The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 707: Disclaim!

Disclaim! . . .

She fixed Cha Eun Xiao with a cold, unyielding gaze. Her words dripped with a tone of calculated accusation as she spoke slowly, "You've allowed yourself to be ridiculed as a foolish young lord, yet you've quietly established a formidable empire that has sent shockwaves throughout the world. Your true identity and capabilities remain unrecognized by most. It's not a great leap to assume that the son of the great Cha Nantian couldn't possibly be a complete simpleton. Cha Eun Xiao, you've been hiding your true self quite effectively."

Cha Eun Xiao chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "You've only scratched the surface. I'm not just a dan-maker; I'm also a skilled physician. In this world, you always need to keep a few aces up your sleeve. Revealing everything you possess to the world is akin to exposing yourself to danger."

At the mention of "physician," Wenren Chuchu blushed, her thoughts involuntarily drifting to the day when her clothes had been removed, and he had touched her to administer treatment. She still vividly felt the sensation of a large, warm hand against her soft belly. Her mind wandered, and she tuned out the rest of Cha Eun Xiao's explanation of his "ace cards."

"Physician... Humph," she retorted as she refocused on the conversation. "Who would have known that the unremarkable face of Feng Monarch concealed such depths. It's truly unexpected."

Cha Eun Xiao raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's wrong with that? Aren't I handsome?"

Wenren Chuchu felt her annoyance grow. "Handsome, my foot!"

He had seen her in a vulnerable state, and she had not known his true identity until this moment. His question about his appearance was audacious. Wenren Chuchu demonstrated remarkable self-restraint; otherwise, her sword might have found its way to him.

Cha Eun Xiao laughed heartily, not taking her irritation to heart.

Wenren Chuchu found herself increasingly flustered. She had only just confirmed that he was indeed Feng Monarch, the man she had been familiar with for some time. Although he looked entirely different now, she was certain he was Feng Zhiling.

However, she felt somewhat overwhelmed. "It's you. It was always you," she finally sighed.

"Exactly," Cha Eun Xiao responded with a smile. "I suppose it doesn't come as too much of a surprise to you."

Wenren Chuchu nodded, her thoughts still muddled.

The revelation didn't shock her. She had been aware that Feng Zhiling had been wearing a false facade all along and would eventually reveal his true self. He had even undergone a physical transformation. For her, as a cultivator from Qing-Yun Realm, it wasn't particularly astonishing. Nevertheless, she realized that this might be hard to fathom for people in the Land of Han-Yang.

After a moment, her composure returned, and she exuded an air of strength and resilience. "I mean, you've achieved so much in Ling-Bao Hall. Why involve yourself in this war? Do you not realize you've already risen above all the kingdoms of the world? Ling-Bao Hall is an independent force. Why come here? Why trouble yourself with conflicts that are beneath you?"

She genuinely struggled to comprehend his motives. To her, Feng Zhiling, or rather, Cha Eun Xiao now, occupied an even loftier position than she did. She was a princess in the Kingdom of Lan-Feng and a member of a top sect in Qing-Yun Realm. Due to her high regard for him, she couldn't fathom why he would make such a choice.

"People in different positions have different perspectives, views, and responsibilities," Cha Eun Xiao replied earnestly. "The world is in turmoil. What we must do now is quell the chaos and restore peace for the sake of the people."

Wenren Chuchu scoffed at his words. "What a grand dream. Do you want to be a hero? Do you even believe the words you've just spoken?"

Cha Eun Xiao, displaying a profound sense of purpose, declared, "It matters not whether I believe in it or not, nor whether you do. What holds significance is that I stand here in the present. In the name of a peaceful world and the lives of its inhabitants, I will exert every effort to restore happiness to this realm."

Wenren Chuchu was visibly frustrated. His response offered no satisfaction and failed to address her unspoken concerns. Yet, the root of her dissatisfaction wasn't entirely about his evasiveness. It was more about how she felt a profound sense of vulnerability in his presence. Cha Eun Xiao had saved her life not once, but twice, and the burden of that gratitude weighed heavily on her.

She couldn't muster anger towards him; instead, a deep feeling of vulnerability overwhelmed her. "He saved me and faced dire circumstances as a result. I left him at that moment," she thought. Reunited under these unexpected circumstances, her emotions swirled with complexity, punctuated by an overwhelming sense of guilt.

"It seems you're on the verge of transcending the limitations of this world," she observed, her gaze intently focused on Cha Eun Xiao. "All you need is an opportunity, a specific moment, and you'll ascend to Qing-Yun Realm. I know it, and you know it too."

Her tone shifted, laden with confusion as she continued, "Are you departing from this world, which is why you're taking action? Are you seeking to leave your legacy behind in this place?" She paused, a furrow forming on her brow. "Yet, I don't believe that the battlefield is the place where you should be creating your legend. Do you not agree?"

Cha Eun Xiao, fueled by a sense of righteousness, responded with conviction, "Why shouldn't I? As a cultivator, should I not dedicate myself to the world, its people, and my homeland?"

Wenren Chuchu found herself at a loss for words. She silently mused, "Is he out of his mind? Can't he simply speak like a person with their mental faculties intact?"

Cha Eun Xiao was equally perplexed. "You're correct. But I can't reveal the truth. It's my greatest secret, my ultimate ace card. I will never share it with you," he reflected.

"The war has already dragged on under these circumstances," Wenren Chuchu noted, "mainly because of your involvement. Do you genuinely intend to prolong this conflict further? Time is running out for you, isn't it?"

Cha Eun Xiao concurred, his tone grave. "Indeed, it is. Look at the state of affairs now. Do you still wish to persist? My involvement will ultimately determine the outcome, won't it?"

Wenren Chuchu, keenly aware of the nuances in his response, inquired, "It seems your concern isn't just about you. You're suggesting that we, and our men, have limited time as well. Is that your implication?"