42 Day 41: The Scum Is A Trickster (1/2)

Chen Sheng chose not to answer to Fei Yin. He turned to the others. ”The decision lies to me.” he told Chen Han.

Chen Han gritted his teeth and balled his fists, mad. Even if he's still treating Chen Sheng as his younger brother, but Chen Sheng, after all, is not truly his brother.

Chen Sheng turned to Fei Lin and Xi Ling. ”When can we go to the YuLing Village?” he asked.

Fei Lin answered. ”We've already talked about this with the elders last night.” He said, referring to Fei Huang, Li Shan and Xi Peng. ”They already gave permission. Elder Li Shan and Elder Xi Peng will be coming with us.” he told them. ”We can leave in the afternoon.” He added.

For 15 years, the YuLing Village was isolated from the other villages in the Upright Sect. So, to say, they'll all be going to a ghost town.

Chen Sheng nodded. ”This afternoon, it is.” He said and turned to the others. ”For now... who'd like to come with me to fetch my blanket?” he asked.

They all looked at him and immediately raised their hand. They don't want Chen Sheng to slip in the Spring of Retribution again.

Demonic Sect.

”It is time.” The black-robed man said as he crazily grinned. ”You know what to do.” He said.

”Yes.” The green-robed man said and bowed. He then vanished.

Newfound Land.

Chen Shen gazed at the wrecked wooden mansion on top of the hill. A logo of a bowing flower with a leaf on its opposite side can be seen on the roof.

”If I just hadn't left my body... this is where I was going to...” he muttered.

”Brother Shen.” Wen Yan called. ”It's time for us to leave.” He told him.

Chen Shen nodded. ”En.” He said and started to walk over the dismembered corpses lying on the ground. ”We have to do what we must, for His Majesty.” He said, referring Mu Xin.

His new life was granted by Mu Xin. If not for Mu Xin giving him a new body for his soul to enter to, who knows where Chen Shen's soul would be now.

Wen Yan looked at him. ”You know that's not – ” he said.

Chen Shen raised his hand. ”Let's go.” He told him and mounted on his sword. This is the sword Chen Sheng gave him that's from his family.

Chen Sheng gave the sword to him 8 years ago.

Well, actually, not 'gave'. Chen Shen thought. Chen Sheng left the sword, obviously forgotten about it. He was the one who found it.

If it's on purpose or not Chen Sheng forgot a valuable sword... Chen Shen grimaced. Well, he is happy that the sword found its way to its rightful owner.

He and Wen Yan left the Newfound Land and headed straight to Upright Sect.

Promising Sect.

”Lan?” Fang Wen called when he saw Xie Lan is staring at the sky. ”What's wrong?” he asked as he walked towards Xie Lan.

Xie Lan retracted his gaze from the sky and turned to Fang Wen. ”A letter from Sheng – er.” He said and handed an envelope to Fang Wen.

Fang Wen's eyes went wide. He immediately took the letter and opened it.

The disciples who heard them scurried over to them, not minding they're crowding their shifu and founder. All they think about right now is Chen Sheng, their senior brother who was taken by the Upright Sect.

Fang Wen immediately relaxed his shoulder when he read that his disciple is fine. He sighed as he folded the letter.

The disciples are cheering now.

Fang Wen smiled and looked at Xie Lan. ”Sheng – er is fine.” he told him. ”He'll be more fine since Yin-er, Tian-er, Mo-er, and Chen Han is with him right now. All thanks to Sun Yi.” He said, smiling brightly.

Sun Yi, together with Wu Yuan, took the four with them to the Upright Sect to see Chen Sheng.

”Mn.” Xie Lan just said, gazing again at the clear bright sky.

”Lan?” Fang Wen called, now puzzled. ”What are you gazing at?” he asked.

”... a storm is coming.” Xia Lan answered.

”Ah?” Fang Wen said. ”What are you saying? The sky is clear – ”

Xie Lan cut him off. ”You know that's not what I'm talking about.” He told him, still gazing at the sky.

Fang Wen fell silent. When one reaches Immortalization Stage, they gain 'insight' to everything. So if Xie Land says a 'storm' is coming, then there must be.

”What is this all about?” he asked, referring to the storm that's coming.

”... the sender of the letter.” Xie Lan answered.

Fang Wen's eyes went wide. ”What?!” he said, shocked.

The disciples who are cheering earlier fell silent, surprised, as they looked at Fang Wen.

”Lan!” he called as he stood in front of Xie Lan, worry and fear on his face. ”Don't tell me Sheng-er will be in danger again?” he asked.

The disciple's looked at each other, shocked. They looked at their shifu and founder, then silently left. They shouldn't interfere with their 'parents' talk.

Xie Lan looked at his 'wife'. ”Wen.” He called. ”I assure you. Even though Sheng-er will be put in more dangerous situation next – ” he said, then stopped when his tongue slipped. He looked at Fang Wen's shocked face. He grimaced and continued. ” – but, I assure you he will be fine.” he told him.

”How can you say that?!” Fang Wen snapped and glared at Xie Lan.

Xie Lan looked at him. One of the reasons why he created a sect is for Fang Wen to mingle with other people.

Fang Wen has always been an introverted person.

”Wen.” He called to his angry 'wife'. ”There's something I haven't told you.” He told him.

”What?” Fang Wen asked.

”... Sheng-er's soul isn't broken.” He answered.

It took a few second before realization kicked in Fang Wen's head. ”What?!” he said, shocked. He gripped Xie Lan's robe tightly. ”Lan. You lied to me?!” he asked.

Even though Xie Lan wants to kiss badly his 'wife' for being so aggressive, he held himself back. He doesn't want for his wife to be angrier. ”I didn't. I said, 'haven't told', right? So I didn't lie to you. I never lied to you.” He said and looked at Fang Wen. ”Never will.” He added.

Fang Wen stared at him, then sighed. He was appeased now. ”I was the one who appraised Sheng-er's soul. I'm sure it was broken.” He said.

”It's just normal for you to think that.” Xie Lan said. ”But, Sheng-er's soul isn't broken.” He told him. Fang Wen looked at him. ”It was imprinted.” He said.

”'imprinted'?”

Xie Lan nodded. ”Soul Imprint Technique.” He said. ”It's to imprint one's soul, depending on what the user will imprint on the soul.” He explained.

”Then... Sheng-er...” Fang Wen said.

Xie Lan nodded. ”Yes.” He said. ”He has a full soul, like us.” he told him.

”But... who would do this to Sheng-er...?” Fang Wen asked, worried and puzzled.

Chen Sheng really is in more dangerous situation now.

”Soul Techniques...” Xie Lan muttered, then sighed. ”There's only one.” He said.

Fang Wen's eyes went wide, realizing. ”The Xi family?!” he asked, shocked, remembered the Xi family's Soul Evicting Technique.

Xie Lan didn't answer. ”Wen.” He called. ”The Xi family, though using a Soul Technique, is but one technique only they're using.” He said and meaningfully looked at Fang Wen.

Fang Wen's eyes went wide. ”You don't mean...” he said.

Xie Lan nodded. ”Stolen.” He said.

Fang Wen's jaw dropped.

”But, I guess the Xi family themselves don't know of it.” he said.

”You mean...” Fang Wen said.

Xie Lan nodded. ”Somebody in their family stole that Soul Technique.” He said.

Silence fell. This is a big shock, and will tarnish the Xi family for years.

Xie Lan sighed. ”Xi family is a respectable family. They wouldn't hurt a person, much less a fly.” He said, then added. ”Except for that thief.” He said.

Fang Wen grimaced. ”Anyway, you said this Soul Technique is stolen.” He said. ”Where was it stolen?” he asked.

Xie Lan looked at him. It was a long while before he answered. ”A continent far different from us.” he answered, his voice low.

Fang Wen's eyes went wide. ”Hey... you can't mean – ” he said.

Once there was a myth passed down every generations, until the myth was almost forgotten. It's about a land that's rich with qi, the people living in the land didn't need to cultivate just to have a long life.

If that myth is true, then...

”The BaiLong (White Dragon) Continent?!” Fang Wen said, dumbfounded.