The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 30: A Shadowy Assassin Lurking in the Night

A Shadowy Assassin Lurking in the Night . . .

"Erh?" Cha-Eun Xiao was taken aback. When he opened his eyes, Su Ye-Yue had vanished from sight. He could only hear her bashful voice, "Little Soya! Let's go! Let's escape from the sweet-talking man's house..."

She had successfully slipped away from his grasp.

As he overheard the guards conversing, the words were unintelligible, and then they ceased speaking. Cha-Eun Xiao rubbed his head and mumbled, "Why did she suddenly turn shy and leave... What's bothering her?"

Perplexed, he continued, "Oh, women... Their thoughts are truly enigmatic..."

The steward hurried over, noticing Su Ye-Yue's absence. He sighed in relief and caught hold of Cha's arm. "My lord! Members of the Mu clan have reached the capital's entrance! They are conducting a blood sacrifice outside the south gate. It is said that... They are displaying 77 white flags and 22 blood flags in total!"

Cha was bewildered. "Blood sacrifice? White flags? Blood flags? What on earth are those?"

The steward was so agitated that he stomped his foot in frustration before explaining, "You don't know? It's a 'ninety-nine'! The 77 white flags symbolize mourning, while the 22 blood flags signify their unwavering determination! Altogether, there are 99 flags, signifying their refusal to compromise! Regardless of how long it takes, they are resolute in their stance!"

Rolling his eyes, Cha quipped, "So what?"

The steward was left speechless by Cha's response.

Cha stretched lazily. "Time for bed... Phrases like 'unwilling to give up' sound rather ominous. I'm quite frightened, so I'll sleep to escape from reality."

Staring at his young master's nonchalant departure, the steward felt his mind in turmoil. He contemplated disavowing their relationship and giving Cha a good thrashing, but before he could make a decision, Cha had already closed the door in his face. Soon, the mansion echoed with the sound of snoring.

"I am truly..." The steward couldn't find the words to complete his sentence. He was deeply worried, but there was nothing he could do, so he stomped his feet in frustration and left.

...

The night grew deeper, and the steward remained wide awake.

The capital was enveloped in an atmosphere of tension.

Yet, unbeknownst to anyone, within an expansive bamboo forest, a man with keen eyes observed the capital in silence.

It appeared that all the birds in the capital were converging on this forest to build their nests. From every direction, birds flocked to the bamboo forest. The typically quiet bamboo grove had become unusually noisy.

The man in white waved his hand silently, and the birds gathered in the sky above him. Instead of continuing to fly, they perched on his hand, one after another, leaving behind small wax beads.

"Master, you should rest. Allow Xiu-Er and me to handle this," a girl in white approached softly, speaking in hushed tones.

"I'd rather handle it myself when I'm able," the man in white replied with a gentle smile. "Wan-Er, both of you must be exhausted after all these years. Take some time to relax. Don't worry. A task as simple as this won't wear me out. Besides, doing some work is a form of training for me. It's beneficial."

Wan-Er beamed, her eyes filled with affection. "As long as you're with us, we won't feel tired. I understand your dedication to practice, but your well-being... We worry about you."

The man in white wore a serene smile. "It's my inevitable destiny. Everything will be fine; I just need to overcome it. This time is actually the ideal opportunity for me to refine myself. It pertains to my ultimate mission in the future. Don't fret; I'll be alright. I've long come to terms with it... truly!"

"Alright," Wan-Er responded with a gentle smile, draping a pure white cotton cloak over him that she had brought along.

As she prepared to depart, the man in white lowered his voice, sharing a cryptic question, "Wan-Er, have you ever found the name 'Cha Eun Xiao' peculiar?"

"Peculiar?" Wan-Er furrowed her brow, puzzled by his inquiry. She found the term he used even more unusual – 'peculiar.'

"You might not be aware of it, but this name is quite intriguing," the man in white spoke contemplatively, a hint of distant musing in his tone. "What a missed opportunity..."

His eyes shifted upwards, gazing into the distant sky through the bamboo trees. After a protracted silence, he sighed deeply. "What a missed opportunity."

"A missed opportunity?" Wan-Er remained perplexed, her crystal-clear eyes wide open.

However, the man halted his reverie, immersing himself in the information before him.

"The first storm will soon arrive in the capital... It will also be the first storm of my life..." he murmured, a sense of loneliness seeping from deep within him. An icy chill enveloped him, a coldness born of standing atop the world, a coldness no one else could endure.

Turning to Wan-Er, he said, "Instruct the Nine Black-dressers to monitor every move within the General's House. If anything goes awry, ensure they take any necessary action."

Wan-Er swiftly nodded and took her leave.

...

Tonight, the city should have been bustling with activity.

Numerous individuals were entering Chen-Xing City through every conceivable entrance.

People from martial sects, independent cultivators, and powerful figures from far and wide were all quietly converging on the city.

Security at Cha's residence had been significantly reinforced. Following the departure of the princess, eight guards arrived from the Palace of Hua-Yang, seamlessly integrating into the existing security detail.

The steward had taken thorough precautions, even bringing with him a peculiar knife, which had caught the attention of the 36 blood guards. These typically stoic individuals exchanged glances, finding themselves unusually stirred by the sight of the knife. For them, who rarely displayed emotions, this night promised to be an exceptional one, as they hadn't laid eyes on the God-Slayer's Knife in many years. Tonight held the promise of something extraordinary.

As night descended, the sky grew darker, enveloping the entire capital in an unusual shroud of darkness imbued with an unsettling heaviness that seemed to permeate every corner.

Even the common citizens sensed the foreboding atmosphere in the air, prompting them to shutter their windows and retire to their beds early. The royal guards, despite their ignorance of the exact events unfolding, remained vigilant, as if anticipating a formidable threat.

Finally, the clock struck midnight, and silence blanketed Cha's room. The once audible snores had ceased, suggesting deep slumber.

The steward couldn't help but sigh, muttering to himself, "He sleeps like the dead. Is he an experienced general, unperturbed, or a heartless rascal? Goodness…"

The young lord remained an enigma to him. At times, he displayed remarkable composure and astuteness, while at others, he simply behaved like a frivolous and clueless youth—a complete fool.

High above, the wind howled eerily, and the steward stood on the roof, observing figures soaring through the night sky. These figures prominently wore white belts, gleaming even amidst the darkness.

Squinting, the steward couldn't help but find the stark white color to be uncomfortably conspicuous. Although the crown prince had temporarily halted the throne competition, he had granted the Mu clan autonomy in handling Cha's situation, thereby creating further complications for the Cha clan.

The Mu clan's actions seemed irrational. They cared not for Cha's guilt or innocence in the murder of Mu Cheng-Bai. Their singular objective was to eliminate Cha Xiao tonight, logic and reason be damned.

Their resolve to do so was unwavering and, to the steward's bewilderment, they were actively moving forward with their plan on this very night.

The steward's fury was palpable, and the approaching figures only intensified his anger. The Mu clan, having occupied a lofty position for so long, treated others as insignificant ants, ready to be crushed without remorse.

From all cardinal directions—east, south, west, and north—two figures each were closing in, soon to set foot on the boundary wall of General Cha's residence.

With urgency, the steward shouted, "Identify yourselves! Halt, all of you! Trespassing onto the General's House is strictly forbidden!"

A mocking laugh echoed from the west as a man spoke, "Where is the dandy lad? Summon him forth to meet his imminent demise! We shall consider this a late-night snack." Harsh laughter punctuated the air, a sound that pierced through the General's Cha's home.

For the Mu clan, one of the eight noble clans, confronting a general's family was child's play. They harbored no respect for their adversaries. These individuals might not constitute the Mu clan's main force, as the Cha clan didn't pose a significant threat. Nevertheless, they were more than capable of playing the role of bullies in the capital.

The steward seethed with anger, his voice cold as ice. "You've come for a late-night feast, haven't you? But you must understand, the fare in our establishment requires robust teeth. It would be a pity if you left with your teeth shattered!"

One man retorted with a sneer, "My teeth are as strong as steel. A mere Northern General's House poses no challenge. What could possibly break my teeth?" He signaled his companions and commanded, "Move! Let's partake in our meal!"

"Yes!" The other seven men replied in unison.

In an instant, the seven figures transformed into seven streaks of swordlight, swiftly darting toward the house.

The steward's eyes widened, and he urgently shouted, "Stop them!"

The 36 blood guards, who had been poised for action, acknowledged the steward and prepared to take flight, gearing up for a bloody confrontation.

Their adversaries hailed from the renowned Mu clan. Though not the clan's elite force, they were formidable fighters. The steward and the guards harbored deep apprehensions about the impending battle, but none considered retreat an option.

However, what transpired next left everyone in stunned disbelief.