22 Day 21: The Scum Is Stupid (2/2)

But Chen Sheng ignored him and stared at the youth's face. Why does he look familiar...? He thought, puzzled. He checked Chen Shen's memories, but didn't found the youth's face.

He sighed. ”He's just unconscious.” He finally answered.

”Ah?” Li Tian said, surprised. ”He's not dead?” he asked, doubtful.

Chen Sheng pressed his lips tight and chose not to answer. ”Let's take him back.” He told Li Tian as he wrapped the youth's arm over his shoulder. ”He saved us, as well as the people, by defeating that demonic beast. We should repay him accordingly.” He told him.

Li Tian nodded. ”Yes!” he answered, then stopped. ”Brother Chen...” he called.

”What?” Chen Sheng asked as he fixed the unconscious youth's position so he could support him better.

”... I can't lift more than 20 pounds.” Li Tian said, then grimaced when Chen Sheng turned to him. ”Sorry.” he said and lowered his head, embarrassed.

Chen Sheng just sighed. He can understand him. Li Tian lived his 14 years of life scavenging for food, so he's malnourished.

I should be the one who should be sorry. He thought and sighed. ”Help me carry him on my back.” He told Li Tian.

”Yes!” Li Tian immediately answered and helped him.

When the moon is on its peak up the sky, Chen Sheng and Li Tian finally arrived at their sect, bringing an unexpected guest.

This guest... he will be the third disciple of the sect.

Morning.

”I understand.” Feng Mo said when Wu Bai told him he can't come with him to the Newfound Sect to register as their disciple. ”It's my parents.” He said.

Wu Bai didn't answer, confirming Feng Mo's thoughts.

His face remained cold. ”It's fine. I already expected this. I know they're still against this despite them already giving me their permission.” He said, remembered his parents unwillingly said 'yes' after Wu Bai told them his decision. ”You helping me encourage them is already enough.” He told Wu Bai, then looked away. ”So... thanks.” He said and glanced at Wu Bai.

Wu Bai stared at the youth's embarrassed red face. So meng... he thought, then secretly grinned. He just nodded, concealing his desire to kiss those cherry lips smiling awkwardly towards him. ”Do you still remember about what I said last night?” he asked.

Feng Mo nodded, his face went serious. ”Yes.” He answered. ”May I know now what is the condition?” he asked and looked at Wu Bai.

”Usually, the disciples are staying inside their sect.” Wu Bai said. ”One reason is for them to have more time to cultivate. Second is for them to detach themselves from the outside world.” He explained, then paused. ”Since to cultivate is to have a clear mind... attachment to the outside world means attaching yourself to things that could disturb their mind.” He said.

”Disturb their mind?” Feng Mo asked.

Wu Bai nodded, then the corner of his lips curved up. ”For one...” he said, then leaned down to Feng Mo. ”... desire.” He whispered, intentionally fanning his breath to the youth's smooth, sensitive and delicate neck.

As he expected, the youth's face went red and reflexively touched his neck, a puzzled look on his face.

Wu Bai held himself not to laugh from amusement.

”I – I understand now...” Feng Mo said. ”So, what is this condition you're talking about?” he asked, still puzzled as he holds his neck.

Wu Bai kept his calm face although he's laughing so hard inside. ”Even though that's the usual arrangement for the disciples of the sect... the disciples can still choose to stay back at their home. As long as they can continue to cultivate and have clear mind.” Wu Bai explained.

Feng Mo paused, then looked at Wu Bai. ”You want me to go back here?” he asked, finally understood.

Wu Bai nodded. ”Even though you'll be a cultivator, but they only teach on that one side of education.” He said. ”Also... your parents will flip out if they'll never see your shadow even just for a day.” He added, then smiled as he looks at Feng Mo's face that went red, embarrassed.

”I understand.” Feng Mo answered. ”I know I still have responsibility towards my family as the only heir. So, I will still go back here.” He said and looked at Wu Bai.

Wu Bai nodded, satisfied. ”Now, go.” He said. ”Your independence now starts here.” He smiled.

Feng Mo blinked, his face went red. This is the second time he saw Wu Bai smiled, which is he rarely seen the man doing so. Last night he saw him smiled but since it's dark, he didn't see how dazzling this man that usually looks calm now has a smile on his face.

For some reason... his heart is beating faster. Afraid the dazzling man will hear it, he immediately left, half – walking half – running.

When the youth is already far, the handsome man gave a hearty laugh, which greatly surprised the Feng household.

Newfound Sect.

Fei Yin slowly opened his eyes. He saw a leaning flower with its leaf pointed opposite to where its leaning imprinted on the ceiling. ”Where...” he said then stopped, realizing his voice is hoarse. His throat feels dry.

Before he could ask for water, he saw a hand holding a cup of water.

”Here.” A voice said.

Fei Yin didn't turn and immediately took the cup of water, then drink it in one gulp. He immediately felt invigorated.

”More?” the voice asked.

Fei Yin nodded. The cup was refilled. He took it again and drink. ”Thanks – ” he said and turned to the owner of the voice, only to froze.

If this is a dream, then I don't want to wake up. He thought as he stared at the face he's been seeing in his dreams every night. Ah She – he thought.

Before he could continue his thought, the other spoke. ”Seeing your expression, it seems you know me.” he said.

Fei Yin blinked. His image of this guy broke like mirrors. Who is he? He thought, puzzled, as he stared at the guy. He's not Ah Shen! He thought, his forehead knotted. ”Who are you?” he asked, puzzled.

Chen Sheng looked at the puzzled youth before him. He put down the cup on the table. ”My name is Chen Sheng.” He answered. ”I'm an unofficial disciple of the Newfound Sect.” he told him.

Fei Yin's eyes went wide, shocked. Impossible! He thought, his eyes narrowed as he looked at 'Chen Shen'. ”You... you're the second young master of the Chen family?” he asked. ”The supporter of the Promising Sect?” he added.

First, he'll confirm if this is the same Ah Shen, his friend and the one he's looking for the past few days.

Chen Sheng already checked and confirmed in Chen Shen's memories what the youth is asking, so he nodded. ”Yes.” He answered.

Fei Yin's forehead knotted. This is really Ah Shen. But... he thought and suspiciously looked at 'Chen Shen. ”You said that your name is 'Chen Sheng'.” He told him.

Chen Sheng's face froze. So this guy knows my host. He thought and looked at the youth. ”I already gave you my name, yet you didn't give me yours. Aren't you being rude?” he asked instead, dodging the youth's question.

The youth's eyes went wide, shocked.

He didn't give him time to ask and continued. ”You saved us last night from the demonic bird, but we also saved you last night from spending the night on the street, almost dying from hunger and exhaustion.” He said, then paused. ”I also nursed you back to health. So now you owe me one.” He added and stared at the youth whose face is turning from white to green to red.

Fei Yin is beyond shocked. Not only he found Ah Shen, but 'Ah Shen' is now changed. How did he change this much? He thought, depressed. Was it because of me...? But – he thought, his face serious. That time... I'm sure he lost his memories of that time. So, why – he looked at 'Chen Shen'.

How did he turn so cold? He thought, puzzled and hurt.

He regained his composure and calmly looked at 'Chen Shen'. ”I apologize for my rude behavior.” He said, then bowed. ”My name is Fei Yin.” He said and looked at 'Chen Shen'. ”I'd like to enter this sect.” he said and looked straight in 'Chen Shen's eyes. Pain crossed in Fei Yin's eyes.

The Chen Shen he knew... he's gone. He thought.

Chen Sheng of course could see the youth's emotions on his face. This youth definitely knows the host – Chen Shen. I must know what is his relationship with the host. He thought.

He calmly answered. ”You are lucky.” He told him. ”The Newfound Sect is new and in the process of recruiting disciples. Since you saved me and Brother Li last night, thus displaying your strength... I'll recommend you to shifu.” He told him.

Fei Yin nodded and smiled. ”Many thanks... Brother Chen.” He said and bowed.

'Chen Shen' may have already changed... but he's still 'Chen Shen'. He thought, his face went serious. I still don't know if is change has something got to do with that time, so...

He looked at 'Chen Shen'. ”Chen... Sheng...” he called, awkward. He called himself 'Chen Sheng', not 'Chen Shen'. So... he changed his name also. He thought.

Chen Sheng just nodded at him. ”I must go to shifu now and tell him you woke up.” He said and stood up. ”I'll also put in a word about you wanting to enter the sect.” he added, then left.

Fei Yin watched his back as he walked away. For some reason... his heart ached. Is this because I feel guilt of what I had done to him? He thought, referring to the accident that happened a few weeks ago.

But... this will be told next.

For now – Fei Yin thought as his face went serious, staring at the fleeting figure. ” – whether it's him or not...” he muttered. ”This time... I'll be the one to support him and protect him.” he said, a figure of child, his back on him as he bravely covered him from the raining stones the other kids threw at him.

A bitter and painful smile crossed Fei Yin's face.

That child's back... as well as the child himself. They're as resolute as ever. And now... he just became stronger, making Fei Yin feel at a loss and making him wonder if he could catch up to that child and be the one to protect that child this time.

Chen Sheng turned on the hallway and leaned his shoulder on the wall, his face serious. ”Yin...” he muttered, then lowered his head. But, he didn't feel happy. Instead – ”You already fell in love with other person... you completely forgotten me...” he muttered and bit his lip.

”Brother Chen?” it was Li Tian. He's walking towards him. ”Are you alright?” he asked, worried.