In a certain unknown place in Heaven, Dou City.
In the dim light, a mysterious figure wrapped in black clothing gazed at the object before him. A soft, warm voice echoed in the small space.
"This is what's called the Brilliant Colors? After years of refining, you've finally managed to make it?"
Clang, clank—
The sound of metal scraping against the floor echoed in the darkness. Soon, a man, shackled with handcuffs and foot cuffs, walked out.
The man was unnaturally thin, his eyes deeply sunken. He swallowed hard, and his raspy, low voice sounded.
"Indeed, the seven substances on this table are the forbidden poison of my clan—the Brilliant Colors."
"These seven substances are harmless when used individually. Even if mixed, as long as one is missing, the poison won't trigger. The body will just be corroded by the chemicals."
"But once all seven substances are ingested, the poison will activate immediately."
"At first, the symptoms are not severe, but the poisoned person will feel intense pain as the Brilliant Colors continuously erode their vitality until their life ends."
"However, before bringing this to me, your subordinates already tested it on a living person. So why ask me?"
"Oh? Is that true?" The man in black turned his head to the side, where two shadows stood.
One of the figures kneeled when the black-clad man's gaze shifted toward him, saying:
"Master, you are overwhelmed with duties. I dared to take it upon myself to confirm the authenticity of this, and I apologize for my actions."
The man in black waved his hand, signaling the kneeling person to rise.
"Uncle She, there's no need to be so polite. It's always good to be cautious, and you had my best interests in mind. You are not at fault."
"Besides, this substance still needs to be tested. I can only use it with peace of mind once I understand its toxicity. There's no difference whether the experiment is done now or later."
The man in black then turned his attention to the shackled man, his gaze scrutinizing him.
The man's clothes were tattered, emitting a foul odor. The exposed skin bore clear marks of corrosion from some unknown substance.
The wrists and ankles were calloused, indicating the handcuffs and foot cuffs had been worn for many years.
His face was mostly hidden under his disheveled white hair, but in the dim light, his deeply hollow eyes were unsettling to look at.
"Are you sure you've thought this through?" The black-clad man's gentle voice reached the man's ears.
"If you join me, not only will you survive, but you'll also secure your family's future. This would be an unparalleled honor."
"Heh!" The man gave a dry laugh, his raspy voice responding:
"I have no desire to live, only to die in a way that preserves my last bit of dignity."
"However, you promised me—if I help you achieve this, you will not harm my family."
As he spoke, the man locked his gaze with the black-clad figure.
But the black-clad man's face remained hidden beneath his hood, making it hard to discern his expression in the dim light.
"Of course." The black-clad man didn't get angry at being stared at. He turned his back on the man and continued:
"I, as your master, always keep my promises. Your family is just a group of spendthrifts, not worth causing a ruckus over."
"As long as they don't seek death by opposing me, all past grievances will be forgotten."
"But before we move forward, I must confirm something once more." The black-clad man suddenly spun around, his tone changing.
"Is Brilliant Colors truly something only you know how to refine? And apart from you and your brother, no one else can recognize it?"
Clang, clank—
The man dragged his chains forward, saying:
"Of course, I, Yang Wushuang, have always been honest. I never lie!"
However, secretly, he thought:
"Brilliant Colors is the forbidden poison of my family. According to the ancestral teachings, my brother can refine it, but he won't."
"So, I'm not lying."
The man, who claimed to be Yang Wushuang, continued speaking aloud:
"The poison I gave you earlier—didn't anyone find out its origin?"
"So, you can rest assured. My brother is far away in the Star Luo Empire, and he won't—and can't—interfere with the affairs of the Heaven Dou royal family."
"As long as I die, no one will ever know this poison is called Brilliant Colors, let alone be able to crack its toxicity."
The black-clad man didn't realize he'd been tricked by a verbal game. He waved his hand toward the shadows.
The two figures in the shadows understood the signal. One stepped forward and conjured a long spear out of thin air. Nine soul rings appeared under his feet.
Without hesitation, the spear pierced the man's heart, ending his life.
"Hmph! Refusing the master's offer—he truly deserves to die!"
At that moment, another shadow stepped forward and, after bowing to the black-clad man, asked:
"Master, should we begin administering the Brilliant Colors to Xue Ye now?"
"No!" The black-clad man firmly refused, explaining:
"At present, my foundation is not yet stable, and there aren't enough officials supporting me."
"If something were to happen to Xue Ye now, and Xue Xing spares no effort to support Xue Beng, we'd still be at risk of failure."
At this point, the figure pulled the spear out of the man's body and interjected:
"Master, if it were up to me, we should just eliminate the troublesome Xue Xing and Xue Beng."
"Then, you would be the only candidate for the next emperor."
"Foolish!" The black-clad man, hearing this, flicked his sleeve in anger and turned to face the figure, chastising:
"Royal struggles are incredibly treacherous. Even if someone dies, it's because they were outmatched."
"Therefore, when my second and third brothers died, I, the greatest beneficiary, was never openly suspected. No one dared to bring it up without evidence."
"Everything has its limits. As long as the fourth brother, Xue Beng, is alive, I am not the only heir to the throne. This is the delicate balance of the emperor."
"I may be Xue Ye's best choice, but I cannot be his only choice."
"Thus, Xue Beng may be a wastrel, incompetent, and even used to highlight my strengths, but he cannot die!"
"If Xue Beng dies, Xue Ye will give me more brothers, and perhaps even replace me as the crown prince to warn me."
"So, we must maintain the status quo and act carefully, step by step. That way, we will ensure success!"
The figure behind, who had been scolded, patted the person on the back, offering some comfort:
"Master's words are wise. Old She is used to brute force and lacks sharpness. Please forgive him."
"No worries." The black-clad man halted their actions.
"Each has their expertise—imperial schemes are beyond the reach of ordinary people. Moreover, martial power is the strong suit of both my uncles."
"Even I, with all the distractions of politics and power, have delayed my cultivation progress."
"Now, I can't afford to disappear for too long. I must return quickly."
As he finished speaking, the black-clad man stored the Brilliant Colors away from the table and vanished from the secret chamber.