C5 Conspiracy

In the northern reaches of Icefair, the Zheng family resided over ten miles from the Zhou family's ancestral temple.

Zheng Xunqin had just returned and was briefing the Zheng family members on the details of their recent mission.

"The Zhou family is riddled with discord due to a power struggle between their patriarch and elders. Our spies easily smuggled me and the Second Palace Holy Son into Zhou Jibo's courtyard undetected."

"Zhou Jibo was unconscious. After administering the Soul-Shattering Medicine, the Second Palace Holy Son extracted his bone root without raising any suspicion among the Zhou clan."

Zheng Huai, the patriarch of the Zheng family and father to Zheng Xunqin, listened as the elders nodded in approval. "Xunqin, you've done well. Our family has now pledged allegiance to the Holy Land, joining the ranks of many families in service to them."

An elder sighed with a hint of regret, "Our Zheng family has had a longstanding friendship with the Zhou family. We've wronged them this time."

Zheng Huai responded icily, "In this world, there's no owing or being owed—it's the strong who command respect. Since the Zhou family lost their status as the preeminent family in Icefair City forty years ago, they've fallen behind us. The current infighting over the patriarchal title is just an opportunity for us to claim a bone root and secure the future of the Zheng family."

All members of the Zheng family nodded in agreement.

Witnessing the scene, Zheng Xunqin reflected inwardly: 'Zhou Jibo's low-grade Earth Spirit bone root has united our family in allegiance to the Shrine of Astral Radiance. This was the last value of his life.'

An elder then inquired, "Why hasn't the Second Palace Holy Son visited the Zheng family?"

With a knowing smile, Zheng Huai replied, "Consider the prestige of the Shrine of Astral Radiance and the stature of the Second Palace Holy Son. Were it not for the specific usefulness of Zhou Jibo's low-grade Earth Spirit bone root, would we even have had this chance?"

The elder burst into hearty laughter, "Zhou Jibo is incredibly fortunate. He was born with an Earth Spirit bone root, a rarity in Icefair not seen for over a decade. Without Zhou Jibo's stroke of luck, where would the Zheng family's fortune of finding sanctuary with the Shrine of Astral Radiance come from?"

"Yes!"

"Absolutely!"

The Zheng family members couldn't contain their laughter.

Amidst their mirth, a rush of horse hooves approached from outside. A subordinate dismounted and hurried in, announcing, "Patriarch, I bring news from the Zhou family!"

"What news? They didn't catch on to Miss Xunqin's visit, did they?" Zheng Huai inquired.

The subordinate quickly replied, "The Zhou family is unaware of Miss Xunqin's visit. They've been preoccupied with a bit of internal strife. The Zhou family's Great Elder, Zhou Qian, has falsely accused Zhou Jibo of theft, seeking to expel him and strip him of his rightful place as the eldest son."

"As long as our Zheng family isn't implicated, that's what matters," Zheng Huai remarked. "Poor Zhou Jibo, to lose his bone root and be cast out all in one day. We needn't bother with revenge against the Zhou family now; they're self-destructing. I doubt anyone's even concerned with Zhou Jibo's fate anymore."

"Patriarch," the informant said, a peculiar look crossing his face, "there's something amiss here."

"What's amiss?" Zheng Huai pressed, "You did say the Zhou family was oblivious to Xunqin's visit, right?"

"Zhou Jibo has shown up, seemingly unharmed," the subordinate reported.

"That's impossible!" Zheng Xunqin interjected firmly, "I personally witnessed Zhou Jibo's bone root being extracted! Surely he's pale and needing support?"

The subordinate shook his head, "No, Zhou Jibo appeared healthy, moving about with ease. He even engaged Zhou Leng and Zhou Qian in combat, defeating Zhou Qian with a single move."

Zheng Huai gasped, turning to look at Zheng Xunqin, while the rest of the Zheng family members were equally taken aback.

Zheng Xunqin was utterly astounded, her disbelief evident as she exclaimed, "How is this possible! The Earth Spirit's low-grade bone root was already claimed by the Second Palace Holy Son. How on earth did Zhou Jibo manage to recover?"

"I need to see what's happening for myself!"

He was on the verge of heading out after speaking.

"Hold it right there," Zheng Huai commanded, halting her in her tracks. "Regardless of the peculiarities surrounding Zhou Jibo—whether he's forcing a facade or there's some trickery afoot—the Zheng family must only concern itself with its own affairs."

"The Second Palace Holy Son has given his recognition to our Zheng family. In three months, envoys from the Shrine of Astral Radiance will escort Zheng Xunqin to the Holy Land. All we need to do is wait these three months out, peacefully."

"But this issue..." Zheng Xunqin was reluctant, the desire to investigate still burning within her.

"Once the Second Palace Holy Son departs, our Zheng family won't have a significant ally. I won't stir trouble with the Zhou family for the time being," Zheng Huai declared. "Your journey to the Shrine of Astral Radiance will mark the Zheng family's rise to power in Icefair. By then, the Zhou family will be inconsequential."

With that, Zheng Xunqin reluctantly abandoned her intention to visit the Zhou family and check on Zhou Jibo.

Indeed, in three months' time, the die would be cast.

Meanwhile, in the Zhou family's compound, a woman dabbed at her tears softly as Zhou Leng lay on the bed, writhing and unleashing a torrent of curses and groans.

"Zhou Jibo! I'll see to his demise!"

"The pain is unbearable!"

The Great Elder, Zhou Qian, entered the room, his expression turning icy as he surveyed the scene.

"Zhou Kaile, you usurped the role of Patriarch that was rightfully mine, a betrayal I've not forgotten for twenty long years! Now that Zhou Jibo has injured Zhou Leng, do you truly think I'll swallow this affront?"

"I'll make you experience the agony of losing a son, and then I'll reclaim my rightful place as Patriarch!"

"Someone come here!"

Zhou Qian's call echoed.

Steward Kong Chuyang hurried in, the imprint of a slap still visible on his face, "Great Elder, would you like me to summon a physician for Young Master Zhou Leng?"

Zhou Qian seethed with anger, "I want his life!"

Kong Chuyang jumped, startled. "Whose life?"

"Every few days, Zhou Jibo makes his way to the Zhengs to ingratiate himself with their daughters," Zhou Qian stated icily. "Keep a close watch on Zhou Jibo. Inform me the next time he visits the Zheng family."

Zhou Jibo?

The prospect of vengeance lit up Kong Chuyang's face with glee. "Absolutely, Great Elder. I'll have someone monitor Zhou Jibo right away!"

Zhou Qian dismissed him with a wave and turned to Zhou Leng.

"Do you feel any better?"

"Once you've dealt with Zhou Jibo, propose to Zheng Xunqin for me! I want to marry her," Zhou Leng declared, the pain in his body momentarily forgotten.

Zhou Qian's brow creased in concern. "Zheng Xunqin? She seems overly cunning to me. You've seen how she's played Zhou Jibo. And you still wish to marry her?"

Zhou Leng eagerly nodded. "Yes, Father. I want her to be my wife!"

Zhou Qian was reluctant, his resolve wavering.

"Father, once Zheng Xunqin is my wife, what will her petty schemes amount to before you?" Zhou Leng quickly flattered.

A chuckle escaped Zhou Qian. "Always the charmer with your words. Very well, after I take care of Zhou Jibo, you shall have your wish to marry Zheng Xunqin."

"Thank you, Father!"

Elated, Zhou Leng rose to express his gratitude but collapsed back onto the bed, wincing in agony.

Zhou Qian's expression turned grim once more. "Zhou Jibo, your end is imminent!"