Ling Wuxie! . . .
Master Bai seethed with anger and delivered a fierce warning, "Enough of your nonsense and cease that inappropriate gaze. Should you persist, I won't hesitate to gouge out your eyes and silence your tongue! Do you doubt my resolve?"
The young man merely shrugged, feigning an expression of terror. "Oh, your fearsome visage and your sharp words have truly left me trembling! After all, we're old friends, how could you harbor such cruel intentions? Where's the justice in that? But if you truly mean to take my eyeballs, I stand ready. I won't budge an inch. I promise, no movement whatsoever. Just await your opportunity, and if you think you can go through with it, then by all means, come and make your move!"
Master Bai's voice dripped with controlled fury as he called the man's name in a deliberate, measured manner, "Ling! Wu! Xie! Explain yourself, clearly."
With a wicked smile, Ling Wuxie retorted, "You seem a tad rattled! I have no intention of sharing my secrets with you. What are you going to do, forgetful cripple? You can't draw near to me, even if you wanted to. Do you plan to bite me? A ferocious bite?"
Master Bai huffed in frustration. "Then why are you here if you won't divulge the information? Leave, and go as far away as possible."
Ling Wuxie remained obstinate. "I said I wouldn't tell you, and I won't. But I'll gladly share with them." He cast a sly glance toward Wan-Er and Xiu-Er. "You see, I have this peculiar problem. I simply can't resist conversing with lovely ladies. And when it comes to men, even if they're more beautiful than some women, I tend to lose interest. So, dear ladies, let me entertain you."
Wan-Er and Xiu-Er were taken aback.
[Master Bai has a friend like this? This man is utterly unscrupulous...]
Ling Wuxie rambled on, though his words held no substance.
"Get to the point. Tell us about Meng Wuzhen," Master Bai interjected.
Ling Wuxie grinned and complied, "Very well. Your master's greatest adversary, Meng Wuzhen, has transcended the Fairy Origin Stage and ascended to the Saint Origin Stage... In essence, your master was once his superior, but now he can only await defeat. What a startling revelation."
Wan-Er and Xiu-Er were astounded.
"Fairy Origin Stage, Saint Origin Stage! There's a God Origin Stage in between!" Their surprise was evident. "How could he leap two stages so suddenly? It's akin to ascending into the heavens in a single step! How did this come about?"
Master Bai questioned, his voice filled with disbelief. "How is that even possible?"
Ling Wuxie maintained his mischievous demeanor and continued, "Ladies, let me enlighten you... It is said that tens of thousands of years ago, the stars in the firmament were in turmoil. Not long ago, they inexplicably returned to normal... Somewhere along the way, Meng Wuzhen stumbled upon a priceless treasure. Following this discovery, his advancement occurred at a startling pace, as if he could traverse ten thousand miles in a single day! This treasure, based on my sources, is somehow linked to the essence of Heaven's Nature, which explains his rapid progress."
"Relevant to Heaven's Nature..." Wan-Er and Xiu-Er were shocked once more, their faces turning pallid as they exchanged concerned glances.
A troubling theory began to form in their minds, though they were reluctant to accept it.
Master Bai's countenance darkened with each revelation.
"We are individuals well-versed in the ways of the world. We understand that such endeavors require sacrifices of lives and blood, often plunging the balance of Yin and Yang into chaos," Ling Wuxie sneered. His gaze toward Master Bai bore a deep-seated resentment.
Master Bai responded nonchalantly, "Why do you glare at me like that? What business of mine is it? I presume Meng Wuzhen must have personally taught you a lesson, didn't he?"
Ling Wuxie erupted with anger, shouting, "You insufferable fool! You dare question why I look at you that way? You know precisely why! You know why!"
Master Bai rolled his eyes and remained silent.
"Do you believe you can hide what you've done?" Ling Wuxie fumed. "We read that book together. You may have defaced it, but its contents remain etched in my memory. You, an invalid, have been suspiciously quiet for far too long. Do you assume I'm unaware of your clandestine activities? Do you think yourself the most cunning individual in the world?"
"I've kept your secret all these years because we were once brothers! I harbored hopes for your success, for your conquest of the world. Though I may not stand by your side, I still felt a sense of joy. Do you grasp why? Do you comprehend it? Do you even possess the capacity to feel, you heartless wretch? Do you comprehend the essence of friendship? The significance of brotherhood? You wretched son of a b*tch!"
Master Bai's eyes briefly revealed both sorrow and gratitude. However, this sentiment vanished within seconds as he cast his gaze downward and remained mute.
"Refrain from treating me as a fool! Do you believe I'm unaware of the instigator behind the celestial tumult? Do you imagine I'm oblivious to the countless lives sacrificed and the rivers of blood spilled? I know. Soon, others will be enlightened! Do you think otherwise?"
Ling Wuxie leaped about, venting his anger, "You intend to pursue this course. Very well! But why can't you be more cautious? Why can't you secure the artifact yourself? Now, it rests in someone else's hands, and you're oblivious to its location! For all these years, you've merely paved the path for others, and he happens to be your most formidable adversary. Shouldn't you feel a pang of shame? I feel it on your behalf!"
"Look at you, engrossed in your Chaotic Storm nonsense, achieving nothing," Ling Wuxie spat in frustration. "Damn!"
Master Bai remained composed.
"Meng Wuzhen has made significant strides. He's eager to establish dominance among our generation, and his first target is you. Yet you're absent, beyond his reach. Consequently, he vented his frustrations on the elderly man closest to you."
"I lack your cunning and cannot elude him. I cannot evade, nor can I defeat him. What recourse do I have..." Ling Wuxie's voice wavered, verging on tears, though none fell. "Do you think I would have come down to assist you if I hadn't been subjected to such relentless torment above? Are you aware? Every three months, he instigates confrontations against me..."
"A battle," Master Bai's lips quivered, "A battle."
"After each bout, I find myself confined to my bed, utterly incapable of rising. Can you fathom the ordeal I endure at the hands of his fists?" Ling Wuxie raged, his words dripping with intensity.
Master Bai responded in a calm tone, "Perhaps he simply lacked what he sought. If he had it, his arrogance might wane..."
In response, Ling Wuxie burst into a shrill, bird-like cackle. "Quack quack quack quack..."
Master Bai remained silent, his expression inscrutable.