Why Sigh? . . .
As Cha Eun Xiao spoke, he turned around slowly. To his surprise, he found two figures standing behind him—Master Bai and Ling Wuxie.
Ling Wuxie was dressed in cyan attire that resembled wisps of smoke, while Master Bai exuded an air of purity in his white garments. Though both were men, they made for an unusually picturesque scene.
Ling Wuxie couldn't help but roll his eyes and let out a sigh. He couldn't fathom the reason behind their sudden intellectual discourse. [These two seem destined to engage in a verbal duel right from the moment they meet. What kind of question is this?]
[Cha Eun Xiao sat here, seemingly comfortable, and then he sighed. How on earth am I supposed to know the reason behind his sigh?]
[He asked me why he sighed? Am I a mind reader?]
[Thankfully, he addressed Bai Chen and not me!]
[I'll just stay right here and observe this exchange. No matter who emerges victorious, I won't lose out. It's bound to be entertaining...]
Master Bai smiled and took a few measured steps. He calmly stated, "I believe, Brother Feng, that you sighed not because of someone else, but because of your own feelings of disappointment, loss, and despondency. These emotions are directed not at others but at me, Bai Chen."
Ling Wuxie was left utterly speechless.
[Because of him?]
[My goodness. Who does he think he is? He clearly thinks quite highly of himself... He just sighed, and you're absolutely sure it's because of you? Can't he sigh for the departing two girls?]
[If I were in his shoes, I'd undoubtedly sigh for the two girls!]
[If I showered them with gifts and received nothing in return, not even a hug, I'd sigh. All he got in response was some inane banter about friendship and enmity. What else could he possibly sigh about?]
[That's what he sighed for!]
[I'm absolutely certain!]
[I won't say it to spare your embarrassment. Don't take me for a fool!]
However, Ling Wuxie was left even more flabbergasted when he heard Cha Eun Xiao's response.
"That's correct. I sighed because of you. You know me well, Brother Bai," Feng Monarch affirmed, openly admitting that he, as a man, had sighed for another man who knew him intimately.
Ling Wuxie was left utterly baffled.
[What's going on?]
[Did you not see him? You couldn't have observed us from your vantage point, given your current strength.]
[Why on earth would you sigh for another man immediately after two beautiful girls left you?]
[Are you infatuated with Bai Chen?]
[Bai Chen doesn't even like me, an attractive fellow! Why would he fancy you, a simple countryman?]
[Oh, what am I saying? Even if Bai Chen were interested in me, I'd still... What the hell is wrong with me? In any case, Feng Zhiling must be deranged! He's completely out of his mind!]
Feng Monarch continued, "Brother Bai, since you know I sighed for you, you must also understand the reason behind my sigh."
Ling Wuxie was thoroughly perplexed.
[Is this still a conversation between two human beings?]
[Doesn't it seem more like two madmen playing a guessing game?]
[Hey, guess what I'm thinking about?]
[Hey, I know you're thinking about that...]
[You're absolutely right. Now guess why I'm thinking about it...]
[What the hell is going on?]
Ling Wuxie was now nursing a headache.
If it turned out that Cha Eun Xiao was truly in love with Bai Chen, this situation would make much more sense!
[I know Bai Chen is smarter than me, but I didn't think he was that much smarter. He actually knows what Feng Monarch is thinking? He understands what Feng Zhiling desires?]
[This is... I must be dreaming!]
[Wait! This is a conversation between two guys!]
[Feng Monarch... Could he be as astute as Bai Chen?]
[If that's the case, it means he's much more intelligent than me, too!]
[Why did I say 'also'?]
[Heavens above!]
[Am I the only one among the three of us who's this dense?]
Ling Wuxie couldn't help but feel embarrassed. Yet, he stood his ground, maintaining a poised posture, and refraining from uttering a word. He knew that anything he said at this point would likely be met with disapproval.
Suddenly, both Feng Zhiling and Bai Chen turned their gaze toward him simultaneously. In their eyes, a trace of mockery lingered, silently conveying, "What a foolish remark!"
"Damn it! How dare you call me a fool?" Ling Wuxie burst forth in anger.
The two gentlemen looked at him with surprise, evidently not expecting him to actually voice his response. They exchanged glances and their eyes seemed to twinkle with amusement. They clearly understood one another, as if sharing the sentiment, "This fool seems to have deciphered the meaning behind our glances... Such a clever fool, who would've thought..."
Ling Wuxie was thoroughly defeated and scorned. He made his way to the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and sipped it in solitude.
"Just let me know when you're done with your conversation," he quipped before sitting upright in a chair, facing the wall.
"I can't see you now. This should be acceptable, right?" he mumbled to himself.
"I'm a fool. I can't fathom your devious thoughts... can I?"
"Humph!"
Master Bai spoke gently, "I'm quite certain you sighed because of me, Brother Feng, and I also know the reason behind your sigh."
Ye Xiao smiled and replied, "I'm all ears."
"For quite some time now, you've considered me your ultimate adversary," Bai Chen said with a smile, speaking deliberately. "I suspect you started to feel this way long before I even realized it."
"Brother Feng, you have the power to incite turmoil across the world. You wield control over this realm, creating chaos with a mere gesture. In comparison to the Chaotic Storm Clan, you excel in this aspect."
"You oversee the Ling-Bao Hall, but in reality, you perform the same role as I do. You... manipulate the world's affairs."
"What I set right, you push left."
"That's what you've been doing."
Bai Chen pondered for a moment before continuing, "As a civilian organization, Ling-Bao Hall has influenced warfare, national matters, and even the state of the entire Land of Han-Yang, including various clans and martial sects."
"Brother Feng, you've managed to mobilize both the lawful and illicit forces in the martial world."