The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 173: Chu-Chu Is Coming

Chu-Chu Is Coming . . .

A promising life lay ahead for Cha-Eun Xiao, but it was clear to him that the path would be fraught with numerous trials and sacrifices. Such challenges were an inevitable part of his journey.

In his heart, Cha-Eun Xiao resonated with the concept of the "love of nature."

"The beautiful aspects of my life are those I never wish to lose," he thought to himself, contemplating the significance of these newfound teachings. "Man. Responsibility. Protection. Improvement. Descending. These must be the reasons why I acquired the Purple Qi Descends and the Cultivation Of Love simultaneously, for a man possesses love while nature has its rules."

As the Land of Han-Yang continued to be embroiled in dramatic events and fierce battles, news flowed incessantly throughout the kingdom, carried by an array of messengers and couriers.

On the frontlines, amidst the chaos of battle where half a million soldiers clashed, two striking figures sat atop a mountain. They observed the conflict with an air of indifference, as if it were an ordinary spectacle.

These two ethereal women had flowing hair and captivating forms. They exuded an aura of otherworldly beauty.

A melodious birdcall rang through the air, and a swallow descended gracefully from the skies, curving in a mesmerizing arc before coming to rest before the two women. Its tiny eyes observed them intently.

One of the women, her face veiled by a silk scarf adorned with an image of a mist lotus, reached out to retrieve a small pipe attached to the bird's body. Within the pipe lay a folded note.

Unfurling the note, she read its contents, her eyes betraying a subtle shift in expression.

"117 assassins were dispatched to eliminate Cha Eun Xiao. 114 of them met their demise, while two escaped with severe injuries. Liu Chang-Jun is currently missing. Cha Eun Xiao remains unharmed."

The message was concise, providing a succinct summary of the mission's outcome.

The veiled woman, known as Chu-Chu, spoke with a faint smile, "It appears our Assassination Reward met with almost total failure. Is the House of Cha truly such a formidable adversary?"

Her companion, however, seemed unperturbed, responding nonchalantly, "I see."

The situation was met with an air of indifference.

Chu-Chu continued, "My Assassination Reward has been thwarted. Nearly all the assassins were eliminated."

Her companion nodded with minimal reaction and inquired, "What is your suggestion?"

"It's only logical," Chu-Chu replied, "given the House of Ye's formidable defenses. I do not believe it is advisable to attempt another operation at this time. Master, I believe we should relocate."

Her companion regarded Chu-Chu intently before responding, "Oh?"

"Master, I implore you, we must journey to the Kingdom of Chen without delay," Chu-Chu urged with a sense of urgency. "Your illness, a result of your martial arts, has grown dangerously severe. I beseech you to trust me. Feng Zhi-Ling possesses the means to cure you."

The other woman in white attire gazed at the sky for a prolonged moment before quietly murmuring, "I do trust you. Your very existence is a testament to my trust. However, I am unwilling to accept the method by which he cured you. I would rather face death than allow a man's touch upon my body."

As the words left her lips, Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's face flushed a deep crimson, and she stammered, "Master, please do not let modesty stand in the way of your chance for survival. You… you…" She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence, so overcome was she by her own embarrassment at the subject matter.

After all, she herself had recently experienced the touch of that very man.

"Master, if you don't want to go… Then I…" Wen-Ren Chu-Chu ground her teeth, her words quivering. "Then I would have been touched by a guy for nothing... I..."

As she reminisced about the day when a warm hand had gently graced her belly, evoking a sensation of warmth and tenderness, she couldn't help but blush even deeper.

"Master... Regardless of your reservations, you must consider going and giving it a try," she continued, her voice resolute. "Perhaps there could be alternatives... If you truly find it abhorrent..." She clenched her teeth. "We can explore other options. There must be another way."

The lady in white furrowed her brow, her silence lingering for an extended moment before she finally let out a sigh. She raised her head to meet the earnest gaze of her apprentice, her heart softening.

"Chu-Chu, I understand your concern," she said gently, her own face concealed behind the white silk. She appeared visibly troubled. "Very well, I shall accompany you." Her words conveyed a sense of reluctance. "Even if there's nothing that can aid me, I can still go and resolve some issues on your behalf."

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's complexion paled. "Master, how can you entertain such thoughts? Our sole objective upon reaching the Kingdom of Chen should be to seek a cure for your ailment."

"I appreciate your genuine concern," the lady in white replied, her hand gently reaching out to tousle Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's hair. She spoke softly, "That's why I wish to do something for you... If there is indeed no suitable remedy for me, I will dedicate every moment of my remaining life to vanquishing obstacles in your path and fulfilling your father's aspirations. This is my way of reciprocating the sincerity between us."

She smiled warmly, her eyes filled with kindness. "You are a wonderful child. I know your intentions extend beyond self-interest. If that weren't the case... perhaps I wouldn't be as willing to help you."

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu embraced her master, feeling a comforting warmth within her heart. She whispered, "Master..."

The lady in white smiled, her eyes reflecting genuine affection. She remained untroubled by the impending reality of her mortality.

She had resolved that even if Feng Zhi-Ling possessed the ability to cure her, she would never allow a man's touch to defile her body. "I would rather face death," she vowed silently. "Should my life come to an end without achieving a breakthrough, I will embrace death defiantly, leaving a trail of upheaval through the Kingdom of Chen before I depart."

Her journey to the Land of Han-Yang had been driven by her desire to spend more time with her beloved apprentice before her inevitable end—a final chapter of her life.

Wen-Ren Chu-Chu closed her eyes and nuzzled into her master's comforting embrace. Her thoughts were consumed by a singular purpose: the determination to cure her cherished master.

In the presence of her master, she was utterly focused on the quest to save her life.

"There's still time for ambition," she mused internally. "And I only have one master. If I must choose between my ambition and my master, I choose my beloved master."

In that poignant moment, as they held each other tightly, their thoughts diverged on different paths. Yet, a comforting warmth enveloped them both.

As the sun dipped into the afternoon sky, Wen-Ren Chu-Chu issued an unprecedented command—she ordered a halt to all military and political matters she had previously been engaged in. Her sole focus now was to be with her master.

"I am, after all, a member of a sect from the Qing-Yun Realm. My time in the mortal world is limited," she explained to those around her. "The wealth and dominion in the mortal world belong to all of you. It's time for you to fight for them yourselves."

Her words resonated with a sense of dignity, prompting those who had previously argued against her holding a position to fall silent.

"She is our princess, the daughter of our king, yet she stands on the threshold of immortality. She no longer belongs to this world... Why should we compel her?" they thought.

However, Wen-Ren Chu-Chu left behind a contingency plan in her announcement. "Perhaps I will return to take action, but... Let's see how things unfold. I simply hope that no one will interfere with my decision."

On that day, she and her master departed from the military camp, embarking on a journey to Chen-Xing City.

At the time of their departure, it had been five days since Cha Nan-Tian withdrew from the battlefield and only two days since Cha-Eun Xiao's report on the failed assassination attempt.

That night, a world-shaking announcement emanated from the Kingdom of Chen regarding Ling-Bao Hall. Wan Zheng-Hao, the enigmatic master of Ling-Bao Hall, revealed plans for a momentous auction of supreme dan beads scheduled for one month hence.

The revelation sent shockwaves throughout the world, overshadowing even the news of ongoing conflicts.

The last supreme dan bead auction, which exclusively featured Pei-Yuan Dan beads, had already created a sensation. Now, with the impending auction showcasing second-class, third-class, and upper fourth-class dan beads, the news was truly astounding.

The dan beads on offer were of the highest quality, and the sheer variety left the world astonished.

Speculation swirled: "Where could they possibly have obtained these dan beads?"

Had Ling-Bao Hall not been a renowned emporium in the entire Land of Han-Yang, many would have dismissed such news as mere fantasy. After all, the reputation of Ling-Bao Hall was impeccable when it came to matters of authenticity.

Wan Zheng-Hao took the extraordinary step of making a public declaration: If any item in the auction proved to be counterfeit, Ling-Bao Hall would immediately withdraw from the Land of Han-Yang.

These were no ordinary words. A mega-salesroom with a wealth exceeding billions of gold making such a declaration to the world was unheard of. If the auction indeed turned out to be a sham, it would be a stunning revelation.

But was Wan Zheng-Hao truly mad?