Chapter 672 - Fanning their vengeful hearts (2/2)
In order to gain the whole support of the Guan Empire in the battle against Guan Gao Huan and Ming Zhi Yi, she needed them to be absolutely irreconcilable with giving up vengeance.
Vengeful hearts could drive the people to go beyond their limits.
Linfeng broke the long silence.
”Can you still handle it?”
The two brothers looked at him slowly with numb eyes.
Linfeng sighed. ”....In fact, there's still more that we think you need to know.”
”....”
”....”
Guan Gu Ri laughed once hoarsely. ”There's more?” His bloodshot eyes then turned solemn. ”We might as well receive all the bad news today.”
His c.h.e.s.t felt suffocated. However, he must steel his heart to what was to come. He was the elder brother. His third brother's grievances were still left unpaid.
Guan Xixin was forced to compose himself as well.
Their family was doomed enough with tragic fates. Adding another dirt to a pile of waste was not a big deal.
Because they were already too overwhelmed to the point of numbness.
What could be bigger than what they have just discovered?
...But they were wrong.
Linfeng's voice was solemn. ”Then please brace yourselves. This is about the former head's death.”
They both froze.
Linfeng: ”We have suspicions that his death has something to do with Gunan.”
Silence.
Guan Gu Ri's heart stopped beating for a moment.
Guan Xixin lost all blood on his face.
....Maybe, this was a truth that they could not handle at the moment.
******
There was a heavy atmosphere in the air.
Guan Xixin slowly stood up.
”W-what do you mean? Are you saying that my grandfather's death is caused by someone?” Guan Xixin's voice trembled. ”That... That someone harmed my grandfather?”
Guan Gu Ri's face was also deathly pale.
With proven truths over the fraud Gunan and his identity, he did not have much doubt on Zhou Linfeng's words.
However, if what the man just said was true....
Guan Gu Ri clenched his hand hard. His nails dug on his palm and broke his skin, causing a trail of blood to flow.
The corners of his vision began to grow black and white.
He tried to control his breathing.
Guan Gu Ri restrained himself from storming outside and kill that bastard with his own hands even if he had to be condemned as someone who murdered a person with Guan's blood.
No!
That bastard was not even worthy of that blood!
Guan Gu Ri swallowed hard and whispered, ”Can you please tell us... why you came up to that conclusion?”
Xiong Zhi answered for Linfeng.
”I believe you all heard about Xiong De who went to prison.”
”....”
The two brothers nodded. Of course, this was the biggest scandal of that time that lasted for several months.
The attempted murder on Old Xiong, among other things.
Xiong Zhi continued. ”Gunan has someone that provides him with a potent and undetectable poison. This poison can instantly kill if taken in micro-dose, but if taken in nano-doses across time, the effects will be suspended until it reaches the targeted micro-amount. The effects will then show without detecting the poison, unless the forensics has existing data and specialized equipment made for it.
”Gunan... He once used this against my grandfather through Xiong De. I got a sample of that poison and had my people research it. The results showed that it can cause slow organ failure, weakening immune and bodily systems, and symptoms that appeared similar to the severe effects of aging and poor health.” Xiong Zhi paused. ”Just like how your grandfather experienced.”
Guan Gu Ri and Guan Xixin were blank.
Undetectable poison...
Slow organ failure...
”We only managed to get a look at your grandfather's medical condition when he was officially declared dead. We apologize for looking into it without your permission,” Xiong Zhi added.
However, the two brothers were not concerned about this.
Their minds focused on the word 'undetectable poison', organ failure, and the old head of the Xiong family who almost became a victim of it.
In other words, there was once a chance to disrupt this murderous plan and save their grandfather.
What made them feel horrified and shaken was the fact that they failed to stop it, while the young Xiong Heiress was able to.
She was able to save her grandfather, while the two of them, could not.
They could have saved their grandfather had they been a bit more attentive....
And yet they had been too preoccupied with other things and even exhausted their grandfather...
Shock, fury, guilt, and grief.
Myriad of emotions finally drowned them to a numbed state of blankness.
They had nothing to say.
They felt powerless and useless.