The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 179: Be Satisfied

Be Satisfied . . .

"Not bad," Cha Nan-Tian couldn't help but express his admiration. "You truly embody the spirit of the Cha Clan. It warms my heart to see the value you place on bonds." He turned his gaze to Song Jue and continued, "Brother, what are your thoughts on my son?"

Song Jue, touched by the moment, made an effort to control his emotions. He responded, "He is truly exceptional, elder brother. This is the first time I've experienced such care from the younger generation. I can't help but regret not marrying and having a son of my own. If I did, perhaps he would have been as remarkable as Xiao Xiao."

Cha Nan-Tian beamed with pride and let out a hearty laugh.

Then he continued, "The two of you have certainly woven quite the tale for everyone this time. Your actions have caused quite a stir in the kingdom, and I was initially quite furious. However, seeing Xiao-Er grow into a true man... it brings me great comfort."

"Most importantly," Cha Nan-Tian emphasized, "you now grasp the essence of being a man, the weight of responsibility, and the meaning of protection." He directed his gaze at Cha-Eun Xiao. "Do you understand now?"

Cha-Eun Xiao felt a twinge of embarrassment but nodded in agreement. These lessons were something he had recently come to comprehend.

Indeed, it was worth coming all this way back home. Cha Nan-Tian marveled at his son's transformation and commented, "Seeing the man you've become makes this journey worthwhile."

Cha-Eun Xiao nodded in silent admiration for his father.

While Cha Nan-Tian was deeply concerned about the northern war, his heart was far more invested in what he needed to safeguard. There might be critics who accused him of forsaking the nation and countless families for the sake of his son, but making such choices was never straightforward.

Cha Nan-Tian had chosen to return home, fully aware of the shame he would bear. It was the indelible flaw of the seemingly invincible great general, but he cared little for public opinion.

Some might argue that true heroes were those who remained on the battlefield, leaving their families behind. Yet, if a man couldn't protect his own parents, wife, and children, how could he be considered virtuous? What was the point of fighting for one's homeland if they couldn't provide a good life for their loved ones?

Heroes on the battlefield might yearn to return home when their families faced dire circumstances, but principles and military regulations often prevented them from doing so. It was a complex and unanswerable question.

Cha Nan-Tian, however, adhered to his principles and remained undeterred by others' opinions.

"I truly needed you... to come home this time," Cha-Eun Xiao hesitated when addressing his father. The term felt strange on his tongue, and he struggled to adjust to this newfound reality.

However, Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't help but wonder to himself, "If my father in my previous life had cared about me this much, I wouldn't have asked for anything more. Now that I have this body and this father, why should I demand more? Isn't this the true love I've yearned for?"

Cha Nan-Tian glanced at his son and raised an eyebrow. "I'm curious to hear your reason. If I don't find it reasonable, you will certainly face punishment."

Although he took pride in his son's transformation into a responsible man, Cha-Eun Xiao had caused a considerable commotion with his actions this time. Therefore, Cha Nan-Tian expected a convincing explanation.

"Firstly," Cha-Eun Xiao began, "the Kingdom of Chen may appear wealthy and powerful, but it faces threats from all sides. When war breaks out, the kingdom requires capable individuals to support it."

"Secondly, internal harmony takes precedence over external strength. Despite external threats, corruption still festers within the city. The souls of fallen soldiers find no peace, and their families suffer. Unscrupulous individuals hold key positions, while the virtuous are denied opportunities to serve their country. If this situation persists, even with an invincible general and a massive army, the kingdom is bound to fall. That is the simple truth."

Cha-Eun Xiao smiled and continued, "Now that we are in the midst of battle, it is an opportune moment to clean up the court."

"Father, you may have been constrained here in the past, but I believe you have developed a deep attachment to this country. It is your duty and responsibility to protect it. If you can maintain peace within the country, then when we eventually leave, we will also depart in tranquility. It is..."

Pausing briefly, Cha-Eun Xiao added, "It is so that I can say I have done my utmost, leaving with no regrets. The days and nights that follow my departure will no longer concern me..."

"It's about achieving inner peace."

"This peace is vital for our cultivation and will greatly influence our future achievements."

With a serious tone, Cha-Eun Xiao continued, "Even if we defeat the external enemies but allow corruption within the court to persist, we will regret seeing the families of fallen soldiers living in misery. Winning battles may bring honor to a soldier, but it is also a general's responsibility to ensure the well-being of these families."

"If you choose to ignore it, you may still be a good general, but you will be nothing more than a war fanatic. If we aspire to be better than that, we must take action now."

"We need to eradicate the corruption within the court."

Cha-Eun Xiao spoke with conviction and seriousness, explaining his perspective to his father.

Cha Nan-Tian let out a sigh and replied, "Your reasoning is sound. However, it is common for corruption to infiltrate a country as it grows stronger and more powerful. Even if we strive for justice, corruption may resurface in a few years. When will it ever end?"

Cha-Eun Xiao replied firmly, "Our responsibility will conclude when we must depart."

Cha-Eun Xiao's voice carried a resolute tone as he addressed his father. "We simply wish to have a clear conscience. You wouldn't want to let down the soldiers who have faithfully followed you, would you?" His gaze was unwavering as he looked into Cha Nan-Tian's eyes, meeting his father's gaze for the first time.

He continued, contemplating the finite nature of their existence. "Consider our cultivation capabilities, Father, Uncle Song's, and mine. How many more years do you think we will remain in this world?"

Cha Nan-Tian was deeply moved by his son's words, seeing a newfound wisdom in Cha-Eun Xiao.

"What you say holds great meaning," Cha-Eun Xiao continued earnestly. "As we will inevitably depart from this world, why not leave behind a legacy of honor? A man leaves his name, just as birds leave their songs. If we strive to achieve our dreams, our names will surely be etched into the annals of history."

He then shifted his focus, revealing a personal concern. "Of course, the names themselves don't matter to me as much as the knowledge that there's something I can do to improve this world. If I neglect to make it better, it would be a regret in my life. And I don't wish to live with regrets."

"It is undeniably meaningful," Cha-Eun Xiao asserted.

"Father, now that you have returned and it seems the kingdom faces dire straits, our nation's survival hangs in the balance. However, it's important to note that the kingdom still stands strong, far from total defeat. If you can effect change within the capital and rectify the mistakes made there, it will serve as a great source of inspiration for the soldiers on the battlefield. All those who fight are deeply concerned about their homes here, not just you."

He exuded confidence as he spoke. "The war will persist, but it's the last thing we should fear."

With a nod, Cha-Eun Xiao added, "Prince Hua-Yang cannot undertake the task of cleansing the capital, as he must remain here to safeguard his clan's interests. Our situation is different, Father. The same goes for me."

As Cha Nan-Tian paced the room, his hands clasped behind his back, he finally spoke with conviction. "In that case, you must continue to feign your illness."

With that, an answer for the future had been reached, and Cha-Eun Xiao felt a sense of relief.

As Cha Nan-Tian and Song Jue exited the room, Cha-Eun Xiao remained alone, basking in the happiness that came from feeling cared for by his family.

"That," he reflected, "is the feeling of being loved by one's family. It's the feeling of having a family."

He was well aware of the considerable distance that separated the northern battlefield from the capital.

The journey home for Cha Nan-Tian had undoubtedly been an arduous one, fraught with peril and danger. Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't help but marvel at the tremendous effort his father had undertaken to return to their house of Cha within such a remarkably short span of time. In his eyes, Cha Nan-Tian was nothing short of an extraordinary father.

Amidst the countless traps and harrowing encounters he had faced, Cha Nan-Tian had somehow managed to survive. Any hint of carelessness on his part could have easily led to his demise along the way. Yet, against all odds, he had made it home, a testament to his remarkable resilience and determination.

As he contemplated his father's incredible journey, Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't help but murmur to himself, "I am truly content."

...

However, Cha Nan-Tian was not content to simply let the matter rest. He turned to Song Jue with a penetrating gaze and demanded, "Speak to me. What exactly transpired during my absence?"

Song Jue, taken aback by the sudden intensity of the question, responded with a puzzled expression. "What do you mean, 'what happened?'"

"Enough with the charade," Cha Nan-Tian retorted sharply. "Do not feign ignorance in my presence. How is it possible that Cha-Eun Xiao has experienced such an astonishing surge in his cultivation abilities? At his age, possessing such prodigious talent in the realm of Qing-Yun is nothing short of extraordinary. You must be well aware of this fact. More importantly, I have been away for a mere two and a half years, and yet, during this short period, Cha-Eun Xiao has exhibited a remarkable improvement in his skills. Do you not find this peculiar?"

The questions hung in the air, demanding answers that could shed light on the mysteries surrounding Cha-Eun Xiao's rapid advancement in the martial arts.