Debtor Drops In! . . .
The predicament of the western and northern battles mirrored each other in the Kingdom of Chen. However, the situation in the north did not bode well for Cha Nantian and his forces. As the relentless rainstorm drenched the battlefield, General Cha Nantian gazed up at the heavens, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.
The several loyal generals who stood alongside him could only wear expressions of helplessness. They had meticulously strategized for this campaign, envisioning it as the perfect opportunity to eradicate the Grassland Wolf. However, the unanticipated rainstorm had obliterated their well-laid plans. They had faithfully followed General Cha Nantian for many years and had never heard him utter profanities. Yet, on this fateful day, the heavens had pushed him to the brink.
"Foolish heavens!" he muttered under his breath, the words carrying the weight of frustration and disappointment.
His generals exchanged glances, suppressing their amusement at the general's sudden outburst. The utterance of an expletive by Cha Nantian had caught them off guard. The situation was grim, but his uncharacteristic slip provided them with a sliver of humor.
Nevertheless, no one dared to laugh aloud. The gravity of the situation was not lost on them, and mocking their commander at such a moment would be a grievous mistake.
In the days that followed, Wan of the Clouds made multiple visits to Ling-Bao Hall, each time seeking Feng Monarch. However, the elusive Feng Monarch was conspicuously absent from the hall. Xiu of the Heavens followed suit on the next day but had no better luck.
On the third day, Lord Ling, Ling Wuxie, personally undertook the mission to locate Feng Monarch. To his relief, Feng Monarch was present at last.
Feeling triumphant, Lord Ling declared, "See, good deeds bring good fortune! It's clear that I'm a far better person than the other two ladies. They're clearly beneath me!"
Wan of the Clouds and Xiu of the Heavens found themselves utterly speechless.
[What does this have to do with one's character?]
[Feng Monarch wasn't here when we visited, and he's here when you came. It's as simple as that!]
[Must he boast about something so trivial?]
[Is he truly a close friend of our Master? I can't imagine how Master tolerates his antics!]
Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but react when he saw Ling Wuxie's battered state. The injuries were substantial; his face was swollen, both eyes blackened, and he limped while his arms appeared dislocated. It was evident that he had endured a severe beating.
To Cha Eun Xiao's surprise, there was no apparent chaos or upheaval in the Land of Han-Yang despite the evident injuries on Ling Wuxie. It raised an essential question—who possessed the power to harm Ling Wuxie to such an extent and still leave the world untouched?
Ling Wuxie himself was perplexed and uncertain how to respond. He had long expected some divine retribution for reaching for the secrets of the heavens, but the severity of his injuries was unexpected. His movement was restricted, his face bore the evidence of punishment, and he was unsure if he would ever fully recover, even when he eventually returned to the Human Realm Upon Heavens.
The divine punishment was not easily remedied. Ling Wuxie let out a sigh, setting the stage for a conversation that was both illuminating and comical.
Curiosity got the best of Cha Eun Xiao as he probed, "Who did this to you? I'm well-acquainted with many formidable individuals in this world, but none of them seem capable of inflicting such damage upon you."
Ling Wuxie struggled with embarrassment as he admitted, "Stop speculating. I wasn't assaulted by anyone."
Cha Eun Xiao appeared to have an epiphany, his tone laced with jest. "Oh, so you beat yourself up that badly? No wonder... I never knew you had such a peculiar hobby. It's hard to tell with you; you're quite the enigmatic character, indulging in such eccentric pursuits. What a revelation!"
Amused, the two ladies in the room erupted in laughter, clutching their stomachs in mirth. They couldn't help but appreciate Feng Monarch's knack for humor. They could hardly fathom the idea of Ling Wuxie subjecting himself to such a thrashing.
A masochist, they wondered?
Seeking an end to the jests and innuendos, Ling Wuxie eventually confessed his true ordeal. "Let me be honest, I was struck by lightning."
He was chagrined to admit this, but it was the reality he faced. Although he refrained from expressing it, he knew that several individuals were quite capable of inflicting such harm upon him. Yet, being struck by lightning was an entirely different matter.
The confession, however, was met with unexpected levity from Cha Eun Xiao. In an understanding and calm tone, he said, "That's perfectly alright. It's said that those who engage in nefarious deeds often suffer such consequences. Brother Ling, don't be disheartened. From where I stand, this is entirely ordinary. Nothing out of the ordinary. People should simply avoid wrongdoing. The heavens are perpetually vigilant. Those who suggest that the gods have forsaken justice should look no further than you, Brother Ling. Witness how you were struck by lightning."
Ling Wuxie found himself at a loss for words. He struggled to respond, staring directly at Cha Eun Xiao.
[Why are you so certain that I suffered because of my misdeeds?]
[Isn't this presumption rather dogmatic?]
[I sustained these injuries because I willingly risked my life to help a friend. Now that we're friends, why would you speak to me in such a manner?]
[This is absolutely mortifying!]
Lord Ling attempted to clarify, "It was the lightning of the Heaven's Secret..."
Cha Eun Xiao interjected playfully, "Hmmm, the lightning of heaven's poultry. Very well, sky-borne fowl. So they dispatch lightning, do they? My eyes have been opened today."
Ling Wuxie lowered his head, opting to remain silent.
Wan-Er and Xiu-Er found themselves in fits of laughter.
It was evident that Feng Monarch was intentionally playing with Ling Wuxie. This much was clear. Nonetheless, they relished the sight of Ling Wuxie's embarrassment.
"Brother Feng, my appearance is a personal matter. Let's not dwell on it further. It truly isn't important," Ling Wuxie interjected, eager to steer the conversation in a more meaningful direction. "In fact, I'm here today to inquire about the Heaven Seizing Supreme Dan. Have there been any advancements in our pursuit of it?"