The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 79: A Boat Capsizes In A Calm Sea

A Boat Capsizes In A Calm Sea . . .

The shadow of Mu Cheng-Bai's mysterious death loomed like a cloud over their thoughts, casting a shroud of uncertainty and unease. The unanswered questions hung heavy in the air, leaving them both perplexed.

"Who could be responsible for Mu Cheng-Bai's demise?" the steward pondered aloud, his voice laced with curiosity. "And those three assassins, guards of the Crown Prince's Palace, meeting their end in the bustling west street market – who could have orchestrated such a feat? Yet Cha-Eun Xiao emerged from that market unscathed, seemingly content."

He paused, his brows furrowing as he continued to contemplate the enigma. "It's apparent that the assassins were targeting Cha-Eun Xiao. But the question remains – who is behind their deaths? Mu Cheng-Bai, with his relatively modest cultivation level, could have been dispatched with relative ease. However, these guards from the Crown Prince's Palace were no ordinary cultivators, and they met their end in the blink of an eye. Whoever orchestrated this must have accomplished a remarkable feat."

The steward's gaze fixed upon Cha-Eun Xiao, his initial confusion now replaced by a probing inquiry.

[Does Cha-Eun Xiao possess the capabilities to carry out such actions?]

"Cha-Eun Xiao..." Song Jue addressed his nephew with a tone that conveyed their familial connection. "Have you recently undergone any unusual experiences or circumstances?"

"Unusual experiences?" Cha-Eun Xiao echoed, a touch of bewilderment in his voice. "No, not really."

"But your cultivation has undeniably seen significant improvement," Song Jue pointed out, his expression serious as he scrutinized Cha-Eun Xiao. "You can't deny that, can you?"

Cha-Eun Xiao rubbed his nose and reluctantly conceded the point. There was no denying the marked progress he had made in his cultivation.

He understood that he couldn't deceive someone as astute as Song Jue, especially not in this matter. Any ambiguity or falsehood would only serve to compound the intrigue surrounding him.

"You have indeed made progress," Song Jue acknowledged, showing a hint of approval. "Now, come with me. Let's see what you're truly capable of."

With that, Song Jue led Cha-Eun Xiao to the backyard, issuing orders to the guards to seal off the area. The transformation was swift – what was once a tranquil backyard now became a secure arena, impenetrable even to the most agile of flies.

In the secluded setting of the backyard, Song Jue adopted a posture of a seasoned cultivator, exuding an air of authority. He encouraged Cha-Eun Xiao to unleash his full strength, exclaiming, "Don't hold back. Give it your all."

Unbeknownst to Song Jue, Cha-Eun Xiao was grappling with his own thoughts. He pondered whether it was time to reveal a glimpse of his true capabilities to assuage their concerns and offer them a measure of relief. However, he was also aware of the profound chasm that separated his strength from that of Song Jue. Revealing the full extent of his power would be tantamount to sending his uncle to the afterlife.

After a moment of contemplation, he decided to reveal a fraction of his true strength, not only to alleviate their concerns but also to demonstrate his loyalty and trustworthiness.

Nodding in acquiescence, he responded, "Very well, Uncle Song. I'll oblige, but please, exercise caution..."

Song Jue's laughter rang out, a hearty sound that filled the backyard. He was clearly amused by the situation and couldn't help but find humor in it. A warm smile played on his lips as he regarded Cha-Eun Xiao, his nephew.

"Kid, don't fret too much. Even if you have the potential to pose a threat to me, you're still more than two decades away from being my equal," Song Jue reassured him, his tone affectionate and paternal.

Cha-Eun Xiao nodded respectfully, his eyes reflecting admiration for his uncle's superior cultivation. "It's evident, Uncle Song, that you are a remarkable cultivator. You've always kept your true strength hidden in our day-to-day interactions. The most exceptional talents are often concealed beneath a humble exterior."

Song Jue acknowledged Cha-Eun Xiao's words with a satisfied nod, and a glint of pride sparkled in his eyes. He was pleased by his nephew's recognition.

"Shall we begin, then?" Song Jue proposed, his demeanor shifting into one of readiness.

"Yes, of course," Cha-Eun Xiao replied, his determination evident.

Without hesitation, Cha-Eun Xiao unleashed a flurry of movements. His body blurred into a whirlwind of motion, leaving only a dim afterimage in his wake.

"Whoosh!" – The sound of his incredible speed filled the air.

In an instant, he stood before Song Jue, a sudden and unexpected presence.

The turn of events took Song Jue entirely by surprise. He could hardly believe what he was witnessing, and his exclamation escaped him before he could think. "What the heck..."

Never in his wildest dreams had Song Jue anticipated that Cha-Eun Xiao possessed such incredible speed and precision in his attacks. The young man had shattered the bounds of time and space, producing a resounding noise that seemed to distort the very fabric of reality.

His initial casual demeanor had led to underestimating his nephew's abilities, and now he found himself in a precarious situation.

Song Jue hastily activated his qi, preparing to defend against the unexpected assault. It was a grave mistake for any seasoned cultivator to underestimate their opponent, and Song Jue had committed this very error.

Yet, his weakened condition, a result of the Golden Mai Palm's relentless toll on his body, hindered his abilities. He currently stood at the ninth level of the Grade of Diyuan, a far cry from his peak strength. Despite his experience and reputation, his casualness had cost him dearly.

Cha-Eun Xiao's attacks came swift and relentless, and Song Jue fought to defend himself with all his might. However, the power behind Cha-Eun Xiao's strikes far exceeded Song Jue's expectations.

The flurry of blows rained down upon Song Jue's chest with remarkable speed and precision. He cried out in shock, "Oh, darn!"

A barrage of strikes, akin to a relentless storm, battered Song Jue's chest with devastating force. The intensity of the blows was beyond anything he had anticipated.

His chest absorbed the onslaught of strikes, and he cried out once more in disbelief, "What the heck was that?"

In a matter of moments, Cha-Eun Xiao had struck his uncle's chest hundreds of times, each blow delivering a staggering force.

The outcome of their impromptu contest became abundantly clear.

Cha-Eun Xiao gracefully touched the ground, his movements fluid and composed. He swept his sleeves with an air of nonchalance and stood still, awaiting the verdict of their exchange.

"Whoosh!" – Song Jue was forcefully propelled backward, propelled by the sheer force of Cha-Eun Xiao's assault. He collided with the wall, his body impacting the surface with a thunderous crash.

Stunned and bewildered, Song Jue hung on the wall for a moment, sprawled out as if crucified. Eventually, he began to slide down, his body uncoiling like a snake as he tumbled to the ground.

A perplexed expression filled Song Jue's features as he gazed at his nephew, his mouth agape in astonishment. He stammered, "Wha... what... what just happened? You, you, you..."

After a brief bout of stuttering, he coughed and struggled to his feet. His gaze remained fixed on Cha-Eun Xiao as though he were gazing upon a mythical creature.

Song Jue couldn't comprehend what he had just witnessed. Cha-Eun Xiao's extraordinary strength had taken him entirely by surprise.

[What was that?

I was merely demonstrating a stance to test his skills, and he launched an attack that sent me tumbling like dry leaves in the wind.

I didn't even have time to react.]

Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't help but find the situation both embarrassing and amusing. He chuckled and extended a hand to help his uncle, Song Jue, to his feet. With a warm smile, he attempted to ease the tension of the moment.

"Uncle Song, I must admit, that was quite the spectacle, wasn't it?" Cha-Eun Xiao remarked, his laughter reflecting the camaraderie they shared. "They say 'a boat capsizes in a calm sea,' but what happened here was more like a colossal ship losing its balance."

Song Jue couldn't help but join in the laughter, appreciating his nephew's sense of humor and ability to make light of the situation. "You certainly know how to keep things interesting, Xiao Xiao," he replied warmly.

With genuine concern, Cha-Eun Xiao inquired, "Uncle Song, are you alright? My newly acquired martial art, the Thunder Thousand Palm, packs quite a punch. Did it hurt?"

Blushing slightly and adjusting his stance, Song Jue replied, "I must confess, I was caught off guard. My lack of preparation was the main reason for my... ahem, ungraceful tumble. You see, I let my guard down on purpose to give you a chance to shine."

Chuckling, Cha-Eun Xiao nodded in agreement. "Of course, Uncle Song. We both know who you are—no need to be modest. You were merely giving me the chance to boost my confidence, and I appreciate it."

Song Jue cleared his throat, his cheeks still tinged with a rosy hue, an unusual occurrence for him in recent decades. "Indeed, you have remarkable potential, Xiao Xiao. Your abilities are far from ordinary. You've made quite an impression."

As they continued their conversation, Song Jue couldn't help but wonder where he had heard of the Thunder Thousand Palm before. He mentally retraced his memories, searching for the elusive connection. However, before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, Cha-Eun Xiao diverted the conversation.

"Uncle Song, how about I walk you back to the house?" Cha-Eun Xiao suggested.

Song Jue, appreciative of his nephew's concern, shook his head with a warm smile. "No need, my boy. I can manage just fine. Despite what happened, your capabilities aren't strong enough to harm me."

Cha-Eun Xiao concurred with a grin. "Of course, Uncle Song. It's evident that my skills still have a long way to go."

Song Jue held his head high and continued walking ahead, attempting to maintain his dignified demeanor. "By the way, when did you start training in this martial art?" he inquired, curiosity getting the better of him.

"Not too long ago," Cha-Eun Xiao replied, weaving a well-crafted tale. "I encountered an elderly man during my travels who was in dire need of assistance. After I helped him, he shared some insights into the Thunder Thousand Palm. Sadly, he passed away shortly after imparting his knowledge. It was only then that I realized the potential of this martial art and decided to dedicate myself to mastering it."

Song Jue nodded thoughtfully, his interest piqued. "Extraordinary indeed," he murmured, contemplating the significance of Cha-Eun Xiao's newfound abilities. "You must continue to cultivate this martial art diligently. Given your age, the progress you've made is commendable. Keep up the hard work, and you'll see substantial improvement over time."

With a grateful expression, Cha-Eun Xiao nodded. "Thank you, Uncle Song. I'll heed your advice and work tirelessly to improve my skills. Your guidance means the world to me."