Laughter of the Monarch; Hero of Eternity! . . .
Cha Eun Xiao's eyes opened, and he declared, "This poison is the Dream Soul Powder, a venomous substance of extreme potency. It's imperative to understand that there may be multiple adversaries targeting your young lord, all with the intent of orchestrating his demise."
His words hung in the air as an air of solemnity pervaded the room. Shangguan Zhuifeng struggled to contain his emotions, and he implored Cha Eun Xiao with an intensity that bespoke his desperation.
"Young man, you are correct," Shangguan Zhuifeng's voice wavered. "Yet, I have only one question on my mind: can my son be saved?"
Cha Eun Xiao met Shangguan Zhuifeng's gaze and nodded. "Yes."
The room held its collective breath, and the tension was palpable.
Shangguan Zhuifeng's eyes, filled with anger and a tinge of sorrow, revealed that he likely had a sense of who was responsible for this heinous act. He implored Cha Eun Xiao with heartfelt emotion, "Hmm, please, young brother."
In the ensuing silence, hope hung in the air like a lifeline.
Cha Eun Xiao delivered the astounding revelation, "Not only can your son be saved, but your legs can also be healed."
The room erupted with shock and elation, though a seed of doubt took root in the minds of some. Cha Eun Xiao sensed this and addressed their concerns.
He smiled serenely and implored them, "I understand your reservations, but I ask for your complete trust and unwavering commitment to my instructions. The first step is to locate certain items without which it will be impossible to save the young lord."
As the fervor in the room subsided, doubt lingered.
["Complete trust?"]
["Is this a ploy?"]
["Why does he sound like that malicious quack therapist?"]
Cha Eun Xiao approached the old alliance chief, peered into his eyes, and whispered a cryptic phrase, "One sword crosses the sky; thousands of horses surpass the wind. Laughter of the Monarch; hero of eternity."
The effect was immediate and profound. Shangguan Zhuifeng, who had initially struggled to hold back tears, was now flushed with disbelief. His hands trembled as he attempted to rise from his chair.
Cha Eun Xiao remained composed, silently observing the old chief.
Shangguan Zhuifeng's eyes filled with tears, and he gasped uncontrollably, momentarily overwhelmed by emotion. In a trembling voice, he uttered, "You... you..."
The room fell silent.
The venerable old chief, renowned for his indomitable spirit and resilience, was shedding tears.
"No more deliberation! No further hesitation! Follow his every command! Right now!" Shangguan Zhuifeng's voice cracked as he issued the most severe directive of his tenure. "Anyone who disobeys... will be expelled from the Black Cavalry Alliance!"
The word "expelled" carried a weight that sent shivers through the onlookers. For the Black Cavalry, this punishment was more dreaded than death itself.
Unwavering trust had been established, as Shangguan Zhuifeng placed his faith in Cha Eun Xiao to an extent no one had anticipated.
A hushed silence fell over the room as shock reverberated through the assembly. No one dared to utter a word.
["What on earth just happened?"]
["Why the sudden change of heart by our chief?"]
["What did he say to Chief Shangguan?"]
In the blink of an eye, disbelief gave way to acceptance as they witnessed the unwavering trust in Shangguan Zhuifeng's eyes. It was clear that this young man held the chief's complete confidence.
It was not without curiosity that Shangguan Zhuifeng, who moments ago seemed an imposing figure, inquired gently, "Brother, may I know your name?"
Cha Eun Xiao found himself at a momentary loss. While it was customary to share one's name upon request, he had been content to remain veiled by the anonymity of his family name, Cha. However, considering the unique circumstances, Cha Eun Xiao realized that he could no longer evade the chief's question.
He sought an alias, a new identity that would not compromise the safety of those he cared about.
"My family name is Cha," he began. "Chief Shangguan, you may refer to me as Cha Jun."
It was an alias he had created on the spot, a fabrication born out of necessity.
The others were puzzled by Cha Eun Xiao's response, suspecting it to be nothing more than a deception, perhaps even a sign of disrespect to the chief who had extended his trust. Their incredulous gazes bore into Cha Eun Xiao.
["The chief asked for his name, and he replies with a fabricated one?"]
["He must have seriously misunderstood the significance of this moment."]
["How can he be so audacious?"]
However, the response from Shangguan Zhuifeng was unexpected. Rather than showing any hint of annoyance, he appeared contemplative. A smile crept across his face as he praised Cha Eun Xiao's chosen name.
"A fine name, indeed," Shangguan Zhuifeng mused. "Brother Cha Jun, now that you've shared your name, guide us. Your word is our command."
The chief's unanticipated reaction only deepened the sense of intrigue among some of the onlookers, who began to suspect that the name Cha Jun held a significance that had eluded them.
["There's more to this name than meets the eye."]
["Why did Chief Shangguan react that way?"]
["Is there something special about Cha Jun's alias?"]