A Private Conversation . . .
As the king entered the study room, he cast a curious gaze at his trusted advisor and inquired, "How is it?" The atmosphere in the room was unremarkably normal, just as it had been on countless occasions before.
Cha Nan-Tian, known as Cha Nan-Tian in these halls, offered a faint smile in response. "Hmm. Not bad," he replied with characteristic simplicity.
The king let out a sigh of relief, his demeanor relaxed. "That's good."
Observing the weariness in the king's eyes, Cha Nan-Tian remarked, "It must have made you suffer all these days."
The king shook his head, his smile carrying a tinge of resignation. "Not really. I won't complain, though. There are always reasons for the things happening now," he said, his tone thoughtful. "What do you want to do? Just be frank with me."
In this private meeting, there was no pretense of hierarchy between the two. They didn't refer to each other as brothers, even though they were bound by the oath of brotherhood. Instead, they addressed each other with simple 'you' and 'I'.
"The infamous Cha Nan-Tian has become a legend," Cha Nan-Tian remarked, his smile carrying a touch of irony. "It's a fascinatingly dubious title, but there's often a silver lining to even the darkest clouds."
The king nodded in understanding. "I get it. How is Cha-Eun Xiao?"
Cha Nan-Tian let out a heavy sigh. "The child held on until my return. Now... things aren't at their worst, at least."
Relief washed over the king. "Like they say, a tiger won't sire a dog."
As long as Cha-Eun Xiao was alive, Cha Nan-Tian's resolve remained unshaken. This meant there was still hope for the kingdom.
However, Cha Nan-Tian admitted, "It's still a headache."
The king laughed heartily, his joy evident. "Don't celebrate too soon. I intend to eliminate some individuals this time."
A sigh escaped the king as his smile faded, and he fell into a contemplative silence.
"This time, it's likely someone from the royal clan is involved," Cha Nan-Tian continued, his tone matter-of-fact, as if discussing the weather. Yet, the implications of his words were staggering.
The king's expression twitched, and he responded with a simple "okay."
That single word set the tone for what lay ahead. It wasn't that King Chen Xuan-Tian didn't want to protect his own, but rather that anyone responsible for the current turmoil would face justice. Cha Nan-Tian wasn't seeking the king's opinion; he was informing him.
With circumstances having reached this point, the king had little choice but to move forward.
It was a wise decision, though a somber one.
"The kingdom is facing unprecedented peril," the king admitted with a note of anxiety. "Nan-Tian, are you confident you can handle this?"
"If the puppeteer behind the scenes weren't in the picture, I'd have no doubts about resolving this disturbance," Cha Nan-Tian confessed, his own anxiety palpable. "But that individual and their house have shaken my confidence. That's why I'm determined to address our internal issues first."
The king fell silent, reflecting on Cha Nan-Tian's words. After a moment, he let out a weary sigh. "The House of the Chaotic Storms... The chaotic storms... Bai!"
His voice quivered with trepidation.
Cha Nan-Tian offered a grim assessment. "That's a person who can never be eliminated."
The words weighed heavily on the king's heart, plunging him into a sense of despair. "Can't you eliminate him, even if you give it your all?" he inquired, his voice tinged with frustration.
Cha Nan-Tian, leaning against a bookshelf in the dimly lit study, shook his head with a grave expression. "No," he replied somberly, the weight of his confession echoing in the room.
The king lapsed into an uncomfortable silence, his countenance contorted in a display of inner turmoil.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, Cha Nan-Tian furrowed his brow and spoke with genuine concern, "I've gathered information about that man over the past thousand years. If the reports are accurate, any one of the three of them, when restored to their full power, could easily overpower me and end my life. I'm not exaggerating."
A bitter smile tugged at the king's lips as he muttered, "The House of the Chaotic Storms... Wan of The Cloud, Xiu of The Heavens... Master Bai! It's like a relentless sword hanging over the kingdoms, waiting to strike at their weakest moments. And there's little we can do to prevent it."
With resignation in his voice, he continued, "It can obliterate any kingdom it chooses, leaving no room for defense."
Cha Nan-Tian, remaining composed, offered a solution, "The only way to confront this man is to engage him strategically. In truth, every time he has emerged, he hasn't specifically targeted any one country. He doesn't seek the fall of a particular nation. His goal is to plunge the world into chaos and capitalize on the ensuing turmoil."
He mused, "Sometimes, I wonder if all they desire is bloodshed, if they crave the suffering of countless lives. If that's their true objective, we might still have a chance."
The king found solace in Cha Nan-Tian's words, his spirits lifting slightly.
"I've also studied the House of the Chaotic Storms," the king admitted, nodding in agreement. "You're right. Typically, from a moral standpoint, no one would want to sacrifice the citizens of any country. The greatest success lies in conquering a nation without shedding its people's blood. However, we may need to deviate from these ideals for now. Our primary concern is safeguarding the kingdom. If the House of The Chaotic Storms achieves its objectives and withdraws, not only will we survive this crisis, but we may also retain a portion of our strength. We might even unite this land under our rule!" The king's eyes sparkled with newfound determination.
Cha Nan-Tian offered a knowing smile. "Indeed, considering the facts we have, that seems to be a prudent approach."
...
Their private conversation stretched on for hours that day.
When the king finally departed Cha Nan-Tian's residence for the royal palace, his expression was a complex mix of emotions. It wasn't all despair, yet it certainly wasn't jubilation either. He traversed the palace corridors with a furrowed brow, leaving those who encountered him too fearful to inquire about the source of his inner turmoil, dreading potential repercussions from the king himself.
A rumor had begun to circulate, casting a shadow of concern over the court. Whispers of "The young Lord Cha couldn't make it this time, and Cha Nan-Tian will surely lose his composure" spread like wildfire. It seemed this rumor might offer an explanation for the king's profound despondency.
After the king's departure, Cha Nan-Tian found himself alone in the study, deep in thought. Eventually, he decided to visit his son's room, seeking insights into the king's melancholy.
"Xiao Xiao, share your thoughts with me. Why do you think the king is so distressed?" Cha Nan-Tian inquired, his words more of a challenge than a question.
Cha-Eun Xiao furrowed his brow, pondering the matter for a moment before offering a rather unconventional response. "Is he suffering from hemorrhoids?"
Cha Nan-Tian was taken aback, stunned into silence. Then, he slapped the table with force and exclaimed, "Be serious!"
Cha-Eun Xiao rolled his eyes, his expression clearly communicating his distaste for the subject at hand.
[Is it really necessary to discuss such matters?]
"The king undoubtedly does not wish for me to take any lives, but he understands that certain individuals may need to be eliminated," Cha Nan-Tian explained.
"Why? Because the king needs to maintain a delicate balance between the military and political factions. He must employ political maneuvering to keep the court in equilibrium. He doesn't want either group to gain excessive power over the other," Cha-Eun Xiao replied with an air of indifference.
He believed that if he didn't provide his father with an answer, the discussion would never end. So, he opted for a comprehensive response.
"Please, elaborate," Cha Nan-Tian urged, his eyes brightening with curiosity as he looked at his son with satisfaction.
"Our king possesses a keen understanding of who among the courtiers are virtuous and who are corrupt. However, he perpetually maintains this balance," Cha-Eun Xiao explained, his tone measured. "In any given kingdom, not all officials are corrupt, for if that were the case, the realm would have collapsed long ago. Conversely, they can't all be loyal and virtuous either, as that would deprive the king of any leisure and freedom in his personal life. The king requires a mixture of cunning, unscrupulous individuals, and sycophants to provide him solace from the rigors of daily governance. This not only eases his burden but also sustains the equilibrium within the court."
"But, Father, your intentions appear to involve eradicating the corrupt elements entirely," Cha-Eun Xiao continued, his voice unwavering. "This directly contradicts the king's lifelong strategies. These individuals are meant to serve as a check on the virtuous and influential figures within the court, thus allowing the king to maintain his preeminent position."
"These are the emperor's schemes," Cha Nan-Tian conceded.
"Indeed," Cha-Eun Xiao concurred. "Nonetheless, we find ourselves compelled to act, even if only as a part of the charade we're currently embroiled in."
"Absolutely, it must be done," Cha-Eun Xiao replied with an air of indifference.
"In reality, the king is a good man," Cha Nan-Tian said, hopeful that his son might reveal more through his eyes.
"The unfortunate reality is that all three of his sons are insufferable," Cha-Eun Xiao remarked. "Even though we aren't technically under their jurisdiction, it's still quite irksome."
Cha Nan-Tian nodded, feeling the weight of his son's words. Thankfully, the issues Cha-Eun Xiao raised primarily pertained to the future.
"I agree that the king appears benevolent at present. However, it's also apparent that he deems you still useful," Cha-Eun Xiao observed, his tone matter-of-fact.
"Of course, I'm aware of that," Cha Nan-Tian acknowledged. "But the world operates on the basis of self-interest. If one is of no use, who would extend them kindness? It's not just a matter of evaluating a king in this manner."
"I'm not dismissing him," Cha-Eun Xiao clarified. "I'm merely highlighting a fundamental flaw within the entire system. It isn't limited to the king; it applies to everyone, including ordinary citizens."