The Scum Is A ***

Chapter 52 - The Scum Is Scheming

Ming Ye's eyes went wide. "This is despicable!" he said. "Why would they harm the Zunjingde Sect?" he asked, then paused. "Wait – " he said and looked at Xie Lan. " – the one that will benefit this the most is – "

"Qianxu Sect." Xie Lan said. "The Youxiwang Sect was attacked. The Shanliangde Sect was also attacked. The Zunjingde Sect's image will fall. Only the Qianxu Sect is safe." He said.

"Then, it's the Qianxu Sect that's collaborating with the demonic sect?!" Ming Ye said.

Xie Lan shook his head. "These are all our conjectures." He said. "Maybe the demonic sect would also think of this, making the Qianxu Sect look safe and all." He explained.

"Then…" Ming Ye said. "… who is the real enemy here?" he asked.

"The only common in all of these – " Xie Lan said. " – the demonic sect." he said.

Ming Ye sighed. "The world is at peace for a long time." He said. "Why would they suddenly attack?" he asked, then paused. He looked at Cheng Sheng. Then, as if realizing something, he looked at Xie Lan. "You've always let your disciples do as they want." He said and looked at the silent Fei Yin who's watching over Cheng Sheng. "Are you testing Sheng-er?" he asked.

"What does Ming-shixoiong mean?" Xie Lan asked.

Ming Ye looked at him. The kind face is gone and Ming Ye's expression turned cold. "Have you had a vision before you went to your close-door cultivation?" he asked. Xie Lan didn't answer. "You must have already suspected Sheng-er. After all, the second young master of the Chen family is known to be average. But, you noticed that Sheng-er became smart." He looked at Xie Lan. "You must have also seen with your spiritual eyes Sheng-er's soul before. Every disciple doesn't necessarily need to undergo Soul Appraisal before they could enter the sect. But, you must have done so. And there's only one explanation – " he walked towards Xie Lan. " – you foreseen that this day will happen." He said as he stared at Xie Lan's eyes. "Sheng-er will be hunted by the demonic cultivators." He said.

Fei Yin, who had always been silent, was shocked. "What?!" he said as he rose from his seat. He looked at Xie Lan. "Founder, you…" he said as he balled his fists.

Xie Lan calmly looked at Ming Ye. "I only seen Xiao Sheng in my vision." He said. "I didn't know about the attacks on the other sects." He honestly said.

Ming Ye knew Xie Lan. He nodded. "I understand." He said and looked at Cheng Sheng. "What did you see?" he asked.

Xie Lan looked at Fei Yin. "Calm down." He told his disciple. He knew, Fei Yin would become agitated only towards Cheng Sheng's welfare.

Fei Yin obediently sat back on his seat. "This disciple is waiting for founder's explanation." He said.

Xie Lan's brows raised. What a courage to talk to me like that. He thought, but he knew he was in the wrong, and so he ignored Fei Yin's attitude. "Eleven years ago, I started my sect." he started. "The first disciples were Xiao Sheng and Xiao Tian. They arrived together." He said. "The next day was Xiao Mo. And the last is Xiao Yin." He looked at Fei Yin. "The Xinfaxian is a new land, and the residents were wary of strangers, especially the cultivators. If it wasn't for Xiao Mo's father that time, the Xinfaxian wouldn't be established. So, I closed the application to be disciples of my sect. Wen and I got four now, anyway. And, I only created a sect for Wen – so that he wouldn't be lonely and bored." He explained.

Fei Yin's brows twitched upon hearing the reason behind their sect. Ming Ye smiled helplessly.

Xie Lan ignored his disciple's reaction and turned to Ming Ye. "Shixiong. You knew that I am unorthodox ever since I left the Shanliangde Sect. So, I used the Soul Appraisal." He said and looked at Fei Yin. "It is to see one's soul, and for me to determine their potential. As a cultivator, I have a long time to see my disciples' potential. But, I was bored watching Wen exchanged teacups with them as they held the ceremony of accepting disciples." He frowned, annoyed. "So, I used my spiritual eyes to see the four disciples' soul. Who knew – " he looked at Cheng Sheng. " – I'd stumble upon him, a strange soul. Then, I had a vision." He said and looked at Ming Ye and Fei Yin. "In my vision, I saw Xiao Sheng surrounded by a dark fog. I knew, it was demonic qi. That is why I went to a close-door cultivation. That time, I knew that I am not fighting only for Wen's sake, but also – " his face darkened. " – the world's sake." He said.

"The world?"

Xie Lan nodded. "In my vision, Xiao Sheng was surrounded by demonic qi and was consumed." He said and saw Fei Yin's face darkened. "Then – " he looked at Ming Ye. " – the world was gone." He said.

"What?!" Ming Ye said. "How could that be?!" he asked.

Xie Lan shook his head. "I don't know." He answered, feeling helpless. "This also bugs me. That is why I kept the Xinfaxian Sect small, never venturing outside the Xinfaxian." He said and looked at Cheng Sheng. "I am afraid of the consequences if Xiao Sheng would leave the Xinfaxian." He explained.

"So, during the nights Cheng-shidi is sneaking out…" Fei Yin said.

Xie Lan turned to him and nodded. "I only told Wen not to let Xiao Sheng sneak out. If Wen would know the real reason behind…" he sighed. They fell silent. They know that Fan Wen is soft-hearted. If Fan Wen would know about Cheng Sheng's situation… "So, I had Xiao Yin as the head disciple since he has the most potential and is always calm. Xiao Tian has scholarly bearing so he is in charge of the studies. Xiao Mo is zealous so he is in charge of the training. Xiao Sheng… I knew he would have difficulty in cultivating, and so I placed him in charge of making talismans that uses measly qi." He continued. "Who knew, he would go beyond my expectations. I didn't expect for his inventions – the talismans, to be widely distributed. The only fortunate thing is that – " he said and looked at Ming Ye and Fei Yin. " – Xiao Sheng doesn't want fame. He is as low-key as he can be. Just like the original second young master of the Chen family. Maybe this is the reason why Chen Han and the Chen family didn't suspect Xiao Sheng. They only treat Xiao Sheng's change as his worsened temper as he undergoes puberty." He explained.

"A shame, but I also thought of this." Ming Ye sighed. "Xie-shidi, what should we do now?" he asked. "Sheng-er… he needed to be protected." He said.

Xie Lan nodded. "Yes." He said as he looked at Cheng Sheng. "Elder Fei still hasn't realized the danger in Xiao Sheng's soul. We need to leave. Now." He said as he rose from his seat.

"I agree." Ming Ye said. "The demonic cultivators' plot. Our sect leader and the Chen patriarch… now, Sheng-er." He sighed. "There will be no rest for us." He said.

Xie Lan nodded. "We have to take Wu-shixiong and Chen-shixiong now. There's no time to waste." He said. "Elder Fei may still not realize it, but we can't be sure. The longer Xiao Sheng stays here, the bigger the danger to Xiao Sheng. Elder Fei might – " he said and didn't continue. He looked at Fei Yin.

"I won't let anything happen to Cheng-shidi." Fei Yin told them, his face dead serious. If he'll be asked if he wanted to give his life for Cheng Sheng, he will.

Ming Ye and Xie Lan can't help but lament in their heart. Fei Yin is in love with Cheng Sheng who will be chased by troubles in the future. "But, how do we leave?" Ming Ye asked. Suddenly, a letter flew inside the room. Ming Ye took it and read the letter. It was from Xi Ling, saying that they needed to create another array for them to leave. The Shanliangde Sect doesn't allow private arrays. They are afraid one is keeping a secret from the other, and will endanger the safety of the sect.

"Creating an array…" Xie Lan said. They all turn to Cheng Sheng. "I'll see if I can wake him up." He said and walked towards Cheng Sheng. However, he was blocked by Fei Yin. "Xiao Yin?"

"Please give Cheng-shidi some time." Fei Yin said, his face is serious.

"What do you mean?" Ming Ye asked, puzzled.

Xie Lan's expression twisted. "Are you – " he said as he activated his spiritual eyes to see Fei Yin's soul. However, like eleven years ago, Fei Yin's spiritual veins didn't change. "Xiao Yin." He called, his voice stern.

However, Fei Yin didn't answer. "Cheng-shidi will be awake in a short while." He just said. Then, he went back to sit beside Cheng Sheng's bed.

"Xie-shidi." Ming Ye called to Xie Lan. "I just realized… the strangest one here is the second young master of the Feis." He said. "Listening to our conversation, he remained calm." He said.

"For a moment, I suspected Xiao Yin is like Xiao Sheng." Xie Lan honestly said. "However, his soul remained the same as eleven years ago. It isn't Xiao Yin's soul that is strange, but his – " he said and looked at Fei Yin silently watching Cheng Sheng. " – temperament. He's as calm as a lake." He said.

They knew they can't get answers from Fei Yin, Ming Ye and Xie Lan went to Wu Fan and Chen Jing's rooms to prepare. And then wait for Cheng Sheng to wake up and create an array for them.