In the allied participants' base, Wu Lian and Chen Wu have finally come out of their tent.
"Wu-shixiong! Chen-shixiong!" Zhu Xi and Ling Yun respectfully bowed while Jin Yu nodded at them.
Cui Xiang is now refining magic pills and brewing potions while Chen Yu, along with Sun Ri, is looking after the patients, feeding them medicines based on Ling Yun's prescription in which Cui Xiang approved. This shows that they are worthy of being Cheng Sheng's apprentices in medicine, since everyone can see that the condition of the Shanliangde Sect disciples as well as Wu Tie became better.
Sun Yu almost cried and knelt before Xie Lan, thanking him because of Cheng Sheng being his disciple. But, of course, he didn't cry no knelt. However, he sincerely thanked him. Wu Tong also sincerely thanked Xie Lan, and it was him who almost shed tears. Just almost, since he still remembers that he is a sect leader and crying in public is shameful.
Wu Lian returned the nod and looked at each of them.
"Did you give them 'that'?" Chen Wu anxiously asked as he looked at Ling Yun. "Was it working?" he added.
Ling Yun nodded. "Yes. Er Zi confirmed it earlier." He answered.
Chen Wu sighed in relief. "That's good… even just this…" he said and sighed.
Wu Lian patted his back to comfort him. It is still too early to be relieved.
…
"'that'? What 'that'?" the sect leaders and elders asked as they looked at each other. Because of what happened earlier, they missed to watch what the participants did before they left to farm points.
"I saw! I saw!" Jing Hei raised his hand. "After they received Chen Han's letter, Er Zi was surprised and then immediately took out a qiankun pouch from his sleeve." He said. "As for why, and what was inside that qiankun pouch, I don't know since the participants have all gathered around him, so I didn't see." He explained. "Then, Er Zi suddenly left before he returned, and then nodded at them. They then cheered." He finished.
"It seems that Chen Wu and Wu Lian have finally concluded something so they sent a letter to instruct the others while they finalize their own plan." Chen Han spoke.
"So that's what it is…" the others muttered when they finally understood.
"But, what was that did they confirm?" Xi Ming asked.
"Ah." They muttered. Then, they looked at Cheng Sheng, who raised his brows.
Fei Yin chuckled.
"What does the qiankun pouch look like?" Cheng Sheng asked.
"Huh? Does each of your qiankun pouch looks different from the other?" Jing Bai was surprised.
"It is. Or else, my disciple would be poisoned or injured in case I placed bottles of poisons or my special devices inside and they suddenly explode if opened?" Cheng Sheng said.
Everyone. "…" well… they thought and secretly sighed in pity for Fei Yinzi. It is really hard to be a disciple of Cheng Sheng, since even just in this, you had to be pitted.
"Uh… the fabric of the qiankun pouch is yellow lines with red threads. I can't see clearly the design…" Jing Hei said and scratched his head.
"Ah. That." Cheng Sheng muttered.
They looked at him. "What do you mean?" they asked.
"Red and yellow… it is the same color with my yellow paper and red ink for talisman." Cheng Sheng answered. "In short, the qiankun pouch's content is used for defense, and also have other charms." He told them.
Everyone. "…" how lavish. They thought, feeling envious.
"What charms?" Xi Xing curiously asked.
Cheng Sheng turned. "Did you see anything was added on Er Zi when he left?" he asked.
They all tried to recall.
"A bracelet." Sun Yi answered.
They looked at him.
"En. It should be that." Cheng Sheng said.
"Hm?" they stared at him.
"It is a protective charm, but also used as tracker for demonic qi." Fei Yin explained, then paused. "Of course, it can also deflect any spiritual and mental attacks against the wearer." He added.
"Ah! So that was what my disciple was wearing always!" Li Tian exclaimed. He is referring to Su Yi.
"I thought my disciple wore it for fashion… I should have known that it was actually for protection." Lei Qing helplessly sighed. She knows that her disciple is tomboyish like her.
"Thanking Cheng-shixiong for the gift." You Rou said and bowed.
"Thank you, Cheng-shixiong!" Lei Ling said and bowed.
"Eh? Does this mean…?" Xi Ming muttered. "Each disciple of the Xinfaxian Sect has one?!" he exclaimed.
"Is it that surprising?" Feng Mo asked.
Fan Wen helplessly smiled.
"Chen Wu knows about this, so he instructed Er Zi to give the other participants that bracelet, too…" Jing Kang reminded them.
Everyone. "…" the Xinfaxian Sect and the Youxiwang Sect disciples are really blessed to have Cheng Sheng! They thought and sighed with emotion. But, they feel happy, since their disciples would also have the bracelet.
"Don't be too happy yet." Cheng Sheng said with a serious expression on his face. "Them wearing this means that they have hit a wall." hetold them.
Their mood immediately was dampened and they can only sigh in distress. Indeed, Chen Wu wouldn't use this trump card of theirs if they aren't running out of ideas! The situation of the participants is truly dire!
…
"You have your own ones, right?" Wu Lian asked as he looked at Chen Su, Ling Yun and Jin Yu.
"Yes. Little uncle always gave us this." Chen Su answered with a nod as he raised his wrist where the bright red braided thread can be seen.
Ling Yun feels envious at the Chen brothers since they have an uncle like Cheng Sheng who always gave them his refined treasures. But, now that he is a disciple of Cheng Sheng, he doesn't feel that envious anymore. "Yes. I also have one." He answered as he raised his wrist.
"Thank you." Jin Yu nodded at them as he raised his wrist.
"Good." Wu Lian nodded as he worn the red braided bracelet on Chen Wu who immediately blushed.
Zhu Xi who is secretly watching them felt intrigued. He suddenly noticed that something seems to have changed between Wu Lian and Chen Wu. It was just subtle, so it can't be immediately noticed. But, he is familiar with this since he and Wen Yan were also like this not long ago.
So… these two are actually in a relationship now, too?! He thought as he looked at them in surprise.
"Wu Lian…" Chen Wu whispered when he noticed that Zhu Xi is staring at them. His ears flushed red, feeling embarrassed.
"If he notices, then he notices." Wu Lian said carelessly as he carefully finished tying the charm bracelet on Chen Wu's wrist.
Chen Wu sighed in relief before he turned to Chen Su, Ling Yun and Jin Yu who will be accompanying them in investigating the demons. "As I have said in the letter earlier, the three of you will accompany us because we have noticed a problem with the demons." He started. "Jin Yu, you have experienced being ambushed by the demons along with Wu Tie so I chose to bring you with us." he looked at Jin Yu.
Jin Yu nodded in understanding. He has already expected this.
"Ling Yun." Chen Wu called as he looked at him.
"Yes!" Ling Yun answered.
"You will be our eyes later, is that okay?" Chen Wu asked.
"Of course!" Ling Yun solemnly nodded. The pressure will be great on him since their lives will be in his hands. If he fails to notice anything wrong, then they will all die later.
"Chen Su." Chen Wu finally called.
"Da ge." Chen Su answered.
"Among the three of us, little uncle praises you because you are the one who is the best in spells and talismans." Chen Wu smiled. "So, we will entrust our backs to you later. Do you understand?" he said.
Chen Su sharply inhaled, then heavily nodded. "Yes." he answered as he clenched his fists.
"Good. You will work with Jin Yu and Ling Yun later." Chen Wu told him. "Ling Yun will be our guide, telling us the direction later. Jin Yu will examine whether there are demons hiding or not. And Chen Su, you will be in charge for our defense." He explained.
"Yes!" Ling Yun, Chen Su and Jin Yu answered.
"What about you two?" Jin Yu asked.
"We will be in charge of the most crucial part – " Wu Lian answered. " – finding their leader." He said.
Their eyes widened. "So, there really is a leader of the demons?!" Ling Yun exclaimed.
"En." Chen Wu nodded. "Or else, they won't be able to launch a large-scale attack against us, besieging us." he said and sighed.
They all fell silent since they can understand what this implies.
"Do you know how to distinguish which is the leader of the demons?" Ling Yun asked.
"Not yet." Chen Wu honestly answered. His expression is heavy. "But, we have to find clues as soon as possible.." He said.