Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1424 - 456: Young Men and Face-Slapping, the Secret of the 5-Yao Tribulation Body, Dark Merchant Invitation, Making the Rankings_2...

An aristocratic family that had flourished for nearly three centuries wasn't truly considered excessive, all things considered...

"Young Prince, esteemed guests, welcome to the Book Collection Tower!"

Just as Xia Hong exited the main gate, a massive, man-powered carriage halted before the tower. A steward, attired in formal wear, spoke these words as he pulled open the carriage's heavy curtain.

A young man, adorned in jade-green brocade and a silver crown with meticulously chosen accessories, who appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen years old, was clearly the "Young Prince" the steward had addressed. He swiftly disembarked from the carriage.

For reasons unknown, the Young Prince maintained a frown from the moment he stepped out.

Once the Young Prince had settled, eight youths, five males and three females, sequentially descended from the carriage. Though they lacked silver crowns, the quantity of their accessories largely mirrored the Young Prince's.

However, at this juncture, Xia Hong's attention was no longer available to scrutinize the eight who followed. Upon a clear observation of the Young Prince's features, a flicker of astonishment crossed his eyes.

It was simple—he had encountered this Young Prince before!

This visibly displeased Young Prince was none other than Cai Shiqi, whom Xia Hong had personally witnessed at the entrance of the Bone-Eroding Path, beyond the Nine Towns, on August 25th of the previous year.

Xia Hong distinctly recalled that the escort for Cai Shiqi and his entourage at that time was an individual known as Adviser Zhu, who operated at the Xianyang Level.

Having spent four months in Qinghua City, Xia Hong had also managed to gather a considerable amount of valuable intelligence. The position of Adviser within Cai Qiu was not insignificant; only four Governor Mansions held the authority to establish such a role. It was considered the Governor's most trusted confidant, possessing the authority to command the elite Town Guard Army under the Governor's purview.

Each Governor Mansion maintained precisely three Advisers, bringing the total number in Cai Qiu to a mere twelve. Through discreet inquiries, Xia Hong had already discerned Zhu Yan's specific standing.

Adviser Zhu Yan of Cai Qiu Baisui County, possessing late-stage Xianyang cultivation, held the 19th rank in terms of power.

Reflecting on it, the arrangement made perfect sense. The Bone-Eroding Path resided within Evergreen Valley, which fell under Qinghua City's jurisdiction, and Qinghua City, in turn, was part of Bai Shui County's administrative territory. Therefore, Zhu Yan demonstrably hailed from Bai Shui County.

By natural extension, this Young Prince, Cai Shiqi, standing before him, was highly likely connected to the lineage of Cai Qiuhong, the Prefectural Governor of Bai Shui County.

Had their paths crossed within Qinghua City, or even in Bai Shui County City, Xia Hong would not have registered surprise. However, encountering him in Lin Chu County City was indeed an extraordinary coincidence.

Yet, the stream of coincidences apparently refused to cease!

The eight young men and women who subsequently disembarked observed Cai Shiqi's perturbed countenance. After exchanging meaningful glances, they commenced offering words of solace one after another.

"Third Brother, there's really no need for concern. Your severed finger has been successfully reattached, and such minor meridian damage is hardly a serious issue; it will mend completely within a month at the very latest."

"Precisely! Young Prince, the Blood Miasma Plain trial officially commences in November; there are still 20 days remaining, so this incident won't hinder your participation."

"Third Brother, please try not to be angry. Once the trial concludes next year, we shall pool our strength and journey to the Southern Slope Territory to eliminate that detestable individual and exact vengeance for the blood spilled..."

"Eliminate?"

The frown-laden Cai Shiqi, upon hearing his sister Cai Mengyu's words, instantly pivoted and interrupted her with a resounding query. His countenance then contorted with overwhelming animosity as he ferociously snarled, "Simply killing them outright—wouldn't that be letting that wretched person off far too easily? Next year, I shall lead our forces to cripple her first, and then we will seize every single individual from the upper echelons of the Great Xia, drag them back to Cai Qiu, and consign them all to servitude. The men shall serve as dogs in the Bai Shui County Mansion for generations, and the women will all be dispatched to the army as camp followers—I intend to..."

Before Cai Shiqi could articulate the conclusion of his venomous speech, he abruptly sensed something amiss and directed his gaze towards the entrance of the Book Collection Tower. His eyes landed upon a youth clad in black silk, who was intently observing the bandaged stump where his severed finger had been on his right hand. Already seething with rage, his face flushed crimson, his pupils nearly incandescent.

He raised his hand, pointing accusingly at the youth in black, and bellowed with fury, "You vile cur, what are you staring at? Do you believe me when I say I'll find someone to gouge your eyes out this instant?"

.........

Cai Shiqi's voice boomed, startling those entering and exiting. All movement ceased, and the surrounding scene instantly froze in stunned silence.

Unbeknownst to the crowd, the old man dressed in green, who had appeared to slumber in a reclining chair, briefly parted his eyelids. A glance was cast towards Cai Shiqi, followed by a shake of his head, before his eyes closed once more.

Meanwhile, the center of all attention, Xia Hong, the target of Cai Shiqi's vehement curses, slowly lifted his head. He observed Cai Shiqi's finger, already severed once, pointed directly at him. His expression remained unchanged as he quietly observed.

"Whose impudent offspring dares to delay in kneeling to offer an apology to the Young Prince!"

"This is the Young Prince of Bai Shui County, Cai Shiqi. Hurry and prostrate yourself in apology."

"Third Brother isn't one to take lives without reason. His mood is simply displeased today. Quickly kneel and apologize; he won't lay a hand on you."

.........

The eight youths accompanying Cai Shiqi, noticing Xia Hong's apparent shock, amplified their angry taunts. In the end, the lone woman among them adopted a more conciliatory tone. She spoke a word of mediation for Cai Shiqi while earnestly advising Xia Hong.

Even within their own family estate, they dared to treat others with such disregard for background or reason. These disciples of the Cai family were truly insufferably arrogant!

Though Xia Hong had already condemned Cai Shiqi to death in his heart, he couldn't help but release a silent sigh.

When the opponent had earlier alluded to the higher echelons of Great Xia, Xia Hong had begun to harbor suspicions. This suspicion intensified after he assessed the injury to his severed finger, making the truth even more apparent.