The Scum Is A

Cheng Sheng smiled as he walked away from the wall where he is hiding. Xie Lan already knew that Xi Ling is innocent. He figured, Xie Lan acted like that towards his younger brother Xi Ling since he can't face Xi Ling out of guilt when he blamed Xi Ling of all that happened in the past. Founder… he's ashamed. He thought as he opened the door of Chen Jing's room. He saw Chen Jing lying on the bed, motionless. His eyes open and are glassy. Fei Yin is silently sitting beside the bed. "He's surprisingly awkward." Cheng Sheng said as he walked inside.

Fei Yin didn't know what to react. Xie Lan and Xi Ling didn't hide their conversation, and so Fei Yin and Ming Ye and Fei Lin also must have heard them. "Mn." Fei Yin just said, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Cheng Sheng didn't mind the other's answer. He sat beside Fei Yin and looked at Chen Jing. "I wonder if he could wake up." He said.

Fei Yin looked at him. He stared at Cheng Sheng. "He will." He said and turned to Chen Jing.

Cheng Sheng didn't answer and took out the Recollection Bell. He looked at it as it floated on top of his palm and glowed, turning mid-air. "The Recollection Bell is more effective if the person you are looking for is more important to you." He said. "However, the more important that one is, the more you will drown in your memories and would be unable to extricate yourself from them. I wonder…" he said as he held the bell in his hand. He looked at Chen Jing. "How can a person be attached to another, at his life's expense?" he asked.

Fei Yin froze. He looked at Cheng Sheng. "It's because you care for them." He answered.

Cheng Sheng didn't continue the topic. He stood up and checked Chen Jing's eyes. "Hm?" he said as he hovered his hands above Chen Jing's face.

"What's wrong?" Fei Yin asked.

Cheng Sheng's brows knit as he sat back beside Fei Yin. His fingers on his chin as he thinks. "Normally, a person who is under the effect of the Recollection Bell should develop a heart demon. The more you can't extricate yourself from the memories, the higher the possibility of developing a heart demon." He said. "This is a given. However – " he looked at Chen Jing. " – I don't sense anything from father." He almost bit his tongue when he said the word 'father'. He continued. "Father also knew about this. However, he cannot empty his mind if he wanted to rid of a heart demon. He cannot think of sect leader Wu at that state. Our operation would be a failure." He explained. "So, how did he not develop a heart demon?" he asked.

"Chen-xiong has deep but pure love towards Wu-xiong." It was Ming Ye. He was standing by the doorway. He looked at them two and smiled.

"Where are founder and elder Xi?" Cheng Sheng asked.

"They went back to Wu-xiong's room and are talking to Junior Fei." Ming Ye answered as he walked towards them. His eyes fell on Fei Yin.

Fei Yin started. "Elder Ming." He said. "This…" he hesitated.

"I know." Ming Ye said. "Like Xie-shidi and Junior Xi, what's between you and Junior Fei is also a family matter." He said.

Fei Yin blinked. Then, he bowed. "Thanking elder Ming for understanding." He said.

Ming Ye just smiled as he looked at Chen Jing. "Sometimes, I envy Chen-xiong." He said. "He grew up in a very caring family." he looked at Cheng Sheng. "This is the reason why Chen-xiong's mind is clear and his heart pure. He never had heart demons." He told them. "Heart demons develop when one is confused and or is harboring evil thoughts, thus being corrupted. However – " he looked at Chen Jing. " – Chen-xiong has always been resolute towards everything. His mind has always been stable, he is firm in his decisions." He explained. "A perfect person for a sect leader." He smiled.

"Then, why didn't he become the Youxiwang's sect leader?" Fei Yin asked.

Ming Ye turned to him. "What you heard is what is the truth." He said. "Chen-xiong, like Chen Fu, chose family over the sect. This is the Chen family's rule for generations." He looked at Chen Jing. "The Chen family has no ambitions. If there are some, they will be kicked out of the clan. This is also the reason why there is no internal conflict in the sect. The Chen family – " he looked at Fei Yin. " – values the sect as also their family." he said.

Fei Yin fell silent. It's because the Fei family and the Shanliangde Sect are the total opposite of the Chen family and the Youxiwang Sect. The Youxiwang Sect takes pride of their bonds, while the Shanliangde Sect, like the lofty mountain where it lies, is filled with arrogance. They do not care of the trivial matters that came to their feet. They would only act if the sect is in danger, like now. Not because they value the sect, but because their life and security in the sect are threatened. This is how selfish the Fei Clan is and the Shanliangde Sect. That is why, Fei Yin, when he knew that Chen Jing, Wu Fan, Ming Ye, Luo Shi, and even Xie Lan and Fan Wen, their alma mater is the Shanliangde Sect, he was doubtful how can these people remained as themselves despite setting foot on the Shanliangde Sect. He was full of doubts when he studied in the Xinfaxian Sect. It was only later that he learned, to stay as who you are is not determined by the education and the environment, but of the heart. No matter how will you be influenced by the external factors, as long as your heart remained pure and firm, then you will forever be as yourself.

Fei Yin looked at Chen Jing. He deeply admires the Chen patriarch. "If the Chen patriarch deeply cares for sect leader Wu, then why did he marry…" he said and looked at Cheng Sheng.

Cheng Sheng saw Fei Yin's expression and he raised his hand. "Da shixiong. As I've already said, I have no attachments to the Chen family ever since I studied in Xinfaxian Sect." he said. "Also, they are divorced now, so – " he shrugged.

Fei Yin pursed his lips while Ming Ye chuckled. Obviously, Ming Ye didn't take seriously what Cheng Sheng said. "Chen-xiong and Wu-xiong… they are childhood friends." He said.

Cheng Sheng turned to him. "Elder Ming, are you starting a flashback – "

Ming Ye ignored him. "Chen-xiong and Wu-xiong were the best of friends and grew up together, along with Chen Qing and Wu Miao." He started. "They studied together in the Shanliangde Sect, where they met Luo-xiong and I." he said. "Then, later, they formed couples and got married."

"Wait, wait." Cheng Sheng said. "You skipped the most important part – " he said.

Ming Ye turned to him. "Haste makes waste. Be patient, Sheng-er." He told Cheng Sheng. "However, the truth is, Chen-xiong and Wu-xiong are secretly in love with each other." He continued. "As to why they got married with Chen Qing and Wu Miao, it was a misunderstanding between the two men." He sighed and gazed outside the window.

Cheng Sheng's eyes widened. "This is - !" he said.

" – where the flashback starts." Fei Yin said.

Flashback

Chen Jing and Wu Fan went to Shanliang to study, together with Chen Qing and Wu Miao. Since the location for cultivation for the female disciples are different, Chen Jing and Wu Fan became closer together. Chen Jing had always been simple-minded. As for Wu Fan, having been raised in a family full of complicated thoughts and ambitions, Wu Fan thought deeper of everything he encounters in the Shanliangde Sect. Then, spring – the inevitable time for every youth, came.

Wu Fan had always admired Chen Jing deep in his heart. This feeling grew and rooted deeper in his soul. However, he was holding back himself because of his family. Later, his mind was opened and he realized, his feelings towards Chen Jing aren't as pure as he'd imagined. It was beyond of friendship and admiration. His mind was confused and his heart rattled, he became impulsive and kissed Chen Jing. However, Fei Huang – their teacher, together with the other disciples, accidentally saw him. Wu Fan has always been a careful and cautious person, minding his image and his family's reputation. That time, he felt his whole world fell apart.

Wu Fan felt humiliated. Even though no words got out, but Wu Fan took it to his heart. He distanced himself from Chen Jing. On the other hand, Chen Jing who also realized his feelings at this time, was about to confess to Wu Fan and vow together to be cultivation partners and get married, noticed that Wu Fan distanced himself. It was a product of freak combinations. Chen Jing felt wronged and rejected even when he still hasn't confessed. He thought that Wu Fan realized that he is in love with him and stayed away from him. He also knows that Wu family cares about their image. Chen Jing, even though he is simple-minded, but he at least knows propriety.

If you think this is their end, it still not yet.