The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 288: Fortune And Fate

Fortune And Fate . . .

Cha Eun Xiao replied confidently, "Since I am here, I should be confident. If not, why would I come?"

"It is futile to dwell on talk now. I am genuinely intrigued by whatever imparts such unshakable confidence in you," Master Bai remarked with keen interest. He gazed at Cha Eun Xiao and spoke in a deep voice, "However, should it fail to astonish me, today shall mark the final day of your life. While you may have a fifty percent chance of surprising me, I am one hundred percent certain I can vanquish you."

He continued at a deliberate pace, "Beneath this sky, none have survived after displaying such arrogance before me."

"Actually, I hope you can prove to be an exception," Master Bai added calmly, his visage revealing no trace of emotion.

A noticeable shift in the atmosphere occurred. The once orderly and elegant swirls of smoke in the air grew chaotic and lost their aesthetic charm.

Undeterred, Cha Eun Xiao chuckled and stated, "You possess dominion over the entire world. A mere gesture of your hand can summon clouds and rain. You can decide the fate of a kingdom, continually achieving your desires for centuries. To you, it must be a game—a tiresome, monotonous game."

Master Bai's countenance darkened, yet he remained silent.

"Now I am certain... You, Master Bai, Wan of the Clouds, and Xiu of the Heaven are the individuals who have orchestrated the collapses throughout the millennia. You are what you were thousands of years ago. The actions you repeat today mirror those from a millennium past. I understand that no one dares to challenge you, but... you should be far mightier than you appear now."

Cha Eun Xiao proceeded deliberately, "You have orchestrated the collapse countless times. The act of causing a collapse... There must be a special purpose behind it."

"You cannot derive satisfaction from these repetitive collapses. All games eventually grow tedious!"

"And so, storms are not meant to be chaotic, and the martial world is not the world."

Cha Eun Xiao spoke while simultaneously contemplating. His speech was deliberate, each word carefully enunciated.

Master Bai remained seated, listening intently without interruption.

Any interruption could spell the end of Cha Eun Xiao's life.

Once more, wisps of smoke encircled him, shrouding his eyes and face. He seemed like a specter in the void, an illusion that might dissipate with a gust of wind.

They were all aware that Master Bai was attentively absorbing Cha Eun Xiao's words. Nothing would elude his notice.

"The collapse of a kingdom, particularly one at the zenith of its power and grandeur, aims to reshape the world and echo the fate of many. It involves myriad complexities and is no trifling matter," Cha Eun Xiao sighed. "Perhaps you have your reasons for being unable to desist, but it cannot be a source of enjoyment."

"After all, it takes lives. It defies the will of the gods, leading to calamity. It spills too much blood, causing countless unjust deaths. This surely exacts a toll. Altering the fate of the entire world is no simple feat, yet you have done it repeatedly."

Cha Eun Xiao lifted his gaze to meet Master Bai's and continued, "I'm uncertain whether my words hold any significance to you."

Master Bai's countenance, once composed, grew progressively darker, yet he remained silent. His gaze seemed to pierce through the void, focused on something beyond.

This marked the first instance where Master Bai had averted his eyes from another's scrutiny.

Throughout the years, he had never evaded eye contact with anyone. On this occasion, Master Bai had not intended to look away, but the memories of all those collapses across the millennia and the countless lives extinguished in his wake weighed heavily on his heart.

For the first time, he avoided another's penetrating gaze, although his face remained serene, and his eyes betrayed no turmoil. Deep down, however, his core had been profoundly shaken.

On the opposite side, Wan of the Clouds offered a wry smile and said, "You are mistaken, Feng Monarch."

Cha Eun Xiao inquired, "Oh? I am intrigued to hear more."

Wan-Er spoke evenly, "Throughout eternity, the cycle of life and death, unity and separation has prevailed. As one kingdom falls, another rises. Countless kings have perpetrated innumerable atrocities for their personal gain, plunging the world into warfare. What wrongs have their subjects committed? They are innocent, yet they possess no recourse. All they can do is endure. Ultimately, as the struggle for power concludes, peace and happiness return. This has always been the way of things."

"This is an age-old truth, continuously repeating."

"It recurs endlessly, without cessation. Realms persist, as does conflict!"

"A mountain of corpses births great heroes. How many lives do you think it takes to form a kingdom?"

Wan-Er's words grew severe as she continued, "Since when have ordinary citizens possessed the agency to control their own destinies? When war erupts, homes crumble, spouses and children vanish. To whom can they vent their grievances? What corner of this world can provide them justice?"

Before Cha Eun Xiao could respond, Wan-Er pressed on harshly, "Feng Monarch, please understand that talk of championing justice in the name of heaven and overthrowing tyranny are merely pretexts for individuals to vie for positions of power. They are noble-sounding excuses."

"Once those who once vowed to uphold justice and topple tyranny ascend to the throne, they too become kings!"

"They may speak of enduring for millennia, yet after several generations, their legacy invariably ends in tragedy!"

"Their words...are but empty rhetoric! They lust for power! Gain! Profit! These are their driving forces!"

Wan-Er's voice lowered, yet her words remained as cutting as ever. "The people are forever tools to those in governance! Rulers act with impunity, seizing what they desire!"

"The tragedy of the people knows no end!"

"That is the stark reality of our world!"

"This is the norm for all people!"

"Such is the nature of kingship!"

"This tale unfolds across all the lands beneath the heavens!"

"And it endures, unwavering!"

Wan-Er's voice underwent an abrupt transformation, softening as she continued, "Feng Monarch, do you concur?"

Cha Eun Xiao responded in a resonant tone, "You possess profound insights, my lady. I concur. However, the ascent and decline of kingdoms often hinge on various factors, whether fortunate or not. These factors may include luck, meritorious service, or loyal subjects..."

"Heh, heh..." Wan-Er chuckled bitterly, "Fortunate? What is fortune, exactly? Luck? Tell me, what defines it?"

Cha Eun Xiao offered a helpless smile.

Even the Xiao Monarch himself lacked a comprehensive answer. While he possessed some understanding, it remained incomplete. Before individuals who truly comprehended the nuances of fortune and destiny, those who wielded such powers effectively, Cha Eun Xiao felt it wise to keep his counsel.

"It all revolves around the game of seizing power and pursuing self-interest. Nothing more," Wan-Er murmured softly. Her countenance appeared serene, but her words bore an icy edge. She spoke like a deity gazing down upon the mortal realm and its insignificant denizens.