Insane and Ruthless

It was Mason Fu, sent home in disgrace.

"Chief," Mason Fu asked in confusion, "What's wrong with Prince Charles Chang? Why did he suddenly become like this?"

Ms. Rachel Zhang smiled and said, "The secrets of Four Elephant City are only known to us old Spiritual Alchemists."

"What secret?"

"The Changyang Royal House is the Empress Dowager's maternal family, second only to the Bai Clan in the Eastern Luo Empire's ancient lineages. Prince Charles Chang is Lord Charles Chang's only legitimate son, cherished since birth like a precious gem," Ms. Rachel Zhang explained. "But he suffers from a strange illness."

"What kind of strange illness?"

"He can't touch alcohol," Ms. Rachel Zhang said. "If he does, he must drink, and he drinks excessively. Once he's drunk... he will inevitably assault and murder at least one woman! Otherwise, he'll harm himself, suffering unbearable pain!"

"What? Assault and murder women?" Mason Fu was shocked.

"Not only assault and murder, but he also dismembers them and puts their remains in wine jars," Ms. Rachel Zhang continued. "Then he drinks that wine, claiming it's a delicacy!"

Mason Fu gasped. "Prince Charles Chang is so handsome and favored by the Emperor—how could he be so utterly deranged?"

Ms. Rachel Zhang shook her head. "Strangely, when he sobers up, he remembers nothing! That's why Lord Charles Chang and the Princess Consort believe it's a mysterious illness. They've secretly consulted countless Spiritual Alchemists."

Mason Fu looked at Ms. Rachel Zhang. "Did you also examine him?"

"I haven't, but... Byron White, the former Alliance Master, did." Ms. Rachel Zhang replied. "I only heard about it from him."

"So, the tea you served him earlier... had alcohol in it?"

Ms. Rachel Zhang smirked, "Sure enough, his true nature was revealed!"

"But Master, why did you do this to Chloe Zhu? You deliberately brought her to the Herb Division, then earned her trust. Did you have a grudge against her?"

A cold glint flashed in Ms. Rachel Zhang's eyes. She spoke each word deliberately: "No grudge."

"Then what is it?"

"It's... a hatred that cannot be reconciled!"

"She harmed your family?"

Ms. Rachel Zhang nodded.

"Oh! So that's how it is!" Mason Fu nodded in understanding.

"Let's head back for now!" Ms. Rachel Zhang said, leading the way out.

"Chief... but Chloe Zhu's cultivation is strong and she's tricky. What if she escapes?" Mason Fu asked.

They'd tried to deal with Chloe Zhu several times, but she always found a way out—like an indestructible cockroach.

"If she can't escape, I've avenged myself!" Ms. Rachel Zhang declared. "If she does manage to escape... I'll go to the Changyang Royal Mansion for her in the middle of the night!"

It took Mason Fu a moment to process this. "If she escapes, she'll surely kill Prince Charles Chang! If you go to the mansion, you're basically telling them Chloe Zhu killed the prince. With the Changyang Royal House's influence, she'll be doomed!"

"That's what I love about you—so clever!" Ms. Rachel Zhang said, shooting Mason Fu a playful look.

Mason Fu smiled faintly and carefully helped Ms. Rachel Zhang out.

Late that night, Ms. Rachel Zhang, her head wrapped in gauze, staggered to the Changyang Royal Mansion and banged on the door.

"Open up! Open the door!"

The mansion's main gate swung open. The gatekeeper glared, "It's the middle of the night—are you trying to wake the dead?"

"I'm Ms. Rachel Zhang from the Spirit Alliance! Please announce me immediately—I need to see Lord Charles Chang, it's an urgent matter!"

The gatekeeper, hearing she was from the Spirit Alliance, didn't dare delay and hurried inside to announce her.