39 Praise me more (2/2)

”But,” Peng Jipei wasn't entirely convinced and kept playing with the tips of his hair, ”are you sure it won't upset some sort of important balance? What if this entire forest wilts after the phoenix dies?”

”And so what? Does it even matter?” Yuan Xuelan sighed, exasperated, ”Aren't you the one at fault for this situation anyway? What choice do you even have?”

”...” At this, Peng Jipei was quiet and sulked as he grimaced at his hair.

Liu Sumeng despised the stretching silence but he felt like there was nothing he could say. Not with Peng Jipei's annoying personality and sullen mood, and not with Yuan Xuelan who was both unusually quiet and didn't want to look at his face.

So instead he tried to focus on the way the air fogged at his breath and the tiny bit of warmth that seeped through the canopy as the sun climbed higher in the sky. Snow crunched below their feet.

It was almost noon when they approached the cave, Yuan Xuelan sighed one more time and asked, ”Does everyone know what we're supposed to do? Because one mistake and we'll probably end up as a pile of ash. A phoenix is no joke.”

Liu Sumeng nodded, resolute and unafraid while, Peng Jipei was quaking and chewed up his bottom lips. ”Is this really a good idea? What if we die?”

Yuan Xuelan was unamused, ”Are you stupid, Peng-ge?”

”...” Liu Sumeng said nothing to intervene and only glared at Peng Jipei, cold.

Sweat beaded at Peng Jipei's forehead, ”Isn't there an easier way…?” he asked, ”Surely, there has to be.”

”To get a divine beast's spiritual core in three days?” Yuan Xuelan narrowed his eyes, ”Even if the emperor had one in the depths of his treasury how do you think you're going to pry it out of his hands?”

Liu Sumeng finally spoke up, ”This is the most efficient way. There is also the option of going back.”

”Ah yes, I'm not averse to going back, Peng-ge. We can always give up now.” Yuan Xuelan nodded as he gave the idea more thought.

But Peng Jipei paled, ”But Dage will throw me and Mother out! He's totally serious!”

”Then we proceed.” Liu Sumeng let out a huff of breath, a rare display of irritation.

”Yeah, we proceed,” Yuan Xuelan nodded in agreement, ”You're lucky we're even around to help you out. If I didn't care about your well-being and the Ivory Sword Saint wasn't such a compassionate person, what would you even do?”

Peng Jipei lowered his head in shame, ”You're always helping me out, A-Zhang. Thank you.”

”Hmph,” Yuan Xuelan crossed his arms across his chest and huffed, ”That's right. I'm a trustworthy and reliable person, so you better praise me more.”

Peng Jipei looked up with a questioning expression but Liu Sumeng did not hesitate in the slightest and responded with, ”Yuan Xuelan is a very trustworthy and reliable person. His loyalty is extremely boundless. He is also a genius and very-”

”Stop!” Yuan Xuelan cried, his face horror-stricken and arms flailing.

But now that Yuan Xuelan was finally looking his way, how could Liu Sumeng stop? So he continued, ”He's very clever and is always able to come up with a plan even in the direst of situations. He's caring even if he doesn't-”

”What did I say about stopping!?” Yuan Xuelan leaped forward, face thoroughly red as he pressed his palm against Liu Sumeng's mouth, silencing him, ”What did I say about taking me seriously!? Why don't you ever listen?” His voice was hitched from the horror. He couldn't even fathom the Ivory Sword Saint blurting out such stupid and embarrassing things! And now he was on the verge of a heart attack, again! Why did this have to keep happening!? Just what kind of curse came with this Liu Sumeng?

Soft laughter broke through the air, Peng Jipei doubled over, pressing a dainty fist to his mouth, not at all modest. ”You deserved that, A-Zhang!”

Yuan Xuelan scowled, but then his expression softened. At least Peng Jipei could feel at ease, even if it was only for a fleeting moment. Yuan Xuelan might not have been the most empathetic of people, but he liked to believe that he wasn't cruel.

After all, they might as well enjoy this small moment of reprise. He counted exactly up to ten before bringing up their next task, ”Ok, so we all know what to do?” This time, everyone nodded.

Satisfied, they took to their positions.