The Ethereal Domains

War In The South; Disturbance In The Capital . . .

What mattered most was that Steward Song could now gradually recover his cultivation and harness it to resist the residual effects of the Golden Mai Palm. Cha-Eun Xiao estimated that these effects wouldn't manifest for at least three years. He marveled at his newfound ability, which would enable him to effortlessly cure the palm's effects by then.

Having successfully healed Steward Song without revealing his identity, Cha-Eun Xiao had managed to enhance his own cultivation in the process. It was a bit like receiving a reward for his good deeds, a stroke of good fortune in an otherwise challenging world.

Feeling content and at ease, Cha-Eun Xiao retired to his own bedroom and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

The following morning, Steward Song slowly regained consciousness, initially bewildered by his unexpected survival. He scrutinized his body but found no signs of injury. Attempting to sit up, he froze mid-motion, sensing a profound change within him. The relentless, searing energy that had tormented him for sixteen years had vanished.

In an attempt to wake himself from what he believed was a dream, Steward Song slapped his own face with force. The pain and the buzzing in his ear convinced him that it was indeed a reality he was experiencing. He was not in a dream.

Realization dawned upon him as he assessed his own condition. He realized that his dormant Jing and Mai had awakened, and spiritual energy coursed through his body. His renewed vitality was undeniable.

Overwhelmed by this miraculous transformation, Steward Song couldn't contain his emotions. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he wept tears of joy. He had once thought his life was devoid of hope, destined to remain a mere steward in his elder brother's house. Yet, in an astonishing turn of events, he had made a complete recovery from the devastating effects of the Golden Mai Palm.

He marveled at the miracle of it all, savoring the newfound energy surging through his body. Steward Song knew that his cultivation had changed, but it was a change that he welcomed. He had been given a second chance, and he vowed to make the most of it.

Despite his initial confusion, gratitude overwhelmed Steward Song as he reflected on the events of the previous night. He pondered the identity of the mysterious benefactor who had come to his aid, wondering how they had known about his condition and managed to dispel the seemingly incurable effects of the Golden Mai Palm.

As Steward Song contemplated these questions, he was filled with a mix of curiosity and profound gratitude, eager to unravel the mystery surrounding his miraculous recovery and the identity of his enigmatic savior.

These thoughts swirled within Cha-Eun Xiao's heart, forming complex knots of emotion. However, the sheer joy of having survived the brink of death overwhelmed everything else.

"As long as I am still breathing, I'll find a way to repay this immense favor," he resolved, his gratitude profound.

He contemplated the mysterious benefactor who had intervened in his life. "He didn't appear out of nowhere. There must be a reason for his presence. I'll wait patiently; he will reveal himself again. If there's a task he requires of me, I'll see it through."

Yet, he held a steadfast condition in his heart. "But if he ever asks me to act against my elder brother, I'd rather end my own life than betray him," he vowed.

With this thought, Song Jue felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He had regained a portion of his cultivation, and the future seemed promising. He embraced a newfound sense of pride and responsibility.

As the morning dawned, the guards of the Cha Clan noticed a remarkable change in their usually stoic Master Steward. He was smiling and engaging in conversations, a stark departure from his usual demeanor.

Their confusion gave rise to humorous speculations. "Has the grim reaper gone mad? Maybe he woke up on the wrong side of the bed today," they joked among themselves. Some even suggested warding off evil spirits, half-jokingly.

In the meantime, Cha-Eun Xiao seized the opportunity to cultivate the East-rising Purple Qi, harnessing the pure yang purple qi during the early morning hours. The energy was at its peak, providing him with a prime environment for his practice.

However, as he prepared to leave, Steward Song intercepted him with a smile, a healthy flush in his cheeks. Cha-Eun Xiao was aware of the reason behind the steward's jubilant mood but couldn't afford to be delayed.

In a playful manner, Cha-Eun Xiao muttered gibberish and hurried past the steward towards the watchtower, determined not to be detained. 𝙗𝙚𝙙𝒏𝙤𝒗𝒆𝒍．𝒄𝙤𝙢

Confused by his behavior, Steward Song could only scratch his head, wondering what had come over Cha-Eun Xiao.

But before long, the steward approached him with grave news from the south. A war had erupted, pitting the Southern Barbarians and the Kingdom of Jin-Yang against the forces of General Lan, Cha-Eun Xiao's close acquaintance.

Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't help but frown, realizing the gravity of the situation. The steward confirmed his suspicions by mentioning General Lan, whose father was entangled in the conflict.

"General Lan? Lan Lang-Lang's father?" Cha-Eun Xiao inquired, connecting the dots.

The steward nodded gravely. "Yes, that's correct. General Lan is in dire straits. He's nearly encircled from three directions. The fate of the battle now rests on the king's decision."

Intrigued by the unfolding situation, Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't help but inquire, "And what of the north?"

The steward, brimming with pride, replied confidently, "The great general stands firm in the north. It's as unshakeable as a mountain!"

He was undoubtedly referring to Cha-Eun Xiao's father, the Northern General, and the unwavering stability of their northern stronghold.

Cha-Eun Xiao, however, couldn't suppress a sigh at the steward's unwavering confidence. He pondered to himself, [How did this blind faith come to be?]

With a tone of resignation, Cha-Eun Xiao continued, "Even though the south seems to be in turmoil, there's little we can do to aid them, correct? I can't possibly be recruited for the battlefield, could I?"

The steward was momentarily rendered speechless by the humorous implication behind Cha-Eun Xiao's words, and he couldn't help but crack a faint smile.

[I doubt the king would opt for you over sending an army of rats into battle, Young Lord.]

"No, it's not that," the steward responded with a subtle smirk. "The situation is such that, aside from the royal court's main force, there's only one other group that can be mobilized. But if they depart for battle, it could leave our situation here quite perilous. Thus, I felt the need to inform you."

Curious, Cha-Eun Xiao probed further, "Who are these men, and how close are they to us?"

"They belong to Prince Hua-Yang," the steward replied gravely. "This battle holds the fate of our kingdom in the balance. With General Lan unable to single-handedly salvage the situation, only one man can turn the tide—the Kingdom of Chen's foremost military figure, the Military God of Chen, Prince Hua-Yang."

The steward continued to explain, "General Ye has been stationed in the north for years. His family and soldiers are all here in the capital, as are ours under General Lan. We all fall under Prince Hua-Yang's purview. If he indeed departs for battle, it could lead to a precarious period where a shift in royal power may affect military families adversely."

Cha-Eun Xiao was taken aback by the revelation. Prince Hua-Yang, the father of Su Ye-Yue and a prospective father-in-law, seemed to be a far more influential figure than he had initially realized. His newfound respect for the Military God of Chen grew immensely.

With the situation clearer to him now, Cha-Eun Xiao assured the steward, "I understand. I won't venture outside during these days. I'll ensure my safety at home and avoid any trouble."

However, the steward couldn't help but feel a twinge of discomfort at Cha-Eun Xiao's confident promise. It was as if the young lord had forgotten his previous blunders entirely. His mouth twitched in response.

Hearing Cha-Eun Xiao's words, the steward couldn't help but think to himself, "This little rascal is quite bold in making such promises. Last time he vowed to stay out of trouble, he ended up killing the crown prince's brother-in-law. Now he's making another commitment, even adding 'greatly awakened' to it. I must have been a foolish dog to believe him."

Nonetheless, the steward maintained a stoic demeanor outwardly, masking his inner turmoil with a faint smile.