Solve Your Problem! . . .
Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but admire Zuo Wuji's intricate plan, which perfectly aligned with Chen Zhi's personality and was certain to find favor with the king. It was a meticulously thought-out and thoughtful strategy.
With a deep breath, Cha Eun Xiao expressed his admiration, saying, "Wuji... Your talent... My goodness. It's an incredible waste."
Zuo Wuji responded with a subdued smile, "Let's leave it at that. I do what I enjoy."
Cha Eun Xiao smiled and reassured him, "I understand completely. Alright, then. We're brothers. Let me do something for you."
Zuo Wuji gazed directly into his eyes and said, "Thank you."
Cha Eun Xiao shook his head and made a solemn request, "No need for such words among brothers. However, I must make one thing clear in advance."
"Of course," Zuo Wuji replied seriously.
Cha Eun Xiao continued, "If you ever realize your dream and I require your assistance, you can't refuse me."
Zuo Wuji laughed and replied, "Hahaha... By the time I achieve my dream, I'll probably be old enough to bid farewell to the world. I might even pass away before it's fulfilled." He then turned serious. "But I promise you, regardless of what you need, I'll say yes."
"Good! A deal is a deal! Whoever breaks the promise will be dubbed Lan Langlang!" Cha Eun Xiao laughed heartily, cracking a joke for the first time that night.
"Alright! I'll be Lan Langlang if I break the promise!" Zuo Wuji joined in the laughter, unaware of the profound impact that this promise would eventually have on his life.
Cha Eun Xiao then remembered a gift he had prepared. With a warm smile, he retrieved a jade bottle and presented it to Zuo Wuji. "Inside this bottle are three dan beads. If you take them, your current ailment will be cured in just three days."
Zuo Wuji's face turned red as he accepted the gift. He knew that Cha Eun Xiao was aware of his private affliction – a problem he couldn't discuss openly. Despite being nineteen, this ailment had left him a virgin, making him even more inexperienced than Cha Eun Xiao.
Cha Eun Xiao assured him, "Come on. I'm a master dan-maker. It will work. In fact, Wuji, you should be grateful for this ailment. It's been instrumental in shaping you into the person you are today. Most others would have gone mad if they faced such a condition."
Zuo Wuji was stunned by this perspective. He contemplated the grueling path he had traversed and agreed, "You're right. It's been painful, but it's also been transformative."
"Now, it will be cured. Everything will be fine. It's not too late at all," Cha Eun Xiao said with a sly wink, his words carrying a hint of innuendo.
Zuo Wuji blushed, unable to argue with Cha Eun Xiao. He certainly didn't want him to take back the dan beads – that would be a tragic turn of events, sealing his fate.
He quickly swallowed the three dan beads with a sip of tea, thinking, "Let me take them before discussing any further. This is the most crucial part. And the most urgent."
Furthermore, Cha Eun Xiao had more in store for him. He handed over three jade bottles, each containing three dan beads, and instructed, "Take one from each bottle and give them to your future wife. As for the last three, keep them just in case. I'm sure you'll live longer than you anticipate."
Cha Eun Xiao reiterated the importance of only taking one of each, and Zuo Wuji, his voice trembling, promised, "I won't forget."
Recognizing the extraordinary value of these dan beads, Zuo Wuji knew this was nothing short of a miracle for him and his family.
Cha Eun Xiao, however, couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. "I could give you more, but I have less than ten of these dan beads. I need to save some for Langlang, that's for sure. Three should suffice for you. Besides, I might come to visit you in the future."
Zuo Wuji looked up in surprise. "Are you leaving already?" His reluctance and sadness were palpable as he contemplated Cha Eun Xiao's departure.
Cha Eun Xiao gently reprimanded, "What are you doing? Why are you acting as if it's a farewell already? I'm not leaving now. At least, I won't depart in the next six months..." He hesitated for a moment before adding, "When I decide to leave, I'll inform you in advance and make all necessary arrangements."
Zuo Wuji, however, lowered his head and let out a deep, heavy sigh.
He had grown accustomed to their time together in the capital, where they had been known as the "three lords in town." Their lives had taken a drastic turn, and now they were all fighting for their survival. In the future, when they achieved greatness, they hoped to remain inseparable, like brothers, forever.
"Brothers in the world," Zuo Wuji contemplated. Despite Cha Eun Xiao's current elevated status as the Monarch of Ling-Bao Hall, the world's finest alchemist, and the wealthiest man in the world, Zuo Wuji didn't harbor any resentment. Instead, he was overjoyed for Cha Eun Xiao.
From the outset, they had been on the same path, their destinies intertwined. Nobody could have predicted that they would become such prominent figures. Their unyielding support for one another had been the foundation of their shared success.
Together, they had risen to prominence.
How could Zuo Wuji feel anything but happiness for Cha Eun Xiao?
Yet, when he learned that Cha Eun Xiao intended to transcend the limitations of their world and become the best in their realm, he hadn't taken it seriously. It had sounded like a mere joke. After all, it had been an exceptionally long time since anyone from the Land of Han-Yang had ascended to the upper realm.
Now, as Zuo Wuji realized that Cha Eun Xiao was indeed planning to leave their world, and that the departure was imminent, he was overwhelmed with a profound sense of sorrow.
Even though Cha Eun Xiao was still present, the mere mention of his impending departure had cast a shadow of separation that Zuo Wuji couldn't help but feel in his heart.
No matter how composed he appeared, he was powerless to suppress the profound sadness that welled up inside him.