Different Aesthetic Standards . . .
Cha Eun Xiao found himself bewildered by the situation before him, unable to comprehend the inexplicable phenomenon. When he first attempted the transformation, the excruciating pain had nearly caused him to lose consciousness. However, his current companion, Cha Bing-Er, appeared to experience no discomfort whatsoever.
Puzzled by the stark contrast in their experiences, Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but question the situation. "Why is it so different?" he pondered.
Bing-Er, who had just acquired a newfound skill, was ecstatic. She repeatedly utilized her newfound ability, accompanied by the unsettling sound of bones cracking. Her excitement led her to an ambitious attempt at creating a rabbit, which ultimately ended in failure.
Cha Eun Xiao realized that his own disguise art, unlike Bing-Er's magical ability, was limited to altering the human body's bone structure and could not conjure objects out of thin air. Faced with the admiration in Bing-Er's eyes, Cha Eun Xiao felt conflicted. He inwardly mused, "I am utterly perplexed by your admiration. You should be the one I look up to. What a striking difference in our abilities..."
In a sudden whimsical moment, he playfully grabbed a bottle of dark disguising liquid and smeared it onto Bing-Er's face, surprised by the childlike behavior that had surfaced within him. It seemed that his personality had undergone a transformation since his rebirth. The once composed and stable Xiao Monarch had now embraced a more childlike disposition.
As Bing-Er held a small mirror to assess the changes to her appearance, she became disheartened by the sight before her. The desire for beauty was a universal sentiment among women, and men too, often yearned for a handsome visage. Internally, she grumbled, "Master is so infuriating! How could he make me look this unattractive? This is worse than having a pig's face."
Cha Eun Xiao, on the other hand, found satisfaction in this small act of retribution, rationalizing that it was one of the many unpleasant experiences that life had to offer, and he just happened to share it with her. With a slight grin, he proceeded to divulge their destination to Bing-Er, who was taken aback.
Bing-Er's reaction was one of astonishment. "Wahh! Master is incredibly powerful! He has accomplished so much out there," she exclaimed, resuming her admiration for her brilliant master. The joy of being entrusted with this secret made her feel special, as it was a secret that Cha Eun Xiao had chosen to share exclusively with her.
The significance of the situation was not lost on Bing-Er, and her enthusiasm was palpable. She couldn't contain her excitement, exclaiming, "It meant so much to her! That was awesome!"
In response to her master's trust, Bing-Er nodded fervently, her head bobbing like a chicken pecking at grains. "Don't worry, Master. I will keep the secret! I won't tell anybody!" she assured him.
Unbeknownst to her, this promise would indeed be upheld throughout her entire life, whether she went by the name Bing-Er or Xuan-Bing.
Feng Monarch's stay at Ling-Bao Hall was brief, and he soon departed with a young lady in tow. This departure marked a turning point in Wan Zhenghao's life, as he received ten bottles of dan beads, a treasure now more precious to him than life itself. Each pair of these beads could yield more profit than an entire year's earnings, making them a significant source of wealth.
As the truth of Feng Monarch's choice in companionship became apparent, Wan Zhenghao couldn't help but chuckle. "Like I said... Feng Monarch is so capable and young, so powerful and rich, how could he not have a beauty to stay with... I see... Now I get it."
Wan Zhenghao's amusement stemmed from the revelation that Feng Monarch not only excelled in dan-making but also had unconventional aesthetic preferences. "Feng Monarch is not only superior in dan-making, but also in aesthetic standards... Unbelievable... He doesn't like beautiful girls... He only likes ugly ones," Wan Zhenghao commented, thoroughly perplexed by this revelation.
Despite Cha Eun Xiao and Bing-Er not engaging in extensive conversation, their unspoken communication revealed much. Wan Zhenghao, who had lived for thousands of years, couldn't help but close his eyes, lost in thought. "Now, I finally have one thing that is better than Monarch. The aesthetic standard of beautiful girls... It doesn't have to be a pretty face. Just not too ugly. Must be perfectly shaped. I love white and a bit overweight women..."
Their stay at Ling-Bao Hall was brief, and Bing-Er quickly grasped the gravity of her responsibilities. Her prodigious memory and wisdom allowed her to understand and execute Cha Eun Xiao's intentions swiftly and skillfully, a proficiency that even impressed Cha Eun Xiao himself. She seemed to perform her tasks effortlessly, as if she had been born with such capabilities or had extensive prior experience.
Cha Eun Xiao marveled at her abilities, considering her a veritable prodigy. "The girl is definitely a monster!" he thought in astonishment.
Fortunately, Cha Eun Xiao remained oblivious to Wan Zhenghao's thoughts, as they were far from accurate. He mentally countered, "What the hell? Why is that the wrong aesthetic standard for you? I did this to conceal her true appearance, you fool. Besides, I don't want her to outshine me. You haven't seen her real stunning face, you ignorant Wan Zhenghao. If you had, you'd be overwhelmed with amazement!"
Cha Eun Xiao decided to entrust Bing-Er with the responsibility of managing their business operations moving forward. However, he delivered a startling condition that caught her off guard. "From now on, you can just come over and take care of the business. But, remember to keep your face this way. That is the only way to keep it a secret and keep it safe," he instructed.
Bing-Er's heart nearly sank at the thought of perpetually bearing an unattractive appearance. Her deep desire for beauty made the prospect of such a transformation almost unbearable.