30 Day 29: The Scum Is Cold (1/2)

Their mouth fell open.

”W – what do you mean?” Chen Han asked, his body trembling. ”P – please... tell me this is a joke – ” he said and looked at Chen Sheng.

”I hope these all are just a joke, too.” Chen Sheng said. He looked at them all and slowly said. ”I am Yu Sheng.” He told them. As if not enough, he added. ”Well, just half of his soul, is.” He said.

A deafening silence fell.

Chen Han's the first to break it. ”What the hell are you saying?!” he asked, mad. He glared at Xi Ling and Fei Lin. ”You! What did you do to Ah Sheng?!” he asked, gritting his teeth as he glared at the two like he wanted to skin them alive.

”Told him the truth.” Xi Ling answered blankly. Fei Lin's face is now serious.

”What?!” Chen Han said. ”What truth?!” he snapped. ”He's my brother – ”

Xi Ling cut him off. ”Well, the truth is that he isn't your brother.” He told him.

Chen Han balled his fists. He can't say anything since he doesn't know what exactly happened.

”B – Brother Fei...” Li Tian called, still shocked. ”W – what is... what is Brother Chen saying?” he asked and looked at Fei Yin. ”He... He...” he said, can't continue what he's saying.

”N – not... not our brother... but – ” Feng Mo said, as shocked as Li Tian. ” – a... a... p – part of... s – s – ” he said, his face as pale as the snow.

But, Fei Yin remained silent, confirming Chen Sheng's words as true.

Chen Han gritted his teeth and was about to say something when Sun Yi raised his hand in front of Chen Han, stopping him.

As the one who brought them here, Sun Yi has to avoid making conflict between his guests and the people of the Upright Sect, most especially to the headmaster and an elder.

”Brother Chen.” He called Chen Han. ”Please hold back your temper. Even I and Junior Brother Li and Junior Brother Feng are mad, too.” He said as he coldly looked at Fei Lin and Xi Ling.

Even though he's a disciple of different sect, but his family is supporting the Upright Sect. He could only just give them a cold glance.

”Please enlighten these disciples on Brother Chen's case.” He told Fei Lin and Xi Ling, then respectfully bowed. He looked at the two in the eye. ”I believe the Upright Sect doesn't play with one's mind and soul, making them say things such as this.” he said and looked at the silent Chen Sheng.

Even though Chen Sheng behaves the same way they saw him in the past, the air around him changed. Sun Yi turned to the two, waiting.

”I'll handle this.” Chen Sheng told Xi Ling and Fei Lin. They looked at him. ”I'll follow you after I talk with them.” He added.

Xi Ling and Fei Lin looked at him, then the others. They nodded at Chen Sheng, then silently flew away on their sword.

Silence fell to the ones left. Chen Sheng leaned on the pillar.

”Brother Chen...” Li Tian and Feng Mo called.

”... I already told you I'm not your Brother Chen.” Chen Sheng told them.

”But – ” the two said, still can't believe on what he said.

”Junior Brother...” Sun Yi called, then stopped. After hearing Chen Sheng's words earlier, he doesn't know what to call him now.

Seeing Fei Lin's and Xi Ling's serious face earlier, Sun Yi knows what Chen Sheng said was true.

But the one who couldn't accept this the most is, of course, Chen Han.

”Ah Sheng – ” he called, gritting his teeth. His face dark.

”I already told you I'm not your brother – ” Chen Sheng told him.

Chen Han glared at him.

”As I've said, I'm only a portion of Yu Sheng's soul. Your brother is unfortunate to be my vessel – ”

Chen Han snapped. He was about to unsheathe his sword when Fei Yin immediately went to him and grabbed his arm.

Chen Han glared at Fei Yin. ”You - !” he said. ”Don't you love my brother?” he asked. ”Why are you covering for him - !” he said and glared at Chen Sheng.

”... Chen Shen is still alive.” Fei Yin said.

Chen Han turned to him sharply. Fei Yin immediately explained to him what happened 15 years ago.

”So...” Fei Yin said. ”... right now, Chen Shen is with the demonic cultivators. I've seen him that day, when the Newfound Sect and Newfound Land was attacked.” He finished.

Chen Han fell silent, remembering the scene. But his anger still didn't appease. Instead, he just got angrier after hearing what Fei Yin said.

He didn't know that his dear little brother was envious of him and got Qi Deviation, leading to his soul be broken.

”Argh!” he screamed and punched the pillar next to him in anguish. How can he tell his parents and grandparents, as well as the Promising Sect of this? He thought and silently cried.

There's no one to blame... not even the guy who stole his little brother's body. He only stole the body, not killed his little brother.

He balled his fists, don't know what to do.

Sun Yi and Wu Yuan fell silent. Wu Yuan has always been biased against Chen Shen. But, after hearing the cause of the disappointing situation of Chen Shen, he doesn't know what to feel anymore.

”You...” Li Tian called, looking at Chen Sheng. He doesn't know what to call him for now.

”Just call me 'Brother Sheng'.” Chen Sheng told him. ”Since even I still don't accept I'm just a part of this Yu Sheng's soul.” He added, contempt in his voice.

Li Tian finally smiled. Feng Mo's shoulder relaxed.

”So... Brother Sheng...” he called. ”This Yu Sheng person you mentioned...” he said.

Their face went serious, somewhat had an idea who could this guy be.

”Yes.” Chen Sheng nodded. ”He's the one and only who attacked the Newfound Sect, as well as the Newfound Land, and injured Xie Lan, Ming Ye and Luo Shi.” He answered.

They all fell silent.

”For him to do all that...” Feng Mo said.

Fei Yin answered. ”He's beyond Immortalization Stage.” He told them.

Their eyes went wide and looked at him. Fei Yin nodded. This guy has been listening to Fei Lin and Xi Ling together with Chen Sheng.

A deafening silence fell.

”That's all.” Chen Sheng said and walked past them.

They didn't speak.

Chen Sheng continued walking down the stone stairs, no one stopping him. It'll take much time until they accept all these. He thought.

Just like him.

He descended the long, winding stair as memories of 15 years ago continued on his mind.

”Brother Chen.” Li Tian called after they meditated. They're taking a break now.

”Hm?” Chen Sheng answered and turned to Li Tian.

As usual, Chen Sheng didn't feel anything with his soul.

”Uhm...” Li Tian said, hesitating.

Feng Mo opened his eyes. He just finished meditating. The room is filled with a warm but light aura.

Of course it's coming from the two. Chen Sheng thought, referring to Li Tian and Feng Mo. Fei Yin isn't around since he's on the duty to patrol today.

It's already been a month after their soul appraisal.

”If you want to say something, then just say it.” Feng Mo told Li Tian. ”It's not nice to keep people waiting.” He added.

Li Tian pursed his lips. ”But it's not also nice if what you're going to tell them will give them discomfort or make them feel unease.” He told Feng Mo.

Feng Mo froze, then blinked. ”Is that so?” he asked, puzzled.

Chen Sheng mentally sighed. After spending a month with the complicated young master of the Feng family, he now knows Feng Mo's personality.

Like Li Tian, Feng Mo is naïve. Well, every teenager is. He thought. But, the two are opposites.

If Li Tian is sensitive, Feng Mo is blunt. Li Tian is weighing his words before he tells people while Feng Mo is straightforward.

”Brother Li and Brother Feng is both right.” Chen Sheng said. The two looked at him. He continued. ”But – ” he said and looked at the two. ” – whether you are right or not... it all depends on the person you talked to.” He told them.

”What does Brother Chen means?” Li Tian asked.

As usual, the airhead. Chen Sheng thought and mentally face palmed. And the other is simple – minded. He looked at Feng Mo who's also waiting for him to answer.

”If you are being careful on what you said to not hurt the other person... but – ” he looked at Li Tian. ” – it still hurt them...” he said. ”If you are straightforward on what you said even though it'll hurt the other person... but – ” he looked at Feng Mo. ” – it's fine for them...” he said.

The two nodded and fell silent, finally understood what he meant.

”For example. You value your friend too much, but they have a bad attitude. But, still, they are too sensitive. How will you tell them?” he asked and looked at Li Tian. ”No matter how carefully you tell them, no matter how many times you choose your words... they will still be hurt.” He said.

Li Tian lowered his head.

”But, what if this sensitive friend of yours has a straightforward friend?” he asked and looked at Feng Mo. ”You tell them they had bad attitude. It hurt them. But – ” he said and looked at Li Tian. ” – they may be hurt, but they had to accept this fact. And surprisingly, they are open to criticisms. And so they'll finally be aware of their attitude. Isn't this a happy ending?” he asked and smiled.

Their eyes went wide.

Chen Sheng mentally grimaced. ”So... what is it you wanna tell me?” he asked and looked at Li Tian. ”I'm not a sensitive person, and I'm open for criticisms.” He added and smiled.

Li Tian blushed and looked down. ”Actually, Brother Chen...” he said and glanced at Feng Mo. Feng Mo's face turned blank.