Cheng Sheng’s hand tidying the robe stopped. He stared at Fei Yin. Then, a smile formed on his lips. “Da shixiong knows me the best.” He said, his voice almost inaudible but Fei Yin heard it. They are close to each other, and a cultivator’s senses are sharp. “Aia. What do we do now? Your robe was wrinkled.” Cheng Sheng said and grimaced as he laid Fei Yin’s robe on the tiled roof. He frowned as he looked at the disordered robe.

“Leave it. Just lie down.” Fei Yin told him as he gently pushed him down.

“Da shixiong, you lie down, too – ” Cheng Sheng said and pulled him with him. Fei Yin lost his balance and he fell on top of Cheng Sheng. His eyes went wide as he stared at Cheng Sheng lying down beneath him. Cheng Sheng just smiled. “Da shixiong.” He called, his voice cutesy.

Fei Yin went red from his ears up to his neck. He immediately moved away from Cheng Sheng and turned his back on him. He held his nose that bled. He immediately wiped it with his sleeve, not caring if his sleeve was stained with blood. “I – ” he said, his heart beating fast and his face became redder. He closed his eyes tight as he took deep breaths, calming himself.

“Hm?” Cheng Sheng said as he looked at Fei Yin. When Fei Yin didn’t speak, he turned his gaze on the star above them. Too bad, he is fond of looking at the stars yet he doesn’t know about them that much. “Da shixiong.” He called. “Have you heard? They say that when a person dies, their soul became a star.” he said.

“How?” Fei Yin asked.

Cheng Sheng reached his hand out, like earlier when he is reaching for the moon. “They say that the soul becomes a star to guide their loved ones on their way.” He explained.

“That’s not true.” Fei Yin said.

“Why do you say so?” Cheng Sheng asked.

“Because if you really love a person – ” Fei Yin said and turned to Cheng Sheng. ” – you wouldn’t want to leave their side. You want to accompany them always.” He said.

“Then, what if you died?” Cheng Sheng asked.

“Then, all the more reason not to leave their side.” Fei Yin side. “I won’t let my soul to become a star, since I don’t want to leave the side of the person I love. Even if I would become a soul, I will stick to them to watch over them, never letting them be in any harm or danger.” He explained.

Cheng Sheng stared at Fei Yin. “Da shixiong. You’re surprisingly romantic.” He smiled.

Fei Yin didn’t answer and took Cheng Sheng’s hand. Then, he slowly put it down. “Your arm will become tired.” He told him as he put Cheng Sheng’s hand on his stomach. “Do you want to go back now?” he asked.

Cheng Sheng looked at Fei Yin, then the night sky. “Not yet.” He answered and closed his eyes as he smiled, feeling the cold night air.

“Okay. I’ll accompany you.” Fei Yin said and let Cheng Sheng take a nap. “Your stomach is fine now?” he asked after a while. He was worried that Cheng Sheng overate again. However, when he didn’t hear him answer, he turned. He saw that Cheng Sheng fell asleep. A smile formed on his lips as he erected a barrier around them so that no one would see them and disturb them. “Do you think you can cure the demonic qi?” he asked after a while, gazing at the moon above them. “I hope… you won’t overexert yourself… and become tired.” He told him. However, Cheng Sheng can’t hear them since he is sound asleep.

After a certain amount of time and Fei Yin sneaked in Cheng Sheng’s room, carrying the sleeping Cheng Sheng in his arms. Then, he carefully put him down his bed, afraid the other would wake up. He looked at his wrinkled robes that he wrapped Cheng Sheng. He snapped his fingers. The robe moved on its own and unwrapped itself from Cheng Sheng’s body. Fei Yin took his robe. He stared at it for a while before he walked to his own room.

Tonight will be a sleepless night for Fei Yin.

Morning.

“I see.” Chen Jing said after he heard Cheng Sheng said that he can’t cure the demonic qi. “It is fine, Sheng-er. This is an impossible task.” He said. “Even the first cultivator can’t cure it. You may be a prodigy, and we are proud of it. But, this is still the adults’ responsibility. You’ve already gave us a big help.” He said, referring to the new Cleansing Talisman.

“That’s right.” Chen Qing said. “Sheng-er, don’t push yourself too much.” She told him as she patted his head.

“Sheng-er, we are not putting this responsibility in your shoulder.” Chen Fu, their grandfather, said. “It is us, adults, who should think of this solution. We shouldn’t burden the younger generation. This is shameful.” He frowned.

“Calm down.” Chen Mie, their grandmother, said as she patted her husband’s shoulder. “Sheng-er. Don’t think too much, okay? Just rest. You’ve done so much for us.” She smiled at him.

Cheng Sheng nodded and respectfully bowed. “I understand.” He said and looked at them. He gave them a smile. “I will excuse myself.” He told them and bowed. Then, he went to the garden where his friends are. Chen Han, Sun Yi and Wu Yuan already left early this morning to head towards the Youxiwang Sect.

“Cheng-shidi!” Li Tian called and waved at him. They’re inside the pavilion. Feng Mo was watching the koi fishes on the pond while eating the snacks the servants brought. Li Tian and Fei Yin was drinking tea the servants served them.

“Good morning, second young master.” The servants greeted and respectfully bowed.

Cheng Sheng smiled at them and nodded. “You may leave.” He told them.

“Yes, second young master.” They answered and left.

“What’s wrong, Cheng-shidi?” Feng Mo said as he sat. “I like the snacks.” He said as he ate.

“Feng-shidi. The snacks on your home aren’t good?” Li Tian asked. Feng Mo is the young master of the Feng family in Xinfaxian. Li Tian is an orphan, but looked like a young master since he has the bearing of one. Fei Yin is also a second young master, but of the Fei Clan of the Shanliangde Sect of the Shanliang. They are the most prominent sect in the continent. Youxiwang Sect of the Xiwang is the second. The third is the Zunjingde Sect of Zunjing. The fourth one is the Qianxu Sect of Nanxu. These are the top four sects in the cultivation world.

Cheng Sheng shook his head. He looked at Fei Yin who is also looking at him. He was about to speak when, suddenly, Sun Yi and Chen Han arrived. “Chen-shixiong! Sun-shixiong!” Feng Mo exclaimed in surprise as they rose in their seat.

Sun Yi and Chen Han landed on the ground and sheathed their sword. “Ah Sheng.” Chen Han called, panic in his voice as he looked at Cheng Sheng and the other Xinfaxian sect disciples.

Sun Yi, on the other hand, remained calm. Although his usually playful expression is gone and was replaced by a serious and grave expression. “Han-er? What’s the matter?” it was Chen Jing. Chen Qing led Chen Fu and Chen Mie to the other Chen Clan members.

Chen Han turned to Chen Jing. He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it after. He doesn’t know where to start. “Da shixiong.” Sun Yi called Chen Han. “They need to know. This is an urgent matter.” He reminded Chen Han.

Chen Han’s lips pressed into a thin line. He took a deep breath, then turned to the Xinfaxian sect disciples. “Ah Sheng.” He called, his face now is calm. “Li-shidi. Feng-shidi. Fei-shidi.” He called. “Sect leader Wu, my shifu and Luo-shishu received a letter from sect leader Xie and elder Fan.” He said and drew a sharp breath. He looked at them. “They said that you need to go back. The Xinfaxian, and the Xinfaxian Sect – ” he closed his eyes, afraid to see their reaction to his next words. ” – was attacked.” He finally said.

Their eyes went wide in shock. “What?!” they said and they looked at each other, their face panicked.

However, Fei Yin regained his calm. He is their da shixiong. He looked at Chen Han and Sun Yi. “We need to see sect leader Wu.” He told the two.

The two Youxiwang sect disciples nodded. Sun Yi turned to Chen Jing whose expression is grave. “We’ll be taking our leave, Chen patriarch.” He said and bowed.

Chen Jing nodded. “I’ll go with you.” He told them.

Chen Han nodded and took Cheng Sheng with him on his sword. Sun Yi, Feng Mo, Li Tian and Fei Yin followed behind. They headed to the Youxiwang Sect.

Cheng Sheng’s face is serious as his eyes narrowed while he looked at the land beneath them they pass by. “And so the plot has started.” He muttered and sighed.