The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 289: Crippled Because of Divine Punishment

Crippled Because of Divine Punishment . . .

"We do not deny that genuine love exists among people. What we disdain are power games," Wan-Er declared with an icy demeanor.

"Throughout history, one mortal after another has engaged in these power games, striving for their own grand achievements. Why should we not bring about their downfall?"

"Since the world is destined to never escape the grasp of tragic wars, does it truly matter who instigates them?" Wan-Er's voice remained cold.

Cha Eun Xiao raised his hands in a gesture of surrender and replied, "Indeed, it doesn't matter."

Wan-Er persisted, "Then why waste breath on such fruitless words? Is it your loquaciousness that bolsters your confidence?"

Cha Eun Xiao explained, "It provides a valuable perspective. For the world and its inhabitants, it makes no difference who precipitates tragedy. However, for those who orchestrate it, they carry the weight of shame and guilt in their hearts."

"In the world, there exists both love and divine order beneath the heavens!" Cha Eun Xiao spoke deliberately. "Throughout time, the heavens have observed the world, and those who abide by divine order prosper, while those who defy it meet their end. Those who transgress the will of the heavens, seeking personal gain, are inevitably met with divine retribution!"

Divine retribution!

Wan-Er merely snorted in response, declining to comment.

Cha Eun Xiao continued, "I have perused many historical records of the Land of Han-Yang. Since the establishment of the first kingdom and the ascent of the first monarch, nearly ninety-nine thousand years have passed!"

"Throughout this extensive span, the annals of this land have witnessed the rise and fall of hundreds of dynasties and the collapse of over ten thousand kingdoms!"

"Each of these monarchs, whether their reign spanned hundreds of years or merely a few decades, experienced the ultimate extinction of their lineage. Their bloodlines were severed, with not a single heir left behind. None were exempt from this fate!"

"Regardless of their grandeur, every king aspired to ensure the eternal survival of their realm. Yet, a few years later, their dominions invariably plunged into turmoil."

"While the common people endured the suffering of these wars, they always persevered. The ordinary clans perpetuated their lineage, enduring through the ages. Those monarchs who desperately sought the eternal existence of their kingdoms saw their dynasties vanish into the annals of history, often within mere decades!"

"How ironic! The ordinary clans endured, while the royal bloodlines consistently faced extinction."

"Do you not see that the names that have faded into the annals of history are invariably those of monarchs?"

Cha Eun Xiao spoke solemnly, "This is the celestial order. It represents divine retribution against those who disrupt the world's peace and happiness. It is the punishment—no less than a reverse impact!"

"The lives of billions should never be squandered so carelessly!"

"A man should earn his noble position through diligent cultivation. As for those who sacrifice their people's lives to ascend to the throne, if such individuals evade divine retribution, then there is no justice left in the world!"

"Lady Wan-Er, you mentioned that people have nowhere to turn for justice. They must simply endure, awaiting the arrival of a new, peaceful kingdom. Allow me to clarify, my lady, that although the common people may lack a direct avenue for seeking justice, they do not need one. The gods will administer justice on their behalf. Right or wrong, the gods will render their verdict. Murderers will ultimately face divine retribution sooner or later!"

Wan-Er wished to respond but remained silent.

Historical records bore witness to these events.

Even if some kings wielded sufficient power to eliminate historians who documented these facts, they could not erase the truth. Consequently, this was not a matter that a single individual could easily refute.

Moreover, Cha Eun Xiao's statement was undeniably accurate.

Many monarchs who had once ruled the world saw their descendants transform into mere pawns, aiding officials in their ruthless climb to higher positions. One after another, these royal bloodlines became sacrifices in others' quests for advancement.

Once a monarch assumed the throne, they could never anticipate that, not long afterward, the sons or grandsons they held dear and upon whom they placed high hopes would meet a gruesome end. Their heads might even be mounted on walls as warnings to their subjects or displayed on belts as trophies of victory.

"The extinction of a royal bloodline may indeed be a form of divine retribution," Cha Eun Xiao surmised. "However, the House of the Chaotic Storm has never aspired to seize any throne. Our mission is to expedite the fall of a kingdom so that a new one may rise more swiftly. In this regard, we contribute significantly to the world! Countless great wars have ended prematurely due to our interventions. Peace invariably follows war, affording the people hundreds of years of contentment. The merit and virtue of maintaining peace for centuries lies with us!"

Wan-Er's gaze grew sharp as she sternly retorted, "So, what you just stated is inaccurate. Those are your personal beliefs, a unilateral perspective! The heavenly principles do not bind us."

Cha Eun Xiao responded nonchalantly, "If that's the case, then why is our renowned Master Bai currently incapacitated?"

His eyes bore into Master Bai's legs with a piercing intensity.

His retort was akin to a bolt of lightning slicing through the ominous clouds in the sky—sharp, potent, and unassailable.

Wan-Er found herself at a loss for words. Her demeanor grew cold, and her eyes bore a lethal quality, as if she were ready to kill at a moment's notice.

Ignoring her menacing aura, Cha Eun Xiao continued at a deliberate pace, "As I mentioned earlier, I have perused numerous texts concerning the House of the Chaotic Storm. I am well-acquainted with everything recorded about your organization... There are some accounts detailing the enigmatic and formidable Master Bai of the House of the Chaotic Storm."

Pausing briefly, he went on, "While these records are relatively scarce, a recurring theme appears throughout them."

Cha Eun Xiao stopped for a moment before resuming, "In some ancient dynasty, a sudden war erupted, spanning thousands of miles. A mysterious martial force, the House of the Chaotic Storm, wielded considerable influence in the conflict. A man named Master Bai, hailing from your house, was akin to a formidable deity—wise as the boundless ocean. He issued commands from thousands of miles away, yet he retained complete control over the battle. The very word was in his grasp... But he ended up crippled."

He spoke slowly, enunciating each word meticulously. When he uttered the phrase "he was crippled," his words emerged with deliberate slowness, as if they were being squeezed through clenched teeth. Each word landed like a thousand-kilogram hammer descending from the heavens, striking at the hearts of those who heard it.

Wan-Er's complexion paled, and she bit her lip. Her gaze locked onto Cha Eun Xiao, radiating sharpness and a palpable intent to kill, no longer concealed.

"There is something rather intriguing about those accounts, however—every description of Master Bai's affliction differs," Cha Eun Xiao stated blandly.