Misery Loves Company . . .
Losing her memory seemed like a fortunate turn of events for the girl. She had undoubtedly endured a tough and miserable life before her memory loss, and perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that she couldn't recall those years. In Cha-Eun Xiao's perspective, this meant she could leave behind the pain and suffering of her past and find a fresh start within the Cha Clan.
In his mind, Cha-Eun Xiao considered her lack of prior knowledge as an opportunity to nurture her potential. Since she had not accumulated much learning or experience, he thought he could guide her as if she were a six-year-old child, potentially paving the way for her to achieve greatness in the future. As he contemplated her situation, it stirred memories of his own past life.
Cha-Eun Xiao himself had been an orphan, abandoned at a young age. He was around six when his master found him, and he couldn't help but reflect on the hardships he had faced in his own childhood. Comparing his past to the girl's, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of empathy and compassion for her.
Murmuring softly to himself, he said, "We have been through the same misery. Let me take care of you for some time then. As for where you and I will go, I guess only the gods can tell…"
In the days that followed, the girl became increasingly dependent on Cha-Eun Xiao. Her injuries were severe, both internally and externally, and while she would eventually recover under his care, she still struggled with mobility. She relied on Cha-Eun Xiao for nearly everything, including tasks that might be considered embarrassing. Every time he assisted her, especially during bathroom breaks, she would tightly close her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering as her cheeks turned crimson in embarrassment.
Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't help but find it amusing. After all, she was mentally akin to a six-year-old child. Why was she so bashful?
The challenges of caring for her were not without their humorous moments. For example, one day, when Cha-Eun Xiao lifted her and she caught sight of her chest, she voiced her astonishment, "How… How… How come… Why is my chest so swollen… I don't feel pain…"
With wounds covering her entire body, changing clothes was a difficult task that could exacerbate her pain. As a result, Cha-Eun Xiao chose to keep her unclothed, a decision that presented its own set of challenges for him. Whenever he saw her, he felt a rush of blood to his nose, finding himself in an awkward but somewhat comical predicament.
Despite his best intentions, Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't help but scold himself inwardly whenever his thoughts took an undesirable turn. He was acutely aware that it was inappropriate to entertain such impure thoughts about a girl with the mental capacity of a six-year-old child. At times, he even questioned himself, wondering if he was beginning to resemble what some might call a "weird uncle."
Each night, the girl would be gripped by fear, clinging tightly to Cha-Eun Xiao's arms, refusing to let him go. If he attempted to leave, she would cry inconsolably, forcing him to stay by her side. His only recourse was to tell her stories, though he couldn't help but find the situation ironic. Here he was, in the company of a stunningly beautiful girl, and yet his role was reduced to that of a storyteller.
"I know!" Cha-Eun Xiao would mutter to himself, tears of frustration in his eyes. It certainly wasn't a glamorous job.
However, as he gazed upon the girl, who was the same age as him but had experienced such hardship, he couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. It was as if he were reliving his own childhood in the process. His growing patience and dedication were evident in everything he did for her, no matter how mundane or tedious the task.
In his mind, Cha-Eun Xiao saw her as a reflection of the boy he once was, someone who had no one to rely on. The girl, having nobody else to turn to after suffering severe injuries and memory loss, found solace in Cha-Eun Xiao's care and attention.
Despite the demands of looking after the girl, Cha-Eun Xiao had numerous other responsibilities to manage. The auction at the Ling-Bao Hall was just seven days away, and he needed to oversee its preparations. Additionally, Liu Chang-Jun was assembling an assassination group, recruiting three hundred skilled individuals and gathering external sources for intelligence.
New intelligence systems were being established daily, and Cha-Eun Xiao found himself occupied with arranging training courses and managing various affairs. The workload was substantial, but he understood the importance of meticulous planning and organization, particularly given Liu Chang-Jun's busy schedule.
During his visits to the Ling-Bao Hall, Cha-Eun Xiao occasionally encountered Wan Zheng-Hao, who, despite being in charge, seemed to have the most free time among the staff. While Wan Zheng-Hao was more talkative than action-oriented, his subordinates were tirelessly occupied. In fact, the recent days had been so hectic that even Wan Zheng-Hao was visibly losing weight, his sweat pouring out like a stream.
Cha-Eun Xiao preferred not to distract Wan Zheng-Hao or Liu Chang-Jun with conversation during this crucial period. Instead, he collected what he needed from the stock and returned home to focus on his cultivation.
Over the next few days, Cha-Eun Xiao diligently immersed himself in his cultivation. To his delight, he noticed that the heavy rain had given way to hot weather, which, in turn, generated more water vapor for him to harness.
The water vapor that filled Cha-Eun Xiao's Water Space was a direct result of the recent clash between two super grandmasters. When individuals of such immense power, on the level of Daoyuan grade, engaged in combat, the consequences could be catastrophic. Uncontrolled battles in this league could lead to thunderstorms, lightning, torrential rain, and fierce gales.
In the aftermath of the showdown between these grandmasters, the Land of Han-Yang experienced several days of relentless rain. Fortunately, they managed to cease their conflict in time. Had they not, the resulting deluge could have devastated the world, making it nearly uninhabitable.
Now, with the instigators of the climatic disturbance long gone, the Land of Han-Yang was slowly returning to its normal state. The excess water on the land naturally sought equilibrium. As the temperature rose, the surplus water transformed into water vapor, carried away by the wind. This was the land's way of restoring balance to its environment.
While Cha-Eun Xiao had previously collected a considerable amount of water vapor, it constituted only a fraction of the overall moisture in the land. With the rising temperatures, water vapor was becoming increasingly abundant, eliminating the need for further transformation.
As a result, absorbing the water vapor had become remarkably efficient. Inside the Water Space, numerous blue water droplets clung to the walls, forming a central springhead shrouded in a veil of these azure droplets. Countless others adorned the chamber's interior.
With diligence and determination, Cha-Eun Xiao seized every available moment to cultivate. He sensed that, if he persisted, he might soon attain the coveted Tianyuan grade, advancing his martial prowess to new heights in the days to come.