Perfect World
“True God is truly a noble man,” commented Qing Mei.
“Maybe to you he is, but I’d prefer he wasn’t so noble,” Tian Ran opined. “My mother said that he has to shoulder more than we can imagine as he isn’t just a husband and father but also mankind’s hope. Cheng Yan is a husband, a senior to his fellow disciples and a disciple. I might argue he’s too willing to bear responsibilities just as my father is. At the very least, though, he came back for you, while I don’t even know where my father is. My mother hasn’t seen my father in years, while I have yet to reunite with him as his daughter.”
“Sorry, I didn’t know your past.”
“Don’t worry about it. You develop feelings for someone because you like something about him, such as Cheng Yan’s sense of responsibility, not because they’re philanders like Playboy Mu Yu.”
“Sister Tian Ran, I’m going to tell Mu Yu you called him a playboy.” Xiaoshuai grinned devilishly.
“Go on. I’m speaking facts. His fault for flirting with another girl.”
“You forgave him?” Qing Mei asked.
“Do I have much of a choice? Xiaoshuai told me Mu Yu nearly went off the rails to save me when I was in trouble. I wish I got to see him anxious for me.” Tian Ran smiled mischievously.
“Are you talking about Qiao Xue?” queried Qing Mei.
“Yes, but don’t worry about it. He likes her mainly because of Ju Mang and Xuan Ming’s influence. I know he must’ve conducted some deal with Ju Mang to save me that might even involve his life. He thinks I’m oblivious, but I’m not that silly.”
“Then…”
“Nothing I can do. It’s my fault for liking him. I’m sure there’s some way to prevent him doing silly things. If nothing else, Cheng Yan’s Ru Shou doesn’t like the other spirit lords and won’t impact Cheng Yan’s mind. Brother Cheng Yan would never betray you, while I have to compete with another girl.”
Qing Mei gyrated her lips and decided not to speak in the end.
“You know, every member of Dustfallen Sect values their family. The four brothers may be different and walking different paths, but they’ve always avoided hurting each other and trying to find ways to rescue my father. Lie Shang and Xiang Nan even annihilated Secular World Sect, the home I grew up in, to avenge Mu Yu and I. Although I don’t like their approach, I can’t blame them. Lie Shang first departed owing to him not being able to control his fire ability and accidentally hurt Sister Ling’er. Cheng Yan is far too loyal to betray you.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m very responsible, too. I also value family and like all of you most,” effused Xiaoshuai.
“Yes, yes, you’re the best, hahaha.” Tian Ran hugged Xiaoshuai and rubbed her cheeks on his.
“Thank you, Tian Ran,” expressed Qing Mei.
“We’re family. I’ll go call Brother Cheng Yan over. Xiaoshuai, come with me. They don’t need a third wheel.” Tian Ran jogged down the mountain with Xiaoshuai.
“No! I want to see the show!”
“You want the show or nice food?”
“Food? I want roast goose!”
Upon arriving on the mountain peak, Cheng Yan voiced, “Qing Mei, I…”
“You didn’t betray me, did you?” Qing Mei queried.
“Never.”
A smile that was overdue for blooming finally bloomed.
***
Halfway down the mountain, Xiaoshuai cheekily leaned in and whispered, “Mu Yu, Sister Tian Ran called you a playboy back there. I guess she has things to say.”
Mu Yu leaned in to whisper, “Tian Ran, Xiaoshuai told me I’m a playboy. What’s that mean? Does that mean I’m good at cheering you up?”
“… Xiaoshuai must be hungry.”
Xiaoshuai scratched his head, muttering, “That’s odd. I don’t follow this.”
“Let’s go see Grandpa Village Chief.” Mu Yu pulled Tian Ran along to Formation Palace.
Ximen Buxing and Wanwan went their own way, helping the other unorthodox faction members settle down instead of joining Mu Yu at Formation Sect, not to mention Gambling City was no longer a safe place. Lu Deyi provided Gu Yitian and Daoist Boyang lodging at Formation Sect since it was one of the safest places.
“You intend to seek out Shadow Syndicate?” Zhuge Xiaosheng furrowed his brows upon hearing Mu Yu’s plans.
“Why are you two looking for them?” inquired Lu Deyi.
“I was the one who killed Dong Zhi,” explained Cheng Yan.
“You brothers cannot be measured with our standards anymore. I am at a loss for words…” Lu Deyi smiled helplessly.
Mu Yu said, “Greater Heaven Caster Lu, Qing Ming was only a Spirit Severing Realm cultivator when I killed him. Dong Zhi was an Ascension Realm cultivator. My senior brother has ascended to Apotheosis Realm already.”
Zhuge Xiaosheng verbalised, “Sir Cheng Y-”
“You can just call me Cheng Yan, Patriarch Zhuge. I owe you my gratitude for taking care of my family.”
Zhuge Xiaosheng offered a propituous salute. “I was only doing what should be done. Everyone from Dustfallen Sect is our esteemed guest… May I ask what killing Dong Zhi has to do with you searching for Shadow Syndicate? Elder Bu told me they have Apotheosis Realm members. If we challenge them on top of Third Heaven Palace…”
“Worry not, Patriarch Zhuge. Shadow race and shadowless race will not participate in the conflict that pertains to Third Heaven. I acquired the knowledge when I went through Dong Zhi’s memories. The two races are not inhabitants of this heaven and are only here for a certain secret. They have spent millenniums searching for a place called Perfect World.”
“Perfect World? I have never heard such a place mentioned before.”
“Neither have I. It almost seems as though some restriction in this heaven prevents foreign races from doing certain things. That includes stopping Bai Jie from wiping out the cultivators of this heaven.” Seeing the flummoxed reactions, Cheng Yan elaborated, “Knowing Bai Jie, there is no reason he would avoid killing people. Perfect World’s power is what is restricting him, and it is Shifu’s creation.”
“Does that mean you are seeking out Shadow Syndicate because you have located Perfect World?” inquired Village Chief Bu.
“Yes. I infiltrated one of their branches in the past. Nonetheless, I need you to help me collect information so that I can pinpoint their headquarters. The more details you can glean, the better.”
“We will do what we can,” promised Zhuge Xiaosheng.
Mu Yu asked Cheng Yan, “You insist on pursuing this on your own?”
“Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing, and I’ve reached Apotheosis Realm. You know how to contact me, anyway. Your top priority right now is to progress your cultivation.”
“Be careful out there.”
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