Chapter 598: Kill You Right Now!
Kill You Right Now! . . .
No matter who might have been waiting there, even if it were Cha Nantian, Guan Zhengwen wouldn't have been so astounded. Yet, it was Cha Eun Xiao, a revelation that left him utterly flabbergasted. [Cha Eun Xiao... How is this even possible?]
Cha Eun Xiao's expression remained stoic as he greeted, "The spirited Elder Guan. Did my presence catch you by surprise?"
Guan Zhengwen took a deep breath, nearly inhaling the thick fog into his chest, and replied in a subdued tone, "Indeed, I never expected it. I had no inkling that Lord Cha possessed such unparalleled cultivation skills. In fact, no one in the city, perhaps even in the entire kingdom, could anticipate this hidden prowess. You've concealed it masterfully, and I believe I'm not the sole one incapable of discerning your true abilities."
Cha Eun Xiao shook his head slightly, offering a gentle smile. "I'm truly honored, Elder Guan. I am surely far beneath your stature and your formidable Bone Melting Palm."
Bone Melting Palm!
As the words reached Guan Zhengwen's ears, his pupils constricted, and a sense of disquiet washed over him. The jubilation and happiness that had swelled within him were swiftly brushed aside.
It dawned on him that the image he had held of Cha Eun Xiao was a mere facade.
[Cha Eun Xiao had concealed such extraordinary cultivation power. How could I have framed him?]
[He knew all along. He was playing a game, hiding his true abilities. He kept his strength a secret until this very moment. And now, it seems, he's ready to make his move!]
[Everything that Steward Song Jue and Cha Nantian did, it was all a performance. They were toying with me and the Crown Prince, treating us like puppets for their amusement. He could have come for me at any time. He could have taken me whenever he pleased!]
Just as Guan Zhengwen was reveling in the zenith of his life, savoring his accomplishments, Cha Eun Xiao's appearance shattered his dreams and filled him with terror.
Guan Zhengwen felt a chill run down his spine, and beads of sweat gradually soaked his clothes. Despite his trepidation, he maintained his composure and asked in a hushed tone, "Lord Cha, you are an astute man, which I greatly admire. However, there is one aspect that perplexes me. Could you please enlighten me?"
Cha Eun Xiao responded with a nonchalant tone, "I assume you're curious about why I've chosen this moment rather than an earlier one, correct?"
"Indeed," Guan Zhengwen replied, his curiosity piqued. "The power you just displayed - you could have taken my life at any time, even without my awareness. So, why now? Why tonight?"
This was the most perplexing question for him.
Cha Eun Xiao's response was straightforward. "It simply wouldn't have been as satisfying to kill you earlier. That's all." He walked toward Guan Zhengwen with his hands clasped behind his back, his pristine white attire flowing gracefully in the dense fog, as though he were a deity descending to the mortal realm, strolling amidst the misty clouds.
"You've spent half your life hiding your true capabilities. You've appeared as a scholar, embroiled yourself in the struggle for the throne, all for the sake of securing a prominent position at court that would benefit your future generations. I'm certain you've harbored hopes of your sons, grandsons, and all your descendants becoming officials due to your dedicated efforts."
Cha Eun Xiao's words cast a shadow over Guan Zhengwen.
[Yes, that's all I wanted.]
"You've said it yourself. I could have taken your life at any time. So, why didn't I wait for a more opportune moment that would give me greater satisfaction? If I had ended your life a few months ago, you might have passed away with the hope that, in your absence, the Crown Prince would care for your children due to the nefarious deeds you committed for him."
"In death, you would feel nothing - no pain, no sorrow, no despair. Killing you in that manner would have been dull."
Cha Eun Xiao spoke blandly.
Guan Zhengwen sneered, "And why are you so certain that I'll be in despair now?"
[Don't you realize that the Crown Prince is already invincible? The king is gravely ill and nearing his end!]
[In other words, the Crown Prince will ascend to the throne. He will wield even greater power!]
"Heh, heh. You will indeed be in despair," Cha Eun Xiao spoke flatly, "because the Crown Prince is about to face dire consequences. The king is aware of the Crown Prince's treasonous acts. He also knows of the Crown Prince's indiscretions with his women..."
Guan Zhengwen staggered back, his eyes widening in disbelief as he fixed a penetrating gaze upon Cha Eun Xiao. The words he had just heard seemed utterly implausible.
"What... What did you just say?" he stammered, struggling to comprehend.
Cha Eun Xiao maintained his composure and began to reveal the shocking truth. "The Crown Prince was plotting treason, colluding with numerous officials and generals. Guan Zhengwen, you played a significant role in this scheme. To my knowledge, before the Crown Prince became involved with those women, it was you who discreetly laced their tea with drugs. That's how the Crown Prince could effortlessly have any woman he desired."
"Now that the king is aware of everything, the Crown Prince's fate is all but certain. At best, he'll be reduced to a commoner."
Cha Eun Xiao's gaze remained fixed on Guan Zhengwen, whose countenance had turned ashen. "Once he's removed from the picture, all the effort you've invested throughout your life will crumble to nothing. Your aspirations will shatter, your offspring will bear the stigma of the court's blacklist, and none of your descendants will ever rise again."
"The Crown Prince might endure a lifetime of misery, but you, Guan Zhengwen, are facing imminent demise. In the end, it's better for me to be the executor of justice, so I can exact my revenge."
Cha Eun Xiao declared, "I believe you can meet your end without regrets at my hands."
Gritting his teeth, Guan Zhengwen shot a fierce glare at Cha Eun Xiao. His temples trembled with anger as he vehemently retorted, "You liar!"
"You're a deceiver! How is any of this possible? How could you know all of that?"
"It's inconceivable that the king would be aware of these matters. He's gravely ill, and even if he were aware, what difference would it make? The Crown Prince is the only legitimate candidate. No matter how morally questionable he might be, he remains the sole choice!"
"You liar!" Guan Zhengwen repeated Cha Eun Xiao's designation as a liar three times, but his eyes betrayed the fear he was desperately trying to conceal.
Despite vehemently denying Cha Eun Xiao's claims and accusing him of falsehood, Guan Zhengwen couldn't escape the gnawing realization that the revelations cut to the core of his hidden secrets.
He called Cha Eun Xiao a liar and attempted to reject the truth, but deep down, he knew it was no falsehood.
Doom had descended upon him.
All that remained was a fading dream.
Cha Eun Xiao regarded him with cold detachment. "Is it truly essential whether I speak the truth or not? What truly matters is the reason I've offered for why I've chosen this moment to end your life. Does it hold any significance for you?"
Bitter laughter escaped Guan Zhengwen's lips. "Cha Eun Xiao, you are ruthless."
"You won't even allow me the solace of departing in blissful ignorance."
"Because! You! Don't! Deserve! It!"
Cha Eun Xiao stated icily.
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