The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 674: Commander Cha Eun Xiao

Commander Cha Eun Xiao . . .

Upon laying eyes on the abrupt royal decree, Song Jue barely had time to begin cursing the king when he realized his nephew, Cha Eun Xiao, had been well-prepared and was, in fact, anticipating it.

"You're going?" Song Jue fixed Cha Eun Xiao with a searching gaze.

"No," Cha Eun Xiao replied in a resolute tone, "Not just me. We are going."

Song Jue stumbled back in disbelief and exclaimed, "This is a battle, you know! You have no understanding of such matters. Do you think it's a game? No matter how accomplished you may think you are, the battlefield will tear you to shreds. Do you comprehend the gravity of the situation?"

"I do," Cha Eun Xiao responded with a smile. "I may not be as strong as I would like, but I have you. As long as you're by my side, I fear nothing."

This response infuriated Song Jue.

"Uncle Song," Cha Eun Xiao stated with solemnity, "I have my reasons for going to battle. Moreover, my father has already completed his mission in the north. He could leave at any time. However, with the Kingdom of Chen still beset by internal and external problems, he won't abandon the kingdom in its current state. I need to eliminate the last issue that concerns him—resolving the conflict in the west."

"The west alone?" Song Jue harrumphed. "What about the east? Your father-in-law is fighting there. Don't you wish to lend him a hand? And what of the south? Can you leave Lan Langlang hanging like that?"

"The east and south should have already been resolved. If not, I will not interfere unless absolutely necessary," Cha Eun Xiao explained with a smile. "Soldiers only realize their true value on the battlefield. In the absence of external foes, internal strife brews within the kingdom. Soldiers are ill-equipped to quell internal unrest. Prince Hua-Yang's renown may overshadow the king's influence, so external adversaries are essential to curtail his actions. The same principle applies to the south."

"Furthermore, I am in a crucial stage of cultivation. I am one step away from breaking through to Spirit Origin Stage from Sky Origin Stage! But I have no peers here," Cha Eun Xiao said, casting a despondent look at Song Jue. "There were two great sects, but somebody obliterated them so thoroughly... The assassins of Boundless Lake decided to leave behind their martial world to pursue wealth... Look at me now. I yearn for a life-and-death battle, a moment of enlightenment that can only be found on the battlefield. However, such an opportunity eludes me in this realm."

Song Jue was unimpressed. [Is that your reason?]

The disappearance of the two great sects weighed heavily on Cha Eun Xiao's mind. They had represented a significant threat to him, and he had hoped to use them as a crucible to hone his skills. Yet, he had been mistaken about their true nature. They were not mere honing tools; they were a grave danger.

They had sent individuals from the Qing-Yun Realm, formidable enough to take Cha Eun Xiao's life in an instant. If not for the East-rising Purple Qi, Brother Egg, or the Golden Soul Tower, he would have perished long ago.

This had been a valuable lesson for Cha Eun Xiao. He had gained much insight since his rebirth. He had ascended from the lowest rungs, drawing on his previous life's experiences to advance himself. Yet, there were still blind spots in his knowledge.

[There is no such thing as absolute certainty; unexpected incidents can always occur. I mustn't be stubborn,] Cha Eun Xiao cautioned himself. [I had wanted to use them as a whetstone, but they aimed to be more than just that... They were too formidable and threatened to shatter the blade, ending its existence!]

[Who... Who eradicated the two sects? Was it Bing-Er?] Cha Eun Xiao smiled. [Her memories have returned, and she might be as potent as she once was. However, I detected no fluctuations of energy there... She must be much stronger than she was when she was with me, but the task would still be too challenging.]

[So then, who was it?] Cha Eun Xiao couldn't think of anyone else. [Did someone from Bing-Er's clan come to assist?]

The answer eluded him, leaving him with a perplexing mystery.

"Are there any other reasons for this decision?" Song Jue inquired.

"Certainly. I have received reliable information. We must leave the Land of Han-Yang within three months!" Cha Eun Xiao stated with gravity. "The tunnel will be sealed, making it impossible to traverse between realms. Once sealed, those who remain in this world but do not belong will be eradicated!"

"The rule of the firmament is unchangeable," Cha Eun Xiao stated somberly. "I may be able to ascend to the upper realm by reaching Spirit Origin Stage from Sky Origin Stage. That's a natural progression. But both you and Father must leave before that happens. In fact, I encouraged Bing-Er to cultivate because I wanted us all to ascend together. I don't want any trouble to occur here while you're all gone."

"Are you certain the tunnels will be sealed?" Song Jue asked with growing concern.

As a high-level Dream Origin Stage cultivator, he fully comprehended the implications.

This meant a cleanup of all forces that exceeded the realm's limitations. If the Almighty Nature recognized an individual as a balance breaker, they would vanish, removing powerful cultivators from where they didn't belong. Those who stayed in the lower realm with power beyond its confines would have both their physical bodies and souls erased.

"We must act quickly! Let's complete our tasks and depart as soon as possible!" Song Jue implored, breaking into a sweat. He added, "I'll make some arrangements and write a letter to your father. He needs to be informed of this serious matter. Right, bring the Blood Guards with us!"

Without waiting for Cha Eun Xiao's response, he hurried away.

Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but think, [So even Uncle Song can be terrified...]

...

Lord Cha, dressed in white robes with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, sat in the commander's chair. He appeared every bit the great general.

It was the third day following the announcement of the decree, and the day of their departure for battle. With one hundred thousand royal soldiers under Cha Eun Xiao's command, they represented the last line of defense for the capital. The king had placed his trust in this force.

The Kingdom of Lan-Feng was rapidly advancing towards the center of the Kingdom of Chen. There was no time for a formal ceremony.

Cha Eun Xiao took the commander's seal and held the commander's sword. He was now the commander of the army.

"Commander, we await your inspiring words!" A necessary ritual before battle was to receive the commander's address.

Cha Eun Xiao didn't hesitate. He stood up and leaped high into the air, landing on top of a flagpole.

His actions left the king and officials feeling awkward.

[What is he doing?]

[Why is he standing on the commander's flag?]

[That's the most important symbol!]

[Throughout history, no one dared to set foot on the commander's flag.]

[It's a taboo!]

[And yet, he just jumped up on it, that young upstart!]

[What's he trying to prove?]