Heavenly Destined Tea . . .
Cha Eun Xiao half-closed his eyes and remarked, "Heh, heh. Same goes for you. You must desire this outcome as well. Otherwise, why would you have presented me with this tea? Since you've shown it to me, you must have no intention of retaining it..."
Greed twinkled in his half-closed eyes, and he continued, "This tea holds a particular significance for you, doesn't it?"
Master Bai found himself taken aback and remained silent, as Cha Eun Xiao's words had struck a chord.
Cha Eun Xiao had discerned the emotional undercurrent during Master Bai's introduction of the tea, a sensitivity that surprised Master Bai. He pondered on his own motivations behind sharing the tea.
"I might have misjudged this individual," he thought, recognizing Cha Eun Xiao's perceptiveness. "He's not merely shameless; he's profoundly astute. During the discussion about the tea, I momentarily allowed my emotions to show. And he astutely grasped the deeper, emotional aspect of my intentions. Why did I bring out this tea? In truth, I am unsure. Perhaps deep down, I yearn to shed this point of sorrow. Maybe I desperately wish to alleviate the ache in my heart. As he said, the experience with the tree could be the very sore spot within me."
Deep in thought, Master Bai's expression darkened, and he mechanically attended to the tea set while his thoughts strayed far from the pot and cups before him.
After a period of contemplation, a gentle smile graced Master Bai's face, and he expressed, "Thank you! Although you stated that you don't require me to say this, I find it necessary."
Cha Eun Xiao was taken aback by this response and responded with sincerity, "You are welcome. A 'thank you' from most people might lack significance for me, but coming from you, it is truly well-earned, and that gives it meaning."
Subsequently, conversation ceased between them. Master Bai was wholly absorbed in brewing the tea, while Cha Eun Xiao observed him intently.
Finally, the water reached its boiling point. Master Bai fetched a piece of ice from his space ring and placed the teapot upon it. After a while, he removed the pot, opened the tea bag, and carefully selected six leaves. With a smile, he addressed Cha Eun Xiao, "Although you requested to savor this tea alone, you didn't specify that no one else can join you this time. It's always pleasant to have company when enjoying a cup of tea."
"So, this time, I'll keep you company and have a sip as well. Let's say I'm benefiting from being in your presence," Master Bai declared with a smile.
Cha Eun Xiao chuckled, "Finally, you caught me. You've taken advantage of me for once."
Their gazes met, and a shared smile graced their faces. Despite their opposing missions – one determined to destroy the world, the other equally resolute in protecting it – they appeared as the closest of friends, sitting together and sharing sincere laughter.
The tea cups they held were crafted from white, crystal-clear Heaven's Jade, with three tea leaves in each. These leaves appeared rather unremarkable, with a greyish hue and fine hairs. They seemed no different from the ordinary tea leaves most people brewed at home.
The boiling water was poured into their cups, and the three leaves swirled within.
Master Bai, maintaining a steady hand, filled the cups gradually. As they watched the leaves dance in the water, Cha Eun Xiao spoke in a hushed tone, "I don't know why you love tea, but for me, when I drink tea, it's all about the mood. If I lack that particular mood, I'd rather not partake."
He gazed at the steaming, aromatic tea and continued, "Perhaps this is the difference in our personalities. I relish the process, while you focus on the bigger picture... When I savor tea, I'm experiencing life itself."
Master Bai explained, his voice profound, "A tea leaf is much like a person entering the world. Over time, its sentiment fades, and it becomes indistinct. But when hot water touches it, it comes back to life. It starts exuding a unique fragrance, albeit fleeting. After a few rolls in the water, the scent vanishes, and it turns into a lifeless husk. Eventually, it's nothing more than a discarded leaf in the mud – a corpse."
He pondered aloud, as if asking both himself and Cha Eun Xiao, "Who can emit light and warmth from the day they are born until after they've passed away? The answer is none."
"This is tea. This is life," Master Bai said, fixing his gaze on Cha Eun Xiao.
Cha Eun Xiao's attention remained on the cup as he replied, "Not entirely. Look at you. If you were to pass away now, even years later, people would still be talking about the House of the Chaotic Storms. That is the fragrance you've left in the world."
Master Bai was taken aback. "I find myself discussing life and death with you, and you're wishing an earlier demise upon me. What an intriguing companion... Truly unique."
Cha Eun Xiao was on the verge of saying something, but he held back, and Master Bai maintained his silence as well.
Their shared silence hung in the air as both men directed their attention to the leaves floating gently in their cups. These leaves gradually unfurled in the water.
One by one, vibrant shades of green began to emerge. After a while, they stretched and extended. As the leaves started releasing the delightful aroma, they displayed the colorful radiance Master Bai had described.
They shone like a myriad of stars in the night sky. In this moment, it felt as though all the stars in the universe had congregated within those cups.
Such beauty seemed ethereal, transcending the mortal world. An indescribable fragrance permeated the surroundings.
As Cha Eun Xiao inhaled the scent, he felt his very soul rejoice. It was as if his bones had turned weightless. He hadn't even taken a sip, yet he sensed a surge of energy coursing through his body.
It felt like it was on the brink of bursting forth, ready to explode at any moment.
"I've only smelled the fragrance," Cha Eun Xiao pondered in astonishment, "yet it's already had this effect on me. If I were to drink it, could it be even more potent and wondrous?" He was left in awe by the possibilities.