The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 932: Babyish Golden Hawk

Babyish Golden Hawk . . .

Cha Eun Xiao persisted in his request to the hawk.

The hawk deliberated for an extended period, attempting to convey its feelings of helplessness. [It's not that I'm unwilling to let you touch my head. It's just that I am, after all, a king... I have my dignity to uphold... I can't permit you to touch my head... I am powerless in this matter...]

Regrettably, Cha Eun Xiao couldn't comprehend a single word of the hawk's musings. Even if he could, he might have feigned ignorance. Observing the hawk shake its head again, he turned away, signaling his intention to depart unless his request was met. [I don't care what reasons you have. I'm leaving unless you allow me to touch your head...]

The hawk detained him once more, its eyes becoming tinged with red, and it vigorously shook its head and emitted cries.

Undeterred, Cha Eun Xiao adopted an increasingly assertive stance. "Are you going to let me or not? No? Are you sure?..."

The cycle repeated over a dozen times. The hawk remained fixated on the enticing red blood bead, its aroma tantalizing. Finally, it relented, lowering its head.

"Can I touch you now?"

The hawk cooed softly, as if seeking a truce.

"Stop with the cooing. Nod or shake your head!" Cha Eun Xiao insisted.

The hawk, its eyes still reflecting reluctance, gradually nodded.

Cha Eun Xiao was overjoyed. [I've finally succeeded!] He extended his hand toward the hawk's head.

Instinctively, the hawk recoiled, keeping its head out of reach.

This provoked Cha Eun Xiao's frustration, leading him to turn away abruptly.

The hawk rushed to block his path. Cha Eun Xiao altered his direction, and the hawk blocked him again. It was clear he was signaling, [I'm done playing this game!]

At last, the hawk relented. When it intercepted Cha Eun Xiao for the final time, it moved close and thrust its head into Cha Eun Xiao's arms. [Come on, Boss. I'm allowing you to touch my head. I'll present my head to you, and you can touch it any way you like. Satisfied now?]

But Cha Eun Xiao refrained from touching it. No matter where he went, the hawk followed, offering its head to him. He moved away, and the hawk kept pace.

Cha Eun Xiao was resolute. His hands hung idly by his sides as though they were paralyzed. He wouldn't budge to touch the hawk.

It was an unmistakable message: [So what if you've decided to let me touch you now? Just because you want it doesn't mean I have to comply...]

The hawk grew frustrated. [Why is this man so stubborn?]

[He pleaded to touch me, but I couldn't allow it. Fine. Now I've decided to let him, and I'm practically begging him. Yet he refuses...]

[If he won't touch me, does that mean I can't have that delicious morsel anymore?]

As they continued this dance of movement and hesitation, the hawk suddenly brightened up. Cha Eun Xiao moved away again, and the hawk blocked his path but refrained from offering its head. Instead, it directed itself toward Cha Eun Xiao's right hand, rubbing its head against it twice in quick succession.

Cha Eun Xiao was taken aback. [What's going on? Are you trying to distort the truth now? You initiated that without me! How can you do that?] ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ (f)ir(e).nᴇt

[What an unsportsmanlike bird!]

The hawk had, at last, experienced being "touched." It let out an excited cry, as though it had won a hard-fought battle. "Coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo," it chanted, like a triumphant champion.

[Hahahahaha... I've finally been "touched"...]

[It's done! You can't deny it!]

Cha Eun Xiao was left speechless.

[I can't believe this.]

He gazed at the hawk as if it were saying to him, "I've been touched. You've had your fun. Now it's my turn..." The expression on the hawk's face was evidently clear. Cha Eun Xiao wished he could simply pass out immediately.

The conqueror of the sky, the king with dignity, the hawk that wouldn't let anyone touch its head, was now brimming with joy because it had been "touched"...

That experience was nothing short of astonishing. Cha Eun Xiao contemplated how unpredictability could reign supreme in the world.

After some time, Cha Eun Xiao found himself perched on a massive rock, his expression solemn. The contrast was striking because, despite the gravity of the situation, he still sported the remnants of his tattered clothing, which gave him a somewhat comical appearance.

The hawk stood by his side, its head shaking with apparent contentment. After a brief moment, Cha Eun Xiao extended one hand and held it in mid-air. Swiftly, the hawk moved its head to make it appear as though it was being touched by the hand, all while the hand itself remained motionless.

However, with each head movement of the hawk, a crimson blood bead magically materialized in the hand – a tantalizing sight. Its vibrant red hue, irresistible scent, and delectable allure made the moment truly joyous.

The hawk reveled in this experience, savoring every bit of it. After prolonged communication, and perhaps some gentle persuasion or threats, their relationship had taken a significant turn for the better.

The hawk stood proudly next to a colossal rock while Cha Eun Xiao leaned against it, finding warmth and comfort. The bitter chill seemed to have no effect on him. The hawk's rhythmic breathing, its belly gently rising and falling, provided additional warmth. Its enormous wings acted as a protective shield, enveloping Cha Eun Xiao.

Erhuo had now emerged from the Space, and when Erhuo and the hawk exchanged looks, Cha Eun Xiao detected something unusual. Erhuo half-closed its eyes while the hawk cocked its head slightly. Erhuo shot the hawk a look of disdain, and the hawk responded with an arrogant cry. Erhuo then sauntered over to the hawk with an air of elegance, raising its paws and gesturing in the air. The hawk appeared to hesitate but didn't move.

Erhuo extended its paws again, and the hawk let out a sad cry before lowering its head.

Erhuo then leaped onto the hawk in a display of vigor and arrogance.

Cha Eun Xiao sensed that something significant had just occurred, but the nature of their exchange eluded him.

"Meow, meow?" Erhuo inquired. "Little one, how old are you? How many years have passed since your birth? What's your age?"

"Coo, coo, coo..." The hawk responded. "I am seventeen. May I respectfully ask, how old are you?"

"Meow, meow, meow..." Erhuo exuded an air of arrogance. "Well, you possess excellent manners! I am old enough to be your ancestor!"

"Coo, coo..." The hawk retorted. "Greetings, Ancestor!"

"Meow..." Erhuo slumped down, displaying an expression of embarrassment. [Heavens, this little one is truly sincere and guileless... How can you trust everything people tell you... It's unfair to take advantage of such a naive bird!]

Erhuo then proceeded to walk on the hawk, occasionally discovering sizable lice which it promptly dispatched. Cha Eun Xiao was astonished to find so many of these parasites infesting the otherwise elegant and powerful golden hawk.

Erhuo, who had a penchant for cleanliness, couldn't fathom how the hawk had tolerated such infestation. It regarded the hawk with a disdainful expression. "How could you be so filthy? How can you allow these lice to infest you? I can't comprehend how you've endured this. I look down upon you so much..."

The hawk hung its head humbly. "I'm helpless in that regard. My beak can't reach those places..."

Erhuo continued with an air of condescension, "Don't make excuses for your impurity. That's simply unacceptable. I can't even communicate with you!"

The hawk, appearing somewhat bewildered, let out a series of coos. "Impurity? Unacceptable? Can't communicate? I don't quite grasp it, but they sound so exclusive!"

Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but observe that the hawk possessed incredible strength, but its innocence and naivety made it seem as if it had never truly experienced the world.