24 Day 23: The Scum Is Levelheaded (1/2)

The day of the ceremony where the Newfound Sect will officially accept their disciples has arrived. Chen Sheng, Fei Yin, Li Tian and Feng Mo are now wearing the sect's robe, indicating they're official disciples of the sect.

”Remember the sect's missions.” Xie Lan said. The sect has only four disciples right now, which isn't bad since the sect was just created few weeks ago.

”Yes!” the four answered and bowed.

”Please be very careful.” Fang Wen said, worried.

Their first task is night patrol. Even though Chen Sheng and Li Tian already patrolled, but it was in daylight and so this will also be a first time for them, like Fei Yin and Feng Mo.

”Yes, shifu!” the four said and bowed.

Fang Wen nodded. ”Tian – er. Go with Mo – er.” He told Li Tian.

”Yes!” Li Tian answered and bowed, then turned to Feng Mo who's silently standing beside him. ”Brother Feng.” He called, smiling.

Feng Mo nodded, then bowed. ”I'll be under Brother Li's care.” He said, his face serious.

Li Tian froze. It's a first that his partner is a serious person, a contrast to Li Tian's bright personality. ”Yes...” he just said.

”Sheng – er.” Fang Wen called and turned to Chen Sheng. ”You'll be with Yin – er.” He said and looked at the silent Fei Yin.

”Yes, shifu.” Chen Sheng said and bowed. Even though he doesn't like to be with Fei Yin, but this is their first task and it'll be insubordination if he'll object to their shifu's decision. And so he turned to Fei Yin, then forced a smile. ”I'll be under Brother Fei's care.” He said and bowed.

Fei Yin blinked, then looked at him. ”Yes...” he just said, don't know how to react. He initiated a talk with me? He thought, surprised.

Of course Chen Sheng knew what Fei Yin's thinking. Don't flatter yourself. This is just courtesy. He thought, just followed Li Tian's and Feng Mo's actions earlier.

Fang Wen who's watching the four disciples don't know whether to laugh or cry. And so he coughed. ”I've already given you the basic manual about the demonic beasts and malevolent energy this morning.” He said, giving the four youths the objects this morning after the ceremony. ”I've already given you the Evil Accumulating Orb. It'll glow if there's malevolent energy around. Report to me directly through the jade talisman and don't engage in combat. Understood?” he asked and glanced at Fei Yin.

He already knows the disciple is strong, but also has a temper. Which is a fatal flaw of him. He's too young yet his family already trains him. It's good, but also bad since the child will develop a sense of responsibility in his early age.

He's too young to bear heavy responsibilities. Fang Wen thought and sighed. One of its examples is Chen Sheng.

He looked at Chen Sheng who's silently standing beside Fei Yin. I don't know what happened between these two young masters of the family of the supporters of the two big sects. He thought. But... the second young master of the Fei is bearing the responsibility too much. He thought, remembered Fei Yin's condition when he told him he'd like to enter the sect.

”Is there anything you'd like to ask?” he asked and looked at the four youths.

”No, shifu.” They answered and shook their head.

Fang Wen nodded. ”Alright.” He said. ”You can leave now. Be careful.” He told them again.

”Yes!” they answered then bowed.

They then left and ventured into the darkness of the night.

Fang Wen sighed and looked at Xie Lan who's standing beside him. If only the demonic beast didn't appear last night, his disciples could enjoy a feast for their dinner today.

But, this task will still happen later so he didn't object Xie Lan's decision on giving this as the first task for their disciples. After all, they also still have to ensure the citizens' safety.

He sighed.

”You're more worried for them than they themselves.” Xie Lan told him, noticed his sigh.

”But...” Fang Wen said.

”Mom. This is essential for our children's growth. So don't panic.” Xie Lan said, a grin on his lips.

Fang Wen's face went red, embarrassed. ”Who're you calling 'mom'?” he asked, glaring at Xie Lan.

”Obviously, it's you.” Xie Lan answered.

Fang Wen's face went redder. ”You...! And you think you're the 'dad'?!” he asked, frowning.

”Why, of course. I won't let anyone be the dad if you'll be the mom.” He said and laughed.

Fang Wen's heart skipped a beat. ”You - !” he said, then stopped. He stared at Xie Lan.

It's been a long time since he last saw him smile, much less laugh.

”Lan...” he called, then stopped. His eyes went wide. He didn't notice he already called him.

Xie Lan turned to him, his smile vanished. Fang Wen bit his lip and lowered his head.

”Don't worry much. They'll be fine.” Xie Lan assured him.

”Mn.” Fang Wen just said.

Right now... he's more worried about Xie Lan.

”We'll be taking this way, Brother Chen.” Li Tian told Chen Sheng when they reached a forked path.

”En.” Chen Sheng nodded.

Li Tian waved at them and walked away. Feng Mo bowed at them and followed Li Tian.

”He's too serious.” He muttered, referring to Feng Mo. He then walked the other way.

He heard Fei Yin's footsteps following him.

Silence fell. Chen Sheng looked at the unlit houses on the side.

Aside from sleeping, the citizens are afraid a demonic beast might come again. In their heart, they somewhat blame the Newfound Sect for 'bringing' a disaster on their land.

Before the Newfound Land was named, the unnamed land is living in peace. There's been no incident of demonic beast or malevolent energy that was seen on their land.

One reason for this is the land is located at the edge of the continent, almost can't be seen on the map of the HuiLong (Gray Dragon) Dalu (Continent). (It's just now I mentioned the name of their place XD)

It's too far for the demonic beasts to leisurely visit here. And since there're no sightings of demonic beasts, the mind of the people is at ease, which makes the malevolent energy here low, almost none.

But ever since the Newfound Sect came, there's already a sighting of a demonic beast.

”Brother Chen.” Fei Yin called after a while. ”Here. You have the Evil Accumulating Orb.” He told him. ”I have my own.” He added and handed the item to him.

Chen Sheng looked at the item, then took it. ”Many thanks, Brother Fei.” He told him then continued to walk.

Fei Yin just nodded.

Silence fell again. How awkward can this be? Chen Sheng thought. He decided to ignore Fei Yin.

The two continued to venture, as silent as the night.

”So you're a young master...” Li Tian said as he and Feng Mo walk around. ”And the only young master of your family...” he added.

”... en.” Feng Mo answered as he stared at the orb closely it's almost on his forehead. ”Will this thing really glow?” he asked and looked at Li Tian.

Li Tian patiently nodded. ”Yes. If there's malevolent energy around.” He answered. ”But, of course it wouldn't be good since the malevolent energy might come to us.” He added.

Feng Mo nodded and curiously looked at the orb. ”How about this one?” he asked and looked at the jade talisman.

”It directly relays our voices to our shifu.” Li Tian answered.

”Oh.” Feng Mo said and narrowed his eyes as he stares at the talisman.

Li Tian smiled and let him be. They continued to walk around.

Thus, their (four) first night luckily ended without a hitch.

The next day.

Chen Sheng opened his eyes and squinted as the bright morning sun hit his face. He slowly got up and sat on his bed.

Since Fei Yin is also a disciple here, of course he didn't stay in Chen Sheng's room anymore.

Or else I'll round kick him out. He thought and frowned as he fixed himself.

”Brother Chen?” who else aside from Li Tian that will come to his door? ”Brother Chen, are you awake now?” he asked and knocked.

”Yes...” he lazily answered. It's already noon.

”Good. Shifu and founder will check our soul if ever there's a trace of malevolent energy that stuck to us last night.” Li Tian explained.