Chapter 4: Origin god blood

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Zhu Manor - Zhu Wushang bedroom

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In the bedroom with practical and straightforward furniture and decoration and the bookshelves full with a lot of books from practical knowledge like Medicine and Arts of Healing, Herb encyclopedia, Animal and Spirits Beast encyclopedia, Smithing, Cooking to the Arts of War.

It's like the room of a respectable scholar, but this room owner is just a 12 years old boy that lies unconscious on his bed while the Old doctor in white robe checks the boy's pulse at his bedside.

"Please leave us for a moment, General Zhu. I need to give him an acupuncture session." The old doctor told Zhu Songtian, who was waiting near him.

“Please save him, Royal doctor” Zhu Songtian pleaded and walked out of the room.

At the main hall, Qin Xue’er, Zhu Yinbing, Xiao Lan and Wang Zhao are waiting for news, Zhu Songtian looking at them before shaking his head with helplessness.

"The royal doctor needs some time to give Shang'er an acupuncture session. But while we are waiting, we need to summarize all of the events that happen from afternoon till now."

Zhu Songtian speaks while looking at Xiao Lan.

"Your Highness, please tell all of us the details of what happened."

Xiao Lan nod then tells Zhu Songtian everything that happens including all the details about the insanity of the last three wolves. Everyone has a deep thought before Zhu Songtian said.

"Your Highness I believe that this is a very well planned assassination attempt. Because when we are sending sir Black merchant to the nearest town. A group of a highly skilled assassin concise of Spirits Commander and Spirits King cultivation realm attack both your hidden guard that station near the lake and Zhu Manor at the same time. Then they send a beastmaster to attack you by using a Spirits Dire Wolf." Zhu Songtian stopped, then Qin Xue’er added more of her thoughts.

“As General Zhu said to Lan'er, The timing is too precise. I’m afraid that someone might leak our schedule to the enemy."  Qin Xue’er said and looked at Zhu Yinbing as she nodded in agreement.

"Why do they want to use those beasts to kill me? Wouldn't a one or two Spirits King realm assassin be more effective in killing me?" Asked Xiao Lan.

Qin Xue’er heard this and she then answered in place of Zhu Songtian.

"Lan’er If they use human to assassinate you and succeed. The fate soul imprint in your body will tell Your royal father about the one who assassinated you and also the one who's behind the assassination by using fate oracle formation in the palace to connect with your soul."

"Yes, Your Highness. Their goal is the throne of his majesty. As you already knew, His Majesty issued a decree that let the Female heir to be able to inherit the throne. And your special body trait makes you a solid candidate for the throne." Said Zhu Yinbing who's standing beside Qin Xue’er then she exhales in relief.

"Fortunately this attack made them exhaust their power and influence in this continent. And in the next five years, I'm sure that they can't make an attempt like this again."

What Zhu Yinbing said are facts. Because of the Spirit King realm assassins are a scarce commodity in this backward continent, and most of them are the leader or founder of the assassin organization in this Desolate continent. If one of them dies then, others will be more cautious in this kind of contract, and it will be much harder to hire them in the future.

And it's nearly impossible to smuggle the assassin from the Imperial continent here. Because all of the ports in this continent are in control of the royal family of the Great Phoenix Empire. And all of the shorelines other than the port in this continent connect to the Great Forest of Nowhere. So no sane person will go there.

"What about those three wolves that went insane and died?" Xiao Lan asks both Qin Xue’er and the Zhu Couple.

"About that. I have an answer, Your Highness.

The figure of a tall man in gold-trim black luxurious robe strolling in, He has a smooth and charming face with a calculative demeanor.

"Sir Black Merchant" Wang Zhao greeted the tall man in black who's sitting in the guest seat in the hall.

"Where's the tea?" Black merchants said in a demanding tone at Zhu couples.

"Pardon?" Zhu Songtian asks with a frown. Normally he would welcome this esteemed guest, but since the Black merchant can’t help his son and his son is in a coma, his mood isn’t quite good right now.

"General Zhu, I'm a guest you know? A guest that comes with vital information, so? Where's the tea?" Black merchant asks in a nuisance tone.

Zhu Songtian frowns deeper and looking at Black Merchant in annoyance he clenches his fist tightly, If this Black merchant doesn’t have strong cultivation, he would already slap this guy senseless.

"Sir Black Merchant. You're walking in my house without an invitation; please give some respect." Zhu Songtian sternly warned

“Hahahahaha!!” Black Merchant laughs in amusement, like sawing something ridiculous like ants that threaten to bite him. He can’t help himself but laugh out loud.

"Oh, I’m sorry, Where are my manners. If you refuse to acknowledge my generosity. Then we can talk about business. Please pay me Ten thousand spirits stone for this information, I'll behave myself and treat you with respect like I treat my VIP customer."

What black merchant said is true. He was renowned for his eccentric behavior but known to be a great merchant that treated his customers fairly and with respect. He's never gone back on the deal whatever the circumstances, even his customer trying to entrap him or kill him during the transaction, But what will happen to that customer after the agreement has ended is another matter entirely.

But the price of ten thousand spirit stones is more than two times the yearly budget for an entire Eastern army that Zhu Songtian commanded.

Qin Xue’er exhaled and spoke her offer.

"Sir Black Merchant. The treasury of the royal family of the Great Phoenix empire will pay for the information. Please back to the topic at hand and tell us" She senses that this information might be vital; otherwise, the price would not be expensive to such a degree.

Zhu Songtian heard the offer, He quickly kneeled down and begged Qin Xue’er with a cupped hand.

“Your Majesty! Please reconsider! This wealth should be used for the good of the empire! We do not dare receive this generosity!” He said in earnest but unaware of his wife's complicated expression that her anger nearly broke out.

“Oh? Don’t worry general Zhu, I’ll make sure to deduct this from your monthly wage and all of your accommodation, Plus the one that causes Sir Black Merchant to change his mind from giving away this information to Charge us with this hefty price is you. So it’s the right thing to deduct your wage and all of your accommodation don’t you think?” Qin Xue’er said with a sweet smile.

Zhu Songtian nearly spurts out blood once he hears what Qin Xue’er said. What the hell!? Did I just shoot myself in the foot!?

“But, I’ll give elder sister Bing’er some face and not giving you trouble this time.” She said as she winked at Zhu Yinbing who’s smiling in gratitude. 

“Dear, I know you’re frustrated about our son but please control your temper, Sir Black Merchant isn’t someone that we can afford to offend.” She reminds her husband with a warm and understanding tone, she knew that her husband was like this because of their son and she understands that so she chose to give him a reminder instead of beating him up.

While the Zhu couple talks with each other, Qin Xue’er then looks at the Black merchant.

“Sir Black merchant, please tell us your information,” She asked.

"I assure you, Your Majesty, This information is worth the price, but before that, let me give you some advice, Your Majesty. This information is for you and your most trusted aides only. The dog that likes to change master because it wants some delicious food that's not of its own is not welcome." 

This sentence makes everyone frown deeply. Especially Wang Zhao, his back sweating profusely.

There’s no secret that back then when they are in their youth Wang Zhao and Zhu Wushang are courting the same woman which is Zhu Yinbing, the noble daughter of the renown Gu clan and The Eastern General and the one that wins her ice-cold heart is Zhu Songtian.

Tome passed, Zhu Songtian became The Eastern General, Zhu Yinbing became The Grand General, and Wang Zhao became the leader of the hidden guard that protected Xiao Lan here.

"Sir Black Merchant, I always knew that brother Wang courted the same woman as I back in our youth, but it’s all in the past and he also had saved my life back then. Now we’re like brothers.” Zhu Songtian speaks on behalf of wang Zhao.

The Black merchant chuckles a little after he hears that, then closes his eyes and ignores Zhu Songtian. He already gave the warning about the consequences of the goods that he's going to sell to the customer as part of the duty of a good and respectable merchant. What his customer does with this warning is not his responsibility.

Qin Xue’er look around the room she looks at Wang Zhao with skepticism.

“Wang Zhao, bring your men to guard at the front of the manor, don’t come in here unless It’s my command.”

“Mother! Please! I think Uncle Zhao can be trusted.” The one that stops Qin Xue’er is Xiao Lan, her one and only biological daughter.

That’s right, The real identity of Qin Xue’er is Tian Xue’er the Empress of the Great Phoenix Empire, and Xiao Lan is her daughter, The crown princess of the Great Phoenix Empire Tian Xiulan.

Tian Xue’er close her eyes and think about what her daughter said, It’s true that Wang Zhao Taking care of Xiao Lan in her stead while Xiao Lan hiding here in this backwater area like The Desolate Continent. She does not trust Wang Zhao that much. She and her husband had their own suspicions about Wang Zhao's loyalty, but they didn’t have a solid proof.

That's why she chose to have her daughter hiding here with the Zhu family because Zhu Yinbing is her sworn sister and Zhu Songtian is an upright man that can be trusted.

Anyhow, What Wang Zhao had done from the past until now can’t be denied. He had many opportunities to betray them, but he didn’t, plus it was just her instinct that told her that Wang Zhao can’t be trusted, She didn’t have any evidence.

"Ok, Wang Zhao. You stay here, Sir Black merchant please tell us.” She said to the Black merchant and nodded at him to confirm her decision.

“Thank you for trusting me Your Majesty, Your Highness” Wang Zhao thanks both of them with a cupped fist. Both Xiao Lan and Zhu Songtian nodded and smile in approval while Tian Xue’er ignoring what Wang Zhao said.

"As you wish Your Majesty.” Black merchant opens his eyes and tells the information he brought.

"That child's blood is called Origin God Blood. Anyone who drank it will go insane and die shortly after." Black merchant stops then looking at Wang Zhao with the corner of his eye.

"Is that all? Sir Black merchant?" Wang Zhao asked.

The Black merchant sigh within his heart in pity about the child's fate before continuing. After all, Ignorance isn't a crime, but It can still destroy someone's life if one is ignorance in a critical issue. And he is still not sure if the child is the entity who he thinks he is. And he also deeply hopes that the child who has the power to counter him will die. That's why other than giving a duty-bound warning, he's not going to do anything else for that child.

"I'm not finished yet. Mr. Wang, Let's continue shall we?" Then he stands up and brings out a very ancient scroll from his storage ring. This jet black scroll was made by an unknown material and written by an unknown ink that shone in blue light.

"If the one who drank his blood got his permission. They will awaken the rare element that slept dormant within their spirits root. And their spirit root will also evolve to the peak of its existence."

This information blows everyone's minds, greed shone in the eye of Wang Zhao for a moment before it vanishes.

"This is the record of what I've said. It's from the primal ruin of the first civilization in the upper realm." The Black merchant then gives the scroll to Xiao Lan.

First Civilization, Primal Ruin, and Upper realm, These are the powerful and mysterious words within this world. Each one of it can drive the Ascension realm old monster into a frenzy. A treasure from one of these three origins can even cause a powerful clan to be destroyed within one night. Not to talk about these three origins together to be a treasured body which can continuously generate the blood that can upgrade their strength permanently!!.

While everyone is shocked from the information they just know, the Royal doctor just walks out from Zhu Wushang bedroom.

“Royal doctor, How’s Shang’er? Is he ok?” Zhu Yinbing worriedly ask.

The Old doctor looks around at everyone present and answers in gloominess.

“He’s safe and just needs to rest before he fully recovers. But… a lot of his meridian in the back has been damaged and… someone with no deep medical knowledge gave him a Blood clot pill causing his blood to heavily clot over his damaged meridian.” The old doctor stops and exhales in depression before continuing.

“This causes his damaged meridian to be permanently blocked. And my medical knowledge is not deep enough to treat this symptom. I ask General and madam Zhu for forgiveness.” The old doctor cupped his hand and bowed to Zhu couples in apology.

The answer of the old doctor made Zhu Couple's face pale, especially Xiao Lan when she heard the unintended effect of the Blood clot pill that she gave to Zhu Wushang. 

“What... What do you mean? Old doctor.” Zhu Yinbing ask, trembling in fear of the consequences.

The air in the hall continues to get more heavy with the weary face of the old doctor; he looks at the Zhu couple in pity of their adopted son's fate.

“If it cannot be treated He will not have the ability to walk again.” The old doctor answers with a heavy tone.

Xiao Lan faces devoid of all color with a heartache feeling, she really regrets her ignorance in medical arts. Countless “why” appear in her mind, Why didn’t she study more in medical skills, Why didn’t she get to the doctor first, and Why didn’t she be stronger if she was stronger all of this would not happen.

Her tear slowly drops, and before anyone knows it, she rushes into Zhu Wushang room, listlessly walking to his bedside and kneeling.

She looks at Zhu Wushang who is sleeping soundlessly on his bed. His innocent face of a child is so contrasted with his normal mature behavior. She gently holds his hand and sob in regret.

“I’m sorry Wushang. I’m really sorry... I didn’t intend to... I really didn’t know.”

Zhu Songtian sighs in pity while Zhu Yinbing is crying in his chest. He doesn’t know what to say in this situation.

Wang Zhao felt delight within his heart. This living treasure surely can’t achieve anything in this life, and the fragile person like this is very easy to manipulate. He just need to show him some pity and give him some charity, and surely this living treasure would willingly let him drank those Origin God Blood

But Wang Zhao didn’t know that he couldn’t be more wrong. Because of Zhu Wushang, “Experienced memory of many lives” and his indomitable will along with his mature mind state will never let him succeed.

At that moment Xiao Lan stands up and turns to her mother with determined eyes.

“Mom, I’m sorry, But, I want to relinquish my right to rule and stay here to look after him until the last day of his life.”

What she said made her mother frown deeply. She worriedly looked at her daughter.

“Lan’er, What are you saying? You already knew how hard your royal father fought with those blockhead officials and ministers to get you the right to rule for a female heir! Why did you!”

Tian Xue’er admonished her daughter. Because the long-standing tradition of this world made it impossible for female royal blood to rule the empire because of the old mindset that females need to marry out of the family or clan and they need to follow and obey her husband. 

And usually, the partner of the royal princess would be the foreign empire prince or the heir of some powerful sect. If the female heir had the right to rule, that would equal to give their empire to an outsider.

That’s why to be able to give the right to rule for female heirs without civil war is a great feat.

“Mom I’m the one that causes him to not be able to walk again. I need to take responsibility for what I’ve done.” Said Tian Xiulan to her mother as her mother looked at her with a strange expression.

“You stayed with him for many years but didn’t you know his character? Do you think he needs someone pity? Plus If you talk about responsibility, We can send a beautiful maid to take care of him.”

Tian Xiulan startled and looked down in shame when her mother stated the fact that Zhu Wushang doesn’t need any pity about his body or shortcoming. What he needs is respect and treating him like any other respectable person. But once her mother mentions a beautiful maid, She frowned deeply. Why does it have to be a “Beautiful” maid?

She immediately looks up and sees the teasing smile on her mother's beautiful face.

“M… Mom!?” She was startled, but before she could say another word, Her mother said.

“Lan’er, You love him… didn’t you?” Asked Tian Xue’er to her daughter.

Tian Xiulan didn’t say anything, she looked down to hide the red hue on her face and nodded.

“Oh, my-my…” Cover her mouth with a hand, she exclaims in astonishment.

“Well… How about this, We’ll give you 4 years to think about it while you stay here and take care of him. If you are still determined about staying with him, I’ll talk to your royal father to pass the throne to your elder brother” Tian Xue’er said with a smile.

“Thank you, Mother.”