43 Day 42: The Scum Is Powerful (1/2)

An overbearing aura from everybody inside the clouds could be felt within the massive clouds and the clouds instantly vanished. The Clouded Ridge is no longer clouded and just back as an ordinary ridge.

But, they knew better. The clouds will be back again to cover the ridge since the air is moist, making it condense.

Seeing Chen Sheng is really gone, panic and fear ate their heart. One, because the sole key to catch Yu Sheng is gone. Two, the one they greatly care for was suddenly gone.

”... dimensional talisman? Or Yu Sheng?” Chen Han asked, his voice filled with controlled anger.

Nobody answered.

”... Elder Xi isn't here, too...” Feng Mo said, referring to Xi Peng.

A deafening silence fell.

”Did Yu Sheng appear and took Brother Chen, then Elder Xi Peng fought with Yu Sheng but the two were taken away...?” Li Tian asked, didn't continue.

They all knew it's impossible since nothing can be seen because of the clouds. This left them with only one conclusion: Xi Peng took Chen Sheng under their noses. They didn't know why and how Xi Peng took Chen Sheng, but this is the irrefutable truth.

It is likely that it was Xi Peng who distracted them all with the explosion of qi earlier to take Chen Sheng away.

But, this truth for the others is a major lie. It was the other way around.

Xi Peng crawls back as he looked at Chen Sheng, horrified.

”I could've let you reach the YuLing to make you see the empty cave you've coveted enough to frame Yu Sheng.” Chen Sheng said as he pointed his sword to Xi Peng's throat.

Xia Di is just silently watching his master. Earlier, after the explosion, Chen Sheng used the chance when the air rocked and made him and Xi Peng be blasted away and fell down, using the explosion as the cover. Xi Peng, seeing only he and Chen Sheng got separated from the others, got blinded by the lucky chance and the moment they fell on the ground, he attacked Chen Sheng.

But, just as he was a foot away from his target, his body stiffened and he collapsed on the ground.

He stared, terrified, at Chen Sheng. ”You... you're not Yu Sheng!” Xi Peng said, horrified.

”You just noticed? Idiot.” Chen Sheng said, frowning. ”Spill. Why do you covet Yu Sheng's power?” he asked. ”Why do you covet what's inside the empty cave?” he added.

Xi Peng's lips trembled because of fear and, stuttering, he answered fearfully. ”I... I was told that something powerful is inside the cave.” He answered. ”I was told that the power inside the cave went to Yu Sheng, that was why I split his soul to know - !” he explained.

”... that someone who told you... was it Fei Xin?” Chen Sheng asked.

”Yes, yes! That fox - !” Xi Peng said, gritting his teeth.

So it is true. Chen Sheng thought as he remembered Fei Lin, Xi Ling and his plan.

They're going to enter the cave to investigate and stealthily lead Xi Peng into a trap, which will be later on blamed to the cave's mystery.

Nothing is sweeter than being led to your own trap (in Xi Peng's case, framing) and meet your maker (die).

”Tell me. Do you know what is inside that cave?” Chen Sheng asked.

Xi Peng immediately shook his head.

Chen Sheng sighed. ”Idiot.” He said and retracted his sword.

Xi Peng sighed, relieved. But before he could finish sighing, the air got stuck on his throat and his throat was cut clean.

Xia Di's eyes went wide, shocked, as Xi Peng's headless body collapsed on the ground. His head rolled away, and into the ice cold river covered by the mist. The blood on the neck immediately clotted because of the ice cold water.

Xia Di looked at his master, then his master's sword which has no trace of blood.

”What?” Chen Sheng said as he sheathed his sword. ”You've gone soft?” he asked and looked at Xia Di.

Xia Di didn't answer, still shocked.

”'Chen Sheng' is soft, and so his contracted beast. Haa...” he sighed as he started to walk.

Xia Di silently followed, his head hung low.

”Don't worry. I won't kill you. Even though I'd still have much qi left after I'd suffer the backlash of killing my contracted beast... I don't want my cover to be blown.” He said and stopped, then turned to Xia Di. He smiled. ”So long they won't discover me, you'll still live.” He told him and continued walking.

Xia Di fell silent. No need to tell him that. He thought. But, it's not because he's afraid to die. It's because he's afraid the others will get brokenhearted once they know that the Chen Sheng they knew now changed.

In the past, they knew Chen Sheng as kuudere. Xia Di hope he could blame Chen Sheng being kuudere for this cold behavior of his master now.

Chen Sheng stopped and looked around. After few seconds, he closed his eyes. The qi gathered around him.

”Close your eyes.” He told his contracted beast.

”Yes.” Xia Di answered and closed his eyes.

Shared vision is one of the skills the master and the contracted beast have. Sure enough, everything around that is covered in fog was clear as day.

His master is really powerful.

Chen Sheng opened his eyes and easily walked towards the dense fog. The fog dissipated the moment it touched his body, as if it's going to burn if they'd touch his skin.

”Follow me closely.” Chen Sheng said.

”Yes.” Xia Di immediately answered and followed. ”Master.” He called as they walk. ”How about the others?” he asked.

”We'll meet them at the YuLing Village.” Chen Sheng answered.

Xia Di nodded and didn't speak anymore. Silence fell between the master and the contracted beast as they paved their way towards the direction of YuLing Village.

They all hovered above the mist-covered forest. After confirming Chen Sheng isn't around the Clouded Ridge, they immediately flew towards the Misty Forest, which is beyond the Clouded Ridge. They are looking for Chen Sheng, hoping to see him casually walking along the forest together with Xia Di.

But, they knew they're hoping for stars (impossible), since Chen Sheng is in danger. (Actually, no. He's really just casually walking along the forest together with Xia Di.)

”Damn condensed airs!” Chen Han cursed as he looks at the mist covering the forest. ”Why do they exist? Clearly to annoy us – ” he said, gritting his teeth.

Earlier, the clouds shrouded their vision. Now, the mist covers the entire forest. And for sure, when they'd reach the YuLing Village, fog will hang around them.

”You do know our powers are also form of condensed air.” Xi Ling told him, referring to qi.

Chen Han just glared at Xi Ling and turned to the forest shrouded with mist. ”Ah Sheng!” he called, but he knows that it's futile. He balled his fists. He badly wanted to blast the mist, but he's afraid he might hit Chen Sheng who's just around the forest.

Earlier in the clouds, they also didn't try to blast the clouds away first until they confirmed Chen Sheng's disappearance.

”If Elder Xi really took Chen Sheng, but without ill intentions, then – ” Li Shan said as he looked around the wide forest before them. ” – they must be heading to the YuLing Village now.” he said and looked at the direction of the YuLing Village, which is beyond the forest.

”... I just hope Elder Xi Peng doesn't have ill-intentions towards Sheng.” Fei Yin said, his face serious with a hint of warning.

Li Shan nodded. Fei Lin and Xi Ling are just silent, deeply thinking. Li Tian and Feng Mo are anxious.

”Brother Fei.” Li Tian called as he and Feng Mo flew beside Fei Yin.

”Hm?” Fei Yin said, looking at the mountains around them.

”Why are you calling Brother Chen casually?” Li Tian asked, referring to Fei Yin calling Chen Sheng as 'Sheng'. ”You used to call him 'Brother Chen', like us.” he said and looked at Feng Mo.

Feng Mo nodded, confirming.

”Ah. That...” Fei Yin said and laughed.

Li Tian and Feng Mo are shocked, wide-eyed. Not only did Fei Yin smiled today, he actually laughed! Their Brother Fei sure is weird today.

Did he snap because Chen Sheng is gone? They thought, then shook their head.

”Brother Fei...” Li Tian called.

Fei Yin smiled. ”We've just come to an understanding.” He said, meaningful.

”Ah? What understanding?” Feng Mo asked.