostilities. Following the astonishing conclusion of the world-shaking auction, the entire Mu Clan had hastily departed from the capital, vanishing with astonishing speed.

The sudden retreat of the Mu Clan left many bewildered souls in its wake. Questions buzzed through their minds: "What could have prompted such an abrupt change of course? After arriving with such audacity, why would they abandon their mission without a trace of confrontation? They seemed like fugitives, but what could possibly warrant such behavior?"

For Steward Song, there was one simple conclusion: Cha-Eun Xiao was missing!

Two days had passed since the young master's last appearance, and despite inquiring with Lord Lan, Lord Zuo, and Lady Su, even his closest confidants were clueless about his whereabouts. To Steward Song, it could only mean one thing—his young master had been abducted!

In this moment of realization, Steward Song was gripped by utter disbelief. "Could it be that the Mu Clan kidnapped him? Why else would they leave in such haste?"

Overwhelmed by anger and panic, he rallied his 36 Blood Guards and set off for the Southern Gate with a single purpose: "We must rescue our lord, even if it costs us our lives!" He barked his orders with the fervor of a madman, his eyes blazing with determination.

This time, Steward Song was willing to risk it all.

As they thundered southward on horseback, their galloping steeds sounded like a roaring tempest, trailing behind them an aura of relentless menace. These seasoned veterans, having retired from lives steeped in swordplay and bloodshed, were no ordinary individuals. Now, they unleashed the fierce vigor and violent intent they had suppressed for years. Anyone who encountered their path felt an overwhelming sense of dread.

They pushed on relentlessly, heedless of their exhausted mounts, which teetered on the precipice of collapse. They had covered hundreds of miles when they finally arrived at the base of a looming mountain. Drawing to a halt, they gazed upon a nightmarish tableau too gruesome to behold.

Tens of men and horses lay strewn across the ground in chaotic disarray, their lifeless forms drenched in blood. Not a single soul among them had survived.

"They... they were from the Mu Clan!" one of the Blood Guards exclaimed, noting the remnants of a carriage bearing the unmistakable Mu Clan insignia, though it had been brutally torn asunder.

"Why are they all dead?" Steward Song dismounted, a furrow forming on his brow.

"They're all dead, and their belongings have been plundered," another Blood Guard remarked, gesturing to the conspicuously empty pockets of the fallen. "Could they have fallen victim to bandits? It appears to have been a professional hit."

"Don't be absurd! In a suburban area near the capital, what bandits could be so formidable as to rob and murder members of the Mu Clan? Not only in this suburb but across the entire Kingdom of Chen, or even the broader Han-Yang region—do you truly believe such audacious bandits could exist?" Steward Song chided, his voice laced with incredulity. "Are you suggesting they're as capable as a bunch of pigs?"

The Blood Guard chuckled sheepishly, rubbing his head. "No, of course not."

Laughter rippled through the group.

Steward Song surveyed the scene meticulously but found no traces to elucidate the situation. He mused aloud, "Who could have perpetrated this so meticulously? It defies all logic."

"There are seventy bodies in total, and excluding the eight who died at our hands, the entire Mu Clan contingent that entered the Kingdom of Chen's capital lies here. Not one has survived."

One of the Blood Guards pointed at a corpse on the ground. "This is Mu Zi-He, the leader of their group for this expedition. He was the fourth younger brother of the Mu Clan patriarch, holding a high position despite his Grade of Diyuan cultivation. Yet, he met his demise here. Whoever killed him seemed utterly ruthless."

"And their work is disturbingly thorough," the steward sighed. The more he considered the circumstances, the more he realized the situation was far more complex than it appeared. Furthermore, it was possible that the Cha Clan might once again be unfairly implicated.

However, the Cha Clan had no conceivable motive or means to execute such a meticulously planned massacre. Steward Song was ready to risk his life to track down the perpetrators.

Steward Song understood all too well the immense power wielded by the Mu Clan. Engaging them directly would be akin to an ant attempting to fell a mighty tree. In his mind, if Cha-Eun Xiao had indeed fallen into the hands of the Mu Clan and they could catch up to them, even if it meant sacrificing all his men in battle, there was still a slim chance of rescuing him.

The annihilation of such a formidable force as the Mu Clan raised perplexing questions. Whoever had carried out this massacre must possess incredible strength. Even with a conservative estimate, there was simply no known force within the Kingdom of Chen that could rival them.

"Look! The mountainside!" one of the Blood Guards exclaimed, diverting their attention.

As the steward gazed up, he was left utterly dumbfounded. He nearly smacked himself for his earlier concerns about being framed and the cleanliness of the crime scene. The killers hadn't bothered to hide their identities at all; in fact, they had left a conspicuous message for the world to see.

The words etched onto the mountainside were unmistakable: "慕氏太猖狂,特意来断头;若问杀人手,翻云覆雨楼!" (The Mu Clan is too arrogant, so we came and killed them on purpose; to anyone who wishes to know who did this, it was the great House of the Chaotic Storm!)

Beneath the inscription, a vivid depiction of a building amidst a tempest had been drawn in blood. It was clear that after ruthlessly eliminating their targets, the killers had leisurely crafted this emblematic display.

"This... this is so..." one of the Blood Guards stammered in disbelief. "It's so audacious... House of the Chaotic Storm... what is that?"

The steward's expression remained stoic as he cautioned, "Watch your words. There's no sign of our lord here, which means he wasn't captured. We must return immediately. Lingering in these treacherous waters won't yield any good."

While he appeared outwardly composed, the steward's face concealed a deep-seated anxiety. The emergence of the House of the Chaotic Storm had sent shivers down his spine, as they were widely regarded as the world's most mysterious and formidable force.

The revelation had left him shaken.

As they returned home, the search for Cha-Eun Xiao continued in earnest. Despite scouring the entire capital, no clues regarding his whereabouts emerged.

The sleepless night weighed heavily on the steward's mind.

The following day, their search persisted, yet it remained fruitless. The anxiety among the Cha Clan members grew palpable, particularly for Zuo Wu-Ji, who had enjoyed the fruits of Cha-Eun Xiao's assistance at the auction. The epithet "a prodigal who returns is more precious than gold" was a testament to the invaluable aid he had received.

Lord Lan, too, shared their deep concern. He and his men scoured every nook and cranny, but not a single lead surfaced, and his frustration mounted.

"Why can't we find him?" Lan Lang-Lang erupted in fury, his eyes bloodshot. "You're all utterly useless! Keep searching, and don't overlook a single rat hole!"

"My lord, it's Lord Sun's residence up ahead..."

"To hell with it! I don't care whose residence it is. Get in there and search!"

"My lord, it's Lord Sun's home..."

"I SAID GET IN THERE AND SEARCH!"

"What? Who dares to stop me? BEAT HIM UP! SMASH EVERYTHING... GET IN! AH, AH, AH, AH..."

...

After searching a single street, he found himself apprehended and forcibly returned home. Was this individual genuinely here to aid in the search, or did he merely intend to stir up trouble for his own family?