Fearful For Ghosts! . . .
"Where do you think one could possibly use it?" Song Jue questioned, his tone filled with disdain. He continued, "It's merely a peculiar phenomenon with no practical application. The most use one could get out of it is to frighten oneself. Scaring others with it would be a daunting task, especially when it's unlikely to faze any cultivator."
With a hearty laugh, Song Jue added, "Every cultivator has faced life-and-death situations, risen from countless battles, and witnessed unimaginable hardships. What does anyone care about such trivial matters?"
Cha Eun Xiao wanted to argue, but he found himself at a loss for words. When he had encountered those apparitions, he had experienced genuine fear. He understood that cultivators, possessing bravery and confidence, would be skeptical of something they hadn't personally witnessed.
"You, you certainly weren't scared," Song Jue exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with mischief. Suddenly, he shouted loudly, "AH...! GHOST!!"
As he continued, a look of disdain crept onto his face. "I suppose this is what fear looks like. Weren't you scared?" he asked Cha Eun Xiao.
"AHHH…" Bing-Er cried out, her chopsticks falling to the floor as she trembled, her face paling. Song Jue's shout had indeed been frightening. It sent shivers down Cha Eun Xiao's spine, and even a girl with a mental age of twelve wasn't spared. He wasn't scared of ghosts himself, but the sheer shock of Song Jue's shout was unsettling.
Bing-Er clung to Cha Eun Xiao, still trembling, and he held her close. He glared at Song Jue with a mix of anger and annoyance. "Uncle Song, it's not the ghost that scared anyone; it was the way you shouted that did."
Song Jue turned slightly green as he coughed. "My apologies. I forgot she's just a child. I didn't mean to scare you," he told Bing-Er.
She nodded to indicate her understanding but clung to Cha Eun Xiao, still evidently frightened.
Seeking to change the subject, Song Jue cleared his throat and began, "In reality, ghosts are simply deceased individuals. We didn't fear them while they were alive. If they dared to cross us, we'd cut them to pieces. Now that they're dead, why should we fear them?"
In the midst of his speech, he regained his confidence and continued with a tone of righteousness. "Girl, you've been cultivating alongside your Brother Xiao for a while now. I've heard you've made considerable progress. So why are you still so timid? I truly don't comprehend what you're afraid of..."
Trembling, Bing-Er confessed, "I... I'm most afraid... of ghosts."
Cha Eun Xiao felt a pang of disappointment, but he maintained his assurance. "The truth supports my stance. There is potential. We need to refine how to harness it. Everything has its utility; we merely need to discover how to use it."
Song Jue scoffed, "Utility? Seeing ghosts is the only benefit, and how is that useful? Can you capture those ghosts for practical purposes? Ah, Xiao Xiao, why are you even discussing this? How can you argue for it when you lack such a skill? Perhaps, you can actually... see those things?"
Bing-Er let out another exclamation, her gaze locked on Cha Eun Xiao with a terrified expression. She seemed reluctant to approach him if he truly possessed the ability to see ghosts.
Cha Eun Xiao found himself at a loss for words. He knew that revealing the truth might lead them to distance themselves from him, so he adopted a solemn tone and retorted, "Uncle Song, your speculation is utterly baseless. How could I possess such a skill? Besides, you've watched me grow up. If I genuinely had such an ability, you would have noticed it, wouldn't you? You yourself mentioned that it typically occurs in children. Do I still strike you as a child?"
Song Jue breathed a sigh of relief. "You make a valid point. I'm well aware that you don't possess those extraordinary eyes. Perhaps, you might have had them a dozen years ago..."
Bing-Er, reassured by Song Jue's words, began tapping her chest in relief.
"I merely expressed that I believe such a skill could have utility. It might not be entirely without merit," Cha Eun Xiao remarked. Suddenly, he had an epiphany, realizing that something Song Jue had said might be significant.
"What was that, Uncle Song?" Cha Eun Xiao inquired urgently.
"Hmm? What?" Song Jue replied with widened eyes.
"I mean, what was it you said?" Cha Eun Xiao repeated.
"What did I say? I said that I know you don't have such keen eyes, is that it?" Song Jue questioned, somewhat bewildered.
"No, I'm referring to what you said before that," Cha Eun Xiao clarified, his impatience growing.
"Ah? What did I say before that? Let me think..." Song Jue began, appearing somewhat flustered. "What exactly was it?"
Cha Eun Xiao felt like he could pull out his hair as he wished he could assist Song Jue's thought process.
Bing-Er, raising her head from Cha Eun Xiao's chest, said in a timid tone, "Hmm... Uncle Song said, 'It is only allowing people to see ghosts. How is that useful? Can you capture those ghosts for further use?'... Is that what you meant?"
"Yes, exactly! That's it!" Cha Eun Xiao exclaimed, his delight evident as he chuckled. Grasping Bing-Er's face, he planted a hearty kiss on her cheek. Her face was truly beautiful, and he couldn't help but express his joy. "My Bing-Er is the clever one. That's precisely it! That's what you said!"
Bing-Er was taken aback by the sudden kiss, her heart racing, and she blushed furiously before uttering a gentle protest and hiding her face in Cha Eun Xiao's chest.
"Indecent!" Song Jue expressed with disdain. "You took advantage of her... Well, why is this revelation so significant, anyway?"
"You did it right in front of an old man," Song Jue chided, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "Men nowadays aren't what they used to be, clearly experiencing a moral decline!"
Song Jue grumbled under his breath and, in an attempt to exit the scene, muttered, "Very well. I've consumed enough dinner. I should take my leave... Even if I haven't eaten my fill, I've had my fill of this nonsense. I might regurgitate if I linger here. Food is a hard-earned commodity, and it's best to save some..."
And with that, he promptly vanished.
Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but quirk a wry smile. [Since when has Uncle Song, the man known for his colorful vocabulary, lectured me on manners? What's with the 'food is hard-earned' nonsense? What?] He considered providing an explanation but ultimately dismissed the notion.
After all, explaining such matters was an exercise in futility.
Holding Bing-Er's delicate form, Cha Eun Xiao ruminated, [Rather than engaging Uncle Song in a conversation about these subjects, I should perhaps consult with Bing-Er... He behaved strangely and offered me no practical guidance. If he continues with his moralizing, I'll be the one to vomit, not him...]