Chapter 1014: I Have Been There
I Have Been There . . .
Li Qingzhou exuded an aura of menacing determination as he declared his dream. His voice grew chilling as he threatened, "To be honest, I always have a dream. I want you all to know that when you mess with me, Lord Qingzhou, you will eventually… beg for death!"
As he uttered the last few words, he clenched his teeth, and a palpable killing intent permeated the air. Stepping forward deliberately, he forcefully shouted, "Understand?"
Cha Liangchen involuntarily took a step back. Despite his typically calm and composed demeanor, he comprehended that his Cha Clan was on a precipice with no hope of reprieve. There was a sense of fatalism that weighed heavily on him.
The Li Clan had been the sworn enemies of the Cha Clan, their chief rivals. The two clans maintained an uneasy balance of power, with Cha Clan slightly stronger due to its connection to Misty Cloud Palace. Their consistent ability to secure the necessary materials for the palace had left Li Clan no opportunity to seize the orders. It explained why Misty Cloud Palace had maintained ties with Cha Clan for so long.
Both clans, however, knew that this tenuous balance could shift at any time, depending on the luck and circumstances of either side.
The younger generations of the two clans competed behind the scenes, and Li Qingzhou stood as the prime adversary of Cha Clan's youngsters. His ruthless and vicious nature made him a formidable foe. Should Li Clan supplant Cha Clan, it would spell disaster for Cha Liangchen and his brothers.
Rumors abounded about Li Qingzhou's cruelty, with stories suggesting that he had countless methods to torment and torture individuals. He was said to be capable of subjecting his victims to such agonizing torment that they would willingly beg for death, should they ever fall into his hands.
"I don't have them. So what? Do you?" Cha Liangchen retorted, maintaining a facade of unwavering determination. "Did you manage to amass a significant collection of materials? Were you able to access the third level of Heaven Treasure Mountain?"
His words belied a more robust front.
"Pure nonsense! No one in history has ever penetrated the third level of Heaven Treasure Mountain! It is impossible, and we accept that," Li Qingzhou scoffed as he glared at Cha Liangchen. "Cha Liangchen, did you breach its depths today?"
Cha Liangchen hesitated in his response, clearly unsure of how to answer.
On the opposite side, Cha Eun Xiao, who had been mostly silent, interjected for the first time. "So, the Li Clan claims no one can enter the third level, but can they be certain that no one else can? What makes you think Cha Clan can't enter it?"
His words were met with shock and disbelief. Li Qingzhou and Cha Liangchen, both bewildered, looked at the young man who had dared to speak out.
[Why is he saying 'we Cha Clan'?]
[Since when did he become a member of Cha Clan?]
"My name is also Cha," Cha Eun Xiao explained, stroking his chin and adopting a congenial tone. "I'm not from the Town of Cha, but we share the same name. I find it vexing to see others with the Cha name being attacked. All Cha name-bearers are like family, and no one should denigrate them."
Cha Liangchen gazed at Cha Eun Xiao, the silence following his statement broken by a sincere acknowledgment. "Brother Cha, you are a devoted man."
Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but roll his eyes.
[Loyal?]
[I'm a loyal man? That's a stretch!]
Cha Eun Xiao contemplated his connection with Cha Clan and the personal reasons compelling him to take a stand. He recognized that this bond ran deeper than mere coincidence. Cha Eun Xiao and Liangchen shared a common name, both hailing from the same clan—Cha Clan. Despite being part of the clan's third branch, which had faced suppression due to past transgressions, they were connected through familial ties and a shared history. Cha Eun Xiao's loyalty was rooted in these ties and circumstances, traits that had made him a stalwart defender of his own people.
It was evident that Cha Eun Xiao was a staunch protector of his kin, a quality that rivaled Xuan Bing's commitment. In this particular aspect, Cha Eun Xiao outshone her.
Li Qingzhou, however, regarded Cha Eun Xiao's claim with skepticism. "You bear the name Cha? Your explanation is hardly convincing. It matters not where you originate. Speaking under the Cha banner amounts to a death wish."
Cha Eun Xiao remained composed, offering a genial response. "Seeking death is not my intention. My name is Cha, and that's unchangeable. Regardless of my origin, I am bound by the name of Cha, and I won't forsake my lineage."
With a steady gaze, Cha Eun Xiao posed a question. "Would you renounce your family name when your clan faces peril?"
Li Qingzhou's gaze turned fierce, but Cha Eun Xiao's calm demeanor seemed to neutralize the aggression. "Quit the petty bickering," Li Qingzhou retorted. "Let me ask you a serious question. Do you truly wish to involve yourself in the matters of both Li Clan and Cha Clan? I suspect you are ignorant of the facts."
Partially closing his eyes, Li Qingzhou continued, "You will die! While Cha Clan members may survive, should you proclaim yourself one of them, your fate will be sealed. Cha Clan desperately needs a scapegoat right now!"
Cha Eun Xiao furrowed his brow, sensing the threatening aura from Li Qingzhou. Yet, he remained unfazed. In a measured tone, he said, "No one can evade death. All lives end eventually. To choose one's own moment of departure is the most gratifying thing in life."
He continued, "In truth, whether I live or die is of little concern. I merely wish to convey that Li Clan holds no great significance."
Cha Eun Xiao half-shut his eyes as he spoke further, "You cannot even access the third level of this mountain. I have doubts that your Li Clan has acquired a substantial amount of Regeneration Ink Lotus. You are undeserving."
Li Qingzhou seethed with rage, widening his eyes as he locked his gaze onto Cha Eun Xiao. "How do you know there is Regeneration Ink Lotus on the third level?"
Cha Eun Xiao offered a nonchalant reply, "It's simple. I've been there."
Li Qingzhou was taken aback by this revelation, falling into a pensive silence as he contemplated this unexpected twist. His eyes flickered with uncertainty.
"You've been there? Is that the truth?" He stared intently at Cha Eun Xiao.
Cha Eun Xiao chose to answer not with words but with a bland smile. He casually turned his hand over, revealing a black lotus resting in his palm.
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