Chapter 36 – When Giants Start to Tremble
Scene 1 – The Cracking Throne of the Zhao Clan
Inside the Zhao Clan's grand main hall, the air was suffocating with incense so sharp it pricked the nose. The flames torch flickered violently, as if reacting to the storm brewing among the clan's leadership.
Scrolls, reports, and merchant complaints piled across the long ebony table in complete disorder— each one another nail driven into the clan's pride.
At the head sat Zhao Qingtian, Patriarch of the Zhao Clan, his expression dark enough to swallow the room whole. His fingers tapped against the armrest in a slow rhythm — a sign the elders knew all too well.
It meant he was furious.
Yet none dared to breathe too loudly.
At last, a trembling merchant forced himself to speak.
> "P–Patriarch… the new shop, Nine Tails Apothecary… continues to grow in popularity. It has been an entire week, and not a single defect has been reported."
The words felt like blades scraping across the hall.
Zhao Feng, the clan's strategist, unrolled another scroll with a bitter expression.
> "Their sales increased another forty percent this morning. Meanwhile… our flagship store's revenue dropped by ten percent the first week—"
Zhao Qingtian's finger stopped tapping.
"…Ten percent?"
His voice was dangerously calm.
Zhao Feng swallowed. "A-And another twenty percent decline this week. Combined… a total of thirty percent lost."
The table cracked with a deafening BANG!
Zhao Qingtian's palm slammed down, splintering the wood.
> "THIRTY PERCENT?!"
Several elders flinched as wood fragments scattered across the hall.
"That damned shop!" an elder hissed. "How dare they challenge our clan openly!"
Zhao Rui — the arrogant, hot-blooded nephew — forced a confident smirk.
> "Uncle, perhaps the novelty will fade. New pills often look impressive at first. The effects won't last. Maybe their ingredients are unstable."
But Zhao Feng's frown only deepened.
"No… we've already sent people to test the pills. Several times."
He paused, voice tight.
"All samples showed the same results. Consistent quality. Zero impurities. Fifty percent qi recovery… exactly as the shop claims."
A heavy, ominous silence pressed down.
Zhao Qingtian's jaw tightened.
"And the Thousand Veil Chamber… still endorses them?"
Lady Shen bowed her head, face sour.
"Yes. And Yue Lan personally confirmed the cooperation publicly. Every merchant in Azurecloud City has heard the statement."
A knife could not have cut the tension; it was too thick, too suffocating.
Finally, Zhao Qingtian exhaled a slow breath, cold as winter.
> "Then suppress it."
His voice now carried the weight of iron.
> "Release a counter pill. Slash prices. Double discounts. Flood the market until they drown in debt."
Zhao Feng hesitated.
"We… already attempted that. Yet their pill continues to outsell ours — even at higher prices. Merchants prefer their purity. And ours still leave traces of impurities."
Zhao Rui slammed his fist on the table.
> "Then find the bastard behind the shop! I'll personally—"
Zhao Qingtian's gaze snapped to him, icy and sharp enough to cut.
> "We already tried. The owner's registration is masked with false identities. No traceable connections. No ties to any Clans or family. Nothing."
He rose slowly, each step exuding the calm fury of a beast on the verge of breaking its cage.
His voice was low. Vicious.
> "If this continues… our entire market share will crumble. And the city will forget who has ruled its alchemy trade for decades."
The final word hissed through his teeth like poison.
> "If the storm won't die…"
His eyes grew colder than steel.
"…then we will drown it in blood ."
The elders exchanged uneasy glances.
For the first time in many years —
the throne of the Zhao Clan felt as though it were trembling beneath them.
---
Scene 2 – The City's Rumours and Mockery
Azurecloud City never remained silent.
When a giant stumbled, the streets became a chorus of whispering, laughter, and hungry speculation.
Outside the Zhao Clan's once-packed flagship store, where lines had once stretched down the street, the scene was nearly unrecognizable.
Only a handful of hesitant customers lingered.
Most simply walked past with indifferent glances — or worse, mocking smirks.
Across the street, rival shopkeepers leaned against their doors, enjoying the spectacle like a festival performance.
> "The mighty Zhao Clan finally got a taste of defeat."
"About time, I'd say. They bullied every small alchemist for years."
"You hear? Nine Tails Apothecary's pills are so good that cultivators from outer districts are rushing just to buy daily stock!"
"And Zhao Clan? Look at them — empty counters. Their workers are practically begging people to enter!"
A merchant snorted loud enough for the Zhao shopkeeper to hear.
> "Serves them right. Karma always comes full circle."
The Zhao shopkeeper forced a brittle smile as he greeted another passerby.
"Honored customer, may I interest—"
The man walked straight past him into Nine Tails Apothecary across the street.
Even passing carriages slowed, not to admire Zhao Clan's store, but to witness its humiliation.
Every whisper was another crack in the Zhao Clan's once-unshakeable reputation.
---
Scene 3 – Calm Amid the Storm
Far from the chaos, the Lin estate's bamboo courtyard basked in gentle sunlight. The rustling leaves cast soft patterns over the paved stones, creating an atmosphere far too serene compared to the turmoil shaking Azurecloud City.
Lin Xian sat inside a small pavilion, white hair fluttered faintly, a pot of steaming tea beside him.
Xiao Jin curled lazily on the railing, tail swaying like an entertained spectator.
Bai Yusheng sat across from Lin Xian, her eyes dancing with awe and curiosity.
"News spreads incredibly quickly," she murmured.
"Zhao Clan's stores are practically empty. They even released a new pill, cut prices, offered promotions… but nothing works."
Her gaze drifted over him, admiration softening her voice.
> "Are you satisfied, Young Master Lin? Watching the mighty Zhao Clan tremble like this?"
Lin Xian's lips curved into a faint smile, eyes half-closed.
> "They're not trembling yet."
He poured another cup of tea.
"They're simply holding their breath, hoping the tide will shift."
Bai Yusheng tilted her head, leaning slightly forward.
"Then… what's next?"
Lin Xian gently swirled his teacup, watching the steam rise in delicate spirals.
His voice deepened — calm, but carrying a ruthless undertone.
> "Next?"
His eyes glinted with that quiet, dangerous certainty.
"We let them believe the worst has passed… then strike where they still feel safe."
Xiao Jin flicked his tail and let out a soft chuff, as if laughing at the fate of mortals.
Bai Yusheng released a small nervous laugh.
"You're terrifying when you smile like that."
Lin Xian set down his cup, the faint clink echoing in the tranquil air.
> "Only to those who fail to see the bigger picture."
The bamboo rustled gently around them, the scent of tea drifting through the courtyard.
Beyond the serenity, an unseen storm gathered —
and somewhere in Azurecloud City, the Zhao Clan stood unknowingly at the very edge of their own downfall.