The Scum Is A

"Er Zi." Xiao Le called as he beckoned Fei Yinzi. "You go that side for now. Your master and us have something to talk about." He told him in a whisper. "We can't delay any second so we have no choice but to talk while on the way." He explained before he apologetically smiled.

"… I understand." Fei Yinzi nodded while his hands hidden inside his sleeves clenched. But, none of his emotions were exposed. He flew to the side, farther from Cheng Sheng. Then, he watched as Shu Mu and Xiao Le flew on both sides of Cheng Sheng before he lowered his head, hiding the pain that flashed in his eyes. It should be him who is beside his master and not the others, yet… he derisively smiled. My strength still isn't enough, then? He thought.

Cheng Sheng who is still preoccupied with his thoughts of Fei Yin is unaware of his disciple who is starting to blacken. He tried to focus his attention to the matter at hand. He turned to Shu Mu and Xiao Le. "Did you receive Qie Shi's message?" he asked them.

Although he and Xiao Le are still worried about Cheng Sheng's mental state after they saw Cheng Sheng's broken expression earlier, but they know that Cheng Sheng wanted them to focus more on the matter of the demons than his own problem. This is also a way for Cheng Sheng to divert his attention from Fei Yin, who would never come back.

Shu Mu nodded. "Yes." He answered. "He said that his people has seen a large group of demons that are heading east. That is why he sent us a message to come to east to aid you." He explained and looked at Cheng Sheng. "But, you are now heading Zhongyang. Why?" he asked. He was really surprised when Cheng Sheng sent him a message through his talisman given to him before to escort him to Zhongyang.

"'why?', you say…? To seek death, of course." Cheng Sheng answered.

Shu Mu and Xiao Le froze and almost fell off of their swords after they heard what he said. Fortunately, they reacted fast, and know that Cheng Sheng is messing with them again.

"Oh…" Cheng Sheng muttered when he saw them two didn't buy his words. His expression is lukewarm. "You found me out." He muttered.

"Cheng-shixiong…" Xiao Le called. His voice is filled with helplessness.

Cheng Sheng smiled. "I really do have something to talk with Qie Shi about." He said.

"Is it that urgent?" Shu Mu asked. "The demons might see us and might come after you…" he said.

"That's why I have you two… three, right?" He asked after he corrected himself when he saw Fei Yinzi flying on the side. Then, he retracted his gaze. "Actually, this might also be an advantage to us since the demons are now going to the east while we are going to the Zhongyang." He told them.

Shu Mu's eyes widened, enlightened. He nodded in agreement. "You are right." He said.

The Xinfaxian still has Cheng Sheng's barrier protecting them so they won't be easily attacked. The Xinfaxian Sect also knows the demons' attack in advance so they can protect the other towns and villages in the east.

"So, can you tell me about this urgent matter you have with Qie Shi?" he asked.

"It's not like I want to hide it from you." Cheng Sheng spoke as he took out a letter and then handed it to Shu Mu.

Shu Mu and Xiao Le read the letter. "'Shaking Forked-Leaf Plant'?" they said as they turned back to him.

"This is a mutated plant that grows in the Abyss. It is a common sight there." He spoke. "I am planning to research on this plant to know more about the Abyss. Also – " he looked at them. " – this plant might be able to help wake sect leader Jing." He told them.

Shu Mu and Xiao Le were surprised. "This is a good news!" they said. Their faces are bright.

Cheng Sheng nodded in agreement. "It is." He agreed. "Jing Cheng is about to snap and the Zunjingde Sect and the Righteous Alliance might also collapse." He told them.

They fell silent.

"Sect leader Jing is vital to the Central Region." Cheng Sheng spoke. His voice is serene as if he is talking about a dinner dish. "The demons are getting more aggressive and if the Central Region would fall..." his voice trailed off. He doesn't need to continue, as Shu Mu and Xiao Le can guess what he is trying to say. "Elder Zheng, Zheng Fu Gong is still there as well as Pai Lie. But, we can't ignore the fact that they are getting older. The battle against Wu Ran told us that it is the time for the new generation to replace the old." He explained. "Sect leader Jing… Jing Rui needs to wake up now." He told them.

Shu Mu's and Xiao Le's faces are grave. "This plant… Qie Shi has it?" Shu Mu asked.

Qie Shi, as a thief, knows many people and he established an information network with Sun Rong after the battle against Wu Ran. If they want to know something, just go to the Yunxiao Inn.

"How can it be?" Cheng Sheng spoke. "If they have, they would have already given it to the Zunjingde Sect after consulting me." He said.

"Then… what?" Xiao Le asked, still confused of Cheng Sheng's actions.

"It is that demon who knows how to cultivate the Shaking Forked-Leaf Plant." Cheng Sheng answered. "The last time I've seen him was in Runyi Village, just between the east and Central Region. Qie Shi sending me this message must because that demon was seen in the Central Region after he escaped from the Runyi Village when the Xinfaxian Sect arrived to capture him." He explained.

Shu Mu and Xiao Le was shocked.

"So, I have to find this demon and ask him the exact properties of the plant so that after I refine the plant, there will be no repercussions in sect leader Jing's health." He added.

"Cheng Sheng, you…" Shu Mu stared at him in awe. "You are really an amazing person!" he smiled.

Not only will Jing Rui wake up, but with Jing Rui, the Zunjingde Sect and the Righteous Alliance, their spirits will be revived. And the Central Region won't fall!

"Of course! Cheng-shixiong is the best!" Xiao Le said, feeling proud for Cheng Sheng.

Shu Mu turned to him. "Lele, how about me, your husband?" he asked, looking wronged as he looked at Xiao Le with grievance in his eyes.

Xiao Le immediately felt guilty. "Mu-ge…" he called as he bit his lip.

"Call me 'husband' and I'll forgive you." Shu Mu told him. Of course, he was just joking with Xiao Le earlier, making Xiao Le feel guilty. He already knows about Xiao Le's fanaticism towards Cheng Sheng, like Lei Ling.

He and Jing Kang can be said to be in the same situation with their partners being Cheng Sheng's fans, making Cheng Sheng be in the higher position than them, Xiao Le's and Lei Ling's husbands.

Xiao Le's face flushed and he hugged Shu Mu before he buried his burning face on Shu Mu's shoulder, hiding his shyness. "Husband…" he whispered.

Cheng Sheng just yawned with the two's drama.

After Shu Mu sorted up Xiao Le, he turned and smiled to Cheng Sheng. "Cheng Sheng. You are really kind." He said. "You are going to such lengths to save Jing Rui, saving the Zunjingde Sect, Righteous Alliance… the whole Central Region in the process. This also can help the entire continent increase its defense against the demons' attack." he explained.

Cheng Sheng was letting Shu Mu's words pass from one of ears to the other when he heard the magic word. "'kind'?" he muttered and his yawn was stopped. "When was I kind?" he asked as he looked at Shu Mu with a strange expression.

Shu Mu and Xiao Le froze. "…" not good. This question… it means that he was provoked if he asks you this question! They thought as their expressions turned to horror as they looked at Cheng Sheng.

"Shu Mu… you're discriminating against me!" Cheng Sheng frowned.

Shu Mu and Xiao Le. "…" when has being called 'kind' became a discrimination? They thought before they paused. Ah. Right. When it was used to describe Cheng Sheng. And it is a discrimination to Cheng Sheng!

Cheng Sheng and the word 'kind' don't match up at all!

As expected, Cheng Sheng continued to speak. "What made you think that I am being kind?" he asked. "I won't go to this length of there is no compensation! I won't wrong myself just for the sake of being kind!" he told him.

Shu Mu and Xiao Le. "…" uh-oh. Saying 'kind' to Cheng Sheng is stepping on a landmine! They thought. Now, they realized, again, that Cheng Sheng would only be determined if there is compensation!