41. Jing Family's Enemy

(1 hour later, Somewhere in the slums.)

Mo Tian sat in his chamber, the candlelight flickering as the beggar knelt before him, awaiting orders. The war was reaching its boiling point, and it was time to tip the scales once again. The Jing Family had lost their patriarch to poison, yet the true culprit remained unknown. It was time to plant a seed of doubt where it would fester most.

Mo Tian studied the kneeling beggar, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable weight. "You will go to the Jing Family. Request an audience. Be cryptic at first. Make them desperate to hear what you have to say."

The beggar nodded, his dirt-covered hands pressed firmly to the ground. "What should I tell them?"

Mo Tian's lips curled slightly. "At first? Nothing solid. Speak in riddles. Let them believe you possess something dangerous, something they have long sought after." He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with cold amusement. "Then, when they are at the edge of their patience… give them the answer they have been waiting for. Tell them you have found the venom that killed their patriarch."

The beggar's expression shifted. "The poison?"

Mo Tian nodded. "Tell them where it can be found. A small, unassuming apothecary in Golden Prosperity City, one that just so happens to do business with the Zheng Family. Make it clear that such a rare venom could only be acquired through powerful merchant connections."

The beggar's eyes sharpened as he realized the weight of this revelation. "And once they make the connection?"

Mo Tian smirked. "They will understand. The Zhengs had the means. They had the access. And most importantly…" He paused, letting the words sink in. "They had the motive."

The beggar asked "Who should we say that send me?"

Mo Tian grinned widely and said "Let's give that surprise to the Bai Family."

The beggar turned solemn and bowed deeply. "I will deliver the message, Master."

Mo Tian waved him away. "Go. Let them uncover the 'truth' themselves."

As the beggar slipped into the darkness, Mo Tian exhaled slowly, satisfaction flickering in his gaze. Once the Jing Family realized who held the blade that slew their patriarch, their retaliation would be swift and the war would spiral further into chaos, just as he had planned.

…

(At night, in the Jing Family Estate in Ironwood City)

The beggar moved through the grand halls of the Jing Family estate, his presence an insult to the opulence surrounding him. Guards flanked him, their hands hovering over their weapons as they escorted him toward the audience hall.

At the head of the chamber sat Jing Wen, the second son of the former patriarch and the newly appointed patriarch of the Jing Family. Though he had inherited power, the weight of war pressed heavily on his shoulders. His father had been assassinated, his family embroiled in a costly conflict, and now, an unknown beggar dared to request an audience.

Jing Wen's sharp eyes studied the man kneeling before him. "You claimed to have vital information. Speak. If you waste my time, your corpse will be rotting in the streets before the sun rises."

The beggar smirked, unshaken by the threat. His voice was slow, deliberate. "There are whispers in the dark, Patriarch Jing. Secrets buried beneath layers of deceit, waiting for the right ears to uncover them."

Jing Wen's patience thinned. "Enough riddles! What are you trying to say?"

The beggar chuckled lightly. "I know the truth behind your father's death."

Silence fell over the room. The tension grew thick enough to suffocate. Jing Wen's fingers curled into fists, his voice dangerously low. "You dare toy with me?"

The beggar lifted his head slightly, his beady eyes gleaming with mischief. "Not at all. I come bearing a gift, one that may finally bring justice to your fallen patriarch." He leaned forward, his voice a whisper. "The venom that killed him… I have found it."

Jing Wen's breath hitched. His father's death had been a mystery, the poison used untraceable, until now. He forced himself to remain composed. "Where?"

The beggar grinned, savoring the moment before dropping the final piece. "An apothecary in Golden Prosperity City. A small, unassuming shop, yet one that deals in rare and exotic poisons. Poisons that only a family with vast trade connections could acquire easily."

Jing Wen's eyes narrowed. "You mean…"

The beggar nodded, his voice now a quiet hum. "The Zheng Family."

The chamber seemed to darken at his words. Murmurs erupted among the gathered elders and retainers, their gazes shifting toward their patriarch for direction.

Jing Wen sat in silence, his thoughts churning. The Zhengs had the means. The access. And most importantly… the motive.

His grip tightened on the armrest of his chair. "If what you say is true, then they will pay in blood."

The beggar smirked, knowing his mission was complete. "Then my work here is done." He rose, stepping back as the guards prepared to remove him.

Jing Wen's voice stopped them. "Wait." He stared into the beggar's eyes. "Who sent you?"

The beggar merely chuckled, signaling the word 'Bai' with his hands and walked away, leaving behind a family on the verge of vengeance.

…

(A few days later, at the Jian Family Estate in Hollow Reed City.)

The Jian Family estate lay in ruins, its once-proud halls reduced to smoldering remnants, its foundation shaken by both internal strife and the relentless pressure of war. The once-mighty family that had stood proud for generations had crumbled to dust, their bloodlines all but eradicated. Those who survived the war were scattered, with little hope of reclaiming the power they once had.

The head of the Jian Family, Jian Xuan, had met his end. He was murdered by a shadowy assassin whose identity still lingered as a mystery. With him died the spirit of their clan, and with his death, the family's future had been sealed. Their wealth, their influence, their pride, all were gone.

But in the wake of this catastrophe, the other families could not rest easy. The Jing Family, bloodied and furious, saw their moment. The Zheng Family, weakened by constant skirmishes and plagued with political strife, was ripe for destruction.

As the dawn broke over the wreckage of the Jian estate, Jing Wen, the new Patriarch of the Jing Family, stood before his generals. His face, grim and determined, betrayed no sign of mercy.

"The Zheng Family will fall today." His words echoed like the sound of doom in the quiet tent, where his war council had gathered. "We will strike before they can reinforce their position. This is the moment. We will make it swift and brutal."

The generals around him nodded in agreement, the weight of years of conflict shaping their resolve. They had seen the Zhengs grow too strong in the past few months. Their operations in the city and the surrounding territories had expanded, too quickly, too brazenly. It was time for the Jing Family to reclaim their rightful place at the top.

The battle plan was set into motion. Armies of Jing soldiers, sharp and lethal, took their positions just beyond the borders of Zheng territory. With precision, they began their advance. They were silent, efficient, like a blade sliding through flesh. It would be swift. It would be deadly.

…

Meanwhile, deep within the heart of Zheng Family territory, the family was caught off-guard.

In their heavily fortified compound, Lord Zheng Xi, the patriarch, paced restlessly. His hands clenched and unclenched as reports flooded in. The Jian Family was no more, wiped off the map, and with it, the balance of power had shifted. The Zhengs had hoped to use the Jian Family's fall to expand their influence, but the Jing Family had seen their opportunity. They had waited for the perfect moment and it had arrived.

"The Jing Family is on the move." The words hit like a hammer, and for the first time in months, Lord Zheng's face betrayed a flicker of unease.

His generals, grim and composed, exchanged wary glances. "We've been expecting this. We knew they would strike at some point. But the question remains… are we ready?"

"Prepare the defenses!" Lord Zheng snapped, rallying his forces. "Ready the troops. We will not go down without a fight."

However, even as the Zhengs scrambled to respond, the Jing Family's assault was already underway.

The first wave hit the Zheng Family's outermost defenses with brutal efficiency. The Jing soldiers, trained for years in the art of stealth and speed, struck under the cover of darkness, overwhelming the guards and cutting off any chance of retreat. The Zhengs' outposts, hastily constructed and poorly manned, were decimated in moments.

By the time the Zhengs mounted a defense, it was already too late.

"Sound the retreat!" Lord Zheng Xi's voice bellowed, panic creeping into his tone. "Get the civilians to safety! We can't hold them here!"

The Zheng Family was forced to pull back, abandoning their outer territories and retreating into the Golden Prosperity City. The city gates slammed shut behind them, sealing the family within their walls.

…

The battle outside the walls raged on. Jing Wen stood at the forefront of his forces, his face impassive as his soldiers tore through the Zheng's last line of defense. The Zhengs fought with desperation, but their unity had been shattered. They were scattered, disorganized, and the brutal assault left them reeling. Their powerful forces had been broken, and it was only a matter of time before their hold on the region would slip completely.

"The city is ours," Jing Wen muttered under his breath, watching as his forces slowly dismantled the Zheng Family's army. "But we will not stop until their power is nothing but ash."

As the Zheng Family retreated behind the city walls, the Jing Family's assault began to slow, though the damage had already been done.

Jing Wen's eyes narrowed. "We have crippled them. Now, let them hide in their pitiful city. We'll wait. The city will fall when we strike again."

…

Back in Golden Prosperity City, within the thick stone walls of the Zheng Family's compound, the surviving members huddled together, the weight of their situation pressing down on them. The gates were closed, the defenses bolstered, but their resolve had been tested. They had not been prepared for such an overwhelming attack.

"What will we do now?" one of the elders asked, his voice trembling.

Lord Zheng, standing by the window overlooking the city, gritted his teeth. "We'll rebuild. We'll fortify. And when the time is right, we'll strike back. The Jing Family may have their victory today, but they will regret pushing us into a corner."

But deep inside, Lord Zheng knew the truth. His family had been dealt a blow that could not be easily undone. The Jing Family had already taken the first step toward their ultimate victory. And soon, Golden Prosperity City would not be enough to protect the Zhengs.

(4 Months Later, Slums outside of Golden Prosperity City)

The Jing Family had successfully established a brutal foothold in the slums of Golden Prosperity City, a strategic move that took the Zheng Family by surprise. The once chaotic and neglected part of the city, where poverty and crime reigned, had become a makeshift military encampment for the Jing soldiers.

Their presence was unmistakable, dozens of makeshift tents and barricades sprung up amidst the ruined hovels, creating a sprawling fortress within the heart of the slums. The soldiers patrolled the narrow, winding streets with ruthless discipline, their movements deliberate and synchronized, ensuring no corner of the slums was left unchecked. Their eyes were sharp, alert to every whisper, every shift in the wind, and every footfall of potential enemies.

The Jing forces, efficient and well-trained, had quickly established control over the area, using the tangle of dilapidated buildings to their advantage. The dense slums, once home to beggars, thieves, and outcasts, now provided them with the perfect cover for a siege. The buildings were crumbling, their walls half-broken and full of narrow alleyways, perfect for ambushes and swift strikes against anyone attempting to infiltrate or escape.

At the heart of this makeshift stronghold, the Jing Family's commanders convened, drawing up plans for the siege. With the slums now under their control, they had effectively cut off the Zheng Family's escape routes and sealed off any reinforcements from reaching the city. They would starve the Zhengs into submission.

However, despite the tactical brilliance of their move, there was a harsh atmosphere in the air. The slums, though strategic, were a cursed place, once filled with the scent of despair, the air now stank of blood, sweat, and the sharp metallic tang of fear. The people who lived here, once invisible to the city's upper echelons, were now pawns in the Jing Family's game of conquest.

The Jing Family took advantage of this power vacuum, exploiting the desperate poverty and utilizing the broken people of the slums. Some were coerced into service, others willingly joined their ranks, driven by fear or the promise of power in the new order that Jing Wen sought to establish.

From the rooftops, the slums overlooked the Zheng Family's fortified position within the city's walls. The Jing soldiers watched as their target, Golden Prosperity City, loomed in the distance, taunting them with its once-impregnable gates and towering walls. The siege had begun in earnest.

Inside the city, the Zheng Family had yet to fully understand the true scope of the threat. They were trapped, hemmed in by the Jing Family on one side and the city's own defenses on the other. Every time they attempted to strike out against the slums, they were met with swift, vicious retaliation from the Jing forces.

The Jing Family had already won the first battle. Now, it was a matter of time before the Zhengs would be forced to submit.