Chapter 108 - Selling Out a Teammate
The aggressive way in which this man made his appearance drew all eyes to him.
Nephew?
Everyone glanced at Zhuang Qing, and then glanced at this man whose cultivation was a profound mystery. They felt that there was something strange about this. Many people in the cultivation world knew that Chief Zhuang possessed the blood of the dragon race but was not close to them. Throughout these years, Chief Zhuang had always doled out the appropriate punishment and put whoever needed to be put in their place whenever the dragon clan committed a wrong. He never shielded them or covered up their errors. The dragon clan didn’t have dealings with Zhuang Qing either, so how could they have given Zhuang Qing anything?
The several yao creating trouble grew scared inwardly, but forcibly kept up their imposing manner. “Both the briber and bribee are at fault. You claim to be Chief Zhuang’s uncle, but who knows if that’s true or false? Maybe you just want to exploit it to shirk guilt.”
“And what are you?” With a raise of the man’s brows, a light shiver ran through the mouse yao who was speaking. It was a type of fear that pierced into the innermost depths of the heart. His legs trembled, and he couldn’t voice even a single word of refute.
The man scoffed upon seeing how terrified he was. “I am Fu Li’s uncle, Feng Ruizhong. I’ve been apart from Little Li for many years and was very happy to meet once again, so I gave my junior a bit of pocket money.”
Fu Li raised his head, silently meeting Feng Ruizhong’s gaze.
“So you’re Fu daoyou’s elder,” The Yao Union’s employee immediately responded. “Since this matter was a misunderstanding, our Yao Union won’t involve ourselves any longer.” This employee had nearly three thousand years’ worth of cultivation, yet he couldn’t make out Feng Ruizhong’s true form. In fact, he couldn’t even sense the slightest bit of qi. Secretly guessing that the other party was a great yao who had just left his mountain, he dared not offend him in the slightest and thus got up, bowing deeply.
“En,” Feng Ruizhong nodded and accepted this deep bow with a calm expression.
Everyone else was inwardly astonished. This Yao Union employee was considered an individual of virtue and prestige in the cultivation world and had never been seen bowing so deeply to anyone. What exactly were this man’s origins?
“Ai,” Chao Yun spoke to Chu Yu softly. “What are the origins of this yao cultivator professing to be Fu ge’s elder?”
Chu Yu shook his head with a heavy look. “I don’t know.”
“Even you don’t know?” Chao Yun was shocked. Chu Yu was particularly sensitive in this respect, yet there was a yao whom he actually couldn’t see through?
Chu Yu smiled bitterly. Lowering his voice, he said, “I’m not a Yao-Revealing Mirror who can see through anything. At that time, I only vaguely sensed faint yao qi from Fu ge, but couldn’t make out his original form.” That being said, this Feng Ruizhong was even more impressive. There wasn’t any yao qi on him at all. If not for the fact that he was standing here and claiming to be Fu ge’s elder, everybody might have just a.s.sumed that he was human.
It was indeed impressive to render someone frightened, but getting them to drop all pretenses was the scariest.
The mouse yao’s voice shook. “A-Are you Fu daoyou’s elder just because you say you are? Where’s your evidence?”
Feng Ruizhong furrowed his brows. Slamming a hand on the mouse yao’s head, he drew out a wisp of black gas from his mind. The gas twisted here and there on his hand, wanting to escape one moment and wanting to penetrate into his palm the next but to no avail.
“I always say mice don’t have such big guts, someone actually set a restriction on you,” With a squeeze of his hand, the gas immediately dissipated.
The controlled yao cultivators then came to their senses, saying that their bodies were not under their control, which was why they had slandered Zhuang Qing and Fu Li, and so on and so forth.
The expression on the face of the Yao Union’s employee changed drastically. He had actually failed to notice that a restriction had been placed on these few yao. How profound was the cultivation of the mastermind?
“Many thanks senior for informing us,” He glanced at the yao cultivators trembling from fright, and brought them away after apologizing to Zhuang Qing and Fu Li.
Fu Li, who basically hadn’t spoken more than a few words since entering the room, looked at Feng Ruizhong with continued silence. Feeling self-conscious under his stare, the smile on Feng Ruizhong’s smile became stiffer and stiffer, though he didn’t dare to reveal his true feelings through his facial expression.
This reaction was borne from shame and guilt.
The rest felt that there was something off about the atmosphere and thus very tactfully left the reception room, leaving Zhuang Qing and Fu Li to receive this elder on their own.
As Chu Yu was closing the door, Zhuang Qing spoke to him using the sound transmission skill.
“Investigate the residences of those yao cultivators and see if there’s anything to be found.”
Chu Yu nodded. Turning, he started a.s.signing everyone tasks. This matter seemed to be a ‘framing incident’ but in truth, was malice-filled. There was a possibility that the mastermind wasn’t targeting the boss but the entire cultivation world.
The door closed and the reception room sunk into silence.
“Uncle Feng, please sit,” Fu Li pointed at the single couch opposite him.
Feng Ruizhong sat down with a dry laugh. “I used the past two days to fully understand the human world’s currency. When I took a taxi over, the driver said that this workplace of yours is very outstanding. All he spoke about was how you were winning honor for your ancestors.”
Fu Li pursed his lips silently.
“And and, I brought you many things – they’re all things you like eating,” Feng Ruizhong took out a large pile of items from his bag, covering the entire table with spiritual essence, spiritual fruits, and all sorts of fragrant pills made from rare medicinal herbs.
Seeing that Fu Li still wasn’t talking, Feng Ruizhong was in a fl.u.s.ter and asked timidly, “You said the previous time that you would bring me to the human world to try delicious food, is that still valid?” His cautious and solemn appearance had none of the previous majesty.
Fu Li’s adam’s apple shifted. A long while pa.s.sed before he replied, “Where were you these years?”
Feng Ruizhong was happy yet ashamed now that Fu Li was finally willing to speak. “It was too chaotic at that time. I originally wanted to bring you along, but… but I was scared that you would be implicated as well.” He glanced at Zhuang Qing, who was seated beside Fu Li, and smiled. “Luckily I listened to them at that time and didn’t bring you along, otherwise I would have harmed you.”
Fu Li’s lips trembled lightly. “You pretended not to recognize me and even tricked me into calling you uncle. You’re shameless.”
“Stinky brat, I’m hundreds of thousands of years older than you, what are you going to call me if not uncle?” Feng Ruizhong had a self-conscious look on his face. “You have no conscience. You call them uncle but only know how to call me little sparrow, I was good to you for nothing.”
Fu Li laughed out loud, though the rims of his eyes were red. He covered his eyes with a hand. “Who asked you not to change into your human form all the time? Your voice was even like a little kid’s, it was already good that I didn’t call you little sister.”
Feng Ruizhong gazed at Fu Li with a smile, unexpectedly not angered by the words ‘little sister’.
Fu Li was also looking at him with a smile. This smile bypa.s.sed two thousand years, as if all the partings and unfamiliarity would turn to nothing in the face of this smile.
“These years… have you been well?” Fu Li’s voice was a bit hoa.r.s.e. Zhuang Qing patted his shoulder and got up. “I’ll go pour tea.”
Feng Ruizhong watched Zhuang Qing leave the room, his smile bright. “It was not bad.”
He’d managed to survive and see this stinky brat, how could it not be good?
Fu Li wanted to smile, yet couldn’t force it out. He turned his head towards the painting on the wall to make himself appear a bit more carefree. “I’ve been well these few years too.”
Feng Ruizhong looked at the shoddy clothes Fu Li was wearing. His heart had long ached unbearably. “How can you be well? We’ve wronged you these years, it’s our fault for not taking care of you and letting you bear so much hardship.”
“Little Sparrow…” Fu Li paused. “Uncle Feng.”
“Ai!” Feng Ruizhong happily made a sound of agreement. He had spent the past few years thinking about getting Fu Li to call him uncle, so now that he had gotten Fu Li to correct himself after much difficulty, he was in such bliss that he nearly couldn’t tell north from south.
“I’ve really been well these few years, I j-just missed you guys a bit,” Fu Li smiled. “Before I fell asleep that time, all of you said you’ll wait for me to wake up and then let me gain experience for two years in the human world. I didn’t expect to hear the news of all of you being eaten by the azure dragons after waking up.”
“But n.o.body lied to me, you came to find me before my two years in the human world was up,” Fu Li raised his head, smiling at Feng Ruizhong so broadly that his eyes curved into crescents. “It’s so good to be able to see all of you again.”
Feng Ruizhong stood up and embraced Fu Li.
Just like how the sparrow had hidden with Fu Li in the underbrush when he didn’t want to learn swordplay and used its soft wings to block the dust from landing on his head.
When Zhuang Qing gently pushed open the door to the reception room, he was met with the scene of the two men hugging in the room. The scene was so beautiful that it seemed like a painting.
He felt a little upset in his heart. Closing the door, he leaned against the wall, staring expressionlessly at the colleagues that came and went. He clearly understood very well in his heart that Fu Li and Feng Ruizhong merely had a normal senior and junior relationship, but when he thought that they were not related by blood, he still felt that anything was possible.
There were not many masters and disciples in the cultivation world who were bonded as Dao companions, but it wouldn’t be strange for an uncle and nephew with no blood ties to become Dao companions either.
Zhuang Qing felt that his thoughts had become very dirty. Just because he had such intentions towards Fu Li, he felt that everyone could be harboring bad intentions.
It was shameful and absurd.
“You made a very good friend,” Feng Ruizhong stroked the s.h.a.ggy back of Fu Li’s head, transmitting his voice to Fu Li. “The human race is flourishing in these times and the yao race is on the decline. Although he is yao, he possesses powerful qi of virtue. He is an extraordinary child.”
“Uncle Feng, I didn’t make friends with him because…”
“Shush,” Feng Ruizhong placed his forefinger at the side of his mouth and made a soft shushing sound. He laughed lightly. “Of course I know that. But all elders will hope for their children to be in good company.”
Little Li’s fate was special. They had divined Little Li’s fate innumerable times, and the end result was always either chaos or death. His sole chance of survival was also sporadic and indistinct. The day he saw Zhuang Qing, he knew that this chance at survival had been found. If not for that, how could he have given the wrong Qiankun pouch to Zhuang Qing out of excitement and handed him the Qiankun pouch that contained the divine beast Blue Dragon’s inheritance horn?
But yao with great virtue were indeed extraordinary. He had successfully completed his transformation under the stimulation of the Dragon G.o.d’s inheritance, and even accepted the divine dragon’s inheritance in its entirety.
He was only afraid that this silly nephew of his didn’t know that his good friend already had half the body of a divine dragon. But the way things were now was also good. Regardless of whether one was human or yao, anyone who wanted to be treated with sincerity would have to repay the other with sincerity.
No matter what was said, Little Li was worthy of being his nephew – all he did was casually make a friend and that friend was an individual whose fate stood head and shoulders above the entire yao race. This was strength.
“Uncle Feng, Little Li,” Zhuang Qing knocked on the door and came in, putting down the tray holding three cups of tea. “I wasn’t aware that Uncle Feng was Little Li’s elder in the past. I request Uncle Feng’s forgiveness if I was lacking in manners.”
“You’re being too polite,” Feng Ruizhong smiled warmly. “You are Little Li’s good friend, so you are also my nephew. Words of politeness should not be said among family.”
He didn’t mention the matter about the divine dragon’s inheritance, as if he wasn’t the person who had shoved such a precious item into Zhuang Qing’s hands. Thinking that Feng Ruizhong had only given him the divine dragon’s inheritance on account of Fu Li, Zhuang Qin stood up and bowed deeply to Feng Ruizhong. “Many thanks Uncle Feng for bestowing generous gifts, this junior has benefited greatly.”
“Affinity is at the heart of this matter. I haven’t been able to find a suitable dragon to give it to these years, so you’ve helped me greatly,” Feng Ruizhong was being truthful, Zhuang Qing had indeed helped him out quite a bit. For one, he had allowed him to fulfil the promise he had made to the Blue Dragon. Secondly, Zhuang Qing had spared him from being hated by Fu Li.
But n.o.body in the entire cultivation world knew that the Blue Dragon’s inheritance was in his hands, much less that he had ‘given’ the inheritance to Zhuang Qing, so it was still better to keep this matter to himself.
When Feng Ruizhong was arrogant, he could be so provocative that many yao would want to smack him to death. But when he willingly treated someone well, he would do so without the slightest reservations. A yao like him didn’t have strong emotions or desires, nor would he have children. In his heart, Fu Li was equivalent to his child.
How could shielding the shortcomings of one’s child be considered deception?
Therefore, when he felt that Zhuang Qing was of use to Fu Li, he naturally treated Zhuang Qing well. Just like that year when Fu Li brought back his human pet – when everyone discovered that he was of some use to Fu Li, they were naturally also willing to show him a pleasant countenance.
In their eyes, all creatures were equal.
Excluding Fu Li and any life forms related to Fu Li.
At noontime, Zhuang Qing spoke to Feng Ruizhong and Fu Li, who were deeply engaged in conversation. “It’s almost noon. Little Li, why don’t we bring Uncle Feng out for lunch first?”
“Okay,” Fu Li nodded. “Uncle Feng, let’s go.”
Seeing that Fu Li’s att.i.tude towards him had reverted to that of those days, Feng Ruizhong was immensely happy. “Little Li, in the future, uncle won’t lie to you or leave again without a word.”
Fu Li smiled. “Okay.”
The three people went downstairs and were just pa.s.sing by the Langgan Tree when the tree suddenly shook vigorously. Its vines curled around the Zhuyu fruits and presented them to Feng Ruizhong.
Fu Li looked at the vines and Zhuyu fruits with a smile. “Uncle Feng, these fruits are delicious, give them a taste.”
Feng Ruizhong swallowed. He didn’t dare to reach out his hands.
“Fenghuang!” Long Hair jumped down the Fuchang Tree with his three heads and excitedly kneeled in front of Feng Ruizhong. “Fenghuang daren, my clanmates and I were waiting for you.”
The two other clansmen, Middle Hair and Little Hair, also kneeled in front of Feng Ruizhong.
Feng Ruizhong: …
He raised his head and looked at Fu Li. “Little Li, I can explain.”
Fu Li smiled wordlessly.
“Young man, you’re indeed a n.o.ble person. You have found the great Fenghuang daren on behalf of our clan. From now onwards, you will be our entire three-headed clan’s honored guest,” Long Hair bowed deeply to Fu Li, his six eyes filled with grat.i.tude.
Fu Li stooped over and patted one of his heads. “You’re welcome.”
He took two Zhuyu fruits from the Langgan Tree’s vines, split them with Zhuang Qing, and then slowly nibbled on them. “Uncle Feng, they were born at the Fuchang Tree more than two months ago.”
Feng Ruizhong, who had also risen from fire more than two months ago: …
He had better think about what he had on himself that could coax the little child.
“I’ll wait for you outside,” Fu Li tugged on Zhuang Qing’s sleeve. “Zhuang little dragon, let’s go.”
Zhuang Qing flashed Feng Ruizhong an apologetic smile before leaving with Fu Li without any hesitation. Not even one word of consolation was uttered.
Feng Ruizhong: …
Fu Li walked out of the office building and looked up at the snowflakes floating in the sky. “Zhuang little dragon.”
“En?” Zhuang Qing turned to look at him.
“I’m very happy.”
“En,” Zhuang Qing hesitated for a moment and then reached out a hand, patting him gently on the head.
Thinking of the Lunar New Year goods in the villa, and the rhyming couplet and ‘Fu’ word that had yet to be pasted, Zhuang Qing inwardly let out a light laugh. Since Fu Li had found his relatives, he would definitely gather with them more often. In any case, other than the years right after his birth when he had spent Lunar New Year’s eve with his mother, he no longer celebrated man-made holidays, so it didn’t matter.
Upon arriving at the hotel, Zhuang Qing ordered a table full of dishes. Despite this, Feng Ruizhong was a bit restless.
“Little Li, we weren’t intentionally trying to lie to you. We didn’t have any other choice at that time,” Feng Ruizhong wore an anxious expression. He was scared that Fu Li would be angry, but also couldn’t talk about the matter in detail. Despite being faced with a table full of dishes, he had no desire to move his chopsticks.
“I’ve met Sister Zhu Yue,” Fu Li suddenly said. “Is she with you now?”
Feng Ruizhong stared blankly. The joy on his face couldn’t be suppressed. “She’s still alive?!”
“En,” Fu Li nodded. He ladled out a scoop of soup into his bowl and did the same for Zhuang Qing. “I don’t know why all of you want to keep me in the dark, but if me knowing this will inconvenience all of you, then I’ll just treat it as something I don’t know.”
“In any case, small as sparrows are, they have all the vital organs,” Fu Li smiled. “There’s no difference.”
Feng Ruizhong looked at Fu Li, his mood complex. Although Fu Li was still very close to him, he couldn’t not admit that Fu Li had matured a lot during the nearly two thousand years they had been apart.
The little child they had doted on had matured even more than they had antic.i.p.ated. Unfortunately, they hadn’t been able to take part in this process.
“Actually, there’s another person living in that worn-out house,” Feng Ruizhong thought about it and decided to sell out his teammate. “Our mountain’s great king is also there.”
“Really?” Fu Li exclaimed happily. “Then why didn’t he come out and see me that day?”
“He… might not have dared to,” Feng Ruizhong pondered over it. “There is a saying in the human world called ‘the closer to home, the greater the apprehension’; us elders are ashamed to meet you. As long as you’re living well, we can rest at ease.”
All the adults in the house had thrown their sound-asleep child at home and feigned death to save their lives. Although they really weren’t sure whether they would be able to survive at that time, they truly didn’t have the confidence to appear in front of the child.
Fu Li’s smile brightened even further. “Then I’ll personally pay a visit to the great king later on.”
King Ganglie was currently using magic devices to refine female attendants, his entire head preoccupied with refining a bunch of female guards for Fu Li. At this point in time, he was still oblivious to the fact that he had already been sold out by his teammate.