4 Day 3: The Scum Is Mischievous (1/2)

”Ah Sheng. Did your cultivation finally leveled up since you saw me through my disguise?” Chen Han, excited, asked Chen Sheng as he happily skipped towards Chen Sheng.

”I saw you through your disguise, but that doesn't mean my cultivation levelled up.” Chen Sheng answered.

Blank lines appeared on Chen Han's face, but he endured it since he knows his younger brother has always acted this way. Li Tian and Feng Mo just shook their head, then helped the wrapped up Fei Yin after Chen Sheng told them about him when he noticed Fei Yin's not around.

”Ah Sheng...” Chen Han called, then smiled. ”I hope you could forgive your big brother for acting this way... I just really wanted for Ah Sheng's cultivation to level up, that's why this big brother of yours tested you that way. Who knows... my Ah Sheng, even though his cultivation didn't change, he still saw through me!” he happily said, excited. ”Ah Sheng, tell me... how did you see through me?” he asked, his eyes twinkling.

”This younger brother is just smart.” Chen Sheng answered. Black lines appeared on Chen Han's face. ”Since big brother always tricks younger brother, this younger brother has no choice but to get smarter each passing day.” He explained, though it's not that all. He wanted to add, 'big brother is just being stupid. He already knows this younger brother is already aware of big brother's trick but still dared to trick him again... big brother really sure is stupid', but he can't, right? Right?

What Chen Sheng completely mistaken again is that Chen Han would gladly prefer to be called 'stupid' than make him feel guilty that his brother have to wrack his brains, finding a way to get smarter every day just to not fall for this stupid elder brother's tricks.

Chen Han swallowed the big lump on his throat and, with shaking hands, gently patted Chen Sheng's head. He's too guilty to touch his precious younger brother. ”B – Big brother will go and do a closed – door cultivation again so that younger brother Ah Sheng don't have to try and tire himself just to get smarter – ” he told Chen Sheng.

Chen Sheng cut him off. ”Big brother, this younger brother is fine. It actually is a big help for this younger brother to be smarter each day passed. Big brother is, of course, a big help, too, since he's the one who makes this younger brother do his best to be smart.” He explained, smiling brightly.

But each word that come out of Chen Sheng's mouth strikes like arrow into Chen Han's fragile heart for his younger brother. It clearly says, ”How dare you do a closed – door cultivation and level yourself up while your younger brother is forever stuck in this level. And aren't you the one who makes me suffer each day trying to find a faster way to get smarter? So don't dare butter me up by saying I'm really smart.” towards Chen Han.

Chen Han almost spit out blood as he say each word with difficulty: ”B – big brother... big brother will not do a closed – door cultivation anymore and just stay by Ah Sheng's side forever – ” he said and smiled.

Li Tian's mouth fell open, shocked. ”No way!” he protested. ”Brother Chen, please advise Senior Brother Chen – ” he said, biting his tongue when he said 'Senior Brother Chen'. ” – to continue cultivate. This brother asks this sincerely from you.” He said and bowed before Chen Sheng.

Chen Sheng, even though puzzled, nodded. ”Alright. Since Brother Li helped me before...” he said and looked at Chen Han. ”Big brother... can you please continue to cultivate?” he asked. ”Closed – door cultivation I strongly suggest.” He added, then bowed.

Like earlier, each Chen Sheng's words strike Chen Han's very fragile heart for his brother to the point it's now almost breaking. He hears a crack every time each arrow hit his heart. To Chen Han, what Chen Sheng said to him was, 'don't you dare refuse and shame me in front of my friends. Don't ever show your face to me again.'

Blood surging inside his chest and on the verge of crying, Chen Han held back his tears. ”Y – yes... if Ah Sheng says so...” he said and patted Chen Sheng's head.

Chen Sheng nodded. ”Many thanks, big brother.” He told him and bowed. ”That's right. How's Brother Fei?” he asked and his eyes fell on the white cloth wrapping a person tightly. Chen Sheng almost laughed but held himself back by biting his lips tight. ”Brother Fei - !” he called and ran towards him.

When he touched the cloth, the cloth shivered and became smooth and soft. It unwrapped itself from Fei Yin and flew to the air. All of them looked up to the sky as the cloth circled until it became a ball. With its new weight, it fell. Chen Sheng took out his hands and the ball fell right in his hands.

”Brother Chen...” Fei Yin called and sat up. Chen Sheng helped him up and pulled him by his arm. ”that... blanket...” he said and eyed the blanket cautiously.

”Oh.” Chen Sheng said and put the cloth inside his dimensional pocket.

”Brother Fei doesn't recognize the cloth?” Feng Mo asked.

Fei Yin's forehead knotted. ”What's there to recognize?” he asked, puzzled.

”It's – mm!” Feng Mo said when Chen Sheng slapped his sleeve on Feng Mo's face. Feng Mo's eyes went wide, shocked, then looked at Chen Sheng.

”Oh. Apologies, Brother Feng. I saw a fly, thinking it could be a demonic beast disguising as a fly, so I...” Chen Sheng said, didn't continue. Feng Mo shut up. Chen Sheng turned to Fei Yin. ”Brother Fei. Sorry if I gave you false information regarding the cloth.” Chen Sheng said, clasped his hands and bowed. ”This brother doesn't want to inconvenience Brother Fei since we're in a crucial situation earlier and that explaining regarding the cloth's origin will take up much time, so this brother gave a brief, but false information to Brother Fei.” He said and bowed deeply. ”This brother will accept any punishment Brother Fei will give him for lying to him.” he said, then waited.

Chen Han glared at Fei Yin, preparing to strike if Fei Yin will utter a wrong word. Li Tian anxiously looked at Fei Yin. Feng Mo curiously looks at Fei Yin, then Chen Sheng. Clearly, Chen Sheng doesn't want Fei Yin to know that the cloth is a high – grade magic item Chen Sheng fished out from a sleeping traveler while they're on their way back to their sect. Fei Yin must've forgotten about this since he's too busy dealing with the malevolent energy that's starting to gather outside their sect.

Fei Yin shook his head, both answering 'no' and shaking off the dizziness he felt from his head hitting the wall earlier. ”This Brother is not so petty to hold this small lie against you. Raise your head, Brother Chen.” He told Chen Sheng. Chen Sheng stood straight, but hung his head low, not daring to look at Fei Yin in the eye because he lied to him. Fei Yin's heart was moved he almost hugged Chen Sheng for being so pure, but held himself back the last split second when he felt the deadly glares Chen Han is giving him. ”Brother Chen.” Fei Yin called.

”Yes.” Chen Sheng answered, but still not looking at him in the eye.

Fei Yin sighed. ”Since the head of the corpse ran away, bringing all malevolent energy it gathered with it... we still have to find it.” he said. ”I hope Brother Chen will help us with the use of your talent in detecting the malevolent energy...” he said, then clasped his hands and bowed to Chen Sheng.

”This brother will definitely help you with his best.” Chen Sheng answered and nodded awkwardly at Fei Yin.

Fei Yin smiled. ”This brother is very delighted with your answer.” He said.

Since the head of the corpse was kicked away by the newcomer Chen Han earlier, a split second before the head of the corpse could touch his precious younger brother's skin. Now it flew to god knows where, going to accumulate malevolent energy again.

After assuring the lord of the mansion, together with the people that went back after the fight with the fierce corpse, they all walked back towards their sect – Newfound Sect.

As the name implies, the sect is new since it was just founded 15 years ago, so the number of the disciples of the sect is small. Chen Sheng, Fei Yin, Li Tian, and Feng Mo are the first ones to be recruited by the sect. The other disciples of the sect are mostly the ones from where their sect is located – the Newfound Land. Chen Han, although he's a cultivator, but he's of the other sect. But, despite a disciple of a different sect, Chen Han is as close as ever to his younger brother. In fact, even if the sect Chen Han belongs to is miles away from the Newfound Sect where his younger brother is, Chen Han still choose to be with his younger brother. Another reason is that, Chen Sheng is alone in the place where the Newfound Sect is, since their home is where the sect Chen Han a disciple is.

”Ah Sheng.” Chen Han called as they near the Newfound Sect. ”Do you want to go with big brother back to our hometown?” he asked.

Chen Sheng stopped. They all stopped and looked at him. ”Brother...” he said, his head hung low.

Chen Han's eyes went wide and immediately said. ”A – Ah Sheng... I – I meant, not immediately!” he said, panicking. His heart is beating so fast because of fear, making his younger brother sad. He felt like he's a villain trying to take his dear younger brother away. The stare of the three – Li Tian, Feng Mo and Fei Yin, just adds to the guilt he feels. ”A – Ah Sheng... I just – ” he said, fear in his eyes as he looked at his younger brother, afraid he'll hate him.

”... wants me to visit mom and dad?” Chen Sheng continued after his silence. ”And grandma and grandpa?” he added innocently, then tilted his head.

Chen Han felt his soul was flown away by the wind. ”... yes.” He answered, then lowered his head. He's a hundred times guiltier, deceiving his brother since his thoughts are really to take his brother away.

Chen Han... he's a hundred and one percent doting elder brother. Feng Mo's stare at him is full of disappointment. Fei Yin is glaring daggers at him. For Li Tian... Chen Han's heart ached the most. Li Tian is glaring at him, eyes full of loathe and disgust, as always.

”Brother Chen.” Li Tian called and pulled Chen Sheng away from Chen Han. ”We have to report to Shifu now since the head of the corpse ran away. We have to ask him what's the next step to do.” He told him and pulled him towards the entrance of their sect.

”We'll take our leave, Senior Brother Chen.” Feng Mo told Chen Han and bowed, then followed Li Tian and Chen Sheng.

Fei Yin looked at Chen Han, his face blank. ”I'll be taking my leave.” He told the dejected Chen Han, then followed the three. ”I'll protect him as always.” He added.

Chen Sheng, before being fully pushed inside the door by Li Tian, turned to Chen Han who's standing outside, whose head hung low. ”Brother!” he called. Chen Han lifted his face, his handsome face bright, full of hope. ”Please tell mom and dad and grandma and grandpa that I'm alright!” he said and was fully pushed inside by Feng Mo, just in time Chen Han's handsome face turned dark. Fei Yin and Feng Mo looked at Chen Han full of pity. Li Tian smirked at him, then followed Chen Sheng inside.