You Will Have It Too! . . .
Cha Eun Xiao and Bai Chen found themselves utterly baffled by Ling Wuxie's peculiar behavior. "What was that?" they wondered in unison. "This is a simple farewell between the two of us. When we bid each other goodbye, saying 'take care' is entirely normal. What is wrong with you?"
However, since Ling Wuxie had already initiated the farewell, Cha Eun Xiao politely responded, "I wish you both a safe journey. Farewell."
And then... silence descended upon them. None of them moved, and no words were exchanged. Ling Wuxie finally broke the silence with an exasperated tone. "Feng Monarch, I said, TAKE CARE!"
He then locked his intense gaze onto Cha Eun Xiao.
"What? What is it?" they wondered. "What does he want?"
Both Cha Eun Xiao and Bai Chen, two of the world's most brilliant minds, were left completely bewildered. They couldn't comprehend Ling Wuxie's intentions.
Inwardly, Ling Wuxie grumbled, "Feng Monarch should be a clever man. What's wrong with him? I'm practically screaming hints at him! Why won't he say 'wait' again?"
In truth, Ling Wuxie wasn't to blame. In the span of four people bidding farewell to Cha Eun Xiao, two girls had previously departed, saying their goodbyes twice. This was followed by two instances of "wait," along with the presentation of priceless dan beads. Then, Master Bai said his farewells, and Cha Eun Xiao responded with a "wait" before gifting Master Bai the Nine Turns Heart Dan.
"I've already told him to take care, why hasn't he said 'wait' yet?" Ling Wuxie pondered. "Is Feng Monarch out of his mind? He gave his enemy such a supreme-level treasure and didn't offer me any? If he had given me some, I could have possibly aided him in the future..."
After a while, Bai Chen noticed the avaricious gleam in Ling Wuxie's eyes and grasped his friend's intentions. He understood Ling Wuxie's character well and suddenly realized what was occurring. However, he wasn't sure how to convey this to Cha Eun Xiao, so he ventured a more indirect approach. "Wuxie, are you waiting for Feng Monarch to say 'wait' again?" he asked.
Cha Eun Xiao was initially puzzled but then comprehended the situation. He chuckled and replied, "Lord Ling is quite an interesting character. The 'wait' moments occurred naturally. I gave the two ladies Yin Yang Soul Dan as a token of my gratitude, especially since they've assisted me significantly. Additionally, they are Master Bai's loved ones, and I didn't want him to be overly concerned about them, as it might affect his cultivation."
He went on to explain, "I offered them Agerasia Dan because I promised it to them. I recently produced it and decided to give it to them today. As for the dan bead I gave to Master Bai, it was merely a small parting gift. Such a trivial dan bead holds little significance for Master Bai, as it's only a token."
Ling Wuxie, however, felt frustrated, while Bai Chen playfully raised and lowered the jade bottle containing the Nine Turns Heart Dan, seemingly relishing the moment. Ling Wuxie watched with a tinge of envy.
- Tick tick tick... -
Saliva dribbled from Ling Wuxie's mouth as he gazed at the small bottle with longing eyes. Greed seemed to radiate from him, and he appeared ready to snatch the dan bead at any moment.
Master Bai promptly stowed the jade bottle inside his spatial ring. He understood Ling Wuxie's crafty nature. If Ling were to seize the dan bead, it would be exceedingly difficult to reclaim it.
With a smile, Master Bai said, "Pardon me. This is Ling Wuxie's personality. He has been naïve since childhood and possesses limited knowledge. He constantly desires the things he has yet to experience but is not malevolent. While he may feel envious, he won't resort to hatred or theft. That's simply his nature."
Ling Wuxie glared at Master Bai with rage and thought, "God damn it! He just had to say that, didn't he? Now I can't snatch it anymore." He felt an intense desire for Master Bai's downfall at that moment. He cried out, "You're a naïve, ungrateful wretch! Why don't you give me that Nine Turns Heart Dan if you're so virtuous? Just give it to me then... Blast it! You wretch! You acquired what you wanted, so now you act as though you don't care. But I..."
He vented his pent-up frustration and grew increasingly morose. "I have nothing... I simply detest it this way... It's just..." His eyes welled up with tears.
At that moment, a jade bottle appeared before him.
Ling Wuxie blinked, astounded. He couldn't believe his eyes.
Cha Eun Xiao beamed with warmth as he addressed Brother Feng. "You bestowed upon me a treasure, allowing me to avoid punishment for producing the dan beads. It's a tremendous favor. To be honest, I initially believed you wouldn't be interested in my humble dan beads. My specialty lies in crafting them, and I lack any other substantial gifts to offer. But when I learned of your appreciation for my creations, I was genuinely flattered. Inside this jade bottle, there are two Nine Turns Heart Dan beads. I implore you to accept them and promise me that you won't harbor any reservations."
The sudden mention of "two" left Ling Wuxie utterly dumbfounded, and Master Bai's eyes conveyed a multitude of complex emotions.
"Feng Monarch is no ordinary individual," Bai Chen thought. "He's undeniably a profoundly dangerous character."
What particularly astonished Bai Chen was not just the offering of the dan beads, but how Cha Eun Xiao presented them. It was known that Feng Zhiling and Bai Chen were destined adversaries, and Ling Wuxie staunchly supported Bai Chen's cause. Given their brotherly bond, Bai Chen was confident that nothing could sever their unshakeable alliance.
However, when the Nine Turns Heart Dan was brought into the equation, Bai Chen's own convictions wavered. Typically, he would have given Ling Wuxie one of the coveted dan beads due to his friend's insistent yearning. However...
Cha Eun Xiao keenly discerned the rift between them and didn't disregard it. Rather, he made a concerted effort to address the issue. Bai Chen recognized the genius of Cha Eun Xiao's move. He knew Ling Wuxie and Bai Chen were inseparable friends, their bond nearly unbreakable. Cha Eun Xiao's actions displayed not an intention to widen the rift but to mend it. Bai Chen's respect for Cha Eun Xiao deepened.
Ling Wuxie, overwhelmed by the dan beads he had received, was left incoherent. His face turned crimson as he stammered, "This... That... Truly... So... I'll be damned... I... Really? For me?... Not joking? I... Me... Damn!..."
Evidently, he himself wasn't entirely sure of what he was saying.
Cha Eun Xiao, still wearing a warm, gentle smile, reassured him. "I am a true friend to Brother Ling. Why would I jest about this?"