The Scum Is A ***

Central Region, Zhongyang, Righteous Alliance. 

"WHAT?!" everyone exclaimed after they heard what Sun Yi said. Their jaw dropped and their eyes widened, stunned. 

Even the Huakai Sect disciples Tang Zhe, Tang Yun and Guo Cheng, who came together with Sun Yi were shocked by the news. Sun Yi didn't tell them anything while they were on their way. Of course, they won't bother him since they can see Sun Yi has a lot of things in his mind. Thus, Sun Yi didn't tell them, and they didn't ask. 

"Chen Han is…!" they said as they looked at each other with eyes wide in disbelief. "No way… this can't be!" they shook their heads. 

"It is." Sun Yi spoke. "He let himself be captured by Wu Ran so that Cheng Sheng, Fei Yin and Wu Yuan could escape. Chen Han wanted to stall Wu Ran by using his relationship with Ming Ye as Ming Ye's disciple to buy Cheng Sheng, Fei Yin and Wu Yuan some time to go to the Southmost Region and look for the main Ni Lai Gate. Then, seal it." he explained. "But, Wu Yuan assured me that Wu Ran won't kill Chen Han. That Chen Han will serve as Wu Ran's hostage for us to not make a move against him." He finished. 

A long and deafening silence fell. At first, they refute the fact that Cheng Sheng forsook Chen Han and left Chen Han in Youxiwang Sect. But, it was actually true. It came from Sun Yi's mouth: Cheng Sheng left Chen Han. 

"Cheng Sheng… he – " they said. 

Sun Yi saw their expression and he frowned. His brows knitted. "What are you thinking?" he asked. "Do you think Cheng Sheng really want to leave Chen Han?" he looked at each one of them. Then, he gaped at them. He scoffed. "You all… you're all… just - !" he shook his head and laughed. "Hypocrites!" he said and walked out. His face dark and stormy. 

Zheng Fun Gong and Pai Lie looked at each other in dismay. 

"If I may speak, elder Zheng." Tang Zhe spoke. 

Zheng Fu Gong sighed. "Speak." He said. 

"Do you think Cheng Sheng is really a scum?" Tang Zhe asked. 

Neither Zheng Fu Gong nor Pai Lie answered. Although that was the news circulating, that Cheng Sheng is a scum, but they have seen what Cheng Sheng really is during the Intersect Competition. 

"Before we could meet Cheng Sheng, we have already heard of him." Tang Zhe said. "His inventions he calls 'technology' which greatly alleviated the life of the people, most especially the Cleansing Talisman which is the best and also available weapon for us to use against the demonic cultivators." He said. "We met during the Intersect Competition. But, what should be expected as enemies, we end up as being friends. What should be a competition became a teamwork for all of us." He smiled when he remembered the last stage of the Intersect Competition. "Cheng Sheng has no responsibility of helping us, saving all of us. But, he did. He is doing it." He looked at Zheng Fu Gong. "Furthermore, he isn't doing it for recognition, nor compensation. He is only doing it for his own self-satisfaction, which actually benefits us all." He explained. 

"Elder Zheng. Elder Pai." Guo Cheng called. "Do you dare to blame Cheng Sheng?" he asked. 

Zheng Fu Gong and Pai Lie remained silent. 

Guo Cheng looked at them, his eyes filled with dismay. "You, of all people, should know this." he said. "During the last stage of the competition, Cheng Sheng could have left by himself along with his fellow disciples, brother and friend Sun Yi. But, he didn't." he took a deep breath. "Everyone knows that the Intersect Competition has always been harsh. Death is a common sight. But – " he raised his head and looked at Zheng Fu Gong in the eyes. " – this year's competition has the least number of casualties. Why? Because of Cheng Sheng. If Cheng Sheng didn't help us back there in the Feng Hua Palace, we all would've died." He said. 

"Major sects like the Youxiwang Sect, Shanliangde Sect, Zunjingde Sect and the Huakai Sect would've lost all of their young talents if Cheng Sheng didn't help us." Tang Yun spoke. "We wouldn't have been here right now, speaking to you." He said. "But, we are. We are here. We are still alive because of Cheng Sheng. And now, Cheng Sheng's life or death is unknown after he went to the Southmost Region. He has been risking his life ever since. In exchange for what? Only for his self-satisfaction. But, this self-satisfaction of his could benefit us all. The whole world." He told them. 

"Cheng Sheng has always been low-key." Shan Lu spoke. "Even though he looked not easy to get along with, but he is actually innately kind." He said when he remembered the Sundry Juice Cheng Sheng made him drink after Xi Ning accidentally poisoned him. If not for Cheng Sheng, he would've been a cold corpse then. 

"Back then, Cheng Sheng could just have sat back and hide when Qi Ling and the demonic cultivators attacked the Zhongyang, with Qi Ling having everyone on his palms after he controlled them." Tang Zhe spoke. "Cheng Sheng, a disciple of a small and lesser-known sect. But, he did a feat that nobody, not even the major sects, could have done." He said. "He countered the demonic cultivators using his inventions, then dealt with Qi Ling. Did he ask anything in return? He didn't." he shook his head. "All he wanted is peace. Such a small land called Xinfaxian is enough for him. He doesn't want anything other than that." He explained. 

Zheng Fu Gong and Pai Lie hang their head in shame. They didn't know that Cheng Sheng has done so many contributions. But, he never has received any reward or favor. Since he never asked, because he doesn't want it or need it. 

Tang Zhe is right. All Cheng Sheng need is his home, his family and his friends. He isn't a greedy person. He is unambitious. 

Tang Zhe saw Zheng Fu Gong's and Pai Lie's expression changing and he knew he has finally fully conveyed what he wanted for them to understand. "Cheng Sheng is a loyal person. A young man full of integrity. He would never betray anyone, nor leave anybody behind." He said. "Instead, if he could, he would rather sacrifice himself. Isn't this what is currently happening?" he asked. "Cheng Sheng is there in the Southmost Region where the demonic qi came from, while all of us are here in a safe place. And, we are doubting him!" he clenched his fists. "We, righteous cultivators, are righteous. But, we are wronging the wrong person!" he glared at Zheng Fu Gong and Pai Lie. "Pardon me for saying this, but – " he took a deep breath. " – is the Righteous Alliance amount to only this? Doubting someone who shouldn't be doubted. This is injustice for Cheng Sheng!" 

Zhang Fu Gong and Pai Lie froze. Then, they finally raised their head. Their face is full of self-blame. "Disciple Tang…" Zheng Fu Gong called. 

"Yes?" Tang Zhe, even though angry, but still replied with his voice filled with respect. 

"We apologize…" Zheng Fu Gong said, his voice filled with somber. 

Tang Zhe's facial muscles spasmed. He was about to tell them to apologize to Cheng Sheng and not him, when Zheng Fu Gong spoke. 

"We don't doubt Cheng Sheng. In fact, we admire his strategy." Zheng Fu Gong said. 

"… huh?" the Huakai Sect disciples muttered, dumbfounded. 

"It is known that the Youxiwang Sect has close bonds because the Chen Clan and the Wu family are practicing close familial relationship. So, the Youxiwang Sect has a good relationship between its masters and disciples, making them treat each other as a parent and child." Zheng Fu Gong explained. "So, Ming Ye and Chen Han would naturally have a familial relationship, too." He said. "And Cheng Sheng using this fact is such a brilliant idea!" he exclaimed. 

"You should say 'cunning." Pai Lie can't help but speak. 

Zheng Fu Gong awkwardly smiled. "Although Ming Ye is Wu Ran, but Wu Ran lived as Ming Ye for one hundred years. Chen Han was his disciple for more than a decade. Their bond can't be easily broken." He said. "It is as Wu Yuan said. Wu Ran would definitely not kill Chen Han for the sake of their former master-and-disciple relationship. Not only Chen Han bought time for them, but Cheng Sheng could keep Chen Han's life this way." He explained. 

"So…" Tang Zhe spoke when his voice returned. He finally reacted. 

"Yes. We trust Cheng Sheng." Zheng Fu Gong. 

"Oh. So there is no problem here." Shan Lu said. "Then… what was it that you apologized to him about earlier?" he asked. 

Tang Zhe, Tang Yun and Guo Cheng who knew turned and glared at Shan Lu. It would have been better if he didn't ask, or that he shouldn't speak nor open his mouth. 

Zheng Fu Gong's expression turned awkward. 

"We apologized…" Pai Lie spoke. "… for him overreacting." He answered.