The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 97: Anti-tracking!

Anti-tracking! . . .

Ning Bi-Luo, despite standing up, displayed evident signs of physical exhaustion. His legs trembled beneath him, straining to support his weight. It was clear that he had pushed himself to the limits, relying solely on sheer willpower to remain upright. A single step seemed enough to send him crashing to the ground.

In awe of Ning Bi-Luo's resilience, Cha-Eun Xiao took a step forward and steadied him by holding onto his arm. He had no intention of witnessing this tenacious individual succumb to embarrassment, not in his presence.

In a calm tone, Cha-Eun Xiao advised, "There's no need to overexert yourself. It would be quite the jest if you were to tumble and meet your end simply from standing too long. Remember, I've already saved you twice, including this occasion. I'd prefer not to learn that my rescue efforts were in vain."

Ning Bi-Luo raised his gaze, and his eyes grew sharp as recognition dawned. "You? Is it really you?"

"Hush! There's no need to shout so loudly," Cha-Eun Xiao cautioned, his voice barely above a whisper. "Consider the state of your health. Do you truly wish to broadcast your location to all and sundry? Pointing upward, he indicated the rain pouring down around them.

Ning Bi-Luo fell silent but betrayed his excitement through his expression.

[My savior!]

Having faced relentless pursuit and near-death experiences, Ning Bi-Luo now knew without a doubt that Cha-Eun Xiao had twice saved his life. No one else was privy to this knowledge, so when he heard Cha-Eun Xiao's words, the pieces fell into place.

Without delay, Cha-Eun Xiao produced a Pei-Yuan Dan Bead and placed it in Ning Bi-Luo's mouth. Though mildly annoyed by the forced feeding, Ning Bi-Luo yielded to the kindness of his savior, aware that Cha-Eun Xiao had rescued him twice. As the dan bead dissolved in his mouth, a surge of hot qi spread within him, filling him with an indescribable comfort. His dantian, previously devoid of energy, slowly revitalized, gathering and accumulating qi.

Ning Bi-Luo marveled at the sensation. "What is this? It feels incredible."

Cha-Eun Xiao responded matter-of-factly, "Nothing out of the ordinary—a supreme dan bead."

Ning Bi-Luo was astonished yet again, falling into silence.

[With each passing moment, I find myself more indebted to him. Having saved me twice and now bestowing a precious supreme dan bead...]

Contemplating the idea of repaying Cha-Eun Xiao, Ning Bi-Luo realized that the scale of his debt was growing beyond his means.

[His cultivation prowess must be immense. He's clearly stronger than Xiu Of The Heavens. He made the girl leave with just a single word. He exists on a level that surpasses the limitations of this world...]

Cha-Eun Xiao continued to support Ning Bi-Luo as they slowly made their way towards the city. The effects of the Pei-Yuan Dan Bead continued to work within Ning Bi-Luo, his body gradually regaining vitality. While it wasn't enough for combat, it provided him with enough mobility.

Eventually, Cha-Eun Xiao deemed it safe to release his hold on Ning Bi-Luo. The incessant rain showed no sign of abating, falling heavily upon the world.

Taking a moment to ensure their surroundings were secure, they sought refuge in an abandoned shed.

Clearly more at ease standing than sitting, Ning Bi-Luo rested briefly before rising once more. "I'm not one to speak sweetly," he began, "but if you ever require my assistance, don't hesitate to ask. I'll do whatever lies within my capabilities for you."

Cha-Eun Xiao smiled, meeting Ning Bi-Luo's words with a thoughtful gaze. However, he remained silent, prompting Ning Bi-Luo to voice his frustration.

"Are you looking down on me?" Ning Bi-Luo inquired. "Do you believe that I have nothing to offer a man like you?"

With a calm demeanor, Cha-Eun Xiao responded, "No, not at all. I'm simply curious. You're exhausted, and you have the opportunity to rest now. Why choose to stand?"

Ning Bi-Luo fell into a pensive silence before explaining, "It's not a matter of wanting to rest. I'm an assassin. Comfort is a luxury I've learned to live without. As long as I remain standing, I can stay alert. Once I sit and become accustomed to it, laziness might take hold, and standing again won't be the same. So, I've given up 'sitting' and embraced standing as a way of life."

Cha-Eun Xiao nodded approvingly. "That's absolutely true. Your reputation as the No.1 assassin in the Land of Han-Yang is well-deserved."

He paused for a moment before continuing, his tone sincere, "However, I must admit, I don't have any pressing matters for which I require assistance." Standing up, he added matter-of-factly, "Now that you're back on your feet and possess the strength to defend yourself, I believe it's time for me to take my leave."

Ning Bi-Luo was taken aback. He couldn't fathom that on this rainy night, someone had saved him without expecting anything in return. He inquired with astonishment, "You... You saved me without any ulterior motives? Is that true?"

Cha-Eun Xiao fell silent for a moment before responding with his back turned, "Initially, I had a specific purpose in mind. However, when you made it clear that you wouldn't serve anyone... Well, I didn't want to impose on you. Furthermore, having another friend in the martial world can never be a bad thing. There's no need for you to feel indebted."

Before Ning Bi-Luo could fully process his words, Cha-Eun Xiao vanished into the heavy rain. He had contemplated recruiting Ning Bi-Luo, but given Ning Bi-Luo's aversion to servitude, he chose not to press the matter. It was essential not to tarnish the trust between them. Furthermore, Cha-Eun Xiao was well aware of his current weakness. Revealing his true status and strength would lead to awkwardness, as no one from the Cha Clan was currently a match for Ning Bi-Luo.

Believing that Ning Bi-Luo wasn't ungrateful but recognizing that forcing his recruitment would be unwise, Cha-Eun Xiao opted to leave while ensuring that Ning Bi-Luo remembered him.

As Cha-Eun Xiao departed, Ning Bi-Luo watched in silence, his thoughts racing.

"What he wanted was to recruit me..."

"But he gave up when he heard my refusal to serve Xiu Of The Heavens. He simply left without mentioning his own intentions..."

"He's a man of immense pride. He didn't want to burden me, nor did he wish to face embarrassment. So, he chose to leave everything behind."

Ning Bi-Luo contemplated these thoughts but found no definitive answers. He shook his head, acknowledging that he couldn't betray his own will. While he couldn't become Cha-Eun Xiao's servant, he vowed to offer his assistance whenever it was needed.

Swift as an arrow, Ning Bi-Luo dashed into the rain, following the same path as Cha-Eun Xiao. Despite having only regained half of his strength, he remained much more powerful than his savior. Cha-Eun Xiao wasn't in a rush as he headed back to the city, not utilizing his One Laughter in Skyline or Lunisolar Shadow techniques due to his weakened state. Consequently, his progress was relatively slow.

Unbeknownst to Cha-Eun Xiao, Ning Bi-Luo easily detected his presence before they reached the city. The realization struck Ning Bi-Luo with shock and he couldn't help but consider that Cha-Eun Xiao must have known he would follow. It seemed that Cha-Eun Xiao intended to let him catch up.

Despite his conviction that Cha-Eun Xiao outmatched him, Ning Bi-Luo was surprised that Cha-Eun Xiao hadn't turned his back and fled.

The surprise didn't end there for Ning Bi-Luo. As Cha-Eun Xiao approached the city gates of Chen-Xing City, he did something that left Ning Bi-Luo utterly bewildered. Just before leaping over the tall and imposing city wall, Cha-Eun Xiao took a deep breath.

Raindrops splattered against Ning Bi-Luo's face as he watched in astonishment. He couldn't fathom the need for Cha-Eun Xiao to take a breath before jumping over a mere wall. This act raised more questions than answers in Ning Bi-Luo's mind.

"Why would he need to take a breath for such a simple leap? It's just a wall. I didn't need to take a breath to do the same... in fact, it seemed like he needed it much more than I did," Ning Bi-Luo pondered, his confusion growing. "Is he hiding his true capabilities? But from whom? And if he wasn't hiding anything, what gave him the courage to rescue me from Xiu Of The Heavens?"

Ning Bi-Luo's mind raced with these perplexing questions as he grappled with the enigma that was Cha-Eun Xiao. Memories of the first time Cha-Eun Xiao had come to his rescue flooded back.

It had been a day when he was pursued relentlessly by Boundless Lord's henchmen, his body grievously wounded. Desperate to escape, he had relied on numerous healing martial techniques to mend his injuries. After successfully fending off his pursuers, he had attempted to slip away discreetly. Yet, they had still managed to track him down.