The Scum Is A

"Coincidentally, that plant demon was also found in Zhongyang by the Yuling Sect and Qie Shi sent him a message regarding this, knowing that Cheng Sheng has been looking for this demon." Sun Rong continued. "So, Cheng Sheng used the excuse of catching the plant demon and cure sect leader Jing to go to the Zhongyang, but his main objective is to get Fei Yin's sword tassel." He said.

"So, that time… that time…" Fan Wen muttered with his reddened eyes before his tears fell. His lips are quivering.

"Wen…" Xie Lan called with a heavy sigh before he patted Fan Wen's back to comfort him.

"Why didn't xiao Sheng tell us?" Fan Wen asked as his tears streamed down his face. "He has been through so much pain… and we still can't do anything for him again!" he sobbed.

They all fell silent and hang their heads because of shame.

"Sheng-er/ Ah Sheng…" Chen Jing and Chen Han are filled with guilt and pain. Wu Fan sighed, but his eyes are also red. He has already seen Cheng Sheng as his one of his children.

"Cheng-shidi…" Sun Yi's tears silently fell while Wu Yuan hugged him, comforting him.

Sun Rong heaved a heavy sigh. The atmosphere is so heavy, but he has to continue speaking. "Regaining hope, Cheng Sheng is filled with determination to go down in the Abyss to find Fei Yin." He spoke in a low voice. Then, he made a pause. "If this was before, he would decisively go down the Abyss on his own." He said. "But – " he looked at them.

Everyone immediately understood. The difference between Cheng Sheng before and Cheng Sheng now is – "… Er Zi." They all spoke.

Sun Rong nodded. "This time, he has a disciple." He said. "Knowing that the Intersect Competition is coming, he can't leave him alone, can he?" he asked and wryly smiled.

The others nodded in agreement. Although Cheng Sheng seemed irresponsible, but he would never leave Fei Yinzi, a child, without anyone looking after him. This was proven after he left Fei Yinzi in Zhongyang under the hands of Sun Rong, Qie Shi and Jing Cheng.

"But, he also can't let you know of his plan, since he knows that you all will definitely stop him." Sun Rong continued. "That all of you would also become distracted for the upcoming Intersect Competition if you would know of his plan in going down the Abyss. You would halt your preparations for the Intersect Competition and would definitely follow after him." He explained.

They all fell silent, since Sun Rong was right. They really wouldn't hesitate to leave their sects just to stop Cheng Sheng from going down the Abyss. Not only because he has now a low cultivation, but also because they care about him so much and know, before, that looking for Fei Yin's corpse is pointless. He would just waste his efforts, worse, his life, in vain.

Cheng Sheng is really conscientious, though, albeit a scum. He is still thinking for all of us despite the situation he is in. They thought and their hearts can't help but grieve more for Cheng Sheng.

"So, in order to distract you, and also his disciple, he had you all accompany Er Zi around the continent, and for Er Zi to also not be alone." Sun Rong continued. "After curing sect leader Jing, his plan then started in motion." He spoke.

They didn't speak, since their hearts are filled with too much guilt and sadness. Just how useless are they? They can't even help Cheng Sheng by accompanying him to the Abyss. They thought and felt their faces hurt because of shame.

"He called Fei Lin and Xi Ling, as well as Shu Mu and Xiao Le, and then Xi Ming and Xi Xing." Sun Rong took a deep breath to suppress the sadness that he also feels. He and Qie Shi can only help Cheng Sheng by giving him information, and also looking after Fei Yinzi sometimes, and then nothing else. "It really wasn't easy, since this is a life and death situation." His face became serious. "Fei Lin objected at first, but was convinced after. His and Xi Ling's cooperation is understandable, since Fei Yin is Fei Lin's younger brother and Xi Ling is a family." He said. "Shu Mu's cooperation is also understandable, since Cheng Sheng has saved his life before. Xiao Le… he might want to die together with Shu Mu if Shu Mu dies, and he is also grateful for Cheng Sheng before." He grimaced, thinking that Xiao Le is really too carefree, just like Cheng Sheng – the one he idolizes.

The other nodded in agreement. They also know this.

"As for Xi Ming and Xi Xing… even though Xi Ling is their uncle, but it isn't enough for those two to risk their life." Sun Rong spoke.

Silence fell. The others also understood. For Xi Ming and Xi Xing, they might want to test their skills in going down the Abyss. But, they also know that even this reason isn't enough for them to risk their life. Why did they help Cheng Sheng, then?

Only they know.

…

"You felt touched of Cheng Sheng's devotion to Fei Yin, that's why you helped him, didn't you?" Xi Ming asked as he combed Xi Xing's hair with his fingers while they lie down the bed. Xi Xing's back is facing him. "I didn't know you are this romantic, Ah Xing." He chuckled and hugged Xi Xing tight. He smiled when he saw Xi Xing's ears are red.

"Xi Ming." Xi Xing called as he turned to Xi Ming. Then, he looked at him in the eyes.

"I know." Xi Ming spoke. I always know, always understand, what you wanted to say. Because I am always looking at you, and see in your eyes what you think, what you feel. He thought as he stared at Xi Xing's sparkling eyes under the candlelight. Because I like looking in your eyes, until I finally managed to understand what they convey. "If I die, you would also never give up on me like how Cheng Sheng didn't give up on Fei Yin." He said. He knows that this is Xi Xing's devotion to him.

Xi Xing fell silent.

"But, I definitely would never make you go through the pain that Cheng Sheng has gone through." Xi Ming said as he kissed the top of Xi Xing's head. "Since I don't want you to feel pain because of me. I don't want you to feel pain while loving me. Ah Xing… I only want you to be forever happy, with me." He told him. "So, I will live. I will definitely live. My life… this is my devotion to you." He whispered and kissed him.

I won't die… because I want to live with you forever.

…

"Fei Yin…" Sun Rong spoke amidst the silence. "They found him… they really found him." He smiled.

"He is in the Abyss which is filled with that foul qi…" Wu Yuan spoke. "How did he remain untainted?" he asked and looked at Fei Yin's 'corpse' lying on the bed. Suddenly, his eyes widened.

The others also realized it.

"Could it be…" Chen Han's jaw dropped.

"The Shapeshifting Blanket." They all spoke as they looked at each other with a shocked look on their faces.

"Yes." Sun Rong chuckled. "That piece of Shapeshifting Blanket protected him, blocking the demons from attacking him." He said. "That is also how Cheng Sheng found him, by having Bai Tan – the main body of the Shapeshifting Blanket, find its part to locate where Fei Yin is." He explained.

They all sharply gasped in shock, and awe. This is incredible! They all thought.

Sun Rong smiled and let them calm down before he spoke. "Cheng Sheng stored Fei Yin's 'corpse' inside the space of Bai Tan. Then, they returned to Zhongyang." He told them.

Silence fell as they digested all the information.

"Wait… if Cheng Sheng has already Fei Yin's 'corpse', shouldn't he return to Xinfaxian Sect first?" Wu Fan spoke.

Everyone looked at him and also realized it. That's right… Fei Yin's home has always been the Xinfaxian Sect. It is also a safe place to hide Fei Yin's 'corpse'.

Sun Rong knows they would also realize this so he smiled. "What do you think?" he asked back.

A long silence fell.

"… it's definitely not for the Intersect Competition, right?" Chen Jing spoke. Who would bring someone's corpse in a competition?

"Then – " Sun Yi pondered. " – there must be something here that could be beneficial for junior Fei?" he asked.

They all looked at Sun Rong.

"Ge!" Sun Yi pouted as he looked at Sun Rong, looking aggrieved.

Sun Rong finally can't hold back his laughter. "Don't look at me like that, Yiyi." He said and casted a doting gaze at his younger brother. "But, there really is something in Zhongyang that's why they went here." He spoke.

"What is it?" Xie Lan asked.

"This, I don't know." Sun Rong answered. He grinned when they glared at him. "I only know one more thing." He looked at them.

"That is?" Wu Fan asked.

"They went to the Righteous Alliance." Sun Rong answered.