Chapter 14 - The Scum Is A Negotiator

Nonetheless, Cheng Sheng answered Feng Mo's question. "Da shixiong already gave me food." He said, then turned to Chen Han. "We shouldn't trust strangers, especially when they deliver themselves to our feet." He said and kicked the unconscious Dongfang Xiaoyun. "They're the most suspicious when they deliver themselves to you. Nothing is free in this world. When someone approaches you, they obviously have intentions." He said and sent another kick again to Dongfang Xiaoyun's stomach that most likely a potpourri of his digestive organs now.

"So, Dongfang Xiaoyun is the bad guy?" Feng Mo said and glared at Dongfang Xiaoyun.

Cheng Sheng nodded. "Obviously." He said. "He's the one that most likely spread rumors about his sect. Killed his sect members." He looked at Dongfang Xiaoyun lying on the cold ground.

"Why would he do that?" Li Tian asked, puzzled.

"Who knows?" Cheng Sheng shrugged.

"But, Ah Sheng." Chen Han said. "How did you know he's a bad guy?" he asked, curious.

Cheng Sheng stopped and looked at him. "I was about to tell you last night that negative qi can also affect the living people, not just the dead." He said. "However, I wasn't sure since I didn't see any negative qi from Dongfang Xiaoyun. And so I left to think more." He explained.

"I thought it was because you had a bad stomach." Feng Mo said.

Cheng Sheng ignored him. "It's not only the negative qi that is scary." He said. "The heart of the people is scarier, since they can inflict pain and bring others to danger." He told them.

Silence. They looked at each other, their eyes speaking. They didn't talk much and just dragged Dongfang Xiaoyun back to the inn. They already finished setting up barriers around the Dongxin Town. The residents can fall asleep peacefully for tonight.

Morning.

When Chen Han went back after finally receiving a reply from his master and his sect, Dongfang Xiaoyun finally could speak. "I was kicked out of the sect by my father after I hooked up with a rich man's daughter. It was an accident she got pregnant. Father made me fed myself alone after he promised the rich man's daughter to take in the child after the woman gave birth." He started. "The rich man doesn't want the child since the child is out of marriage. Thus, they both had an agreement. During my travel, I developed a heart demon. The first years I held myself back. But, my heart demon just grew bigger, until – " he said. He didn't continue anymore, since they can conclude his story.

Dongfang Xiaoyun became insane and killed off his sect members, including his father. Probably, he also killed the nearby village where the rich man and his daughter is living. When he sobered up, he blamed it to the corpses. Then, the rumors spread until Dongfang Xiaoyun reached the Dongxin Town, where he met Cheng Sheng – the smart guy that was wary of him from the beginning.

"When someone smiles at you, there are only two reasons – " Cheng Sheng said as he leaned his elbow on the table and rested his cheek on his palm. He raised his index finger. "One, they find you stupid – " he said.

They all shut up when they heard him.

" – two – " Cheng Sheng said as he raised another finger. " – he's evil." He said and looked at Dongfang Xiaoyun who smiled at him.

"Indeed, Cheng-shidi is smart." Dongfang Xiaoyun.

"Thank you for the compliment." Cheng Sheng smiled back. They debated which of the two reasons why Cheng Sheng is smiling at Dongfang Xiaoyun.

Probably, both? Feng Mo then locked up Dongfang Xiaoyun inside the room and left after setting up layers of barriers. Then, he went back to their group.

"Shifu sent me a message. We must hurry up our travel." Chen Han said, his face serious as he read the letter. Earlier, he sent another message about the truth of the Dongxin Sect, so they can resume their travel. Now, they were given an order to hasten up their pace. "The strange corpses…" he said as he took a deep breath. He heavily read the next line. "… they are spreading a disease." He told them.

Their eyes went wide. "What?!" they said, shocked. "Disease?!"

Chen Han nodded, his expression grave. "The people are manifesting the actions of the strange corpses." He said. "The cause is unknown. Now, everyone is afraid to go out. However, even if it's inside their home, they are unsure if they are safe." He explained. Then, he burned the letter.

Their group was covered with a gloomy and tense atmosphere. "They can't find the cause of this disease?" Li Tian asked, worried.

Chen Han shook his head as he heavily sighed. "They only said that the disease started and is highly likely related to the strange corpses." He answered. "Ah Sheng. What are you thinking?" he asked when he noticed Cheng Sheng is silent.

The other three looked at him. Cheng Sheng raised his head and looked at them. "Last night, I told you that the negative qi can also affect the people." He said. They nodded. "Then… the qi of the strange corpses…" he said.

Chen Han's forehead furrowed. "What do you mean, Ah Sheng?" he said. "It's not negative qi that the strange corpses possess?" he asked.

Cheng Sheng nodded as an answer. He turned to Fei Yin. "We initially thought that it's the negative qi the walking corpses possess." Fei Yin said. "It is. But, these strange corpses… it might not simply be negative qi." He looked at Chen Han. "It can be demonic qi." He told him.

Chen Han's eyes went wide and he rose from his seat. "Demonic - !" he said, then immediately covered his mouth when the customers on the second floor looked at him after they heard him exclaimed. He sat back on his seat and turned to Fei Yin. "Are you sure?" he asked.

Fei Yin nodded. "Chen-shixiong." Feng Mo called. "You might not have heard but the corpse found in the Xinfaxian was actually found by Cheng-shidi." He explained. "Cheng-shidi and da shixiong also have witnessed how the strange corpse attacked a civilian." He told him.

Chen Han turned to Cheng Sheng, surprised. "I have always thought you were too smart." He said. "But, Ah Sheng… you must have been frightened. How I wish I have been there by your side…" he sobbed and covered his mouth as he cried. Then, he glared at Fei Yin.

Fei Yin simply ignored him. Li Tian frowned and ignored him. Feng Mo awkwardly smiled and ignored him. Cheng Sheng had been ignoring him. They already knew Chen Han is a total brocon. They are used to seeing his antics. He totally hates Fei Yin since Fei Yin was always beside Cheng Sheng… albeit Feng Mo and Li Tian were the ones closer to Cheng Sheng.

"Brother." Cheng Sheng called after a while. "Since not everyone have the privilege to use the purification devices of your sect, and using purification spells are taxing for the cultivators – " he said and looked at Chen Han. " – it's only the Cleansing Talisman you can use." He told him.

Chen Han's eyes widened and tears up as he grabbed Cheng Sheng's hands. "Ah Sheng…" he called, emotional. "Thank y – "

Cheng Sheng cut him off by freeing his hand from Chen Han's grasp and moved it to Chen Han's face. "I need a down payment." He told him.

Fei Yin, Li Tian and Feng Mo froze as they blankly looked at Cheng Sheng. Chen Han was speechless. "Ah Sheng, we're family – " he said.

"We're not since 10 years ago."

"The blood in your veins is of Chen's – "

"5% discount – "

"You will be returned with good karma!" Chen Han said as he held Cheng Sheng's other hand tight.

"Can I eat it?" Cheng Sheng mercilessly asked as he freed his remaining hand from Chen Han's grasp.

"Ugh – " Chen Han's head fell on the table, his mouth bubbling mixed with blood.

"Cheng-shidi…" Li Tian called as he smiled. He's waving himself with his fan.

"Cheng-shidi." Feng Mo frowned.

Cheng Sheng ignored them. He turned to Fei Yin. Fei Yin also turned to him. "What?" Fei Yin asked.

"Won't you also call me?" Cheng Sheng asked.

"Cheng-shidi." Fei Yin called.

Cheng Sheng shrugged as he turned to the lifeless Chen Han. Li Tian and Feng Mo felt like they were not needed to remind Cheng Sheng of morality. Fei Yin is enough.

"In behalf of the Xinfaxian Sect, and to make up for shifu and founder's absence – " Cheng Sheng said and poked Chen Han's face to wake him up. "Ah. He died. Then, I won't continue what I'm saying – "

"I'm alive!" Chen Han said.

" – I will work for your sect for free." Cheng Sheng said.

Chen Han stared at Cheng Sheng for a long time. "Maybe it's too late to say this, but half of the Youxiwang Sect is owned by our family. As the second son, it's your responsibility to help the sect." he told Cheng Sheng.

"Yeah. It's 10 years late for you to say that." Cheng Sheng carelessly said.

Chen Han fainted on the table again, blood gushing out of his mouth.

Youxiwang Sect, Xiwang.

After two days and they finally reached the west side of the continent. For the sake of saving the people, they held onto their hunger and fatigue – except Cheng Sheng, who was fed by Fei Yin while they were fed by dog food. And Cheng Sheng peacefully slept leaning on Fei Yin's leg as Fei Yin stood on his sword and keeping guard of Cheng Sheng's sleep during the night.

Well, Cheng Sheng really need to save his energy since he'll be working like a dog later to create Cleansing Talismans. The other cultivators can actually also create a Cleansing Talisman. However, the quality is different. Since Cheng Sheng's Cleansing Talisman is the original while theirs are just a copy, of course its effect will be different. Also, they are not reckless to really try recreating the Cleansing Talisman. Since the quality of the copy is unknown, its effect is also unknown. If they're lucky, the result will be positive. But if not, then they will be receiving a backlash.

"We've arrived." Chen Han announced as they reached the widest lake in the west side of the continent – the Xiwang Lake. They stared at the almost endless lake that it looked like a sea. The mountains on the right side spanning north and south acts as the border of the Xiwang Lake from northeast to southwest. The west side is its shore.

Chen Han took off the red tassel on the hilt of his sword and dropped it on the calm lake. Then, after a few seconds, they saw the bright red tassel was eaten by the space. The air suddenly glistened and, slowly, a shocking sight can be seen. There were countless floating houses and boats on the previously calm and empty lake. The people wearing white and red robes were flying on their sword, some running back and forth on the floor creating a tuk tuk sound as their feet hit the bamboo floor. But, the most eye-catching sight is the giant red pagoda in the center of the floating houses. It is as tall as the mountains surrounding it, if not taller. It should be conspicuous in the Xiwang, but since a barrier was hiding it, of course it cannot be seen by the naked eye.

"Wow…" Feng Mo exclaimed under his breath as they stared at the magnificent view before them. The canopies of the pagoda were adorned by flying phoenixes, as it they could carry the pagoda as they fly.

Chen Han smiled. "Welcome to the Youxiwang Sect." he proudly said as they entered the barrier . After they entered and Chen Han grabbed his tassel out of thin air.

The barrier closed and everything that they have seen was gone, including them.