C17 Zhao Family Wanted to Swallow the Dragon!
In Darkmoon City, there were four prominent families: the Yuan, Zhao, Huang, and Yu clans.
Their influence extended beyond the city's various revenues, with the mines and medicinal herb forests outside the city also under their collective ownership.
Even the position of City Lord of Darkmoon was a prize contended for by these four powerful families.
Over the past century, both the Zhao and Huang families had usurped the Yuan family to seize control of the city's leadership.
The Huang family dominated many mines and quarries, extracting rare gold metals and special ores that were predominantly claimed by them.
The Yu family oversaw the expansive medicinal herb forests surrounding Darkmoon City, cultivating spiritual herbs and plants.
Meanwhile, the Zhao and Yuan families' profits were primarily urban-based, with the main commercial streets' rent largely flowing into the coffers of the City Lord from the Yuan family.
The Zhao family owned numerous shops within Darkmoon City, including taverns, silver towers, and various material exchange outlets, maintaining a firm grip on these businesses.
The Huang and Yu families earned their Spirit Stones and materials through more labor-intensive means outside the city, making what was often referred to as 'hard-earned money.'
In contrast, the Yuan and Zhao families acquired their wealth in more respectable and comfortable ways, also claiming a significant share of the annual yield from the external mines, quarries, and medicinal herb forests.
The so-called 'competition of the three realms' among the four great families was a contest based on familial strength, aimed at reallocating the shares of the external mines, quarries, and medicinal herb fields.
As for the city's internal assets, those firmly held by the Yuan and Zhao families were nearly impossible for the Huang and Yu families to penetrate.
...
Deep within a Yuan family estate in the eastern part of the city, two enormous barrels contained Lim Hanyu and his daughter, both submerged.
The barrels were filled with a dark green liquid that emitted a foul stench, and one could occasionally see poisonous insects floating to the surface.
These insects, once afloat, quickly hardened and died, victims of the poison.
Lim Hanyu, on the brink of death from the potent Lizard Blood Pill, hung his head in disgrace as he gazed at his chest. He could sense a swarm of poisonous insects converging at his dantian, greedily feeding on the toxic blood induced by the Lizard Blood Pill.
As the toxin left his body, his clarity of mind returned, yet the rage within remained undiminished.
Meanwhile, Lim Zhuyun, struggling against the overwhelming stench and the insects that plagued her, clenched her eyes shut, consumed by sorrow and fury.
The father-daughter duo had never imagined they would face such devastating blows at the hands of the Yu family. Their desires unfulfilled, they had nearly paid with their lives.
"Yu Yuan!" they seethed inwardly.
"It wasn't me who saved you from the clutches of the Yu family and Yu Yuan. Without my intervention to discover the antidote, you both would be dead," Yuan Lianyao materialized as if a specter.
The moonlight shimmered like liquid silver.
Beneath its luminous glow, she stood in a form-fitting silver-white gown, her figure as enchanting as a mermaid adorned with white scales.
"Although the detox method is somewhat unconventional, it has proven effective," Yuan Lianyao's eyes flitted over Lim Hanyu and his daughter, their discomfort and resentment growing. "Remember, this is Darkmoon City. I expect the Lim family to refrain from further rash actions."
"The Master of the Cold Yin Sect is just outside the city! Should she learn of my daughter's plight, she will not stand idly by," Lim Hanyu warned, aware of the woman's formidable connections. Merely invoking the Lim family might not suffice, so he cited the Cold Yin Sect for leverage.
"Oh, and there's something I neglected to mention," Yuan Lianyao said, her smile taking on a peculiar twist. "The city guards discovered signs of a fierce battle in a cave outside the city. It appears the Master of the Cold Yin Sect has been slain, her remains nowhere to be found."
"What?" Both father and daughter exclaimed in unison.
"Let me be frank—I suspect Yu Yuan has powerful backing," Yuan Lianyao said gravely. "Once you've fully recovered from the poisoning, it would be wise to leave Darkmoon City promptly. Let the Lim family and the Cold Yin Sect clear things up before you stir trouble. Dying here under mysterious circumstances would obligate me to give an account to both your family and the sect."
After delivering a mix of half-encouraging, half-threatening remarks, the City Lord departed amidst the astonished and bewildered stares of the father and daughter.
...
In the city, within the secluded backyard of the Spirit Treasure Building, stood Zhao Dongsheng. His muscular, albeit slightly corpulent, frame was adorned with seven rings, each crafted from a mix of gold, silver, and encrusted with precious gems—an ostentatious display of wealth.
Before him on a jade stone table lay a trio of items: a pair of scissors, a jade plate, and an iron ruler. Each was a rare treasure, emitting a soft, treasure-like glow and pulsating with an extraordinary Spiritual Qi.
"These Black Dragon Scissors are an authentic Spiritual Weapon, though their grade is modest—merely Third Grade," Zhao Dongsheng remarked, his fingers caressing the black scissors. A deep, dark gleam flickered to life, reminiscent of a legendary black dragon being fiercely roused within the blade. "A Third Grade Spiritual Weapon might not be top-tier in Darkmoon City, but there are those who can afford it. However, I have a feeling, young man, that you're not among them."
He wore a smile as he appraised the visitor with a discerning eye. "Frankly, my willingness to meet you stems from the numerous tales about you that have reached my ears recently."
As he spoke, Zhao Dongsheng's rotund body reclined into the spacious lounge chair, making no further mention of the jade plate or the iron ruler. "Unless I'm mistaken, what you truly desire is the Black Dragon Scissors, correct?"
"Indeed," Yu Yuan replied, standing erect and composed before the Zhao family's second-generation helmsman. "I've done my research and understand that the Black Dragon Scissors from your family's Spirit Treasure Building would be perfect for my aunt. Hence, my visit today is solely to acquire the Black Dragon Scissors. The other two items hold no interest for me at this time."
"Ha!" Qin Ann, the nominal steward of the Spirit Treasure Building, couldn't suppress a snort of derision. His lanky, towering presence next to Zhao Dongsheng made for a stark contrast. "Young Master Yu, I feel compelled to remind you that when the Black Dragon Scissors first graced our establishment, your aunt, Yu Lili, was the first to arrive."
"I can still recall her reluctance to leave them behind. But do you know why she ultimately couldn't take the scissors with her?"
Before Yu Yuan could respond, Qin Ann interjected with his own conclusion, "She can't afford the price!"
Zhao Dongsheng's lounge chair began to rock dramatically. "Spirit Treasure Building isn't running a charity. Without sufficient Spirit Stones, there's no use in further talk."
He gestured dismissively for Qin Ann to show the guest out while he spoke.
He had seen his share of visitors and his curiosity was now quenched.
The roused young master of the Yu family did strike him as peculiar and remarkable.
But the Zhao family's Spirit Treasure Building was in the business of making money. No matter how silver-tongued, if someone came without anything to offer, he had no interest in catering to them.
Yu Yuan, standing before him without even a pouch for Spirit Stones, was clearly unprepared.
Arriving at the Spirit Treasure Pavilion empty-handed was a sign of disrespect to both him and the Zhao family!
"I've heard that your dear Zhao Yafu's cultivation has plateaued at the Spirit Accumulating Stage," Yu Yuan stated boldly, locking eyes with Zhao Dongsheng. "Miss Zhao is a year my junior, and by all accounts, reaching the late phase of the Spirit Accumulating Stage isn't too shabby. But we both know she's progressed rapidly through the Pulse Opening and Spirit Accumulating Stages. She had every chance to ascend to the Yellow Court Stage early on, just like my betrothed."
The incessant rocking of the chair came to a halt with a creak.
Qin Ann, the nominal head of Spirit Treasure Building, spoke with a frosty tone, "What concern is my mistress's cultivation to you?"
Zhao Dongsheng's beady eyes glinted with a chilling light, as a dense spiritual force, mountainous in its weight, descended upon Yu Yuan.
In a flash, Yu Yuan's once erect spine was compelled to curve.
Zhao Dongsheng rose leisurely from his chair, and upon standing, towered over Yu Yuan like an imposing mountain of flesh, exuding a palpable sense of dominance.
"Young Master Yu, my daughter's training is none of your business," he said, his mouth curling with contempt.
An immense force bore down relentlessly!
Yu Yuan stifled a groan as his knees buckled under the strain. On the verge of kneeling, he suddenly exclaimed, "Uncle Zhao, are you familiar with the so-called 'nurturing of the young dragons' at Hidden Dragon Lake?"
The oppressive terror dissipated in a heartbeat.
Yu Yuan inhaled deeply, straightening himself once more, his eyes blazing as he faced the Zhao family's second-generation helmsman. "I've come in earnest, and my empty hands are a testament to my confidence in knowing exactly what Uncle Zhao truly needs."
"Hidden Dragon Lake, nurturing a young dragon—what are you talking about?" Qin Ann inquired, puzzled.
"Go to the front yard and let no one enter, that includes you!" commanded Zhao Dongsheng, his expression grave. His hands, adorned with seven rings, alternated between a tight grip and a loose hold. "Come with me!" He strode purposefully towards the room in the backyard.
He spared not a second glance for the Black Dragon Scissors on the jade table, nor the valuable jade plates and iron ruler.
Yu Yuan trailed behind him.
"How did you come to know about Hidden Dragon Lake?!" Zhao Dongsheng demanded, his voice betraying a hint of anxiety and restlessness. The landscape paintings on the wooden walls seemed to shimmer with a green radiance as he spoke.
With just one look, Yu Yuan discerned that the room was safeguarded by a secret formation, designed to block both sound and the prying of spiritual senses.
Only those beyond the Yin God Stage could possibly intercept the conversations within through their spiritual senses.
"I'm curious if the Zhao family has sanctioned the nurturing of the Dragon Essence within your daughter's body?" Yu Yuan countered with a question of his own, emphasizing its significance.
Zhao Dongsheng's face tensed. "What exactly do you know?"
"Uncle Zhao, I'd appreciate it if you addressed my question first," Yu Yuan replied, his demeanor now a portrait of composure. He had seen through to the turmoil within the Zhao family's second-in-command, all due to his daughter's predicament.
After a moment's hesitation, Zhao Dongsheng gave a slight nod.
"Heh, so permission was granted," Yu Yuan remarked with an easy smile. "It seems then, that the true pillar behind the Zhao family is none other than Hidden Dragon Lake."
"That's one way to put it," Zhao Dongsheng conceded, no longer concealing the truth. "You're aware of Hidden Dragon Lake and the so-called 'nurturing of a young dragon.' You also understand the difficulties facing my daughter, Yafu, and yet you stand before me, speaking so boldly..."
Zhao Dongsheng's arms folded across his chest as a palpable sense of danger emanated from him. "If you fail to provide a satisfactory explanation, I fear I cannot allow you to walk out of here alive."
"The true form isn't here; the young dragon nurtured within your dear one's body has likely perished," Yu Yuan said with a smile, his demeanor easygoing. "You're aware, as is your beloved, but Hidden Dragon Lake may be in the dark. The young dragon's death outside has left only a sliver of its soul behind. Should Hidden Dragon Lake become aware, wouldn't they sacrifice your beloved to use that soul fragment and the dragon blood they've hidden away to resurrect the young dragon?"
Zhao Dongsheng maintained his composure, gesturing with his eyes for Yu Yuan to go on.
"So, it's you—or perhaps the entire Zhao family—who doesn't wish to sacrifice Zhao Yafu. You're planning to execute the 'Dragon Swallowing' scheme in secret, without Hidden Dragon Lake's knowledge, correct?" Yu Yuan demanded.
"And what if we are?" Zhao Dongsheng replied with a sly, menacing grin.
Regardless of Yu Yuan's recent triumphs, Zhao Dongsheng was ready to eliminate him once and for all.
Should the Zhao family's 'Dragon Swallowing' plot be exposed to Hidden Dragon Lake, it could spell disaster and potential extinction for the Zhao family. He would not permit even the slightest mishap.
"'Dragon Swallowing,' is it?" Yu Yuan laughed lightly. "Uncle Zhao, trust me, I can assist you!"
