8 Day 7: The Scum Is Smar (1/2)

”Senior Brother Ming. Senior Brother Luo.” Fang Wen greeted and bowed when they arrived at the doorstep of the Newfound Sect.

”Junior Brother Fang.” Ming Ye and Luo Shi greeted, then bowed.

”Shifu!” Chen Sheng and the others greeted, then bowed.

”Shifu is back!” the Newfound Sect disciples who went to the Promising Sect cheered.

Fang Wen smiled, then turned to the four – Chen Sheng, Fei Yin, Li Tian and Feng Mo. ”Thank you for leading the sect in my absence.” He told Fei Yin and tapped his shoulder.

Fei Yin bowed and respectfully answered. ”It was all thanks to shifu's guidance and teachings.” He said and stood straight, his blank face showed embarrassment.

Fang Wen smiled and turned to Ming Ye and Luo Shi. ”Brother Xie is inside.” He told them and led them inside.

Ming Ye and Luo Shi smiled, then followed Fang Wen.

Chen Sheng and the others are shocked. The founder is here?! They all looked at each other, wide – eyed. They immediately ran inside.

Their jaw dropped when they saw a tall young man standing in front of their sect's crest that's on the wall, his back on them. But, even if the man won't face them, they know he's very handsome.

Every cultivator in Immortalization Stage can freely change their appearance.

But, as for Chen Sheng, Fei Yin, Li Tian and Feng Mo... they clearly know and are familiar with their founder's face. Since they saw his real face when the four of them were accepted and be the first four disciple of the sect.

”Brother Fang?” a gentle voice broke the silence. It was Xie Lan, calling Fang Wen.

”Brother Xie.” Fang Wen greeted and bowed.

Even Ming Ye and Luo Shi bowed. Chen Sheng and the others followed.

They all stood straight when Xie Lan turned. Gasps can be heard from the other disciples.

Xie Lan's face is covered with veil. Chen Sheng knew why. It's because it's blinding when one would look directly at an Immortal Stage cultivator's face.

Too blinding you'll really be blind, literally.

Chen Sheng looked at Ming Ye and Luo Shi that's now talking with Fang Wen and Xie Lan. Ming Ye and Luo Shi, despite elder than Xie Lan, still bowed to him because of the difference in their levels.

Ming Ye and Luo Shi are in the Nascent Soul stage like Fang Wen, while Xie Lan is in the Immortal stage. Only an Immortal Stage cultivator can create his own sect, that's why Xie Lan created the Newfound Sect.

One of his reasons, when he told them the day they accepted them as disciples, is to protect the Newfound Land in return of the citizens letting them stay in their land. That time, the land still has no name, but Xie Lan named it.

”The disciples have just finished planting arrays around the Newfound Land.” Fang Wen said when the jade talisman on his hand blinked. ”There's no report of the head of the corpse.” He said.

Everybody's face went serious and a deafening silence fell. Why? Because this just informed everybody that the Newfound Land is not infected with malevolent energy. The arrays that the disciples planted all around the Newfound Land, reached to its borders, is the Evil Dispelling Array. Even just a tiniest bit of malevolent energy will be dispelled – be it from the area or from a person's body.

That's why the residents, when too bothered by their thoughts and worries, would buy Evil Dispelling Talismans and surround their house with it so that they could have even just a night of sound sleep.

So saying that there's no head of the corpse when the Evil Dispelling Array is covering the entirety of the Newfound Land...

”Junior Brother Fang... this report...” Luo Shi said, his face dead serious.

Fang Wen didn't answer and gripped the talisman tight. He was about to turn when his wrist was grabbed by Xie Lan.

Everybody's eyes went wide.

”Don't be hasty.” Xie Lan told him.

”But - !” Fang Wen said, mad.

”Everybody.” Xie Lan called.

”Yes!” they answered.

”Search the whole area and directly report to me.” Xie Lan said and took the talisman from Fang Wen's hand. ”If you found something suspicious, tell me immediately.” He said. ”Don't waste time to tell it to your fellow brothers.” He added.

”Why?” Fang Wen asked, gritting his teeth.

Xie Lan looked at him. ”There's an impostor causing trouble for us.” he answered.

Their jaw dropped. ”I – impostor?”

”There's someone acting as somebody here - ?”

Fang Wen lowered his head. Clearly, he blames himself.

”This isn't your mistake.” Xie Lan told him. ”That impostor is at the border of the Newfound Land. He's using a Stealth Spell to cover his presence, that's why you can't sense him. He deliberately chose to stay at the border to be careful around you, so you don't have to blame yourself.” He told him.

Fang Wen didn't answer.

Xie Lan sighed and turned to Ming Ye and Luo Shi. ”I have to bother Senior Brother Ming and Senior Brother Luo.” He said and bowed. ”I ask you to please lead my disciples and if you could solve this problem of the impostor, it's certainly a big favor for me.” He said and looked at them.

Ming Ye and Luo Shi nodded, then bowed. ”We will.” They answered. ”We can't let that impostor that hurt Junior Brother Fang's morale get away. He'll pay a great price.” They said, mad.

These two are doting senior brothers.

”Many thanks...” Fang Wen said and bowed.

”Han – er.” Ming Ye called.

”Yes, shifu!” Chen Han answered and immediately went to Ming Ye.

”Elder Luo will take the North. I will take the East. You take the West.” Ming Ye told him.

”Yes, shifu!” Chen Han answered and bowed.

”Fei Yin.” Xie Lan called.

”Yes!” Fei Yin said, almost jumped in surprise. He immediately bowed before Xie Lan.

”Take the South side of the Newfound Land.” Xie Lan told him. ”Please be careful.” He added.

”Yes!” Fei Yin answered and bowed.

”Please do remember your founder's words.” Ming Ye said. ”Even if you're with your fellow brother disciple, report directly to your founder.” He told them, his voice grave. ”And if you found something dangerous, prioritize your life and retreat.” He added.

”Yes!” everybody answered.

”Junior Brother Xie.” Luo Shi called. ”We'll be taking our leave now.” he said and bowed. Ming Ye followed.

Xie Lan nodded, still holding Fang Wen who's silent. ”Many thanks, Senior Brother Ming. Senior Brother Luo.” He said.

The two nodded and turned to the disciples. ”Let's go.” They said.

”Yes!” they all answered. They bowed to Xie Lan and Fang Wen, then followed Ming Ye and Luo Shi, together with Chen Han, outside.

The three groups split up and went to three different directions.

”We'll be taking our leave, too.” Fei Yin said and bowed to Xie Lan and Fang Wen.

Li Tian, Feng Mo, and the other remaining disciples followed. Chen Sheng, too.

Xie Lan nodded. ”Be careful.” He told them.

”Yes!” they answered.

Chen Sheng was about to leave when he felt his feet was stuck in the floor. ”Ah - ?” he said, puzzled. He tried to move but his feet can't.

”Brother Chen.” It was Fei Yin. Li Tian and Feng Mo is standing beside him.

”Brother Fei. Brother Li. Brother Feng.” Chen Sheng called. ”I can't move my feet – ” he said and tried to move again but can't.

”Brother Chen... that's – ” Feng Mo said.

”Because I don't allow you to.” Xie Lan said. They all turned to him. ”Your cultivation level didn't change these 15 years, and so your cultivation is lower than the others. How can I let you go and seek your own death?” he asked him. Chen Sheng didn't answer. ”Instead of dragging others down or seeking your death, wait here and look after your shifu.” He told him and looked at Fang Wen.

Chen Sheng then immediately felt his feet can move. He immediately bowed. ”Many thanks, founder.” He said.

Xie Lan nodded and let Fang Wen sit on the chair. He then left.

”Brother Chen.” Fei Yin called. Chen Sheng looked at him. ”We think the same way as the founder. It's safer for you here.” He said. Li Tian and Feng Mo nodded. ”We'll be taking our leave now.” he said.

They then ran outside and mounted their sword, taking the South direction.

Chen Sheng sighed and walked towards Fang Wen. ”Shifu...” he called, but Fang Wen didn't answer. He knelt in front of Fang Wen. ”Shifu...” he called, then lowered his head. ”'founder' sure knows how to bully others...” he muttered, then sighed. He looked at the empty eyes of Fang Wen.

This Fang Wen is just a puppet and the real Fang Wen is still on a closed – door cultivation. Like confirming his thoughts, the body of 'Fang Wen' turned to dust.

Chen Sheng sighed and looked at the door. He walked towards it and tried to open it, but it won't.