You Won't Die With Me Around! . . .
"He is a dan-maker?"
"His sect has made a supreme dan bead as their unique treasure!"
Before the extraordinary events that just transpired, they wouldn't have entertained Cha Eun Xiao's claims. If he had made such assertions earlier, they might have reacted with disbelief and scorn, dismissing him as an arrogant braggart.
"You are shamelessly bragging! Supreme dan bead? Why don't you blow a bull to death!"
However, Cha Eun Xiao had just unveiled a supreme dan bead before their eyes. They had witnessed the apparition of mist and clouds, and they had seen it revive Cha Mufei from the brink of death. Now, they had no choice but to accept that it was indeed a supreme dan bead.
Supreme dan!
What did that term mean in Qing-Yun Realm?
How many renowned dan-makers could claim to be masters of their craft in Qing-Yun Realm? They could be counted on one hand.
Dan-makers in Qing-Yun Realm were notorious for their arrogance. However, none of them possessed the ability to craft supreme dan beads. In fact, even creating superior-level dan beads with a dan glow was a fifty-fifty proposition at best.
Dan-makers, whether famous or not, were all inherently weak. None of them could simultaneously pursue mastery in martial arts and the art of dan-making. A practitioner had to choose one discipline or the other. Those who attempted to excel in both invariably fell short in each, squandering their talents. Many who were initially gifted in dan-making or martial arts ended up as mediocrities because they wasted too much time on the field in which they were not naturally inclined.
"Cha Chongxiao is undoubtedly a prodigy! He possesses a promising future in martial arts and dan-making! And he enjoys an extraordinary stroke of luck. On his very first day in Qing-Yun Realm, he acquired ten thousand years of cultivation!"
"He... he's not just priceless!"
"He is an incomparable treasure!"
With the exception of Cha Mufei, none of them were aware of Cha Eun Xiao's Natural Exquisite Body. Cha Eun Xiao was not merely a prodigy; he defied the laws of nature.
Cha Mufei took a long breath and slowly opened his eyes, still experiencing discomfort but sensing a gradual improvement. He could efficiently channel his own spiritual energy, which surged throughout his body, ridding it of the Nine Determination Dark Poison. His spiritual power was greatly depleted but would replenish with rest.
As he rose to his feet and smiled with relief, he said, "What an astonishing supreme dan bead. The poison is gone, and I am safe. Don't worry, everyone."
Cha Eun Xiao sought to express something but was cautioned by Xiao Mufei to desist. A puzzled expression crossed Xiao Mufei's face as he inquired, "Has that girl left?"
"Yes, you permitted her departure, and we dared not impede her," the others replied.
"Hmm," Xiao Mufei observed, peering into the distance. "She departed just like that. Well, so be it."
"Master, why did you let her go?" Fang Dalong, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, voiced the question that had been on everyone's mind.
Xiao Mufei's countenance took on an unusual aspect as he explained, "I suspect you must be perplexed and astounded by the nature of that treacherous scheme. An inch can feel like a mile, while a mile can be reduced to an inch. It was a design tailored specifically for me. It succeeded, as you have witnessed. It was a flawless trap..."
He wore a wistful smile as he continued, "I had a daughter, a clever and endearing child. I indulged her to the fullest. Her name was Rongrong... The girl from before, she bore an uncanny resemblance to my daughter, nearly identical."
He confessed, "The trap was meticulously constructed to ensnare me. While I knew it was a snare, I felt compelled to step into it. I do not regret it..." With a sigh, he lapsed into silence.
Cha Eun Xiao remained silent as well, at a loss for words. He was both awe-struck and horrified by the intricacy of the trap. The more he pondered it, the more he recognized the depths of its cunning.
Had Xiao Mufei not spotted the girl, the members of the Cold Moon Palace might have simply turned them away or eliminated them. In essence, the plot had entailed sacrificing two relatively inexperienced assassins to eliminate an important target. In the absence of Cha Eun Xiao, the Nine Determination Dark Poison would have undeniably claimed Xiao Mufei's life, making it an exceedingly successful gamble for the antagonists.
They had exploited the most vulnerable aspect of Xiao Mufei's heart, employing the name and appearance of his deceased daughter to ensnare him...
The treachery was inhuman and malevolent!
Xiao Mufei couldn't bring himself to harm the girl; her visage bore an uncanny resemblance to his own daughter. The likeness was uncanny, even if it was not truly her. In his heart, it was as if he would be extinguishing his own flesh and blood if he took her life.
Aware that it was a snare, a trap meticulously designed to ensnare him, he was nevertheless willing to face the peril it presented. Even as the Nine Determination Dark Poison coursed through his veins, he made the conscious choice to allow the girl to depart. He chose to spare the life of the very person who had delivered a potentially lethal blow.
In response to this contemplative silence, Cha Eun Xiao offered a soothing perspective. "Perhaps there's meaning in your decision, Master. When you permitted her to leave, she showed her gratitude by bowing and thanking you."
Xiao Mufei's eyes ignited like lightning, aflame with intense emotions. His gaze was so fervent that it was almost unbearable to behold. Then, he heaved a deep sigh of relief, still gazing into the distance. "I hope that she... finds happiness after her return."
Cha Eun Xiao was deeply moved. The juxtaposition of events struck him profoundly. Despite the near-fatal danger she had posed, Xiao Mufei cared deeply for the girl due to her name and her uncanny resemblance to his own daughter. The complexity of Xiao Mufei's character became evident. While he might not be considered a good man when it came to those outside of the Cold Moon Palace, the warmth and depth of his feelings as a father were undeniable.
The image of Cha Nantian, his adoptive father, crossed Cha Eun Xiao's mind. His thoughts resonated with this comparison.
"Who would dare to harm my son?"
"My son can do as he pleases!"
"Anyone who threatens my son will meet a dire fate!"
Cha Eun Xiao found himself grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. He longed to see his adoptive father once more, despite their complicated relationship.