36 Day 35: The Scum Is Targeted (1/2)
”W – what... what're we gonna do?” Xi Ling asked, panicked, as he looked around.
”Don't worry. I don't sense anybody around.” Yu Sheng told him and continued walking.
”Then... you have an idea how they were attacked, Sheng – ge?” Xi Ling asked as he follows Yu Sheng, jumping over the corpses.
The wind blew and the corpses moved, easily toppled. Xi Ling pressed his lips tight and shut his eyes as he continued walking.
”Dead people are already gone.” Yu Sheng suddenly said as they continue to walk.
Xi Ling looked at him.
”But, it's their soul that's gone, not the body.” He said. ”One dies, then lives again. One lives, only to die again. The cycle of life, like that... justifying one's death, consoling one's soul for dying.” he said, contempt on his voice.
Xi Ling stared at him. He always sees Yu Sheng calm and collected. This is the first time he saw him mad. ”Sheng – ge...” he called, worried.
”If it's Qi Deviation, then rest your mind. I won't fall to Qi Deviation.” Yu Sheng assured him. Xi Ling nodded, relieved. He continued. ”As I've said, it's the soul that leaves the body once one dies. Their body that were left, becomes an empty shell. So no need to worry if ever you slight their body. Unless their soul came back to their body, their body remains an empty shell.” He explained as he looked at the dry bodies lying on the ground.
”Then, Sheng – ge...” Xi Ling said.
”You already know qi is life force.” Yu Sheng said. ”Life consists of body and mind, where mind represents one's soul. That's why when there's a Qi Deviation, both the body and soul deteriorates.” He said. ”But, it's actually the mind – the soul, deteriorates. Mind is equal to the soul. Mind gives value to the soul – memories and feelings. That's differentiates the soul – a spirit, from other spirits.” He explained. ”The body deteriorates when one gets Qi Deviation is due to the mind, since the mind controls... commands the body.” He said.
Xi Ling nodded. ”But, Sheng – ge.” He said. ”These people didn't get a Qi Deviation, much less the ordinary people since they don't even cultivate.” He said.
Yu Sheng nodded. ”Yes.” He said. ”That's where we go back to the sucking the qi, or the life force.” He told him.
Xi Ling listened attentively.
”Qi, life force... this differentiates one from the others.” He added. ”The more life force you have, the stronger you are. Like us, cultivators, different from the ordinary people whom we protect.” He said and looked at Xi Ling. ”Once one's life force is burn out, like when they got older...” he said, didn't continue.
Xi Ling's eyes went wide. ”So you mean these people died of old age?” he asked, then cried when Yu Sheng hit his head.
”Of course not. How can everybody just suddenly get old?” Yu Sheng asked in a matter-of-fact tone. ”They just looked like old. Well, super old.” He said and looked at the dry corpses.
Xi Ling frowned. ”Get to the point, will you?” he asked.
Yu Sheng hit him again. ”You're now disrespectful.” He said, then sighed. ”One cultivates to make their soul richer, thus making their qi richer, too, as their level rise.” He said.
Xi Ling nodded.
”Then, how about to those who don't cultivate?” he asked.
”They remain ordinary humans.” Xi Ling answered.
Yu Sheng nodded. ”You should know a cultivator's qi is richer than an ordinary human's.” he said.
Xi Ling fell silent. ”You mean...” he said.
Yu Sheng didn't answer. ”It's just my guess.” He just said.
Xi Ling didn't answer.
Yu Sheng continued. ”I think they are looking for someone.” He added.
Xi Ling stopped. ”You don't mean...” he said and looked at Yu Sheng.
But Yu Sheng just continued walking.
Xi Ling pressed his lips tight and followed. ”Have you found something regarding your family? Regarding this place?” he asked.
Yu Sheng didn't answer.
”What is it?” he asked. ”Sheng – ge – ”
He was cut off when Yu Sheng raised his hand.
”Something very strong is there.” Yu Sheng said and pointed north.
It was the end of the HuiLong Continent and next is the Endless Sea.
Yu Sheng looked at him. Xi Ling nodded. They mounted their sword and flew.
”Sheng – ge.” Xi Ling called as he looked at his silver sword, Peerless Wish. Its blade glistened when the wind howled. ”What did you find in your hometown?” he silently asked.
”... I cannot tell you.” Yu Sheng answered. ”Some things are meant not to be spoken.” He said. ”And those things protect more than the things that are spoken. Time will tell when those unspoken things will be learned.” He told him.
Xi Ling didn't answer.
”Ling – ling.” he called.
Xi Ling looked at him, surprised.
Yu Sheng turned and smiled at him. ”Only the one you'll spend your life with can call your first name once.” He told him and winked, then messed his hair.
Xi Ling frowned.
”I only know someone's pulling the strings behind...” he said.
Xi Ling's eyes went wide. ”You mean – ” he said.
Yu Sheng looked away. There's a traitor in the Upright Sect. Xi Ling thought.
”Sheng – ge – ” he called.
But before he could continue, they arrived in a swamp. They looked around.
”The power is coming from there.” Yu Sheng said and pointed a hill covered by tall trees.
Xi Ling nodded. ”Let's go – ” he said and was about to flew towards the hill when Yu Sheng stopped him. ”Sheng – ge?” he called.
”... nothing.” Yu Sheng said and let go of Xi Ling. ”Be careful.” He said and flew first.
Xi Ling nodded and they flew. His eyes went wide when they saw a cave. ”Sheng – ge.” he called.
”En. This is where the power I felt earlier coming from.” Yu Sheng said as they landed on the ground. He looked around. This place is deserted. ”Ling – ling.” he called as he looked at the entrance of the cave.
”Yes?” Xi Ling answered, looking around.
”... the dry corpses are just a collateral damage.” He said.
Xi Ling turned to him, wide-eyed.
Yu Sheng continued. ”The one they're after was me. Something in my soul.” He said.
Xi Ling's mouth fell open, shocked. ”Sheng – ge – ” he called.
Yu Sheng ignored him as he stared at the cave. ”I...” he said, then took a deep breath. He turned to Xi Ling and mouthed.
Xi Ling's eyes went wide, shocked. Yu Sheng smiled. Xi Ling fell silent.
”Do you hate me?” he asked.
Xi Ling didn't answer, but shook his head. Yu Sheng sighed and lowered his head.
Silence fell.
”There's not only one or two things, but many more are to be understood and learned.” Yu Sheng said after a while. ”One that's special is one of those things. One's feelings towards someone special is another. You get what I mean?” he asked and looked at Xi Ling. ”Ling – ling...” he called.
Xi Ling finally looked at him.
Yu Sheng smiled. ”I know this may be a suicide, so don't blame the sect.” he said, referring to the task given to them.
”I'm the one who suggested to join you – ” Xi Ling said.
Yu Sheng cut him off. ”They know you will.” He told him.
Xi Ling's eyes went wide, shocked.
”Envy kills other person. Ignorance kills the person.” he told him.
Xi Ling fell silent.
Yu Sheng sighed and patted Xi Ling's head. ”I hate myself for doing this, but you understand now, right?” he asked.
Xi Ling lowered his head. Yu Sheng meant opening Xi Ling's eyes to everything.
”... you know who to trust?” he asked. Xi Ling didn't answer. ”You're free whom to trust, but not free to give all of your trust to them.” He told him. ”... Fei Lin.” He said.
Xi Ling's eyes went wide and immediately looked around, thinking Fei Lin have followed them. His face flushed when he didn't found the guy.
Yu Sheng chuckled.
Xi Ling frowned. ”You - !” he said and hit Yu Sheng.
Yu Sheng laughed. ”I meant he's the only one you can trust.” He told Xi Ling. Xi Ling looked at him. Yu Sheng smiled. ”He'll help you once he has the power.” He told Xi Ling and messed Xi Ling's hair. ”Alright. Stand back. I'm going alone.” He told him.
For the first time, Xi Ling felt not stopping Yu Sheng, which is the stupidest thing he did because this is the most dangerous thing that befell them two.
But, for some reason... Xi Ling felt assured. Maybe because of Yu Sheng's words, he felt to let Yu Sheng go.
”I won't die. Believe me.” Yu Sheng said. ”I promise I'll come back.”