The Scum Is A ***

"There is a demon who is cultivating that plant, so I went to look for it." Cheng Sheng continued. "But, I was defeated." He sighed. 

Chen Han and Jing Kang fell silent. They know how weak Cheng Sheng has become after that battle against Wu Ran. If only they can help him… 

"Cheng-shidi, that demon you mean…" Li Tian spoke when he remembered something. 

Feng Mo's eyes also widened in shock when he realized it. "It couldn't be that demon in that horrible village?!" he asked. 

Fei Yinzi who was silently listening was almost scalded by the hot water after he heard what they said. So, shizun went to that village not only to train me, but also to find some information about that plant? He thought as he looked at Cheng Sheng in awe. His shizun is really kind! He is willing to risk his life to help other people! He smiled and happily continued brewing Cold Relieving Tea for them. 

"Yes." Cheng Sheng helplessly sighed after his objectives were found out. "It's not because of sect leader Jing, but I have been thinking of the comatose patients since before." He said."Having a family member in a coma… not only does it bring the family grief, but also a financial problem. For the latter, it is fine if the family is wealthy." He glanced at Jing Kang. "But, what about the poor families?" he asked them. 

"Indeed, this is really a big problem for them…" Lei Qing muttered. 

"Yes. Especially for the head of their family." You Rou said. "What will happen to their family if they will fall into a coma, due to an accident or their health failing?" she asked. 

"That's right. Not only the wife should take care of the house, but now she has to find food for their children and then take care of her husband after." Chen Han said, then smiled as he looked at Cheng Sheng. "Ah Sheng. I'm really proud to be your brother!" he told him. 

Here goes the bro-con. They thought. 

"En." Cheng Sheng lazily answered. 

"…" what a lukewarm response. They thought. As expected of a tsundere! Will it hurt him to show them a smile? They're talking about altruism, and he's the one doing it, yet he looks languid?! Their faces are covered in black lines. 

They felt helpless. For a moment, they wondered if Cheng Sheng is sincere or not. But then, they immediately discarded the thought as they know that Cheng Sheng is innately kind. They have watched him grew up to become a fine man. Although it looks like that Cheng Sheng is carefree, but they know that he can be serious. And when he does, he does everything beautifully. 

It may seem like that Cheng Sheng is dangerously experimenting again, but they have trust that Cheng Sheng will be successful in whatever he is doing. They have a blind trust on him. But this blind trust isn't really blind, as they have seen Cheng Sheng's capabilities. He really can do anything!

After sensing that everyone has calmed down, Jing Kang spoke. "Cheng Sheng. Can this Shaking Forked-Leaves Plant really cure our uncle?" he asked as he looked at Cheng Sheng. 

"I won't answer your question, since I still have to know first how effective this plant's medical use is." Cheng Sheng told him. 

Jing Kang nodded in understanding. This is reasonable. Cheng Sheng doesn't want to give them a false hope. "Can I trouble you to check our uncle's condition, then?" he asked. 

Cheng Sheng nodded. "This, I can do." He answered. 

"Thank you." Jing Kang sincerely spoke. 

"Cheng-shidi, about this demon…" Lei Qing said. "It's my disciples who came to that horrible village. But, we found out that the demon has already left." She said. 

They all looked at her. 

Lei Qing sighed in distress. "That demon is smart. And when he left, those people he has placed under his spell has suffered extreme headaches and some of them even bled in their orifices." She said. "Fortunately, we brought enough medicines after you told us that they were under the demon's spell. Or else, we don't know if they can be saved." She wryly smiled. 

Fei Yinzi attentively listened. Meanwhile, Cheng Sheng snorted in disdain. "Who knows if they were really under the demon's spell, or just acting it?" he asked. 

They were shocked when they heard his words. 

"Shizun… what you mean is…?" Fei Yinzi carefully asked. 

But, Cheng Sheng didn't answer. Instead, he vaguely spoke as he looked at his nails. "A spell affects a person directly if it or its caster has an average strength. It will be a more direct attack if the opponent of the caster has lowered their guard." He blew on the tip of his nail. "But, a demon's spell – " he looked at them. " – why is it scarier than the ordinary spells?" he asked. "Er Zi. That's 'shizun' to you!" he added. 

Everyone smiled when they heard the last sentence he spoke. They were already used to this antic of this pair of master and disciple. 

As a master spell caster, Li Tian answered. "The demons' spells are scarier than the ordinary spells as it was mixed with malintent… a foul qi." He spoke. "And because of this foul qi, the ones who were casted upon by their spells suffers greater than the effect of the ordinary spells." He explained. 

Cheng Sheng nodded in agreement. "That's correct." He spoke. "But, there's another reason for it, why is it scarier." He told them. 

"There is? What is it?" they asked. 

"It's because it is targeted to the humans' heart." Cheng Sheng answered. 

"The… humans' heart?" Feng Mo asked. 

"In short, their greed, their envy, their lust…" Cheng Sheng raised his head and looked at them. Then, he smiled. "The demons target the ugly side of the people." He told them. "And, the stronger they feel about these ugly feelings, the more effective… the more they will be susceptible to the demons' spell." He explained. 

Their eyes widened in shock and they fell a chill on their spine when they heard what Cheng Sheng has said. "This…" they muttered. 

"Although the demons can disguise themselves as a human, but there is one thing that they can't hide, differentiating themselves from the human." Cheng Sheng said. 

"What is it?" they asked in a daze. 

"Their malintent." Cheng Sheng answered. 

They were shocked. "Then, those villagers…" You Rou spoke, feeling anxious. 

"Infighting is uncommon, actually." Cheng Sheng shrugged as he motioned his hand to Fei Yinzi. Fei Yinzi immediately took a warm and damp towel and wiped his master's hand. 

"'infighting'…" Feng Mo muttered, surprised. "They are fighting among themselves? What for?" he asked. 

"Of course, before I went in that village, I investigated it." Cheng Sheng spoke. "It seems that the people are split into two factions, and their respective leaders are fighting for the village chief position." He answered. "The demon took advantage of their lust for power. Then, he controlled them. Meanwhile, their followers didn't notice anything and obediently followed the orders of their respective leaders." He explained. 

"Oh…" they muttered, don't know what to say. 

"Wait, Cheng Sheng." Jing Kang called. "If you have guessed the demon's intention, then why were you and your disciple… mmph!" he made a muffle groan after Lei Ling covered his mouth. 

The other fell silent as they know that Jing Kang's question struck Cheng Sheng's sore spot. But, they aren't mad at Jing Kang, as they know that Jing Kang isn't a malicious person. As expected, Jing Kang's expression changed as he also fell silent when he realized it. 

Jing Kang gently removed Lei Ling's hand off of his mouth. "I am sorry." He apologized and bowed to Cheng Sheng. 

Fei Yinzi who was wiping Cheng Sheng's hand stopped. 

But, Cheng Sheng just shrugged. "I don't mind." He spoke. "Actually, I find my current condition better." He said. 

They looked at him. 

Cheng Sheng grinned. "Because no one would bother me to go and do dangerous missions. I leave them all to you." He told them as he smirked. "I don't have to bask under the hot sun and burn my skin while sweat a lot, nor do I have to suffer in the wilderness and endure the cold night while being eyed by the mutant plants and ferocious beasts." He told them. 

Everyone. "…" this… this person is really mean! They thought as their faces darkened. "CHENG SHENG, YOU - &$#$^&*!!!" they cursed. They can't believe they felt pity towards him! AAAAARRRHH!!! So frustrating! 

Cheng Sheng, on the other hand, just laughed at them. Meanwhile, Fei Yinzi watched them with a smile on his face before he lowered his head. His smile is fading. He already knows his master has weakened after sacrificing his cultivation, as well as his lover, accidently, just to lower Wu Ran's guard and for them to have a higher chance to win against the enemy.

Yet, what is he doing? He is the disciple of this great person, but his performance is so lackluster. He can't remain like this!