The inn fell silent.
Only moments ago, the morning chatter of early patrons had filled the space—clattering bowls, the shuffle of feet, a few drunken murmurs left over from last night. But now, all of it vanished under the suffocating tension that wrapped around the room like an invisible veil.
Every gaze had turned to the frozen bodyguard.
His face, flushed red with anger moments before, had twisted into one of agony. His pupils trembled, overflowing with tears he could not wipe away. He couldn't move, couldn't breathe properly, couldn't even scream. His throat worked soundlessly like a fish thrown onto a deck, lungs desperate yet helpless.
And amidst this crushing aura…
Aelric calmly lifted the porcelain cup to his lips and took another sip of green bamboo tea.
The innkeeper hid behind the counter, her knuckles white as she gripped the wood. A few brave servants peeked from behind pillars, too terrified to intervene. Even the two remaining cultivators stood stiffly, unable to comprehend how the bodyguard had been incapacitated without Aelric even lifting a finger.
Aelric's crimson eyes lowered to the cup as he silently muttered to himself:
"Three times."
He had attempted to activate the paralysis point three times. The first two attempts failed. Only the third had succeeded—but a success nonetheless. It confirmed both the book's accuracy and his ability to manipulate blood internally with enough precision to strike a pressure point without physical contact.
Still, Aelric took mental note:
He needed more practice. Much more.
Hex trembled inside him.
[You… mastered something like this in one night. Not just mastered—used it in the most advanced way possible. Even top-level martial artists can't do that. You—]
Hex stopped mid-sentence, overwhelmed.
Aelric ignored him, placing the cup down with a soft clink.
Across from him, Li Cheng's face twisted—first confusion, then shock, then something closer to awe. His original arrogance had vanished completely.
Inside his mind, Li Cheng reeled.
Did he touch the pressure point? Impossible… we didn't even see him move. Was he too fast? Or did he use a technique I've never seen?
His gaze flicked to Aelric's calm posture.
Cold fear crawled through his bones.
Li Cheng was arrogant and spoiled, but he wasn't stupid. He quickly understood one thing:
He was sitting in front of someone far beyond him.
Someone he could not measure or provoke.
So he did what people have brains do—he changed his tone instantly.
He rose from his seat, cupped his fists, and bowed deeply.
"This junior pays respect to Senior Divine Doctor."
Aelric didn't respond verbally. He merely glanced at Li Cheng, then returned the gesture with a slight nod—calm, composed, indifferent.
Then, in one fluid motion, he poured another cup of tea… and slid it across the table toward Li Cheng.
Hex almost cried out—
[What are you doing—]
…but held himself back at the last moment.
Accepting tea from someone like Aelric felt dangerous, yet refusing would be worse. Li Cheng forced a polite smile, accepted the cup with trembling hands, and took a sip to show respect.
Only then did Aelric speak.
His tone was flat, a calm surface hiding unfathomable depth.
"What business does the Second Young Master of the Flowing Cloud Sect have with me?"
The tension spiked.
Aelric didn't look aggressive, nor angry—but something about his gaze made Li Cheng's heart pound uncontrollably. A pressure he couldn't see but could feel weighed on his shoulders.
Li Cheng forced a breath, then spoke slowly:
"I heard rumors that Senior Divine Doctor was staying at the Azure Heaven Sect…"
He paused, watching Aelric's expression.
Nothing changed.
Aelric simply waited.
Li Cheng swallowed.
"…so I came to confirm whether the rumors were true."
Aelric set the cup down.
"And what does that matter to you?"
Li Cheng's composure cracked for a moment. His jaw tightened, knuckles whitening as he gripped his robe. But he quickly forced himself to smile again.
"The relationship between the Flowing Cloud Sect and the Azure Heaven Sect… is not harmonious. Senior must be aware of that."
Aelric's gaze didn't shift.
Li Cheng continued, words flowing desperately.
"If senior chooses to associate with Azure Heaven Sect… it would be a losing deal. Every villager knows which sect will win the duel and claim the Spirit Realm. Flowing Cloud Sect will soon become the governor of Yunlai Village."
His meaning was obvious:
Choose the winning side. Don't stand with the doomed one.
Aelric's voice dropped to a chilling calm:
"Are you threatening me?"
Li Cheng felt the world spin.
A crushing sensation wrapped around him—Aelric's presence, restrained but suffocating.
He broke.
Sweat dripped down his forehead. His spine turned rigid. For a moment, he felt as though invisible chains were wrapped around his neck.
Li Cheng raised both hands instantly.
"I wouldn't dare! Senior misunderstands. It's simply that… even someone like you would not benefit from opposing the Flowing Cloud Sect."
His voice trembled, but he maintained a veneer of dignity.
"Azure Heaven Sect… will lose. Everyone knows that. I only hoped to advise senior to choose a better side."
But as Li Cheng spoke, something clicked inside Aelric.
Piece by piece.
Their confidence.
Their timing.
Their Assassination attempt.
The earlier poisoning.
The desperation behind their arrogance.
Slowly, the puzzle arranged itself.
A faint, cold smile tugged at Aelric's lips—not visible enough to be called a smile, but enough to send another shiver through Li Cheng.
He no longer wished to speak.
Aelric's voice cut through the air:
"I will keep that in mind."
His tone ended the conversation.
He then lifted his gaze to the paralysed bodyguard and released the pressure point. Instantly the man collapsed to the floor, coughing violently, clawing at his throat for air.
Aelric stood, dusted off his sleeve, and walked out of the inn without looking back.
The door swung shut behind him.
Only after several breaths passed did Li Cheng and the remaining bodyguard collapse into their seats, gasping for air.
Li Cheng wiped his face, his hands trembling.
This man… this Divine Doctor… he's a threat. A huge one. If he stands with Azure Heaven Sect, our entire plan could collapse.
He grit his teeth.
That assassin… even he couldn't kill him. Damn it.
He turned to his guards.
"We're returning. Father must hear this immediately."
They hurried out.
⸻
Aelric walked through the village streets at an unhurried pace, his expression unreadable.
The morning sun crept over the rooftops, casting long shadows that stretched across the dirt paths. Merchants carried crates, farmers pulled carts, children ran between stalls—all unaware of the storm looming over Yunlai Village.
Hex's voice broke the silence.
[So… there will be a bloodbath in this village.]
Aelric didn't answer immediately.
He simply kept walking, each step steady, calm.
But inside him, thoughts moved rapidly.
The conversation with Li Cheng.
The duel.
The poisoning of the First Young Master.
The Assassination Attempt
Everything fell into place but there was still a missing piece which aelric couldn't find out.
Something was orchestrating the downfall of Azure Heaven Sect.
Something deliberate.
Something ruthless.
⸻
As Aelric approached the Azure Heaven Sect gates, he spotted a servant anxiously waiting. The moment the servant saw him, he ran over, nearly tripping over his own feet.
"D-Divine Doctor! Sect Leader has requested your presence immediately!"
Aelric nodded, unsurprised.
He followed the servant through the sect grounds, passing disciples practicing techniques and elders in discussion. None dared approach him; whispers followed in his wake, but he paid them no mind.
Soon, he entered the Sect Leader's private chamber.
The air inside was heavy—thick with tension and worry.
Sect Leader Jian Wuhen sat behind a low table, face pale, hands clasped together tightly. When he saw Aelric, he rose hurriedly.
"Esteemed Divine Doctor… terrible news has arrived."
Aelric stood silently, waiting.
The Sect Leader took a deep breath.
"Flowing Cloud Sect has requested a ten-vs-ten duel."
Aelric's eyes narrowed slightly.
But Sect Leader wasn't done.
"They have also invited a branch master of the White Dragon Hall as the official spectator."
Aelric spoke quietly.
"White Dragon Hall."
Jian Wuhen nodded with a grim expression.
"They are the wealthiest merchant hall in the Southern Plains… and a direct subsidiary of the Golden Dragon Manor of the Central Plains. Some say… they even hold the backing of immortals."
He swallowed hard.
"And… a small cultivation sect near Yunlai village announced that they will support Flowing Cloud Sect in the duel."
Silence filled the room.
A cold silence.
The one missing piece settled into place in Aelric's mind.
Everything became clear.
He looked directly at Jian Wuhen.
Then he spoke—flat, emotionless, absolute:
"There will be no duel."
The Sect Leader blinked, stunned.
Aelric continued, voice calm and chilling:
"There will be a bloodbath."
His crimson eyes glowed faintly under the lantern light.
"And Azure Heaven Sect will be erased."
The room trembled—not from spiritual energy, but from the chilling certainty in his tone.