The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 71: The Flame In The Heart

The Flame In The Heart . . .

As the events unfolded in the bustling capital, the spotlight fell on two unfortunate shops located near the scene of an eerie occurrence. The shopkeepers, whose names were Cha-Eun Xiao and his family, watched in shock as an inexplicable tragedy played out before their eyes. Their usually serene faces had transformed into shades of green as they grappled with the horrifying reality unfolding before them. However, no matter how much they wished to escape this nightmarish scenario, there seemed to be no way out.

It was a classic case of the saying, "he who stayed in the house was hit by the misfortune from the sky," a proverb that couldn't be more fitting in this situation. Cha-Eun Xiao and his family had been diligently minding their shops, conducting their businesses as usual, but fate had something entirely different in store for them. To their sheer astonishment, people had dropped dead right at their doorsteps.

Meanwhile, at the Divine Arms Mill, a different but equally intense sentiment was brewing. They had brought a collection of divine weapons to the capital with high hopes of creating a sensation and attracting a legion of devoted followers. Their anticipation was palpable; they believed that this time around, they could command exorbitant prices for their coveted merchandise. The excitement of the crowd was evident, and everything seemed to be going according to plan.

However, just as their confidence swelled and their elation peaked, an unexpected and dire turn of events occurred. Three individuals who had been closely following them in the crowd suddenly dropped dead, casting a shadow of misfortune upon their aspirations. The shock and dismay that washed over the faces of the Divine Arms Mill members were palpable.

In the midst of the ensuing chaos and confusion, one figure, Cha-Eun Xiao, moved with a calculated purpose. He was dragging a man along with him, discreetly maneuvering through a labyrinth of narrow alleys. Climbing over walls and leaving no trace, he eventually found a secluded spot. There, he gently laid the man on the ground.

Throughout this entire ordeal, the captive man had observed Cha-Eun Xiao's every move with keen attentiveness. From the effortless dispatching of three assassins to the nonchalant manner in which he spirited him away, Cha-Eun Xiao's boldness, precision, and sheer strength were nothing short of astonishing. As the man was placed on the ground, his face had already turned pallid with fear.

In a desperate attempt to escape his captor's clutches, the man initially contemplated biting off his own tongue to end his life swiftly. However, he abandoned this idea as he quickly realized that death would not come so easily in Cha-Eun Xiao's hands. Cha-Eun Xiao promptly immobilized the man, breaking his lower jaw with a casual gesture. He warned him that taking his own life was not an option.

With a touch, Cha-Eun Xiao blocked the man's Jing and Mai, rendering him unable to shout. He explained the limitations of the man's current state, preventing him from carrying out any self-inflicted harm. Despite the man's trembling body and a face contorted by fear, Cha-Eun Xiao maintained a chillingly gentle demeanor as he spoke. The man was left with no doubt that, in this precarious situation, his captor held all the cards.

Fear had taken hold of the man as he realized the extent of his helplessness. His quivering body and the terror etched onto his face were unmistakable signs of the dire circumstances in which he now found himself.

"Is this demon really that foppish black sheep of the Cha Clan?" The exclamation rang out incredulously in the dimly lit alley, cutting through the tension that hung in the air like a heavy shroud.

Cha-Eun Xiao, the enigmatic figure at the center of this unfolding drama, couldn't help but feel a mixture of irritation and amusement at the absurdity of the situation. His supposed identity as the wayward member of the Cha Clan, a label given to him by someone who clearly had no grasp of reality, had left him dumbfounded.

The man who had uttered the statement seemed on the verge of despair, his frustration palpable. In a sarcastic retort, he questioned whether all foppish individuals were to be branded as monsters, clearly exasperated by the ludicrousness of the accusation.

Despite the outward smile that graced Cha-Eun Xiao's face, a tempest of anger swirled within him. He had been attacked in broad daylight by four assailants who had displayed a shocking disregard for innocent bystanders. Their brazenness and lack of scruples had stoked the flames of his fury.

The Xiao Monarch, known for his unwavering resolve and merciless demeanor when confronted by those who harmed the innocent, had no intentions of showing mercy. He assured the trembling man on the ground that while he would not meet his end, life would not be kind to him.

"In this world, there exist numerous methods to compel individuals to reveal information against their will," Cha-Eun Xiao explained calmly. He glanced at the man, who lay terrified on the cold ground, and continued, "However, I suspect you are unaware of these methods."

The man's eyes pleaded for leniency, and a sliver of hope clung to his desperate thoughts. Perhaps, he prayed, Cha-Eun Xiao was merely bluffing.

Cha-Eun Xiao let out a sigh, revealing a hint of somberness in his demeanor. "Don't mistake my words for idle boasts. I possess knowledge of a multitude of torture techniques, and I am well-versed in their execution, surpassing even the skills of professional executioners."

The man's fear deepened, and he realized the extent of his misfortune. However, Cha-Eun Xiao's unsettling smile remained fixed as he continued, "You are fortunate in one aspect—you will be among the rare few to experience the excruciating agony of all 108 brutal torture methods that exist in this world."

A sense of dread washed over the captive as he contemplated the horrors that lay ahead. Cha-Eun Xiao wasted no time on questions about the assassination plot, the mastermind behind it, or the reasons for his own targeting. Instead, he showed an unrelenting focus on the impending torture.

It was as though the details of the attack were of no consequence, and Cha-Eun Xiao was solely interested in inflicting pain. The captive's horrified gaze met Cha-Eun Xiao's as he realized the man's obsession with cruelty.

Under the man's fearful scrutiny, a flame flickered to life in Cha-Eun Xiao's hand. It danced and swayed, casting eerie shadows on the walls of the alley. Cha-Eun Xiao explained calmly, "This is no ordinary fire. It possesses a unique quality—it does not burn."

To demonstrate, Cha-Eun Xiao moved the flame to his own clothing and hair, revealing that it left no trace of burning. "However," he continued, "this fire can enter a person's mouth and gradually make its way to their stomach, roasting their heart while their life continues to beat."

The man, paralyzed with fear, could scarcely believe what he was hearing. His wide, unblinking eyes were filled with terror as he clung to the sliver of hope that Cha-Eun Xiao was merely bluffing.

With deliberate slowness, Cha-Eun Xiao extended the flame toward the man's mouth. "Take pride in being the first to experience this sensation," he remarked, his tone dripping with irony. "You will find it quite... admirable."

As the flame entered the man's mouth, his resistance crumbled, and his futile struggles were reduced to feeble tremors. His pleas for mercy, once articulated clearly, devolved into incoherent murmurs due to the intensity of his shivering.

The flame's entry into his mouth did not bring the expected searing pain. Instead, the man felt a peculiar warmth, gradually spreading toward his belly. He couldn't help but wonder if this was some form of twisted comfort.

Cha-Eun Xiao maintained his calm demeanor as he explained the progress of the flame's journey. "Feel anything yet?" he inquired. "As it enters your mouth, it's not burning, is it? Passing through the throat—still not hot, right? Now the chest—no discomfort, I presume? And finally, the heart... Tell me, how does it feel?"

As the ordeal continued, Cha-Eun Xiao maintained a grim composure, fully aware of the excruciating pain he was subjecting his captive to. The man's protests and pleas for mercy were met with a firm hand covering his mouth, effectively muffling any cries for help. Cha-Eun Xiao extended one finger, gesturing for the man to remain calm.

The man's head shook vigorously as if trying to dislodge Cha-Eun Xiao's hand, but he remained powerless to make a sound. His eyes mirrored the torment raging within him, the intensity of his suffering evident in the fiery gaze he directed at his captor.

With each passing moment, the man's body convulsed involuntarily. His Jing and Mai pathways spasmed simultaneously, causing his veins to bulge and recede in rapid succession. Beads of sweat poured from his brow, drenching his clothes as the unrelenting agony gripped him.

Unable to endure the torture any longer, the man finally capitulated, his voice a trembling whisper as he begged for respite. "I... I will talk... Please... Stop..."

Cha-Eun Xiao raised an eyebrow, his expression one of indifference. "What's this? You think I'm here to interrogate you? You're sorely mistaken," he chided. "Whether you speak or not, it makes no difference to me. Your knowledge is of little consequence."

The man stared at Cha-Eun Xiao with pleading eyes, his desperation palpable. His voice cracked as he continued to beseech his captor.

Sighing in exasperation, Cha-Eun Xiao relented, albeit with a clear warning. "Very well, I'll indulge you," he conceded. "But understand this—I have no intention of sparing your life. I may derive some amusement from watching your suffering."

The man nodded fervently, his forehead glistening with sweat. "I will tell you everything," he pledged, his voice strained. "Just grant me a swift death..."

Realizing that he had nearly desiccated from the relentless onslaught of the flame, the man hastily revealed the information Cha-Eun Xiao sought. His throat, however, had suffered irreparable damage from the torment.

With a dismissive wave of his hand, Cha-Eun Xiao retrieved the pulsating flame. He regarded it with detached interest as it danced in his palm. Addressing the man in a matter-of-fact tone, he inquired, "Now, who sent you on this mission?"

"It was the crown princess! The crown princess..." The man's voice was hoarse, and his face contorted in agony as he frantically divulged the truth. His voice barely rose above a whisper, yet the revelation carried immense weight.

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