Come on! Keep Bragging Then! . . .
"Who are you?" Cha-Eun Xiao found himself at the mercy of his captor, his life hanging in the balance. Instead of panic, he adopted a calm demeanor; in dire situations, fear was an ineffective ally. He reasoned that since the enemy hadn't immediately killed him, there might be a chance to survive this ordeal.
The stranger's eyes flashed with curiosity, and he inquired, "Your martial arts are peculiar and intricate. Who was your mentor?"
Cha-Eun Xiao responded with a touch of arrogance, "You're asking a rather foolish question, my friend. I am the son of the great General, Cha Nan-Tian. My martial skills naturally stem from my illustrious father."
The man's tone took on an unusual note as he commented, "Your father, Cha Nan-Tian, is indeed that formidable?"
Cha-Eun Xiao sneered, "Without a doubt. My father has the power to astonish the world and reign supreme over the universe. Why would I seek instruction elsewhere?"
The stranger conceded, "That's a reasonable point."
Silence enveloped the room as the night grew even darker. Cha-Eun Xiao soon realized that his captor possessed spatial cultivation abilities, granting him the power to perceive his surroundings in the dark. However, during their confrontation, he had been rendered blind. It became evident that his adversary had manipulated space during their battle, contributing to Cha-Eun Xiao's defeat. The gap in their abilities was insurmountable.
Accepting this grim reality, Cha-Eun Xiao's countenance darkened further. The man's strength far exceeded his own, and the odds of his survival that night dwindled.
"From what I know, Cha Nan-Tian lacks the capability to teach you such techniques," the stranger spoke from the shadows. "His martial arts shouldn't be so sinister and complex. The Golden Hand, the chilling power, your stepping techniques... These are all enigmatic martial arts that are exceedingly rare."
Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't help but feel a glimmer of relief at this revelation. ["This man may be formidable, but he's not all-knowing. He recognizes the Golden Hand but is unaware of the Gelid Qi and the Skyline Steps' One Laughter. He's just an ordinary individual..."]
With a haughty tone, Cha-Eun Xiao began to educate his captor, "You ignorant fool, allow me to enlighten you. These are the secret martial arts of our clan."
The stranger seemed taken aback and coughed as he inquired, "What? The secret martial arts of the Cha Clan?"
Cha-Eun Xiao sneered once more, "I highly doubt someone as clueless as you would have any knowledge of my clan. The Cha Clan is the foremost clan in the Qing-Yun Realm. Have you even heard of the Qing-Yun Realm? I doubt it! How could an ignorant fool like you comprehend the vastness of the world?"
The stranger couldn't help but cough again, clearly surprised. He asked, "Is the Cha Clan truly that powerful?"
His unspoken sentiment was, "Why have I never heard of this?"
With unwavering confidence, Cha-Eun Xiao declared, "That's precisely why I referred to you as an ignorant fool. Am I mistaken? You'd be wise to depart posthaste. Should the superior cultivators of my clan arrive, despite your slight advantage over me, you will meet a swift demise."
His voice brimmed with assurance, exuding an air of authority that suggested these so-called 'Cha Clan cultivators' were nearby, ready to respond to his call.
The stranger appeared to buy into Cha-Eun Xiao's words and fell silent, enveloping the room in an eerie stillness.
After a period of tense silence, Cha-Eun Xiao broke the stillness with measured words, his voice calm and calculated, "It is always wise to acknowledge reality. If you release my Uncle Song and leave this place, I promise I won't pursue vengeance for this encounter. You have my word, even if it costs me my life. However, bear in mind that there's a soul compulsion within me. If I were to die at your hands, my clan would relentlessly hunt you down, no matter where you flee. Killing me would seal your own fate. You cannot afford to kill me, as it would jeopardize your cultivation aspirations. The world of cultivation is unforgiving; don't be reckless, or you'll shatter your dreams."
The man coughed again, his response laden with a sinister undertone, "What if I've already killed this 'Song Jue' you speak of? What if he has perished because of you?"
Cha-Eun Xiao's eyes turned frigid, and he replied icily, "In that case, allow me to offer you some parting wisdom. Just kill me now. It would at least grant your own demise greater significance. Regardless of the circumstances, if you've killed him, there will be no other outcome for you but death."
His words left the man deep in thought.
After a contemplative pause, the man inquired, "This Song Jue, though he's your father's sworn brother, is ultimately a steward to you and your household. Why are you willing to risk both our lives for him? Even if someone in your clan possesses the power to end my life, you would meet your end before I do."
Cha-Eun Xiao sneered and retorted, "Certain things demand a man's intervention. You, a cold-blooded, heartless wretch, will never comprehend the essence of true character. You'll never grasp what it means to be a real man."
"Well said," the man unexpectedly praised, prompting Cha-Eun Xiao to continue, "So, you understand now? I would rather die than allow this steward to perish. Once Uncle Song is gone, your time will be short."
The man remained silent for a while before admitting, "The Cha Clan... I had no inkling of its formidable strength. I truly had no idea..." His voice betrayed a hint of sadness.
Cha-Eun Xiao counseled, "Life is precious in the world of cultivation, and it's challenging to attain such power at a young age. Why squander your future? Listen to me. We can part ways amicably. You continue your cultivation, and I'll enjoy my prosperous life. There's no need for conflict between us. What do you say?"
He added thoughtfully, "However, I doubt you would harm Uncle Song before meeting me."
The man chuckled softly in the darkness, clearly content. Then, he loosened his grip on Cha-Eun Xiao's neck. Removing the spatial barrier, he emerged from the shadows into the dimly lit room.
Cha-Eun Xiao's eyes widened as he gazed upon the middle-aged man standing before him. The man, tall and dignified, exuded an air of warmth and nobility. His clean-shaven face and robust physique lent him the presence of a towering oak. His demeanor was gentle yet upright, and his gaze conveyed a sense of affection and pride as he regarded Cha-Eun Xiao.
It dawned on Cha-Eun Xiao almost immediately who this man was—Cha Nan-Tian, his biological father. Overwhelmed, he felt like a child caught in an intricate web of emotions, unable to find his footing.
On the other side of the room, Song Jue looked at Cha-Eun Xiao with tears welling in his eyes, his heart heavy with emotion.
As Cha-Eun Xiao found himself ensnared in the clutches of impending doom within the oppressive darkness, he couldn't help but place Song Jue on a pedestal in his heart. In that dire moment, he harbored a willingness to confront death head-on, all for the sake of his uncle and sworn brother.
This sentiment was genuine.
Even if Cha-Eun Xiao chose to surrender, neither Cha Nan-Tian nor Song Jue would fault him for his decision. In the face of shame and disgrace, preserving one's life was often regarded as a wise choice. Yet Cha-Eun Xiao opted for a valiant stand, prepared to meet his end without a trace of regret.
Such a resolute spirit was a testament to his honor.
In those fleeting moments, Song Jue couldn't help but reflect, [All the years I've invested in caring for you have been entirely worthwhile. If I were to meet my demise now, I would do so with a contented heart, knowing you are my nephew.]
"Alright. Don't just linger there like a statue. Take a seat, and let's converse," Cha Nan-Tian said with a nod. Despite the prolonged absence of his son, he knew he needed to regain his composure and adopt the demeanor of a responsible father.
Even though he had been plagued by concern for his son.
Even though he had embarked on an arduous journey, fighting tirelessly for his return.
Even though he had expended every ounce of his energy, on the verge of collapsing when he received the distressing news.
Upon setting eyes on his son once more, well and alive, he chose not to dwell on these sentiments.
Simply knowing that his son was safe was satisfaction enough.
[The actions I've taken... they are the responsibilities of a father. It is my duty.
There is no need to bring them up.]
Unbeknownst to Cha-Eun Xiao, his seemingly detached father had traversed over two thousand miles and engaged in countless battles over the course of five days, all in response to the dire news of his son. To Cha Nan-Tian, the magnitude of his efforts was of little consequence when weighed against his son's well-being.
What truly mattered was Cha-Eun Xiao's safety.