9 Day 8: The Scum Is Influential (2/2)

It entered Chen Sheng's dimensional pocket on its own. Ming Ye looked at Chen Sheng, observing.

”Shifu!” Chen Han called, noticed the growing tension. He flew down towards Ming Ye's group.

The group followed and flew down the ground.

”Shifu.” He called again, but Ming Ye didn't answer.

His eyes are still on Chen Sheng, observing the other.

”Shif – ”

”Shut up.” Ming Ye cut off Chen Han. Chen Han shut up. ”The possessor of the Heaven's Touch and Thousand Six – Winged Eagle...” he said, his eyes slightly narrowed. ”Come down here.” He told Chen Sheng.

The beast growled at Ming Ye. The disciples stepped back, but Ming Ye didn't even blink.

”Master.” The beast called in Chen Sheng's mind. ”That man is powerful. If he'll touch just a strand of your hair, I'll chop his head off.” He told him.

”... don't. Humans are not tasty as you think.” Chen Sheng told him and patted its head. ”And my brother is there, so you don't need to protect me. That guy will act a second faster than you if somebody will hurt his younger brother. That guy's a total brocon.” He explained.

The beast growled and flew down the ground.

”This humble disciple greets Elder Ming Ye.” Chen Sheng said after he went down the beast and bowed respectfully.

”... how do you assess the situation?” Ming Ye asked.

”... one must help each other and save another in this time of peril that befell the sect.” Chen Sheng respectfully answered.

”... not bad.” Ming Ye said, his expression now softened. ”Your possessions are powerful. Continue to use them to help your brothers and save your sect.” he told him.

”Yes! This disciple will!” Chen Sheng answered and bowed.

Chen Han sighed, relieved. ”Shifu.” He called.

”I know.” Ming Ye said, his expression deep. ”This must be why we didn't receive any messages from Junior Brother Fang and Junior Brother Xie just as we left the Promising Land.” He said.

”'messages'?” Chen Han asked.

”Letters concerning our own disciples.” Luo Shi answered. ”We always write letter to boast our own disciples.” He added, then smiled.

Chen Han grimaced and meaningfully looked at Ming Ye.

Ming Ye sighed after thinking. ”Let's head to the South. They don't have an elder there.” He said, his face serious. ”They're in more difficult situation than us.” he added and hopped on his sword.

”Yes!” the disciples answered and immediately followed Ming Ye and Luo Shi who already flew away.

”But I didn't have an elder with me earlier...” Chen Han groaned, hesitating to help Fei Yin. ”Ah Sheng?” he called when he saw Chen Sheng standing still, he's the only one left.

Chen Sheng blinked. ”Coming.” He answered and hopped on the beast.

”Master.” The beast called as they flew in the air, following the others.

”... I'm fine.” Chen Sheng answered, his face dark.

They're heading to the South. Everything around them they pass is dark and silent. Not even a drop of water can be heard.

”... Master. Your brothers are fine. I can sense them.” The beast told him, assuring him.

”... I see...” Chen Sheng said and sighed, relieved.

”But...” the beast said.

”What?” Chen Sheng asked, fear eating his heart.

”One of them... the strongest of them.” The beast said. ”He's – ”

Before the beast could continue, a bright purple light shined ahead of them. They all covered their eyes. ”What – ” they all said.

”It's him.” the beast told Chen Sheng.

”Take me to him!” Chen Sheng yelled.

”Yes.” The beast answered and swiftly flew past the others.

”Ah Sheng!” Chen Han called when he saw them flew past. He immediately followed.

The others were about to follow, too, but the bright purple light just glowed brighter.

Chen Sheng immediately saw the cause. His heart beat wildly as the beast flew down the three's direction.

The two behind are unconscious while the remaining one is standing still, covered by the purple light.

”Brother Fei!” Chen Sheng called loudly and jumped.

The beast's eyes went wide seeing his Master jumped down. ”Master - !” he called.

But Chen Sheng ignored him. ”Brother Fei!” he called as he let himself freely fall towards the man on the ground. The purple light burned his skin but he ignored it. As long as this man will be safe... he thought. ”Fei Yin!” he called.

Fei Yin blinked and looked at where the direction of the voice come from. ”Brother Chen...” he said, dazed. Then his eyes went wide when he saw him. ”Brother Chen - !” he called and looked at him in horror while he's falling down.

The purple light died down.

”Brother Chen – ” he said and was about to get his sword when he noticed it's far away from him.

There's no time. He opened his arms and caught the falling Chen Sheng.

”Brother Chen – ” he called, preparing to receive the impact. He reached out his arms.

Chen Sheng reached his arm out, too.

But, just as the tip of their fingers about to touch, Chen Sheng's body paused in the air, then he was hung. It's because of the six – winged beast that saved his master from his death in time.

The beast's claw is holding Chen Sheng's robe on his back.

”... thanks.” Chen Sheng told the beast and patted the beast's head.

The beast, holding his master's robe to keep him from falling, slowly let Chen Sheng down.

”Brother Fei – ” Chen Sheng called and turned. ” – ngh!” he cried when Fei Yin immediately hugged him tight. ”Brother Fei...” he called, surprised.

”... don't scare me like that!” Fei Yin said, breathing heavily as he hugged Chen Sheng tight. ”I thought... you were – ” he said, taking deep breaths to calm himself. ”They made you stayed behind... all of this... a trap – ” he said and closed his eyes tight as he buried his face on Chen Sheng's shoulder and cried. ”Thank god... you are safe...” he said and sobbed as he hugged Chen Sheng tighter it's hard to breathe.

”... Brother Fei...” Chen Sheng said, then sighed. He saw Ming Ye and Luo Shi, together with the disciples. ”Over here!” he called and waved. He saw Chen Han whose face is ugly as he looks at Fei Yin hugging Chen Sheng.

They all flew down the ground and immediately helped the others who are injured.

”Elder Luo. How're Brother Li and Brother Feng?” the disciples asked, worried, as they asked Luo Shi who are checking Li Tian and Feng Mo.

Ming Ye is checking the other disciples who are also unconscious and gravely injured.

”They're all fine. Just unconscious.” Luo Shi answered.

”Some of them were contaminated with the malevolent energy.” Ming Ye said after he checked the disciples' pulse. Their eyes went wide. ”They must've been forced to be unconscious so that they won't go mad and make the malevolent energy eat their body faster.” He explained and looked at Fei Yin who's hugging Chen Sheng. He then looked at Chen Sheng.

Chen Sheng nodded to him and let the Heaven's Touch flew out of his dimensional pocket. ”No need to eat all the malevolent energy. Just the ones from my brothers.” He told the blanket.

The blanket made a burping sound that made Chen Han and the others jumped in fright. The other disciples finished lining up Li Tian, Feng Mo and the other disciples.

The pure white blanket grew bigger and covered all of them. A warm feeling welled inside them as the bright light enveloped them, making them feel relaxed.

The others that saw the 'mouth' of the blanket eating the malevolent energy around immediately looked away, now traumatized. ”Ugh...” they groaned and grimaced.

”Brother Fei...” Chen Sheng called and tapped Fei Yin's shoulder. He's been silent after he cried earlier. ”Brother Fei...?” he called when Fei Yin didn't answer. He turned his head to look at Fei Yin, only to widen his eyes a second later.

His lips met Fei Yin's lips! Chen Sheng doesn't know whether to cry or laugh.

Fei Yin is asleep.

The author (and Fei Yin ft. Chen Han) has something to say:

Fei Yin: *grinning

Gray Dragon: ...

Chen Han: how dare you lay your impure skin on my Ah Sheng - ! *glares at Fei Yin

Fei Yin: Brother Chen is mine now, so don't call him 'my Ah Sheng' –

Gray Dragon: ... sorry to burst your bubble, Fei Yin, but you're asleep in this chap, so you'll have no memory of this kiss.

Fei Yin: *coughs.