Chapter 18
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Turn - 2
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The World Dragon hurled the plate for the third time, thinking to himself that the moment had finally come.
Above all, the most important thing was the female knight seated beside him. The beautiful young lady in jade-green robes was clapping and laughing merrily at someone's joke. A thick scent of musk wafted from her.
Her name was Hua Chelin, the treasured flower of the Hua Clan. Normally, a casual exchange of words would have been the extent of it.
This was an opportunity afforded by the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. He had to seize it.
The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was no mere assembly—it was a conclave of young clan heirs and elite disciples, no different from a grand tournament of Guangdong's sects. In any other setting, the World Dragon and Hua Chelin would never mingle.
The Tian Clan at the lowest rung of Jiangming and the Huangfu Clan's five retainers, with the Hua Clan as one of the Five Directions Families—the disparity was clear. There was no reason for Hua Chelin to engage deeply with the World Dragon.
Had he not been the host, even sharing the same table would have been impossible. In truth, it was a make-or-break moment; today's gambit could dictate the Tian Clan's fate for the next decade.
"One who stakes everything on a single move is a fool. A clan lord must look both behind and ahead."
Even the World Dragon had no choice but to feel the tension. He recalled his father's—the clan lord's—words.
The fourth plate arrived. Bai Hui, whom he'd despised so much as a child, seemed pitiful today.
Yet he pushed aside the faint pity. He had to see farther, broader.
The people of Anhui could walk the night streets without fear thanks to the Nangong Clan. Mount Fu prospered because of the Huangfu Clan's might. The folk of Songshan slept with doors unlatched even at night because they dwelled under Shaolin's aegis.
Iron Heart. For Jiangming's commoners, a few sacrifices were inevitable. It was the righteous path of a clan.
How much more so if that sacrifice was Bai Hui, whom he'd hated since childhood.
The gains from the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, the connections to forge. The funds to back it all. Today's scheme had been meticulously planned with the attending sects in mind. Luck had favored him, making it all too easy.
Only a handful knew of the plot, and the circumstances were flawlessly arranged.
A perfectly roasted duck skin arrived at the table, steam rising gently. He sliced off a piece and popped it into his mouth.
The clean, savory taste pleased him. It was the World Dragon's favorite dish. Now was the time.
He gave a faint smile at Bai Hui, who stood silently at attention. No personal grudge. Just necessary business.
The World Dragon shot to his feet.
"Oh no...!"
"What is it, Young Master Tian?"
Clang. He drew the sword at his waist. Crash. The table shoved aside, spilling fine dishes onto the floor. Precisely as intended.
In an instant, the World Dragon stood before everyone. Sword drawn and pointed at Bai Hui.
"Stop eating at once and circulate your qi! Now!"
"Young Master Tian, what's this all about?"
"The food tasted off somehow—it's poisoned!"
Bai Hui's eyes widened in shock. The guy who always reacted with deadpan blankness was genuinely startled.
Ah, shouldn't laugh.
"It's true! My qi...!"
"Ambush! Get up here!"
"Crippling poison..."
A clamor of uproar. Crippling poison—that much registered. Then nothing else. Clang. Swords drawn, ringing loudly.
Before the chain of sword-drawing sounds ended, the World Dragon's blade flew at him. Simultaneously, whoooong—a red trajectory lit the air. Darkness swallowed the surroundings; only the World Dragon's eyes and feet filled his vision.
It was certain. That swing aimed to kill.
His counter was instinctive. Sensory. How many years since he'd last gripped a wooden sword? His mind blanked white naturally. Nerves issued commands in place of his dazed wits.
Grab that chair leg!
His right hand snatched the empty chair. The absurdly expensive luxury seat, ebony-built and sturdy. Kak! The wood frame barely parried the World Dragon's sword.
"Damn, this crippling poison—my qi!"
"Young Master Tian! I'll join you!"
Another sword whistled from the side. He ducked reflexively; a razor-sharp whoosh grazed his nape. His senses snapped alert.
I'm going to die. For real. This wasn't just bullying. They genuinely saw him as some assassin.
Whoosh. A straight thrust targeted his back; he rolled across the floor.
"I didn't do anything!"
"Shut up!"
The blade stabbed down with the retort. Thud! Thud! Wood splintered. Amid the flurry of slashing swords, he spotted a faint red aura.
Thump. Hand to floor, a sweeping kick. The ankle caught at his calf lost balance. An ally of the World Dragon toppled. A sword clattered down wretchedly. As he reached to grab and swing it, chills prickled his skin.
No crippling poison ingested, yet the situation had spiraled. Wielding that sword would make it irreversible.
Trap.
He retreated, back hitting the wall. In a blink, six or seven sword tips arrayed before him. Was the crippling poison real? None carried inner force. Not even the World Dragon's.
"Assassin!"
"This is a frame job."
But no one listened. Hostile young eyes glared. Tense air. Trembling blades. Eyes locked, deep breaths drawn.
Huuuh!
"Hah!"
Combined assault. Two arcs aimed at head and chest. He twisted his neck to evade one. For the other, he glared wide-eyed.
Fail, and die. No room for error. At death's door, innate talent awoke.
He moved following the flickering red glow. Shk. Sword slipped between armpit and side. Squeeze. Arm and torso clamped it.
Thud. He snatched the incoming youth's hand in a golden clasp. A simple wrist-twist dropped another sword to the floor. But no time to relax.
Next came the female knight's chain sword. Pang! Air-ripping whoosh.
He kicked the fallen sword to block. In the brief instant her blade ricocheted off the flat, he shifted position. First, escape this place.
Dodge swords. Deflect daggers. Leap onto a chair to reposition. At the end waited the World Dragon.
Horizontal thrust, Fire Cloud Thrust. He lunged a step forward, closing distance. As he reached to seize the arm at close range, Gale Wind Kick followed. A mid-level acupoint strike.
He slapped it away, counter-grabbing the ankle. The World Dragon spun, elbow like a nail targeting his temple. He barely pulled his head back.
Death grazed him once more.
"The assassin's trying to flee!"
By then, he was near the stairs. Escape first, inform Mother, get out. That was all he could think.
Eyes still on the World Dragon, backing away, he desperately proclaimed his innocence.
"I never poisoned the foo—"
But he'd forgotten something crucial.
Killing intent flickering behind. Before he could turn, his body stiffened. First-rate acupoint strike.
Paralyzed like snake-bit, another point was sealed. Vision blackened instantly. Mind fogged. No. He mumbled, reaching out. Grasped nothing.
"Thanks to Young Master Tian, we caught him."
"Interrogate him—find out who's behind this."
"The silver needle turned black! Arsenic!"
Voices faded. In blurring consciousness, the World Dragon's voice sounded...
"Search his belongings. There'll be something suspicious in his luggage for sure..."
The first day of the Jiangming-hosted Dragon-Phoenix Gathering ended with the shocking revelation of an assassin hidden among the inn's hired help.
Suspect Bai Hui's father had long traded with the Tian Clan; after bankruptcy for some reason, he'd nursed a grudge.
Learning of the Gathering, he'd infiltrated for revenge, using hoarded funds to buy arsenic and poison the food.
Authorities announced handover. Per a century-old treaty, investigation and punishment fell to the Tian Clan.
As hosts, the Tian Clan formally expressed regret. The World Dragon's feat—sensing the subtle off-taste and exposing the assassin—spread among the young heroes, along with tales of the fiend.
Someone tried assassinating the young masters; Tian Clan's heir saved them. He was a young ruffian from the market district named Bai Hui...
Rumors flew wingless through the crowds. To the markets, the slums, even a crumbling shack.
To Bai Hui's mother, coughing faintly while worrying over her absent son, it was utterly unbelievable. She had to visit the Tian Clan herself and demand the truth—it was that absurd.
And so, in the chill winter winds, the old woman set out.
Clutching unwavering faith that her son could never have done such a thing.