Fei Yinzi clenched his fists as he felt a fire burning inside his chest. His master… his great master was beaten in that horrible village and almost died because he lacked strength. He, as his disciple, is so useless. So weak. If he is only stronger, his master wouldn't end up almost losing his life. He was even saved by his master… he is so useless! So weak!
Fei Yinzi closed his eyes tight. Because his master can't be stronger anymore, then everything is left to him as his disciple. Although Cheng Sheng didn't do it, and Fei Yinzi knows he wouldn't do it, but Cheng Sheng has to rely on him during their tasks – like what happened to that horrible village. Yet what did Fei Yinzi do? Nothing! He can't even release himself from those villagers' hold so he and Cheng Sheng were almost fed to that demon and were thrown into the river!
He can't… he can't let this situation happen again! He can't let anything hurt his master again. He will protect his master! He will become stronger!
Unfortunately, the others were engrossed talking with Cheng Sheng that they didn't notice Fei Yinzi's sudden change. "Jing Cheng ah… he is really smitten towards sect leader Jing!" Feng Mo said.
They already know that Jing Cheng is not blood-related to the Jing family.
"Don't say 'smitten'. Jing Cheng is really in love with uncle." Jing Kang corrected him as he hugged Lei Ling.
Feng Mo pouted his lips. "You're all bullying me because you have your partner by your side while I don't! Wuwuwu… Wu Bai, you bastard! Where are you now?!" he asked as he cried.
Li Tian and Lei Ling unkindly laughed at Feng Mo as they leaned on their husbands.
"Feng-shixiong. I'm also here." Cheng Sheng spoke.
Silence suddenly fell as the atmosphere turned stiff. "Y-yes… Cheng-shidi is also here…" Feng Mo forced a laugh and then inwardly grimaced. This joke is too cold! As cold as da shixiong! He thought and looked at the others who obviously were also thinking of Fei Yin so their smiles looked strained as they looked at Cheng Sheng with a complicated gaze.
Cheng Sheng… is it really okay for you to crack a joke, and about this? They thought as they stiffened on their seat.
Fortunately, Cheng Sheng didn't think much about it as he spoke. "When will you be returning to the Zunjingde Sect?" he asked.
Hearing this, alarm immediately flashed in Lei Ling's eyes and he looked at Jing Kang with a sad gaze. Jing Kang's blank expression immediately cracked and his gaze softened like his heart when he saw Lei Ling's eyes. "I…" he spoke as he took a deep breath.
The others who are looking at them two have one thought: Lei Ling is a devil! He's making Jing Kang choose between him and Jing Rui!
Before Jing Kang could decide, Cheng Sheng spoke. "I'll leave alone, then." He said.
Everyone. "…" if the lovers can't make a decision, then let the others do it! Cheng Sheng is so considerate! They thought.
"But – " Jing Kang spoke.
Cheng Sheng cut him off. "Don't worry. I'll have shifu and founder activate the teleportation array for me to go to the Zhongyang. I'll be dropping by the Yunxiao Inn." He told him.
"The Yunxiao Inn? What are you going to do there?" Lei Qing asked.
"I had Qie Shi do something for me." Cheng Sheng just said.
Qie Shi is the thief that the Xinfaxian Sect members met in the Dongfang Town on their way to Zhongyang to participate in the last Intersect Competition. They met Qie Shi again in Zhongyang after he stabbed Cheng Sheng while he was under a demonic poison. Cheng Sheng cleansed his body of the demonic poison, and Qie Shi is now lovers with Sun Rong – Sun Yi's elder brother, and is the owner of the Yunxiao Inn which the citizens of Zhongyang took refuge in during the attack of the demonic cultivators after the Intersect Competition was interrupted, and therefor concluded.
They didn't ask Cheng Sheng anymore again.
"Shizun. I'll be going with you." Fei Yinzi spoke.
Ah. They almost have forgotten the child. They looked at Fei Yinzi.
"Right." Cheng Sheng muttered. "You're also going with me…" he said as if he just remembered his disciple was there.
The others. "…" he has forgotten Fei Yinzi's existence again, hasn't he? They thought as they casted pitying gazes to the child.
But, Fei Yinzi's gaze is only on Cheng Sheng.
The others. "…" this child can't be smitten to his master, can he? Is he Gong Xian?! They thought when they remembered Gong Xian who is in love with Ho Yue.
Although the xianxia world is open-minded, but there is still the ethics… Cheng Sheng has fathered Fei Yinzi, so in everyone's mind, Fei Yinzi is Cheng Sheng's child. For them to develop in a romantic relationship… no. They are actually more concerned of another thing: Fei Yinzi's name. If this pair of master and disciple really became a pair, of lovers, in the end, could it be because Cheng Sheng treats Fei Yinzi as Fei Yin, his former lover's, substitute? Oh, dear. What a dog-blood relationship they will develop!
"Then, we'll leave tomorrow afternoon." Cheng Sheng decided. He wakes up before noon.
"Yes, shizun!" Fei Yinzi bowed. He can practice until dawn before they set off for Zhongyang!
Cheng Sheng frowned. "That's 'shifu' for you!" he told Fei Yinzi. Then, he turned to the others. "Your dinner must have already been digested. Let me send you off of Jixu Peak." He told them.
The others. "…" why so stingy! We still want to watch the luminous plants! They thought as they glued their butts on their chair.
"Oh. You don't want to leave." Cheng Sheng spoke when he saw their action. "I only have one bed and one hammock. My humble abode can't accommodate you." He told them as he raised his hand. "If you don't want to leave, I will make you leave. Consider my chairs as a compensation." He said and snapped his fingers.
In the blink of an eye, Li Tian, Feng Mo, Lei Qing, You Rou, Lei Ling, Jing Kang and Chen Han disappeared and then reappeared in the Chengshi Peak, Lei Ling's peak. And while sitting.
Everyone. "…" Cheng Sheng is still Cheng Sheng. As rude as ever. No friends whatsoever for him. They thought as they left their seats and carried them inside Lei Ling's house. But, that's what they like about Cheng Sheng. Staying true to himself despite all the odds that he has faced and triumphed.
"Ah Tian, Feng-shidi and I will send your jie and Rou-mei to their places." Chen Han spoke as they stood by the entrance.
"Yes. Thank you very much, Chen-shixiong, Li-shixiong and Feng-shixiong!" Lei Ling said and miled. "Jie. Meimei. Take care! See you tomorrow!" he said as he faced Lei Qing and You Rou. "Li-shixiong and Feng-shixiong, too!" he added.
"Ladies need to be taken care of, after all!" Li Tian said.
"Yes! Our shijie and shimei are very precious!" Feng Mo added.
Then, their group of five left. Meanwhile, back in the Jixu Peak.
"Shizun. What do you like for breakfast tomorrow?" Fei Yinzi asked as he wiped the dishes after washing them.
Cheng Sheng was sitting while reading a letter under the candlelight.
"Shizun?" Fei Yinzi called when he didn't hear Cheng Sheng answered. He turned and then saw Cheng Sheng was engrossed in reading the letter.
Then, Bai Tan, the Shapeshifting Blanket who was also ignored on the side poked Cheng Sheng's shoulder to catch his attention.
"Yes?" Cheng Sheng finally answered as he raised his gaze from what he was reading. "What is it? Did you say something?" he asked as he looked at Fei Yinzi who came out of the kitchen.
"I asked shizun about the breakfast tomorrow." Fei Yinzi answered. "What would you like to eat?" he asked him.
"Oh." Cheng Sheng muttered. Then, he lowered his head to look at the letter before he raised his head again to look at Fei Yinzi. "Wake me up earlier tomorrow. Something came up and we have to arrive earlier in Zhongyang." He told Fei Yinzi.
"Yes, shizun." Fei Yinzi answered. He was about to ask Cheng Sheng what has happened when he saw Cheng Sheng went to his bed, tucked himself with the quilt and then fell asleep. "…" wait, shizun. You didn't answer my question? He thought. Then, a helpless smile formed on his lips as he approached Cheng Sheng and removed Cheng Sheng's jade hairpin for Cheng Sheng to avoid hurting himself. "I think I'll cook his favorite chicken drumstick tomorrow." He muttered.
Then, Bai Tan wrapped around itself on Fei Yinzi's body and raised him mid-air before Bai Tan transformed into a hammock, attaching both its ends on the pillar. Fei Yinzi took out a pillow from his qiankun pouch before he fell asleep.
(Author: you also forgot your promise to train until dawn, Er Zi.)