The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 841: His Name Is Cha Eun Xiao!

His Name Is Cha Eun Xiao! . . .

Cha Shuqing's countenance underwent a transformation after a prolonged period of contemplation, and a bitter smile graced his lips. He articulated, "Indeed, he cannot remain here. His presence here... it would lead to his demise..."

"That's correct," Cha Nantian concurred. "Setting aside the fact that he's my son and the looming threat from the Qiong-Hua Palace, it's been seventeen years since anyone in this place has witnessed the emergence of another superlative genius."

Cha Shuqing acknowledged with a rueful smile, "It would inevitably spark internal strife within the clan, result in a schism of the same bloodline, and cause a redistribution of power."

He exhaled deeply. "My brother is gone... If my son were to return here and flaunt his unparalleled brilliance, it would undoubtedly seal his fate."

A sudden pallor overtook Cha Shuqing's visage. His fingers clenched into unyielding fists.

Cha Nantian mused, "Perhaps it's wiser to allow him to venture into the martial world on his own. To liberate him from the burdens of his family name. The decision I made, unaware of my brother's fate, now seems like a fortuitous one."

"I hope... that he..." Cha Shuqing sighed.

Cha Nantian reassured his father, saying, "Don't fret, Father. He's a resilient young man, consistently composed and unwavering. He will eventually return to the Clan Clan. Even if it's merely a brief visit, I'll ensure he pays you a visit."

"Good." Cha Shuqing's eyes brightened, and he expressed, "I must see my grandson... My poor child..."

Tears welled in his eyes as he sighed, remarking, "He's still just a boy, yet he's burdened with so much. It must be tremendously challenging for him."

Cha Nantian sighed and said, "Don't worry, Father. He will reunite with the clan in due course. Even if he refrains from disclosing his true identity, he will always be my son. That will never change."

"Yes!" Cha Shuqing affirmed solemnly. "Regardless of anything else, he bears the name Cha!"

Then, he inquired, "What is his name?"

Cha Nantian displayed a hint of embarrassment as he responded, "His name is... Cha Eun Xiao."

"Cha Eun Xiao!" Cha Shuqing was taken aback. He rose abruptly, nearly toppling his chair. "How could you bestow such a name upon my grandson? It's a taboo! You might not have been in the Qing-Yun Realm at the time, but you certainly know the significance of that name!"

Cha Nantian sighed and explained, "I was... utterly broken at that point. I was consumed by worry, fearful that my son and I might meet an untimely end. I was concerned about potential perils he might encounter in the future."

"That's why I chose to name him Cha Eun Xiao, similar to the Xiao Monarch," Cha Nantian elucidated. "I believed that if he were ever in dire straits, revealing his name might deter people from provoking him."

"I'm his father, yet I am powerless to guarantee his safety," he lamented. "I felt compelled to do whatever it took."

Cha Nantian concluded with a heavy heart, "Even if the Xiao Monarch were to discover it, he'd likely direct his wrath at me for naming the child thus. The boy is innocent; he wouldn't harm an innocent child. The Xiao Monarch has always operated alone and disregarded conventional rules. Yet, I've never heard of him harming innocent individuals."

"Unexpectedly, when Xiao Xiao reached the age of sixteen, the renowned Xiao Monarch... actually passed away. I suppose I'll never have the chance to pay the price for borrowing his name..." Cha Nantian confessed, his tone tinged with shame.

Cha Shuqing was taken aback, rendered speechless by the revelation.

Yet, amidst the shock, another emotion swelled within him—shame.

Here he stood as the patriarch of a distinguished clan, yet he couldn't safeguard his own son and grandson. His son, facing some of life's harshest trials, had chosen to bestow upon his grandson the most illustrious name as a form of protection, fully aware that it might lead to the boy's ultimate demise.

It was a potent shield, nonetheless. In the Qing-Yun Realm, the name Cha Eun Xiao was widely recognized. Even those who might not know Cha Eun Xiao had certainly heard of the Xiao Monarch.

That enigmatic figure was etched into the very fabric of their world, known to even the deaf and blind. As long as the Xiao Monarch remained oblivious or indifferent, anyone contemplating harm to the child would pause and reconsider.

After all, confessing to the act of slaying the child was no trifling matter. Who would dare declare, "I killed Cha Eun Xiao! I am the one responsible!"

Such a statement was tantamount to a death wish. Antagonizing the Xiao Monarch was a perilous endeavor. This was precisely why the name 'Cha Eun Xiao' had provided a degree of protection for the boy.

"The dilemma lies in the fact that the Xiao Monarch is no longer with us. Regardless of how resonant his name may be, it has been consigned to history," Cha Shuqing lamented. "In reality, this name has become taboo in our world. Should the individuals from the three factions learn of a young man named Cha Eun Xiao, they would dispatch assassins to eliminate him, just to banish that name from their ears."

"Don't fret, Father. I did caution the boy. Upon his arrival in this world, he will alter his name," Cha Nantian reassured his father with a wistful smile, his gaze fixed on the older man. "In truth, even I, as his father, do not know the appellation he currently employs. I am uncertain whether he retains the family name or not."

Cha Shuqing remained silent for a while, then spoke after a protracted sigh, "This is for the best. The fact that even you are unaware of his name provides an added layer of security. You've taken precautions to protect our clan."

Cha Nantian offered no verbal response, but his bitter smile conveyed his sentiments.

[How could I not?]

[I confessed and delivered myself to the clan. I remember being candid with them. My son will never commit the same mistake. I won't let him become a casualty in the midst of these power-hungry wolves!]

"I pray that the boy remains safe beyond our borders," Cha Shuqing stated after a period of introspection, his countenance marked by a melancholic air.

Cha Nantian remained silent.

[I don't yearn for your fame. I don't covet your power. I don't desire your wealth! I simply wish for you to be... safe and content! I hope you can lead a life devoid of grievances.]

It was a father's earnest wish for his son!