The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 600: Heavens Aren’t Blind!

Heavens Aren't Blind! . . .

The atmosphere thickened as Cha Eun Xiao's hand became the epicenter of a dramatic transformation. The fog in the air gathered and surged towards him, swiftly coalescing into a colossal hand.

Though Cha Eun Xiao's hand remained stationary, the rapidly coalescing fog molded itself into a substantial form. Guan Zhengwen found himself immobilized within the grasp of this spectral palm, with no room for escape.

The emergence of the colossal hand effectively confined the two of them, closing off all avenues for retreat. Guan Zhengwen had only one option left – to confront Cha Eun Xiao head-on.

His eyes blazed with determination. In an instant, he extended his hand towards Cha Eun Xiao, his movements sinuous like a serpent.

Bone Melting Palm!

This was the lethal and sinister palm technique that had nearly claimed Cha Eun Xiao's life. At least, that was what Guan Zhengwen believed.

However, Cha Eun Xiao regarded the situation with an indifferent smile. In a fluid motion, he rolled his hand and delivered a sudden palm strike.

Guan Zhengwen attempted to confound his adversary with over a dozen deceptive hand gestures, but before the fog-engulfed palm could descend upon him, an overpowering pressure akin to a massive mountain crashing down bore upon him. The palm connected directly with his real hand, rendering his array of feints ineffective.

—Boom!—

Upon the collision of the two palms, the fog-shrouded hand erupted, scattering the surrounding mist like dissipating clouds. Cha Eun Xiao had managed to strike Guan Zhengwen's palm a total of ninety-nine times within the span of a mere moment.

Ninety-nine resounding impacts!

Each strike had landed precisely on Guan Zhengwen's palm.

The shock overwhelmed Guan Zhengwen, leaving him in disbelief. What followed was the sound of bones fracturing as he watched his fingers, palm, wrist, and arm undergo a grotesque transformation, akin to a limp, lifeless noodle.

Flesh and bone crumbled into ash.

With a loud exclamation, Guan Zhengwen was sent tumbling away. It was not a voluntary retreat; he had been forcibly propelled.

Guan Zhengwen could only think one thing: "How is this possible?"

In a mere moment, Cha Eun Xiao had discerned the true hand among the myriad phantom palms and eradicated the Bone Melting Palm's power. Within that same instant, he had delivered ninety-nine devastating strikes to Guan Zhengwen's hand.

The fog continued to disperse, but Guan Zhengwen's arm was beyond salvation.

Cha Eun Xiao's attack had extended far beyond a simple retaliation against Guan Zhengwen's assault. Guan Zhengwen now believed that Cha Eun Xiao possessed a palm art of tremendous power, based on the damage inflicted.

Terror coursed through Guan Zhengwen. Despite his reluctance to accept it, he knew it was the most plausible explanation.

"Do not be so astonished," Cha Eun Xiao stated calmly. "This is not a specialized palm technique. What I demonstrated is not particularly significant. Once perfected, it could deliver a thousand strikes instantaneously, which is why it is referred to as the Thousand Strikes Palm."

His white attire billowed in the air, and he appeared almost ghostly. Advancing toward Guan Zhengwen, he said, "Naturally, it is not restricted to a single point of impact. It can target any part of your body – a thousand strikes to a single location or a thousand different locations; both are achievable."

Guan Zhengwen's face drained of color as he trembled, regarding Cha Eun Xiao as if he were a demon.

Cha Eun Xiao spoke matter-of-factly, "While I may be younger than you, it does not follow that I must be weaker. Regrettably, I must inform you that you are gravely mistaken. Now, let me offer you a merciful solution: end your own life."

"End my own life?" Guan Zhengwen panted heavily, his countenance etched with despair. He suddenly let out a resounding cry and launched himself like a projectile.

However, even as he surged forward, a white figure streaked forth, intercepting him. Cha Eun Xiao stood before him, his cold gaze locked on Guan Zhengwen.

"Well then, given your aversion to a dignified demise, I suppose I should unveil my fist technique as well."

Suddenly, Guan Zhengwen's chest bore the brunt of a series of continuous blows, akin to the resounding rhythm of a drumbeat. His internal organs quaked incessantly in response to the relentless strikes. His body was sent reeling backwards, beyond his control.

He was powerless to mount a defense.

When he attempted to shield himself with his left hand, three consecutive punches descended, shattering his entire left arm.

"Allow me to introduce you to my kicking technique," Cha Eun Xiao declared with a grim smile, a sense of finality in his words. "After this, you won't have another chance to witness it. Brace yourself for the rest of your life."

—Bang!—

In an instant, like a whirlwind, Cha Eun Xiao's kick struck Guan Zhengwen's chest. It was so swift that there was virtually no indication of his foot's movement, yet the damage inflicted on the chest was substantial.

"This is the One Kick Before Hell, a technique that once sent shockwaves throughout the entire Qing-Yun Realm," Cha Eun Xiao announced as Guan Zhengwen was sent hurtling like a kite whose string had been severed.

Guan Zhengwen plummeted to the ground, blood seeping from his eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. The injuries he sustained were severe. Attempting to open his eyes, he realized that the impact of the kick had propelled him back to his original position. He couldn't fathom how Cha Eun Xiao had managed to control his power so precisely.

It became apparent that not all elderly individuals possessed higher levels of skill, and age did not guarantee greater proficiency. Guan Zhengwen's wry smile emerged as he struggled to rise.

His two arms hung limp, resembling noodles. He couldn't raise them, let alone move them. Lowering his gaze, he was met with the sight of two feet before him, the white robe still fluttering in his field of vision.

Raising his eyes in surprise, Guan Zhengwen encountered the elegant visage of Cha Eun Xiao. His countenance was otherworldly in its beauty, as if it did not belong to the mortal realm. His eyes were as cold as an icy mountain.

"Do you know what you're feeling right now?" Cha Eun Xiao inquired, his eyes growing colder. "It's the exact sensation one experiences when struck by the Bone Melting Palm. You become immobilized, your bones melt away. Five years ago, Li Yunsong, Minister Li of the Penalty Ministry, an honorable and just man, perished in his own home with his bones liquefied. The murderer remained at large. Four years ago... Three years ago, the Royal Concubine Wu's bodyguard met the same fate, bones reduced to a viscous state. The murderer escaped. Afterward, she was violated by the Crown Prince and coerced into becoming his informant. One year ago..."

Cha Eun Xiao detailed all of Guan Zhengwen's transgressions, each sentence laden with an increasing chill. "Guan Zhengwen, it's time for you to confess. If you truly managed to amass substantial influence within the court, then the heavens must be utterly blind."

"But the heavens aren't blind," Cha Eun Xiao concluded with a sardonic smile, "because I am here."