The one speaking now was a young man about the same age as Zi Donglai.
This young man was named Zi Yun, Zi Donglai's sycophantic follower.
As he looked at Zi Jitian, a trace of bloodlust flickered in his eyes.
Zi Donglai glared at Zi Yun and reprimanded, "Zi Yun, Elder Zi is our senior. Be mindful of your words. And we are civilized people; if we can avoid violence, we should. Do you understand?" Su Dan Fiction Network
Although he was scolding Zi Yun, his tone was sarcastic, and his words held no hint of politeness whatsoever.
Furthermore, a chill could be discerned from his speech.
As a devoted follower, Zi Yun quickly understood the hidden meaning behind Zi Donglai's words.
His eyes brightened, and he said ingratiatingly, "Young Master is right. I will prepare a non-violent appetizer for Elder Zi right away."
As he spoke, he took out a small porcelain bottle from his embrace and declared triumphantly, "This is called 'Chaos of the Heart.' I bought it at a great price from the Shen family's auction."
"Chaos of the Heart? A fine name. I wonder what its effects are?" Zi Donglai asked with feigned curiosity.
However, this "curiosity" was all an act.
"Young Master, isn't its effect obvious from the name? Once this is taken, after a moment, it feels like countless ants are gnawing at your heart, a tingling sensation that causes the heart to be in chaos, hence the name 'Chaos of the Heart'."
Zi Yun explained patiently. As he explained, he eagerly eyed Zi Jitian.
His demeanor clearly indicated he was threatening Zi Jitian: if he didn't reveal the whereabouts of the Family Lord's Token, he would taste the torment of a thousand ants gnawing at his heart.
Zi Jitian's expression flickered slightly, but he quickly masked it.
He then burst into laughter, "This old man's liver isn't good, his intestines aren't good, his kidneys aren't good, his lungs aren't good, his spleen isn't good, his stomach isn't good, but his heart is particularly strong. I've never known what it feels like to have a heart in chaos. Today, I can finally taste it."
Zi Yun's threat failed, and he was left flustered by Zi Jitian's words.
He looked at Zi Donglai, awaiting his decision.
Zi Donglai sneered, "Since Senior Zi wishes to taste it, Zi Yun, then satisfy Senior Zi's craving."
"Yes, Young Master!"
Zi Yun replied obsequiously and walked towards Zi Jitian with the bottle.
Zi Jitian appeared outwardly calm, but a flicker of apprehension arose within him.
Death was not frightening; a life worse than death was the most terrifying.
While he did not fear death, it did not mean he was willing to be tormented to the point of wishing he were dead.
However, fear or not, a man of principle knew what he should and should not do.
Therefore, he smiled. He would not show weakness before his enemies, nor would he beg for mercy from them.
"Come on! This old man is nearing the end of his life. Before I die, to taste a flavor I've never experienced would not be in vain!"
His display of righteous resolve made Zi Donglai uncertain.
Zi Yun grabbed Zi Jitian's jaw and poured the contents of the porcelain bottle into his mouth.
Although the substance was powdered, it dissolved upon contact with the mouth, flowing down Zi Jitian's throat and into his internal organs.
"Young Master, is this truly appropriate? Zi Jitian is, after all, a senior. Such humiliation tarnishes the dignity of the Zi family of the empire."
The man who had remained silent until now, seeing Zi Yun actually force the poison down, had a flash of compassion in his eyes.
His name was Zi Zhu, the son of the Grand Elder of the imperial Zi family.
The Grand Elder had strongly opposed coming to the Tianqi Zi family this time.
However, too many people coveted the Tianqi Zi family's Spatial Dimension, and although the Grand Elder intended to speak for the Tianqi Zi family, he could not go against public opinion.
Zi Zhu was sent by his father under these circumstances, with the objective of protecting the members of the Tianqi Zi family as much as he could.
He had not anticipated, however, that Zi Wenchang, in his pursuit of the position of Family Lord, would betray his own father, insisting that his father knew the whereabouts of the Family Lord's Token. This led to the current scene.
"Brother Zi Zhu, I don't like what you're saying. Didn't you see that Senior Zi requested it himself?"
The young woman's voice was crisp and sweet, but it couldn't conceal the venom within.
Her name was Zi Yi, Zi Donglai's full sister.
Perhaps due to genetics, Zi Yi had been cruel-hearted since childhood, her ruthlessness no less than Zi Donglai's.
The difference was that Zi Donglai's ruthlessness was a subtle kind, while Zi Yi's was sharp and brutal.
Zi Donglai nodded and said, "Zi Yi is right. We should respect our elders and love our juniors. Since Senior Zi requested it himself, we can only oblige."
Zi Zhu looked at Zi Jitian, a flicker of pity in his eyes.
But Zi Donglai and Zi Yi were direct descendants of the Family Lord, and his position was insignificant, unable to change anything.
As the three spoke, the poison within Zi Jitian began to take effect.
Within three to five breaths, Zi Jitian's entire body was covered in bulging veins, and his forehead was beaded with fine sweat.
He gritted his teeth, forcing himself not to utter a sound.
Soon, his mouth was filled with blood.
"Senior Zi, how does this Chaos of the Heart taste?"
Zi Yun looked down at Zi Jitian from above, a mocking smile on his lips.
"N-o-t-h-i-n-g-s-p-e-c-i-a-l!"
Zi Jitian swallowed the blood in his mouth forcefully, grinding his teeth as he spoke.
"Since that is the case, Senior Zi, please enjoy the feeling of floating in bliss for a while longer!"
After speaking, Zi Yun obediently ran back and stood behind Zi Donglai.
Zi Zhu, unable to bear it, turned his head away.
Zi Donglai and Zi Yi, however, watched with "great interest," wearing perverse smiles.
Another three breaths passed.
Zi Jitian's inner garments were soaked with sweat, and his veins seemed on the verge of exploding.
But he still gritted his teeth, refusing to make a sound.
"Senior Zi, I advise you to tell us!"
Zi Donglai's sibilant voice, tinged with seduction, resounded once more.
Zi Jitian's teeth chattered, and he said with difficulty, "Tell you what?"
Zi Donglai's face wore a subtle smile. "Senior Zi, why play coy with your junior? I merely wish to know the whereabouts of the Family Lord's Token!"
Zi Jitian's lips trembled uncontrollably, and he said with effort, "As I said, the Family Lord's Token is lost with Guochang's disappearance. If you want it, you must find Guochang first."
Zi Donglai sneered, "Senior Zi wishes to find his son. I can understand that. I can mobilize the forces of the imperial Zi family to help you find him, but only if you tell me where the Family Lord's Token is!"
Zi Jitian swallowed another mouthful of blood and said coldly, "This old man has already said it. The Family Lord's Token is with Guochang."
The smile on Zi Donglai's face vanished abruptly, and he said coldly, "Is that so? However, I am more inclined to believe that the Family Lord's Token is with your useless granddaughter!"