12 Day 11: The Scum Is Endangered (1/2)

”... I like Brother Fei, too.” Chen Sheng said.

”That's not what I meant.” Fei Yin said.

”Then, what is?” Chen Sheng asked and looked at Fei Yin.

Their eyes met. Love and longing can be seen in Fei Yin's eyes. Chen Sheng looked away.

”Master.” Xia Di called inside his head.

”... I know.” Chen Sheng said. ”... do you feel guilty?” he asked Fei Yin.

”What?” Fei Yin asked, puzzled.

”15 years ago.” Chen Sheng answered.

Fei Yin didn't answer.

'course, he does. He's the reason. Chen Sheng thought.

”... you remembered?” Fei Yin asked, his voice low.

”I won't ask if I didn't.” Chen Sheng said.

”... I do.” Fei Yin finally answered.

Here we go. Chen Sheng thought. ”Then you've mistake your feelings towards me.” he told Fei Yin, then looked at him in the eye. ”You don't like me. It was just you feeling guilty towards me.” he told him.

Don't hurt him. Chen Shen told him.

Sorry, dear... but I have to. Chen Sheng thought and looked away. ”I've always protected you in the past. From your brother... from those who bullies you...” he said, using the memories from the soul of Chen Shen that Chen Shen gave him. ”And now you're paying it back... tenfold.” He said and chuckled.

Fei Yin didn't answer, his head hung low.

”Hey.” Feng Mo called to Li Tian. ”What's happening? Brother Chen is laughing, but Brother Fei...” he said and looked at the two on Xia Di's back.

That time when the three of them realized they were lured into a trap and remembered Chen Sheng that was left behind the enemy's line – which later found out that it was really Chen Sheng the enemy's goal, the three of them killed the corpses, one after another, to immediately go back to save Chen Sheng.

But, the corpses just kept coming one after another, and so Fei Yin snapped and that led to him breaking through the next stage.

Just as this happened, Chen Sheng, together with Chen Han, Ming Ye, Luo Shi and other disciples arrived to help them. Chen Sheng jumped from Xia Di's back and repeatedly called Fei Yin. Fei Yin woke up when Chen Sheng called him in his name. He caught Chen Sheng with his arms open wide, and hugged Chen Sheng tightly while crying.

Just like that, Fei Yin's feelings towards Chen Sheng was found out.

Li Tian sighed. ”You saw it earlier...” he said, holding his aching head. ”Scum Brother Chen is back.” He told Feng Mo.

Feng Mo fell silent. ”... I wish we're just seeing an impostor Brother Chen now, instead of the real Brother Chen... ” he said and looked at Chen Sheng, whose face is now blank.

Fei Yin is just silent, his head hung low.

Li Tian and Feng Mo looked at each other. They already know. This was the real Brother Chen, and he is a scum.

But, they also knew. Fei Yin loves Chen Sheng.

Unfortunately... the scum that's now back... that scum now is worse.

The sun already set when they reached the Promising Land.

”This disciple greets shifu and founder.” Fei Yin said and bowed.

Chen Sheng and the others followed suit.

Fang Wen and Xie Lan nodded.

”You all endured well...” Fang Wen said and lowered his head as he patted Fei Yin's and Chen Sheng's head.

He looked at Chen Sheng when Chen Sheng pulled his head back, dodging Fang Wen's hand.

Fang Wen sighed and lowered his hand. ”I heard they tried to make you look after that puppet me...” he said, referring to the impostor. ”You must have had a fright...” he said and sighed.

Chen Sheng didn't answer.

Xie Lan patted Fang Wen's shoulder. ”They all should rest first.” He told him, then turned to Ming Ye and Luo Shi. ”Senior Brother Ming. Senior Brother Luo... I owe you a lot for taking care of our disciples.” He said and bowed to them.

”No...” Luo Shi said, then smiled as he bowed. ”It was your disciple who took care of us.” he said and stood straight, then looked at Chen Sheng.

Wu Yuan, who was watching them all silently, his brow twitched. But, he didn't say anything. Sun Yi standing beside him is smiling as he patted Wu Yuan's shoulder, then winked at Chen Sheng.

Chen Sheng grimaced, then bowed.

”This matter...” Fang Wen said and looked at Chen Sheng, his eyes full of worry.

”Everybody should rest first.” Xie Lan said and looked at his disciples. ”The Promising Sect is generous for lending us a place to settle for now. Don't act rashly and behave properly.” He told them.

”Yes!” the disciples answered and bowed, then took their leave.

Xie Lan saw Fei Yin, Li Tian and Feng Mo stayed. ”Why are you still here?” he asked. ”Didn't I just say to rest – ”

”This disciple asks for permission from founder to stay and listen with the matter regarding Brother Chen.” Fei Yin immediately said and knelt.

”This disciple asks for permission, too.” Li Tian said and knelt.

”This disciple would like to ask for your permission, too.” Feng Mo said and followed suit.

Xie Lan looked at them blankly, but Fang Wen patted his shoulder. ”Let them.” He told him. ”If it were us and Senior Brother Ming and Senior Brother Luo also did this... won't you do the same...?” he asked and smiled, then looked at Fei Yin, Li Tian and Feng Mo.

Chen Han frowned. Wu Yuan is puzzled, but stayed calm. Sun Yi, as usual, is just smiling.

”This disciple asks founder... what is this matter that regards this disciple's being?” Chen Sheng asked and bowed.

Xie Lan looked at Chen Sheng. ”... it's about that person's motive to catch you.” He answered.

Their eyes went wide, shocked.

”The Elder found the motive?” Li Tian asked, surprised.

”Junior Brother Xie...” Ming Ye called, his eyes full of concern.

Xie Lan turned to him. ”It's got to do with Sheng – er's soul.” He bluntly answered.

The two elders gasped. ”How...?” they asked.

Xie Lan turned to Chen Sheng. Chen Sheng just continued to bow. ”It's my intuition.” He answered. ”The moment I saw Sheng – er, I always feel there's something in his soul.” He explained.

”And that is...?” Luo Shi asked.

But, before Xie Lan could answer, Fei Yin stood up. ”Founder.” He called, his voice low. ”Have you forgotten my condition when I signed up under the banner of your sect...?” he asked, his voice shaking.

”I haven't.” Xie Lan calmly answered.

”Then why are you – ” Fei Yin said.

Fang Wen cut him off. ”Yin –er.” He called. ”It's not that we want to share this with other people, but – ” he said and took a deep breath. ”The problem has gotten out of hand. It involved the other sect, and so it's just proper to give them the information to avoid misunderstandings that'll come in the future...” he explained.

Fei Yin gritted his teeth, dissatisfied.

”What are you talking about?” it is Wu Yuan who asked. He glanced at Chen Han who's just silently standing on the side.

”What is with Younger Chen's soul?” Ming Ye asked, calm.

”Sheng – er's soul...” Fang Wen said.

”It's broken.” Chen Sheng and Xie Lan both answered.

Xie Lan looked at him.

”'broken'?” the others said and looked at Chen Sheng.

”What do you mean?” Luo Shi asked.

Chen Sheng stood up, then bowed at Luo Shi. ”It's as it is, Elder Luo.” he answered. ”An accident occurred in the past and my soul was damaged.” He explained.

”What accident?” Ming Ye asked. ”Can't it be repaired?” he asked, concerned.

”If it can – ” Chen Han said, his hands shaking. ” – then Ah Sheng's cultivation won't be as it is now.” he said and glared at Fei Yin.

They all looked at Fei Yin.