The Man On The Wheelchair . . .
"Keep quiet!" Prince Hua-Yang spoke sternly in a hushed tone, his words carrying an air of urgency. "Don't let anything show."
The princess's complexion paled instantly. She instinctively covered her mouth, but the unbidden tears continued to trace silent paths down her cheeks. Her gaze fixated on Prince Hua-Yang, her expression a mix of apprehension and reluctance.
Cha-Eun Xiao ventured a cautious question, "Are they the main force of the Kingdom of Lan-Feng? Is another kingdom assisting them? Even with these circumstances, this battle should favor us. Why are you so anxious? Are you already contemplating the possibility of failure?"
Prince Hua-Yang let out a heavy sigh and replied with a touch of weariness, "Yes, we will undoubtedly emerge victorious." He then turned and re-entered the house without further explanation.
Observing the prince's departure, Cha-Eun Xiao mused quietly to himself, "So, the House of the Chaotic Storm has decided to make their move?"
Prince Hua-Yang abruptly halted his steps and swiftly returned to the hall. His words were laden with gravity as he responded, "When the time comes, your residence will be the safest haven. It shall serve as our last sanctuary. Cha Nan-Tian possesses the strength to safeguard you, even if the entire world stands against you."
He cast a discerning gaze at Cha-Eun Xiao and continued, "I can see that Xiao Xiao has made significant progress. He is no longer the naive and foolish lad he once was. This brings me comfort. From this day forth, Yue-Er will have a man to lean on. I can put my worries to rest."
As the hour grew late, Prince Hua-Yang instructed Cha-Eun Xiao to take his leave. His imposing figure disappeared into the depths of the hall, but his voice echoed after him, "House of the Chaotic Storm, I can finally confront you head-on! Let us see how you contend with chaotic storms when I stand in opposition!"
Cha-Eun Xiao remained rooted in place for a moment before departing. Unbeknownst to him, after his exit, Prince Hua-Yang and Princess Hua-Yang, along with their three sons and daughter, Su Ye-Yue, sat in the house for an extended period in silence.
Finally, Prince Hua-Yang uttered one last decree, "If I do not return from this battle, regardless of the circumstances, do not entertain thoughts of vengeance."
...
By the time Cha-Eun Xiao left the palace, it was well past midnight. The streets were lined with soldiers standing like statues on either side, and as he walked among them, he couldn't help but feel a sense of security.
"Home... Homeland and country..." he murmured to himself. In his previous life, he had never truly understood the concept of a homeland, as he had been an orphan without a place to call home. Furthermore, in the Qing-Yun Realm, the only thing that mattered was cultivation, with factions, sects, and clans taking precedence over notions of a nation. As a result, he had never truly felt a connection to a homeland.
Yet now, this world held a newfound importance in his heart, sparking a strange sense of attachment within him. There were countless individuals willing to lay down their lives for this world.
As he neared his home, the sound of wheels rolling on the ground caught his attention. It resembled the sound of a carriage, but not quite. Stepping to the side and squinting his eyes, he observed the corner of the road.
The sound grew louder, and soon, a wheelchair came into view, pushed by two individuals clad in cyan. Beside them stood a young woman with a captivating figure, her face concealed by a white veil.
Seated in the wheelchair was a man in white—a handsome young man with starry eyes and sharp eyebrows. If he could stand, he would undoubtedly exude an aura of youthful vibrancy. Yet, he was confined to the wheelchair, disabled.
The wheelchair continued to approach Cha-Eun Xiao.
His tension eased as he realized that he had nearly succumbed to paranoia. Since Gu Jin-Long's demise, there were scarcely any individuals who could pose a genuine threat to him.
With a self-deprecating smirk, he resumed walking. As he passed the wheelchair, he noticed that the man in white was looking directly at him.
Their eyes met.
Abruptly, the wheelchair came to a halt, and the man in white regarded Cha-Eun Xiao with a gentle expression. He was the one to break the silence, his voice filled with curiosity, "It's quite late in the night, brother. You walk alone. You must be in good spirits."
Cha-Eun Xiao regarded the man in white with clear, sincere eyes, acknowledging that despite the man's extraordinary presence, he remained a mortal and not a denizen of the cultivation world. With a gentle smile, Cha-Eun Xiao spoke, "My home is nearby. I was simply taking a leisurely stroll. However, you, on the other hand, are in a wheelchair. You should take care."
The man in white met Cha-Eun Xiao's gaze and replied, "Thank you, but I have been afflicted with this disability since childhood. There is no hope of recovery. I venture out late at night to avoid encountering or being seen by others. That's my routine."
Cha-Eun Xiao nodded in understanding. "I can imagine it wouldn't be pleasant to be observed if you possess such a handsome countenance," he commented.
"May I inquire about your name?" the man in white politely asked.
"It's Cha Eun," Cha-Eun Xiao replied.
"That's quite a coincidence. My given name is also Cha," the man in white remarked with a gentle smile, his eyes twinkling.
"Ah, like the 'Cha' in 'Shu-Cha'?" Cha-Eun Xiao inquired.
Although he had initially intended to continue on his way, there was something about the man in white that made Cha-Eun Xiao hesitate. It was as if a peculiar aura surrounded the encounter, suggesting that something out of the ordinary might transpire. The man in white exuded an air of elegance and refinement that Cha-Eun Xiao found intriguing.
"No, it's the 'Cha' in 'Cha-Se'" the man in white explained, pronouncing it the same way as Cha-Eun Xiao's name. "Although our names sound alike, they carry different meanings. It's a shame. May I inquire about your given name? Is it 'Xiao' (笑)?"
Cha-Eun Xiao met the man's gaze and confirmed, "Yes, it is. Do you know of me?"
The man in white chuckled merrily and replied, "Not personally, but I've heard a great deal about you due to our shared name. I've always been curious to meet you in person, to see the face behind the name. Little did I know that our encounter would take place on this midnight."
With a contented smile and half-closed eyes, the man added, "Lord Cha, tonight is a night of significance for me."
Cha-Eun Xiao furrowed his brow, sensing that the man held a deeper meaning behind his words. It was evident that this man was not an ordinary individual, and his intentions remained enigmatic to Cha-Eun Xiao.
When the man mentioned that "tonight is the night of my name," Cha-Eun Xiao contemplated its implications, struggling to decipher the hidden message.
Finally, he spoke in a hushed tone, "Your night?"
"Yes, indeed," the man confirmed, his pale hand lightly tapping his knee.
"May I know your name, please?" Cha-Eun Xiao inquired, eager to unravel the mystery surrounding this enigmatic encounter.
"My name is Cha Xiao," the man in white spoke gently, "Xiao… for Jiu Xiao Yun Wai (九霄云外)."
Cha-Eun Xiao suddenly felt uncomfortable. He turned indifferent immediately and replied blandly, "Brother Cha, you have a good name."
"Brother Cha, your name is better!" The man in white spoke with his eyes blinking, conveying some peculiar expressions. "Xiao (笑) is the best word in the world!"
Cha-Eun Xiao asked, "Oh? Why?"
The man in white continued gently, "Laughing under the firmament. Laughing at the whole martial world. Life needs Xiao. Heroes need no tears." He smiled softly, looked at Cha-Eun Xiao's face, and said gently, "Laugh upon the seas and the mountains; laugh above the land; laugh at all the heroes in the world!"
"Laugh at all the heroes in the world!" The last few words made Cha-Eun Xiao's heart beat heavily. He chuckled and inquired, "I feel that my name is really a good one now. You are out on the street late at night. I don't think you have anything urgent at home. How about you and me, we go to the Spring Breeze House for a couple of drinks? It is on me."
The man in white shook his head slightly and said dispiritedly, "My legs… I really shouldn't drink any liquor. I am afraid I have to refuse your kindness… It is late now. Let me pick another day to visit you."
Cha-Eun Xiao suggested, "Why another day? Why not just come to my place tonight and let's talk through the night?"
The man shook his head bitterly, "I really want to… But I have someone watching over me…" He pointed at the girl beside him and said, "Well, my wife is worried that something wrong would happen to me at night. So she insists on coming with me. Since she is here, I really can't go anywhere as I wish."
Cha-Eun Xiao persisted, "It doesn't matter. Ask the lady to come with us. My house is not a big one, but there are still several spare rooms."
As he spoke, Cha-Eun Xiao intentionally gave the girl a provocative glance, featuring an urgent desire in his eyes, which he tried to conceal. It created an impression that he was inviting them to his house because he was attracted to the man's wife.
The girl in white silk humphed and muttered between her teeth, "It truly is late. We should go home. Otherwise, your mother will get angry again."
The man in white smiled bitterly and said, "See, she stopped us. Lord Cha, we will meet again soon."
"Alright then. Let's pick another day," Cha-Eun Xiao feigned disappointment. He glanced at the girl's face once more, hinting that he didn't want her to leave. "Brother Cha, don't forget to come play with me someday. Make sure you bring your lady. If she doesn't come, I will be rather disappointed… Hahaha. You will always be warmly welcomed…"