Chapter 89

Chapter 89: Thunder-Scale Peak, Changed Beyond Recognition

Ever since they learned that Shen Sang Ruo and Master Ling Xiao had ended their bond, a heavy cloud seemed to hang over the heads of Feng He Yun and the others. Feng He Yun and Wen Xuan drifted through their days like souls out of their bodies. Whenever they looked around Thunder-Scale Peak, they pictured the times when Shen Sang Ruo stood in that very spot, bright eyes lifted toward them.

Her leaving felt like it had pulled away their energy and spirit together. They could not even focus on cultivation. Feng He Yun could not understand why Shen Sang Ruo could walk away so cleanly. [Are we and Master Ling Xiao together still not enough to make her stay?] His chest felt stuffed and tight these past few days.

He muttered more than once: “Being impulsive is a real demon. Shen Sang Ruo is a clear example. She does not think about the consequences. Only our Thunder-Scale Peak would keep forgiving her and wait in place for her to come back.” He clenched his fist and added, half complaint and half expectation: “When I bring her back, I will knock on her head hard and ask if she dares act so recklessly again.”

He believed that if they apologized well and made up for what they owed her, Shen Sang Ruo would return to Thunder-Scale Peak. Their friendship was not used up yet. They had not reached the point of never speaking again. There was still room to turn back.

He glanced at Wen Xuan and said: “Second Junior Brother, is it only you and me going to visit Junior Sister today?”

Wen Xuan’s eyes were dull as he answered: “Yes. Let’s go.”

Feng He Yun’s shoulders slumped as he grumbled: “Third Junior Brother is getting colder and colder and only talks about refining those bugs. Fourth Junior Brother, I do not know what got into him either. He learned from Third Junior Brother and keeps making excuses. Eight times out of ten he refuses when we look for him. He hardly goes to see Junior Sister now, even though he used to care about her the most.”

He let out a long sigh. Only a few days after Shen Sang Ruo left, Thunder-Scale Peak already looked like a different place. His resolve to bring her back grew stronger. In the past he only enjoyed himself and never cared about the affairs of Thunder-Scale Peak. Now he should carry the duty of a Big Senior Brother.

The two of them arrived at Bai Mu Mu’s courtyard. Bai Mu Mu stood up happily to greet them: “Big Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, you are here?” Her color was much better these days.

But when she saw only Wen Xuan and Feng He Yun, a flash of hatred crossed her eyes before it quickly turned into disappointment. Her eyes grew moist and red, as if she were holding back some emotion. She bit her lip and said nothing, swallowing all her grievance in silence.

Feng He Yun felt awful when he saw her like that. His voice carried a hint of pain as he said: “Junior Sister, Third and Fourth Junior Brother really are busy. They are not skipping you on purpose.”

“Really?” Bai Mu Mu looked up at him, her expression shattered.

Feng He Yun could not bear to tell the truth. He blurted out: “Of course it is true. When they finish in a few days, they will come see you. No, tomorrow, tomorrow they will come.”

Wen Xuan shot him a look for speaking big words, but said nothing. He did not want Bai Mu Mu to be let down again. When Bai Mu Mu finally smiled through her tears, Feng He Yun let out a breath of relief. Then a new problem rose up. How was he supposed to drag those two over tomorrow?

He sighed, but no matter what, even if he had to pull them by force, he would bring them. He told himself: [I will guard Junior Sister’s smile.]

Bai Mu Mu suddenly covered her chest and coughed lightly twice. Wen Xuan rushed to her bedside, face tight with worry, and said: “Junior Sister, do you feel unwell? Did the latest potion not work? I will make a new batch. Or did you catch a chill? I have a cold remedy here. Drink some.”

Bai Mu Mu laughed with a playful look: “Second Senior Brother, you are overreacting. I just choked a little.”

“As long as you are fine,” Wen Xuan said, finally relaxing.

Because Shen Sang Ruo had left, he cared for Bai Mu Mu even more, afraid that Bai Mu Mu would also leave them. It was like he poured the guilt he felt toward Shen Sang Ruo into Bai Mu Mu instead. Bai Mu Mu understood this very well. Now Feng He Yun and Wen Xuan were extra nervous about her. The little conflicts from before were ignored. They were doing everything they could to treat her well. Without her lifting a finger, their goodwill had already risen above 80 points. It would soon pass the highest level from before. Success was close at hand.

With rebellious Shen Sang Ruo contrasted against her own gentle, obedient act, Shen Dao Chen and Master Ling Xiao’s goodwill toward Bai Mu Mu also rose, reaching 89 points and 90 points. Only two people had not shown up for a long time, which made them the hardest targets in her plan.

As for Lu Shi Qing, Bai Mu Mu’s judgment was simple: this man was sick. His temper was so strange that even after she had “won over” so many, he still left her baffled. His goodwill had fallen to the bottom, and she no longer had the patience to coax him. She decided to give up on him. In the end she would let the System use a method to erase him.

She had not expected Luo Chu to distance himself from her. But Luo Chu was always a person who acted on a whim. When something else caught his eye later, she could cry a little and play the victim again. That would not be a big problem.

All in all, except for Luo Chu, Bai Mu Mu was satisfied with the situation. Everything was within her control. She even had to thank Shen Sang Ruo for leaving. Without that, she would not have known how to repair things with Feng He Yun and Wen Xuan.

The three chatted as usual, but the topic always circled back to Shen Sang Ruo. At last Feng He Yun stood up, eyes full of bold resolve, and declared: “I have decided. When Junior Sister is healed, I will go down the mountain to find Shen Sang Ruo.”

Why not go now? Because he believed no one would be left to care for Bai Mu Mu. He lifted his chin and said: “Shen Sang Ruo is forever a member of our little Thunder-Scale Peak team. As Big Senior Brother, I cannot sit and do nothing. After I bring her back, we will persuade Master together. Shen Sang Ruo can apologize to Master, and Master will surely agree to let her return to Thunder-Scale Peak.”

He looked at the other two and asked: “Second Junior Brother, Junior Sister, what do you think?”

He had mentioned this many times in the past few days, but never with such seriousness. He had truly made up his mind. Wen Xuan showed a bitter smile and said: “Whatever you decide.”

Feng He Yun frowned and pressed him: “Wen Xuan, what is with you? Why are you not eager at all? Do you not want to bring your Little Ruo back?”

Wen Xuan lowered his head. Of course he did. He even dreamed of Shen Sang Ruo coming home. [Little Ruo, please come back.]