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

”Brother Fei...?” Li Tian and Feng Mo called, puzzled. ”Why is - ?”

”It's because of him Ah Sheng's soul was hurt!” Chen Han yelled.

Wu Yuan's eyes went wide, shocked.

”Ah Sheng's soul was hurt, that's why he can't cultivate anymore.” He explained. ”Ah Sheng then left home and went so far then reached the Newfound Sect. But, this guy still followed Ah Sheng - !” he said.

Chen Sheng can't take it anymore. ”Brother. That's not why I ran from home.” He told Chen Han.

”Ha?” Chen Han said, paused. ”Then... why did you left - ?” he asked.

Chen Sheng held his aching head. ”I want to be independent.” He answered.

Silence fell. ”Ha?” they all said.

Chen Sheng sighed.

”Brother Chen.” Fei Yin called. ”If you're doing this just to protect me – ” he said.

”Don't flatter yourself too much.” Chen Sheng told him.

Their mouth fell open, shocked, looking at him. Then they looked at Fei Yin whose head now is hung low.

Blatant rejection. Everybody thought.

Chen Sheng continued. ”I left home because I don't want to be like some young masters who only does every day is loaf and goof around... ehem.” He coughed when they didn't understand him. ”I mean, I don't want to rely on my family in the future, that's why as early as possible, I want to stand on my own two feet.” He explained.

”Ah Sheng...” Chen Han said, then looked away as he wiped his tears.

They all looked at him full of admiration – expect Fei Yin who's now nursing his aching heart.

”As for my cultivation...” Chen Sheng continued. ”I can live with it. I can still use talismans and have Xia Di and the Heavenly Touch blanket...” he said.

”That's right. That's right.” Ming Ye said, recovering from shock of the surprising feisty attitude of the youth. ”Those two really saved us back then...” he said.

Chen Sheng nodded then turned to Xie Lan and Fang Wen. ”Founder. Shifu. This disciple wants to retire the night.” He told them. ”This disciple will take his leave – ” he said and stood straight. ”Have a good night, founder, shifu – ” he said and turned on his heel.

But before he could take a step, he was grabbed on the back and was forced to step back.

”Sheng – er...” Xie Lan called, smiling. ”I just don't know whether you're too carefree, careless, relaxed, naive, no sense of danger... well, maybe all.” He said and put him down. ”This problem isn't as simple as you think.” He told him, serious. ”That person is capable of destroying a sect – well, ours is just small, but still...” he said and looked at him in the eye.

For someone who could injure an Immortal Stage cultivator...

”Sheng – er.” Fang Wen called. ”Since we still don't know accurately in which level is that person... I think, even the Promising Sect can't...” he said and glanced at Ming Ye and Luo Shi who are also injured.

The two nodded, confirming his thoughts.

Fang Wen sighed, then looked at Chen Sheng. ”Sheng – er... what I'm trying to say is – ”

” – nowhere in this world is safe for you.” Xie Lan bluntly said, his face blank. ”So, even sleeping... you don't have the leisure to do that.” He added.

Chen Sheng pursed his lips, preventing himself to grimace. So he just bowed. ”This disciple now understands.” He said and bowed. ”This disciple humbly asks founder and shifu on what this disciple will now going to do?” he asked, then lowered his head.

Silence fell. Chen Sheng raised his head when he didn't hear Xie Lan or Fang Wen answered. Now looking around, Chen Sheng noticed the worried, but pitying looks they're all giving him.

Obviously, no one knows the answer.

”How... how about...” a shaky voice broke the silence.

They all turned to the owner of the voice. Surprisingly, it was the surprisingly anxious Wu Yuan.

He cleared his throat. ”If his life is really in danger, and if the Promising Sect can't even protect him... then – ” he said and looked at Chen Sheng. ” – how about the Upright Sect?” he asked.

The already heavy atmosphere turned heavier.

”Yuan – er.” Luo Shi said. ”We already thought of that.” He calmly said.

Wu Yuan's face went red, embarrassed. He lowered his head.

Luo Shi coughed and looked away, turning to Xie Lan and Fang Wen. ”Junior Brother Xie and Junior Brother Fang knows this, right?” he asked the two, confirming to save his disciple, Wu Yuan's, face.

”Yes.” Xie Lan answered.

”If the Elders already knows this... why didn't founder answered Brother Chen's question?” Li Tian asked. He immediately bowed when Xie Lan looked at him.

”Junior Brother Li.” Chen Han called. ”The Upright Sect... they're really strong, stronger than the Promising Sect. And yes, they could protect Ah Sheng. But – ” he said, then paused.

”'but'?” Feng Mo asked.

Fei Yin remained silent. Chen Han didn't answer.

”It's just natural Tian – er and Mo – er wouldn't hear of them.” It was Fang Wen. The two turned to him. He smiled, awkward. ”The Upright Sect is also famous. The Upright Sect is the other core sect of this world – aside the Promising Sect. But as to why the Promising Sect is more famous than the Upright Sect even though the Upright Sect is stronger than the Promising Sect...” he paused.

Xie Lan blew out air, irritated. ”That's because the Upright Sect is an exclusive sect.” he answered, his face bored.

Ming Ye and Luo Shi sighed.

”'exclusive'?” Li Tian asked, still puzzled.

Feng Mo gasped. ”Ah - !” he exclaimed, then his face went red when everybody looked at him. He lowered his head, then whispered to Li Tian. ”Brother Li. I finally remembered. The Upright Sect only lets one enter if they are personally selected by the Sect or that if they have a special entry to the Sect.” he told him.

”'special entry'?” Li Tian asked, his forehead knotted.

”Their status.” Feng Mo answered. This one is an airhead, and that is an orphan so he's poor in both ways. I forgot... he thought and sighed, shaking his head at Li Tian's misfortune. ”That's why some people knows Upright Sect, while some not.” He added.

”That's right.” Ming Ye said, breaking the awkward silence in the air. ”Even if they can protect Younger Chen, that doesn't mean they will.” He said, his face serious.

”Then how can Brother Chen enter the Upright Sect?” Li Tian asked, worried.

”He can only be their disciple.” Sun Yi answered. They all looked at him. He raised his hands. ”Though he's already part of another one...” he said. ”But, it's more impossible for Junior Brother Chen to enter the Upright Sect.” he said and looked at Chen Sheng.

With that, everybody's face fell. They almost forgot Chen Sheng's cultivation level.

”Though I can help Junior Brother Chen.” He added, then smiled.

They sharply turned to him. The Sun family is one of the families that're the Upright Sect's supporters.

”I can take Junior Brother Chen as my little brother...” Sun Yi said and smiled, looking at Chen Han meaningfully.

Chen Han glared at him. Li Tian and Feng Mo's eyes narrowed. Xie Lan frowned. Fang Wen looked worried. Ming Ye sighed, shaking his head. Luo Shi grimaced.

”Why would you want to take my Ah Sheng as your brother?” Chen Han asked, mad.

Sun Yi shrugged. ”Coz I lik – mm!” he said when Wu Yuan, who can't hold himself back anymore, suddenly pulled Sun Yi, lifted his chin and kissed him.

Li Tian and Feng Mo – wide-eyed and shocked (still doesn't realize the two are Dao companions – well, they do now); Fang Wen – smiling awkwardly; Xie Lan – poker faced; Chen Han – indifferent and poker faced; Ming Ye and Luo Shi – sighing.

”What did I just tell you that day?” Wu Yuan, glaring at Sun Yi, asked after he kissed him ruthlessly.

Sun Yi smiled, his lips now deep red and almost swelling, but he didn't mind. He raised his hands. ”Aia... you tell me that everyday...” he said and smiled brightly at Wu Yuan. He's referring to Wu Yuan telling him not to like anybody (except Wu Yuan himself, of course). ”But... I just really want to help Junior Brother Chen.” He told him. ”He's interesting and fascinating – ” he explained.

Wu Yuan cut him off. ”Then just simply say that, nothing more.” He told him, pissed.

Another awkward silence fell, now it's because of these two silent (earlier) spectators.

Little Dragon's G(r)ay Theater:

Li Tian and Feng Mo: S – S... W – W... *stammering because of shock. Senior Brother Sun and Senior Brother Wu are... are - ! *red – faced, embarrassed to say 'Dao companions'

Gray Dragon: *to Li Tian... Isn't this the reason why Chen Han always 'kidnap' you?

Li Tian: *face blank, then turned to disgusted and loathing. Ha? *indifferent, not acknowledging the author's question. Anything related to Chen Han (expect Chen Shen), Li Tian ignores

Gray Dragon: *sigh, then turns to Feng Mo. Didn't your tutor tell you about this? *glances at the tutor who's silently sitting

Feng Mo: *face redder He... He... did. *mumbles

Gray Dragon: ... why did you turn redder? *looks suspiciously at Feng Mo

Feng Mo: *face as red as an apple. Not - !

Li Tian: *asked airheaded – ly. But, your face is really red, Brother Feng. Did you eat something spicy?

Feng Mo: *didn't know whether to laugh or cry because of Li Tian