The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 439: Sharp Warning!

Sharp Warning! . . .

"You disagree? Do you believe I'm mistaken, is that it? So be it. Shall I care?" Ling Wuxie huffed and made his way to the exit. "Very well then, enjoy your reign in this minuscule realm. I'm off to surrender to Meng Wuzhen. I've been beaten because of you, and I won't tolerate hearing denials from you."

He strode rapidly. In just a few steps, he had reached the gate, poised to exit the door and perhaps even depart the Land of Han-Yang entirely.

"Hold!"

Bai Chen drew in a deep breath and said, "Perhaps... Perhaps... Perhaps he possesses..."

Ling Wuxie sneered. "I truly despise it when you speak insincerely. The truth is clear. You know he possesses it. You just put on a fa?ade with your words, saying one thing while thinking another, and then acting differently. I can't fathom why a virtuous man like myself, Ling Wuxie, a distinguished individual, ended up being friends with you, such a crafty scoundrel. Why? Why? Gods! Earth! Reveal to me what is wrong with me. Tell me why I perpetually place my trust in you..."

Master Bai remained silent, glaring fiercely at Ling Wuxie.

[What on earth? Crafty? How am I crafty? I'm just somewhat more astute than you, more sagacious! Aren't I? Do I need you to place your trust in me forever? Even if you want to, I won't... Fine, I trust you too, but can't we phrase it differently!!!]

If a deathly gaze could kill, Ling Wuxie should have perished many times over, dismembered into pieces.

"Wuxie, sit down and let's discuss... Brother to brother..." Master Bai massaged his forehead. "There are two issues at hand. First, I caused the turmoil and received divine retribution. I can't fully recover, and these two girls share in my suffering. They're afflicted."

Ling Wuxie replied with indifference, "Why waste words? Who doesn't know? If you hadn't ended up like this, how could Meng Wuzhen have obtained that precious item? How could I have been bullied to this extent? Why would I have needed to come down and request your assistance? Damn it. Every time I get beaten up, I swear I'll punch you to death if I see you. But when I witness your suffering like this, I just can't bring myself to do it!"

He raised his hands in exasperation. "Look at you. I'm powerless to aid you! Divine retribution is inescapable. What can I do?"

"I do have a solution. We can't reverse divine retribution, but the situation can change. There's a man who can remove my curse..." Master Bai recalled the man's face and sighed.

[Darn it. This time... it's going to be so embarrassing.

I set him up so horribly, and now I have to beseech his assistance. I need him to say yes.

I'm sure he'll seize the opportunity and carry me as if he's reached the pinnacle.

I have to ask, is this wretched mess all of my own making? Is it I, Bai Chen, who's responsible for this?]

"What? You have a solution. Did you say that correctly?..." Ling Wuxie shouted in anger, "Are you joking with me? There's a solution, but no problem!"

Master Bai furrowed his brows, rolling his eyes as he gazed at Ling Wuxie. He responded, "I'm certain about the potential for change, but not entirely. Nothing in this world is absolute, especially when it involves the will of the heavens..." He paused briefly, then continued, "The second problem is undeniably challenging. Even if Meng Wuzhen indeed possesses that Heavenly Mystery, returning to my prime won't alter anything. I know my limitations!"

Ling Wuxie circled around Master Bai, his voice taking on an odd tone. "Oh, you claim to understand your limitations? Are you truly Bai Chen? Or perhaps, Master Bai? Third Lord Bai? Third Prince Bai? Hmm? I can't help but feel that you're an impostor. You most certainly can't be Bai Chen!"

Master Bai spoke wearily and let out a sigh. "I mean... Ling Wuxie, it would be truly wonderful... if you could refrain from being so acerbic."

Ling Wuxie's temper flared. "Am I acerbic? Am I the one who's acerbic, or is it you? Hmm?"

He jumped and shouted, but then he abruptly halted and let out another sigh. "That's right. I'm the one who's acerbic! I know, you're right. I truly am! Darn it. I rushed over, upset for your sake, as if I'm a complete fool. You're perfectly fine. You're not worried. You're not doing anything. I'm the one who's acerbic! I'm leaving. To heck with it. I'm going! I'm so acerbic!"

He turned and moved briskly, without pausing.

Master Bai realized that his old friend was genuinely upset this time. He silently approached Ling Wuxie and gently took hold of his arm, offering a wry smile. "Come now. You have such a fiery temper. I haven't even said anything yet... Brother, don't struggle. Don't exert yourself too much; my frail body might fall apart. If you want to see me collapse, you can shove me if you like... I mean, even if I were to regain my prime, what could I do to confront him? What resources do I possess? Don't forget, Meng Wuzhen is a member of the Four Conqueror Clans in the Human Realm Above Heavens. His veins carry the blood of my mother's clan... We're fully aware we can't defeat him. If we recklessly engage him, even though we know we'll lose, aren't we simply inviting more suffering? Everything requires a plan. If we can't defeat him through force, we must outsmart him. We shouldn't attempt things we know will fail."

Ling Wuxie gasped. He didn't resist, but his words were forceful. "Are you truly this afraid of that Heavenly Mystery?"

Master Bai remained silent, his face dark. His silence conveyed the answer quite clearly.

"Don't want to answer? Let me pose another question, then," Ling Wuxie spoke slowly. "If there were no Heavenly Mystery, would you cease to be Bai Chen?"

Master Bai felt a jolt in his heart; it was a piercing warning.

[That's correct. Even if I don't possess the Heavenly Mystery, it doesn't make me any less of myself. I am still Bai Chen, and who could possibly be stronger than me? With it or without it, I'm still me!]

He experienced a revelation, a sensation of being unburdened as if he had just cast off a heavy load.

"To be frank, you're afraid and unwilling to accept it. You feel ashamed..." Ling Wuxie persisted, "Don't deny it. You're ashamed because, after all your efforts, your pursuit slipped into another's hands. You're not content with it. You don't want to confront it. Yes, he's favored by Heaven's Nature, that's undeniable... But in truth, you're merely running away!"