The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 141: Departure!

Departure! . . .

Wan-Er's countenance resembled a flushed handkerchief, her rosy cheeks betraying her bashful yet delighted demeanor as she clenched her teeth and nodded in response to Master Bai's heartfelt proposal. Her inner thoughts danced with joy, noting the profound transformation that had taken hold of her master.

"The expanse of the sky is boundless," Master Bai mused, his voice gentle and contemplative. "It often appears deceptively close, yet in reality, it remains tantalizingly out of reach. Now, as I contemplate our circumstances, I wonder, if I fail to attain the Heavenly Mystery, does that mean we three must remain in this state indefinitely?" He continued, his tone tinged with reflection. "If we persist, if we remain unchanged... until the end of our lives, only to harbor regrets, would it not signify that I've squandered the prime years of our lives?" A soft sigh escaped him. "I am fully aware that the entire world may covet what I possess—having both of you by my side. It is undoubtedly a blessing to attain more, yet if I delve too deeply into it, I may inadvertently lose more... Hehe..."

In response to her master's musings, Wan-Er sported a bashful yet pleased smile, her lips pressed together in a gesture of restraint.

Master Bai's laughter, filled with warmth, rang out as he recounted the recent encounter. "Tonight, when that Cha Eun Xiao looked at you as though he could swallow you whole, I couldn't help but feel..." He trailed off, dissolving into amusement. Wan-Er playfully pinched his waist, evoking a joyful response.

"Do you still maintain your suspicions that this Cha Eun Xiao is the Xiao Monarch?" Wan-Er inquired.

Master Bai nodded, his response candid. "I retain my suspicions, of course. However, there are numerous enigmas that continue to elude me. For now, let's put that aside..."

Wan-Er, her brow furrowed in confusion, sought clarification. "Unexplained matters?"

"Yes," Master Bai affirmed. "First, the Xiao Monarch ventured into the four Saint Domains 170 years ago. If he had indeed obtained the Heavenly Mystery at that time, he would have reaped its rewards over the span of more than a century. In that case, he would not have perished in his final battle. With 170 years of study, he could have vanquished all the superior cultivators of the Qing-Yun Realm, even if they joined forces. Yet he met his end, both physically and spiritually."

"Second," he continued, "if he did not attain the Heavenly Mystery, it's plausible that he may have been reincarnated as this Cha Eun Xiao. The martial arts he practices would likely be of a moderate or fire attribute, rather than a cold one."

"Third," he went on, "the Xiao Monarch was a figure renowned for his heroism. Engaging in actions such as abducting or assaulting women would have been beneath his dignity. Such behavior would have sapped his vitality and never led to his epic confrontation with the three factions of the Qing-Yun Realm."

Pausing once more, he concluded, "Nevertheless, I must maintain my reservations. Wan-Er, it is crucial that you execute the task I have entrusted to you with meticulous care, leaving no detail overlooked. Perhaps Cha Eun Xiao is not the Xiao Monarch, but he is undoubtedly a talented cultivator. We should not underestimate such an individual. We must never underestimate the younger generation."

Wan-Er nodded wholeheartedly, her senses still intoxicated by the moment. Her master's words carried undeniable weight.

"Master," she proposed earnestly, "there is an approach that could serve as the most effective means of verifying the truth."

Master Bai, a knowing smile gracing his lips, awaited her suggestion. He appeared to have anticipated her thoughts even before she uttered them.

Wan-Er, her voice filled with determination, uttered a fervent request, "Allow me to be the one to end Cha-Eun Xiao's life. Let me kill him myself! This way, the truth will naturally unveil itself. No matter the outcome, at least it will bring closure. Even if Cha-Eun Xiao truly is the Xiao Monarch, his current state of weakness makes him vulnerable. Regardless of how formidable he once was, his fate is sealed!"

Master Bai, however, bore a resigned smile as he responded, "It's a pity we can't follow that course of action. If... by some chance, the Heavenly Mystery is under his control, his death would only result in it returning to the Outer Nine Sky. We'd then find ourselves forced to relive those unforgettable experiences once more. Even if you're willing, I, for one, would never consent to enduring those years again."

He continued, his tone contemplative, "So, Cha-Eun Xiao must remain alive, at least for now. In truth, I harbor a faint hope that he might indeed be the Xiao Monarch. Even if he possesses the Heavenly Mystery, that's tolerable. As you've mentioned, he is currently in a weakened state. We could exert control over both him and the Heavenly Mystery, significantly reducing the time and effort required."

Wan-Er was struck by the complexity of their predicament, finally grasping its intricacies. Uncertainty shrouded Cha-Eun Xiao's identity as the Xiao Monarch, and even if confirmed, how could they possibly acquire the Heavenly Mystery without resorting to his death?

Master Bai, however, seemed disinclined to delve further into this discussion. Their conversation came to a close, and he steered his wheelchair slowly toward their residence.

"Master, I will commence my task tomorrow," Wan-Er pledged, determination in her voice. "I'll embark on the mission you've assigned, and afterward, I'll journey to the South Sky. Both Xiu-Er and I will be away from your side during this time. Please take care."

Master Bai reassured her, saying, "I understand. Don't worry. Even though I may be unable to wield the full extent of my cultivation power, as long as I remain resolute in my determination to live, not even individuals from the Qing-Yun Realm would stand a chance of ending my life."

Wan-Er persisted, "Take good care of yourself. Please don't give us any reason to worry."

Her master affectionately quipped, "You're becoming quite verbose. I'll exercise utmost caution. Return safely, won't you?"

With a confirming "Yes," Wan-Er set about preparing Master Bai's bed and assisting him into a restful slumber. She then retreated to her own room, her steps light with happiness. In her eyes, the future shone with the promise of staying by her master's side for the remainder of her days, through thick and thin.

"To the divine beings I pray," she whispered fervently on bended knees, her delicate form illuminated by the moonlight streaming through her window. "May my master soon realize his dreams, and I am eternally grateful to the gods for granting me the privilege of being with him. If I can spend my entire life at his side, I would willingly forfeit all future lives. I ask only for this present one."

Her prayers were sincere, each word a testament to her devotion as she prostrated herself on the floor, her hair scattered around her like an ebony sea.

"Please, oh gods!"

...

Under the radiant moonlight, spanning the vast borderlands for thousands of miles, the bamboo forest whispered with the symphony of the wind. Shadows danced across the ground, and the night remained cloaked in silence.

In the confines of Master Bai's chamber, a room that had wielded immense influence over the destiny of the Land of Han-Yang for centuries, an air of worry hung heavily around him. Master Bai, a figure of great renown, gazed pensively at nothing in particular. His typically handsome countenance was etched with concern, his eyes closed in deep thought.

After a prolonged moment of silence, he broke it with a gentle murmur, his voice tinged with uncertainty, "Cha-Eun Xiao? Cha-Eun Xiao? Cha-Eun Xiao?... Who exactly is he? Where can he be found?"

...

Morning dawned anew, painting the landscape with its soft golden hues. Cha-Eun Xiao descended from the watchtower with purpose, accompanied by his comrade, Song Jue. Swiftly, they mounted their steeds, ready to set out from the town. Their horses were swift, matching the urgency of their mission.

The day had arrived for Prince Hua-Yang's army to depart for the impending battle, and regardless of their busy schedules, they were obliged to bid them farewell.

The morning was still young, with the sky gradually illuminating. A gentle breeze wafted through, and not a single cloud marred the clear heavens.

Beyond the city walls, the mournful notes of war trumpets echoed continuously, an ominous harbinger of the impending conflict. An aura of impending battle surged from the trumpets, seeming to pierce the very sky.

Riding at a brisk pace, Cha-Eun Xiao and Song Jue galloped through the town streets, their horses' hoofbeats shattering the early morning hush.

Today, the city gate had opened earlier than usual, with few souls venturing into the streets at this hour. Undeterred, Cha-Eun Xiao and Song Jue maintained their swift advance, hastening towards the city's outskirts.

And there, just outside the city gates, a bustling throng had gathered, creating a striking contrast to the deserted city streets.

Banners unfurled, dominating the sky with their grandeur. The wind, as if complicit in the spectacle, billowed the flags into a magnificent display, forming a colossal line against the azure expanse.

Five divisions, stationed to the east, west, south, north, and center, stood resolute, their silent presence creating an atmosphere of palpable tension. Amidst the multitude of soldiers, their weapons gleamed ominously, their edges and tips reflecting the morning sun, evoking an unsettling sensation as if the blades were poised at one's throat.

The chill in the air was inescapable.

It was an awe-inspiring spectacle that left a lasting impression, stoking the fervor in the hearts of onlookers.

Among the hundreds of thousands of citizens who had gathered, this was not a mere spectacle for their amusement; it was a heartfelt farewell to their loved ones heading into battle. Silver-haired parents, newlyweds in the prime of their lives, and wide-eyed children all stood witness to the departure, their emotions running deep.

In the midst of the assembled crowd, anxiety etched across their faces, each individual searched fervently for a glimpse of the one they held dearest. Amidst the sea of soldiers numbering in the hundreds of thousands, identifying a loved one seemed like an insurmountable task. Yet, they persisted in their search, hope driving them forward.

Cha-Eun Xiao and Song Jue arrived at the troop's side, their steeds brought to a halt. A glance was all it took for Cha-Eun Xiao to gauge the situation. It was clear that Prince Hua-Yang intended to forgo any elaborate ceremonies; all preparations had been concluded the previous night. Today's gathering was solely for the departure to the battlefield.

As the haunting notes of a somber war clarion reverberated through the air, the pervasive silence was shattered. In a resounding chorus, tens of thousands of clarions joined in, a harmonious and powerful symphony that filled the atmosphere.

Rows upon rows of soldiers advanced in unison, their weapons glinting in the sunlight as they inclined forward slightly. The play of light upon their weapons created a dazzling spectacle.

Then, Prince Hua-Yang's voice rang out, commanding the attention of all. He spoke with unwavering resolve, addressing the masses.

"My beloved people! Today, I lead your sons into battle!" His words carried a weight of somber truth.

"I cannot assure you that all of them shall return unscathed," he continued, his tone solemn. "But rest assured, whether alive or fallen, we shall harbor no regrets toward our kingdom."

"We bear no grudges against our country, against our homes," he proclaimed passionately. "While I cannot guarantee their lives, I can pledge that I, Su Ding-Guo, will stand at the forefront of battle throughout. When the time comes for retreat, I shall remain steadfast until every last one of my men has departed."

"I make no promises of riches and promotions for all," he declared, his voice unwavering. "But I do pledge to you your due honors and glories."

"As for victory in this battle, it remains uncertain," he conceded. "Yet I vow that after this conflict, whether we emerge triumphant or defeated, our foes shall not dare to challenge us again."

And then, a fervent plea, "Please, pray for us!"

"For victory!"

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