Chapter 565: Who’s the ultimate winner? (2/2)
Actually, her words had been a lie. Even if she didn’t treat his poison in time, Chu Tianyin’s neck still wouldn’t be permanently paralyzed. He was the eldest son of the first wife in the Chu Clan and a very useful bargaining chip. If they ruined him for life, what was Long Feiye supposed to use against his clansmen? Time was running out. If Chu Tianyin discovered her lie, it would be much harder to force any confessions from him in the future. Han Yunxi knelt back down to stare at the dying incense embers, her eyes flickering gloomily. But just as she began to frest, Chu Tianyin suddenly spoke up.
“Qin Wangfei, Su Xiaoyu’s still by your side, isn’t she. I don’t know any more about the Seven Noble Families, but I know everything about Su Xiaoyu.”
Han Yunxi secretly rejoiced. She was just worrying about how to back out of her empty threat when Chu Tianyin gave her a chance. In the end, Chu Tianyin had lost this game of chess.
“Why did you send Su Xiaoyu to the Duke of Qin’s estate? Time’s running out. If you waste any more words, don’t blame me if it’s too late!” Han Yunxi said coldly.
“To search for Perplexing Butterfly Illusion. After we met in the underground palace, I began to suspect you two had it in your hands. But that damned girl listened to Qingge’s orders to hurt you for the sake of revenge. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been discovered. I’ve said my piece, now you can treat my poison, right?!” Chu Tianyin said in a rush despite spewing a bunch of lies.
He was betting with his neck that Han Yunxi would trust the words he said at the most critical moment! Only the Nether and Shadow Clans knew of the West Qin’s imperial heir’s phoenix birthmark, present on the eldest daughter of the first wife. Nobody else was aware.
Han Yunxi did believe him. Su Xiaoyu had stayed in the Duke of Qin’s estate for ages without ever showing any killing intent to her or Baili Mingxiang besides those two instances of scalding. Chu Tianyin’s explanation made sense. Moreover, he had done it under such pressing circumstances that it seemed unlikely he was lying.
She took out an antidote pill and stuffed it into Chu Tianyin’s mouth, thus curing his poison. Chu Tianyin silently exhaled. I might have been tricked in this game of chess, but I still got the better results. I managed to protect both the secrets of the Shadow Clan and knowledge of the West Qin imperial heir’s birthmark.
Han Yunxi and Tang Li both believed his words, but Long Feiye didn’t. If there was anyone who could claim the ultimate winner in this battle, he would be the champion. He had already heard from Mute Granny that the Shadow and Nether Clans were close. How could he trust Chu Tianyin’s words? He looked at the man coldly as an icy smile rose on his lips. But rather than expose his lies, he decided to find his own ways to lure out that Shadow Clan man. Even if I can’t, I’ll still use this chance to sow discord between the Nether and Shadow Clans!
After his poison was cured, Chu Tianyin slowly raised his head again and happened to meet eyes with Long Feiye. He quickly averted his gaze, not wanting to aggravate the man any further. That would only be asking for trouble. Right now, he had to endure and wait—until the Shadow Clan man arrived!
—
Currently, the white-robed gentleman was in a secret chamber located in the Chu Clan compound in Western Zhou. There were only two people in this room, himself and a General Chu—not the same general who headed the Chu Clan, but the leader of the Nether Clan who had never shown his face, Chu Tianyin’s elder uncle, Chu Yunyi.[1 Chu Yunyi (楚云翳) – Yunyi means “dark clouds.”]
Chu Yunyi certainly lived up to his name as clan leader. Even after such a catastrophic event, he was still calm and unperturbed. As he slowly drank his tea, he smiled and asked, “You’re still wearing your face veil even in front of this old man?”
“Habit,” the white-robed gentleman was even more cool and indifferent than him, his attitude leisurely and comfortable.
“Witch Aunt and Tianyin went to look for the Earth of Ten-Thousand Poisons. Yesterday, only Witch Aunt came back. Tianyin…fell into the hands of Tianning’s Duke of Qin,” Chu Yunyi said.
“He was perfectly fine, so why did he fall into the Duke of Qin’s hands?” It was obviously the white-robed gentleman who put out the fires in the underground palace, but he feigned ignorance.
Chu Yunyi finally told him the full story before adding, “You’re close to the Duke of Qin and the rest. If you were to rescue Tianyin…it shouldn’t be very difficult, right?”
“I’ve said it long before, don’t provoke the Duke of Qin. Why didn’t you listen?” the white-robed man showed a rare flash of temper.
“The Duke of Qin recognized our Driving Arrow Arts. He must be already harboring intentions against our Seven Noble Families. Even if we didn’t provoke him now, we would’ve provoked him later. These recent developments aren’t necessarily bad. After all, the Duke of Qin is our archenemy!” Chu Yunyi said sincerely.
“Our? Since when has the Duke of Qin’s aspirations for the world have had anything to do with us?” the white-robed man asked.
Cold laughter flashed through Chu Yunyi’s eyes, but he kept his patience. “You might be the last surviving member of the Shadow Clan, but you can’t forgive your mission to revive West Qin! Have you been idle so long that you’ve forgotten your clan vows?”
“Clan Head Chu, neither the Nether nor Shadow Clans have the right to decide whether to revive the West Qin!” the white-robed man said coldly.
“Naturally, we don’t. But we have a responsibility to assist the ruler in governing the country. Over the past few years, our Nether Clan has been amassing power in Western Zhou while searching for remnants of the imperial clan. What about you? Are you planning to hide away in Pill Fiend Pharmacy as a doctor for the rest of your life?”
As Chu Yunyi spoke, he suddenly thought of something and asked in alarm, “Could it be that there’s someone there you have to protect?”