Chapter 3 Trouble arises

Hou had grown much since what he later learnt was called the Ancestral selection trial. 

Since that day he had been slowly educated in the ways of the Tang clan. It was a clan that revolved around both poison and medical arts. Within the clan there were five halls: the Centipede Hall, Scorpion Hall, Toad Hall, Spider Hall and above the rest the Snake Hall. On the day of the trial Hou had selected to not only become a poison warrior but also a poison master. This meant he was to join both the centipede and scorpion halls for training as a combatant of the family as well as what might be called a pharmaceutical researcher back on earth. As such he was not only expected to learn the martial arts of the family but also its long history of poisons including all the ingredients the clan had available to them. 

Being eight now his training had started long ago with daily ingestion of a weak poison to strengthen his martial arts. This is because the Tang clan's cultivation technique helps one absorb poison into their dantian allowing it to be harnessed at a later date. The energy generated in combatting the toxins also allows an individual to expand their dantian increasing their overall qi pool. As a result of this practice around New Sichuan it is said that to those of the Tang clan, poison is the same as a mothers milk. 

While Hou's days were peaceful he had begun to notice that his father, normally a bastion of positivity had begun to appear more ragged and often came home looking as though the day had wiped years off his life. He had even heard rumours his fathers sway in the hall of elders was slipping and the clan itself was in danger of losing its political balance. 

Cao Tang called for his assistant. Sliding open the door to his office a small mouse of a man scurried to before Cao's desk. 

"Is everything going to plan?" Cao said peering down at the figure in front of him.

"Ye..yes sir. In just a few days we'll have all the justification we need"

"Excellent, you know what's at stake here. I won't tolerate any mistakes." Cao allowed his Qi and bloodlust to seep into the words as he spoke, overwhelming the assistant with a paralyzing fear. 

This intensity was no surprise however. Cao Tang had invested more time and gold then he wished to think about to ensure he would be able to usurp the position of Bai Tang. With the majority of elders on his side Bai wouldn't be able to refuse his request for a duel of honour and all he had to do was ensure THIS made it in to some of his food. Cao admired the small bottle in his hand. The liquid inside was a deep red and he couldn't help but lose himself in the ruby poison. Watching as it froze and thawed in a never ender cycle due to the toxins fierce competition against each other. He further admired the poison, allowing himself to reminisce about all the pain and effort he had gone through to create this masterpiece. Placing it down in front of him Cao stood and strode towards his open window. Hands clasped behind his back he allowed his face to be embraced by the chilling wind as he dreamed of his eventual victory over that bastard Bai Tang.

Hou awoke to the sound of his father getting dressed...though this wasn't his normal garb. He was putting on a set of ornate robes with shades of both light and dark green along with the occasional inclusion of gold thread to accent the outfits shape and patterns. 

"Where are you going father?" Hou rubbed his eyes as they adjusted to the early morning light.

"No need to worry my boy. Your father just has an important meeting with grandfather." 

And while his words were confident the face that was so often filled with joy betrayed his true feelings. Anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. 

Bai Tang stood before the patriarch. His father. 

"This is ridiculous! You know as well as I that I am the most dedicated to this clan! How could I have failed in my duties!" Bai would not let these false allegations tarnish his reputation. 

"It must be the work of Cao Tang! He's been coveting my posi-"

"HOLD YOUR TONGUE!" Cao Tang stood from his chair.

"How dare you implicate me in this matter. A matter of YOUR personal failing." Cao Tang released the smallest amount of his Qi with this statement but it was enough to enrage Bai Tang. 

"Don't bare your fangs at me you whelp!" An immense blood lust emanating from Bai crackled through the air. Some of the less senior elders even began sweating as they attempted to overcome the oppressive sensation. 

At the moment it felt like Bai was about to explode a sickly sweet smell filled the room, erasing the blood lust as it went. The patriarch walked to the center of the hall with void steps the scent lingering around him. 

"It seems the animosity between these two can't be resolved with words alone. I would propose a duel. However, as per family laws a duel between elders must be approved of via vote to ensure there is justification for the potential loss of one of our strongest. All those who wish to support this duel you may use voice transmission to tell me"

Closing his eyes Qiang Tang counted the votes as they came in. Even he hadn't expected this much support for such a duel, but if it was the will of the family he as its patriarch would enact their will. 

The room was silent for several minutes as each elder cast their vote.

"It seems there will be a duel. The participants shall meet on the ceremonial combat stage after taking 7 days to prepare themselves"

Bai tang couldn't believe this outcome. He, who had worked tirelessly for the clan for decades was now falling under false scrutiny and his father could not or did not do anything to stop it.