The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 134: The Inauspicious Feeling

The Inauspicious Feeling . . .

"No. It is going to be fine," Cha-Eun Xiao reassured Su Ye-Yue, his words meant to comfort her. Yet, an ominous sensation gnawed at his heart, though he couldn't pinpoint its origin.

After a moment of contemplation, Cha-Eun Xiao inquired, "Who is the prince's bodyguard?"

Su Ye-Yue replied, "They call him the Leopard."

"Is he reliable?" Cha-Eun Xiao pressed.

"Absolutely! Uncle Leopard has been a steadfast companion to my father in countless battles. His loyalty is unquestionable, and he would sacrifice his life for my father without hesitation. He's an integral part of our family," Su Ye-Yue affirmed. Curiosity piqued, she inquired, "Why do you ask?"

"I'm somewhat disheartened. What I require is not a man who would die for your father, but one who can ensure your father's survival," Cha-Eun Xiao explained. He then produced two jade bottles and discreetly handed them to Su Ye-Yue, speaking in hushed tones, "I've crafted dan beads for your father—a life-saving elixir capable of reviving the dead. However, I doubt he would use them himself. This time, give these two dan beads to Leopard secretly. Tell him they possess life-saving properties, and instruct him to keep them concealed. If something unfortunate occurs, place them in the prince's mouth. There are only two, so reserve them exclusively for the prince. Do you understand?"

Su Ye-Yue's eyes sparkled with gratitude and newfound hope as she realized the significance of the precious dan beads. "Wow! Thank you, Xiao Xiao. You're so thoughtful!" She impulsively embraced Cha-Eun Xiao and planted a kiss on his cheek, a blush rising to her cheeks.

Cha-Eun Xiao, taken aback by the unexpected kiss, felt a rush of warmth and an unusual sensation stirring within him. It was akin to the effect of consuming a potent alcoholic beverage, and he found himself momentarily disoriented.

"When my father returns victorious, I'll have my mother broach the topic of our wedding," Su Ye-Yue shyly confessed, her face flushed. Her hands clutched the hem of her clothing, and her voice was barely audible, "By then, Xiao Xiao, promise me you won't tease me..."

"Wedding?" Cha-Eun Xiao was startled, his mind thrown into disarray.

He was instantly lost, overwhelmed by a whirlwind of emotions—sadness, fear, guilt, and helplessness. However, there was an absence of anticipation or surprise.

In his mind, a vision materialized—a figure dressed in pristine white, with eyes filled with sorrow, gazing at him through a misty veil.

It was as if she were silently imploring, "Cha-Eun Xiao, why can't you marry me?"

These words had reverberated like thunder in Cha-Eun Xiao's heart years ago.

"You clearly love me. Why won't you marry me?"

It was unmistakable.

The dignified woman, akin to the moon in the sky that made others appear ordinary, had laid aside her pride and made her plea. Cha-Eun Xiao could sense her unwavering determination.

Evidently, she had abandoned her self-respect.

But how could he possibly marry while devoted to his martial cultivation?

As he turned his back to her, the faint sound of two teardrops hitting the floor reached his ears.

- Pak dak. -

And then, those five words that had haunted him resurfaced.

"Cha-Eun Xiao, I hate you!"

Even now, at this hour, those five words and the way the woman in white had uttered them lingered in Cha-Eun Xiao's dreams from time to time.

…

Lost in his thoughts, he failed to respond to Su Ye-Yue.

"Do I want to marry Su Ye-Yue?" Cha-Eun Xiao pondered within his heart.

She was vibrant and beautiful, possessing a physique and countenance that ranked at the pinnacle of the Qing-Yun Realm.

However, Cha-Eun Xiao found himself in turmoil, wrestling with inner conflict and resistance.

In truth, he did care for Su Ye-Yue.

Yet, he recognized that this sentiment did not align with the love shared between romantic partners. Instead, it resembled the affection one would have for a younger sister.

His feelings for her were akin to a brother's fondness for his sister.

However, if there was no other girl in his heart, he would agree to marry Su Ye-Yue though. At least he won't refuse it.

He was a virgin. He didn't know anything about things between lovers at all. It was possible that he sleepwalked to his marriage.

When he thought about 'marriage', 'wedding' and 'wife' now, he didn't think of Su Ye-Yue.

He would think of a girl dressed in white. And he would think of the pain and the sorrow…

At the moment, when he heard what Su Ye-Yue said, he didn't feel happy. Instead, he felt troubled.

He was lost in all kinds of emotions. The only thing he could be sure at the moment was that he didn't really love Su Ye-Yue!

At least not now.

"Nerd. Why don't you say anything?" Su Ye-Yue lowered her head and squinted at him. Her eyes were full of love. She said, "Do you like me that much to become a nerd?"

Cha Eun Xiao smiled embarrassedly. He rubbed his nose and didn't know what to say really…

What could he possibly say anyway. He couldn't say he love her. That was lying to her. He didn't want to do that. He couldn't say he didn't love her either. That was hurting her. Looking at her sincere face, he just couldn't do it. He actually didn't know what to say, as nothing would be appropriate at the moment…

While he was feeling embarrassed, the king came out. Prince Hua-Yang was with him. It seemed they had talked about something and then they just left with Eunuch Wang…

They actually gave Cha Eun Xiao a feeling of sneakiness.

"Hmm. The king came out secretly too…" He finally had something else to say. So he changed the topic. It worked perfectly on Su Ye-Yue overtime.

Su Ye-Yue twitched her lips and saw her father coming over. She hurriedly hid the bottles in her clothes. She knew that these supreme dan beads would never be used on Prince Hua-Yang if they were in his hand…

"Wait there, you two. Cha Eun Xiao, don't leave after the drink." Prince Hua-Yang told Cha Eun Xiao with a low voice. Then he turned around and entered the hall.

In the hall, along with the return of Prince Hua-Yang, it became boisterous again.

"Why is my dad unhappy all of a sudden…" Su Ye-Yue asked worriedly.

She knew her father so well.

Cha Eun Xiao casually answered, "I am afraid… It must be the private conversation earlier."

"Private conversation? What was it about? Oh… Is there anything wrong with the battle?" Su Ye-Yue got nervous.

"Hey… How could I know. It must be something bad to us though!" Cha Eun Xiao answered.

After a while, there were people leaving.

The officers were all gone.

The generals were all drunk. At the latter half of the night, the last several generals finally left.

Lan Lang-Lang and Zuo Wu-Ji were carried back to their places. These two lords were like sheep falling into a crowd of tigers… It took only a short time and they were already so drunk. The food weren't all served yet, but they were already lying under the table…

The crown prince had looked around before he left.

Apparently, he was looking for Cha Eun Xiao. He saw Cha Eun Xiao today, yet he found the young man was quite important in the northern army's eyes. Guan Zheng-Wen had said that Cha Eun Xiao would die in a few days. If Cha Eun Xiao really died, it might bring something bad to the crown prince himself though!

The crown prince's eyes were full of concerns.

Yet he didn't see Cha Eun Xiao and he just left…

In fact, even though he had seen Cha Eun Xiao, he would just talk to him and try to make it look like he had nothing to do with Cha Eun Xiao's death. That's all.

"Cha Eun Xiao, come over here." Prince Hua-Yang showed up on the stairs.

He didn't even look drunk at all.

Cha Eun Xiao got over with Su Ye-Yue hurriedly.

Cha-Eun Xiao sensed that Prince Hua-Yang had something important to convey, yet the prince merely stood there, his gaze fixed upon them, an air of contemplation about him.

It was only when the princess joined them that Prince Hua-Yang finally began to speak. His tone was somber, and his words carried an undeniable gravity. "There is one thing you two must remember, my lady," he began.

The others, including Cha-Eun Xiao, nodded solemnly, their curiosity piqued.

"This time, if I win the war, all will be well," Prince Hua-Yang continued, his gaze unwavering. "But if adversity should befall me…" He shifted his attention to the princess, his eyes chillingly cold. "There will be no funeral for me. Yue-Er, you must not observe mourning [1]. Disregard all traditions. Yue-Er and Xiao Xiao shall marry without delay! Sell this palace, and all of you shall reside in the house of Cha."

The princess was taken aback, her gaze rising to meet Prince Hua-Yang's with a sense of trepidation. Princess Hua-Yang was no ordinary woman; she had discerned something amiss the moment she saw her husband's expression. She had steeled herself for distressing news. Yet, even so, when she heard Prince Hua-Yang's words, she was utterly astonished. Could the situation truly be that dire?

Prince Hua-Yang's words did not resemble those typically spoken before departing for war; instead, they sounded like his final words, delivered with a solemnity that sent shivers down their spines.

Su Ye-Yue couldn't contain her shock and let out a muffled scream, her trembling form betraying her disbelief as she stared at her father, as if a bolt of lightning had struck on a clear day.