172 Caught Up (1/2)
After Xue Wei had exhausted the stories he could tell of the time after their separation, Wang Xiaoyun finally turned quiet and the trio advanced in silence.
From time to time, Wang Xiaoyun's eyes flashed dangerously. When she looked at Hei Gou, her face would display unconcealed displeasure, but she said nothing.
Hei Gou pretended that he did not see it, whereas Xue Wei was wondering what exactly he should do to make her opinion of beasts change.
Xue Wei did not hate beasts. He hated specific individuals such as Chu Huiyin, but the beasts as a whole were not a group he hated.
It was the same with humans. Although almost the entire human race was hunting him, he did not hate them. But he hated some of them - especially those that had caused Tie Haolong's death.
Xue Wei had taken off the face mask when he had headed into the forest beneath Goat Mountain because he wanted Wang Xioayun to recognize him, but now that they were together again, he placed the mask back on his face.
It would be hard to deliver the Seven Star Nightflower to Wan Qiang if his appearance suddenly changed.
Wang Xiaoyun had been informed of everything about them, so she knew he would look different for some time. She only looked on curiously as Xue Wei placed the mask on his face, and saw how his features changed from a somewhat handsome young man to a figure so average that he would not stand out in a crowd.
Hei Gou smiled slightly when he saw her naive and innocent curiosity, but the moment she noticed his smile, her face distorted. It was clear that she could not comprehend why Xue Wei put so much value on a Primordial Beast, even if he had saved his life before.
They soon reached the location of the formation. Although they could not see anything, Xue Wei could feel a vibration running through the energy in the region.
Wang Xiaoyun was the strongest in their group, a genuine fourth layer Heavenly Warrior, whereas Hei Gou was only a sixth layer Sky Warrior in Qi-level despite his Heavenly Warrior-level physical strength, so she covered their rear as they approached
”It is really not needed,” Xue Wei had said with a laugh. ”We have never encountered a Primordial Beast in our travels so far, much less a Fierce Beast.”
”Don't be complacent. Just because you have not encountered them yet does not mean that you will not encounter them ever. I will ensure that no one can assault us from behind and at the same time keep an eye on your friend in case he is going to betray us.”
”I told you he is not like that!” Xue Wei got upset when he heard that. Wang Xiaoyun realized she had said too much. ”I apologize,” she said meekly. Hei Gou accepted the apology rather quickly so that there would be no drama.
Xue Wei gave Hei Gou a thumbs up. He was a true friend indeed. It was no understatement to say that Hei Gou was a proud figure. Although he had never been treated well in the Celestial Dog Clan, he had always had pride in his bones.
After running away, all he saw forward to was imminent death, but Xue Wei had given him a new lease on life. So although Hei Gou could typically not handle others insulting him, he would ignore the hurtful words that Wang Xiaoyun said when considering what she had gone through and what she meant to Xue Wei.
”But Wei, I don't understand,” Wang Xiaoyun suddenly spoke out after walking for some time. ”Beasts have done such terrible things to you. Just like me, the Ice Harpy changed your entire life and framed you in front of all the humans. Does it not make your blood boil? Do you not want revenge on all the beasts for what they did to you?”
”You are mistaken,” Xue Wei sighed for the umpteenth time, unsure of how to make her understand. ”Although the Ice Harpy framed me and caused my entire life to be turned upside down, those were her actions alone. I cannot hate all beasts because of one beast's action.”
”In fact, I got some great assistance from another beast, a Lightning Sparrow. It risked its life to help my friend and I escape the encirclement in the middle of the city.”
”Also, the humans were the ones who decided to use dirty tricks to try and capture me. The humans are the ones who are currently chasing me. If I were to hate a race, I fear that the race I would hate would be my own kind.”
”But everything was started by the Ice Harpy! Had it not been for her, you would have never encountered these problems, and then no one would have found fault with you. Don't you think that the beasts are at fault for starting it all?”
”If I were to blame someone, it would be Chu Huiyin.” Xue Wei nodded his head. ”But not all beasts are the same. I fear that the Ice Harpy is insane in her head; the few interactions I have had with her have revealed her madness to me quite visibly.”
”Chu Huiyin?” Wang Xiaoyun spat out the name. ”You are not a Primordial Beast, so how come you know her real name?”
She looked tentative and a little guarded as she asked this question. Her eyes showed a slight trace of distrust, but it vanished as soon as it had appeared.
”I have had a few interactions with her before,” Xue Wei answered honestly. ”She was in her human shape and was causing havoc in the kingdom of Heping.”
Then Xue Wei went on to explain the entire process in which he had met and gotten to know Chu Huiyin. He could understand that Wang Xiaoyun was worried – Chu Huiyin was after all her most hated foe, so knowledge on the subject was more than welcome.
The moment Xue Wei finished talking, a relieved smile appeared on Wang Xiaoyun's face. She nodded her head.
”But for now, let us enter the formation,” Xue Wei said. They had been standing in front of it for some time, inspecting its appearance for any hidden mechanisms.