A Complete Mishap . . .
Wan-Er furrowed her brow, mulling over her observations. "There might be a small oversight in my previous assessment," she admitted. "This individual may not be as formidable as we initially presumed. If he were truly that powerful, he wouldn't have left a trace on the grass. However, if he isn't as strong, it's disconcerting that our adversary possesses such unwavering determination."
Her companions grasped the nuanced implication—strength was often synonymous with unwavering resolve. Consequently, it was disquieting that someone less powerful displayed such decisiveness.
Wan-Er continued to speak in hushed tones as the wind played with her garments. "This individual may not wield great strength, but he has the potential to create unpredictable complications. If he is indeed from the Cha clan, we can anticipate challenges ahead."
The black-clad men lowered their heads, acknowledging their oversight, and departed.
Wan-Er, however, remained lost in contemplation, her thoughts consuming her.
The man in white, unperturbed by the situation, responded casually when Hei-Yi apologized. "Doesn't such an adversary make the battle more intriguing?"
He continued, "Regarding the Cha Clan, proceed as necessary. If you encounter further pursuit, ensure you bring the culprit to me."
A glimmer of anticipation twinkled in his eyes, as if he had finally found a worthy opponent—a sentiment tinged with anxious excitement. He harbored hopes that Cha-Eun Xiao would prove a formidable rival.
His only concern was potential disappointment if Cha-Eun Xiao failed to meet his expectations.
...
Cha-Eun Xiao sprinted down the mountain, his heart still pounding with the remnants of fear. The sense of impending danger had left an indelible mark.
Never before had he realized the existence of such a menacing place, teeming with formidable adversaries so close to him.
Even after returning home, his unease persisted, a lingering sense that a venomous serpent had marked him.
The vastness of the bamboo forest and the sharp, watchful gaze remained etched in his memory.
He was convinced that the one who had detected him was no ordinary cultivator. Such an expert had no place in the mortal world; they belonged in the Qing-Yun Realm.
Yet, the inexplicable truth was that this formidable figure did indeed dwell here.
Why?
...
"My lord, we have been framed, and it spells immense trouble for us," the steward urgently informed Cha-Eun Xiao, his face etched with dissatisfaction and anxiety.
"Trouble?" Cha-Eun Xiao frowned. "I beg to differ."
The steward's surprise was palpable, evident in his raised eyebrows and puzzled expression. How could the death of eight formidable Mu clan cultivators not spell significant trouble?
Cha-Eun Xiao, however, had a different perspective. A sly smile graced his lips as he explained, "Even without the frame-up, the Mu clan would never have sought peace with us. Someone is clearly trying to create chaos, and for now, their actions may work in our favor."
The steward began to understand the underlying strategy behind his young master's seemingly reckless actions. "Yes," he replied, a growing realization dawning upon him. Cha-Eun Xiao appeared to be weaving a cunning plot.
Taking a moment to pause, Cha-Eun Xiao continued, "Nevertheless, there are drawbacks to this situation. While it currently benefits us, the force behind these disruptions is no ally of ours. They are a formidable adversary—a threat we cannot confront at this moment."
His thoughts wandered back to the mysterious mountain and the enigmatic bamboo forest.
"Sometimes, enemies unwittingly aid us. By positioning ourselves as the secondary enemy to various forces, we can maintain a degree of safety if we play our cards right," Cha-Eun Xiao elaborated. "We can collaborate with these factions to target their primary foes, or even manipulate them to our advantage."
The steward remained silent, absorbing his young master's insights. He couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness for Cha-Eun Xiao, who, in his previous life as the Xiao Monarch, had never endured such disregard. Now, he had to harness his enemies' disdain as a means of self-preservation—a bitter pill to swallow.
Cha-Eun Xiao exhaled deeply and contemplated, "Today, they may despise me, but one day, I will soar too high for them to reach. Someday, I will prove that earning the status of my enemy requires immense effort."
Resigned to the reality of his current circumstances, Cha-Eun Xiao made his way into the house, stating, "I need some rest."
"The Mu clan will never seek peace with us," the steward murmured to himself, suddenly comprehending the complex strategy at play.
Just as Cha-Eun Xiao was about to enter his room, he turned back and inquired, "Uncle Song, I recently heard about a bamboo forest in the heart of the capital. Do you have any information about it?"
Steward Song was taken aback. It wasn't the bamboo forest that surprised him but the address "Uncle Song," a term Cha-Eun Xiao hadn't used in years.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Steward Song cherished the fleeting return of those cherished memories when a young boy had affectionately called him uncle.
However, he quickly regained his composure and smiled. "There is indeed such a place in the capital—a restricted zone off-limits even to nobility and royalty."
"Restricted zone? Is it really that significant?" Cha-Eun Xiao's curiosity was piqued. "I happened to come across it recently while exploring. I didn't expect such a serene place in the capital. I was even contemplating purchasing land there to build a villa. I wonder who designated it as a restricted zone."
Steward Song remained deeply moved by the familiar address and the bond it symbolized. He couldn't help but marvel at Cha-Eun Xiao's newfound outlook on life in his second chance—an opportunity to surpass his former self.
Cha-Eun Xiao recognized the importance of fully immersing himself in the mundane aspects of a mortal existence. To achieve his ultimate goals, he had to embrace the life of Cha-Eun Xiao, the young lord, and allow himself to be shaped by the experiences that came with it.
The steward, with a knowing smile, chimed in, "I don't have all the details, but I've heard that the owner of that area is quite an extraordinary individual..."
"An extraordinary man..." Cha-Eun Xiao mused for a moment, absorbing this tidbit of information before turning towards his room. However, the steward felt compelled to offer a word of caution.
"My lord, are you still considering any plans involving that bamboo forest? I strongly advise against it. Not even the king would dare to make a move against that place..."
Cha-Eun Xiao's curiosity was piqued once more, prompting a nod. "I understand."
Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince's Palace, the Mu Clan's envoy had taken up residence. Despite their sizable contingent of 45 members, the palace didn't seem overcrowded. The crown prince himself had remained conspicuously absent, focusing his energies on clandestine struggles against rival princes. He understood that the throne was at stake, and losing it would condemn him to a life worse than that of a commoner.
However, amid these precarious political maneuverings, the crown prince felt a sense of neglect from those around him. His wife, the crown princess, and the Mu Clan seemed preoccupied with their own interests and paid little heed to his precarious position.
Hence, the crown prince found himself simmering with anger. His carefully crafted plans had fallen on deaf ears, and he couldn't help but feel infuriated. But he realized that the situation transcended his personal frustrations; it had implications for the entire clan. Therefore, he had no choice but to suppress his anger and withdraw from the palace.
In his quest for a secure refuge, the Imperial Palace emerged as the ideal choice. It was not only his sole option but also the most strategic one. While residing with his father, the king, wasn't an entirely comfortable prospect, it did afford him a degree of influence and control over unfolding events—a crucial factor in the pursuit of his ambitions.
For the Mu Clan, the presence or absence of the crown prince held little significance in the grand scheme of their plans. They had meticulously prepared for this pivotal confrontation and were well-prepared to execute their strategy.
As the Mu Clan's members awaited news from their vanguard, tension filled the air. Hours dragged on, and concern grew among their ranks.
"Why have they not returned yet?" inquired their leader, an elderly figure who exuded authority. Just as the question left his lips, a messenger finally arrived with crucial information.
A man, approximately thirty years old and dressed in black, entered the palace with an agitated demeanor. He stammered as he attempted to convey the grim tidings. "B-Bad news...," he began, trembling with fear. His face had paled, mirroring his deep trepidation.
Instantly, those present in the room stood up, their collective anxiety palpable. The messenger continued, his voice shaking, "The eight vanguards... who went to the house of Ye... they perished in the General's House! None of them survived. It appears that they were all beheaded..."
The revelation hung in the air, heavy and foreboding. Each of the eight had met their demise swiftly and decisively, felled by a single lethal strike.