24- Ascension

Peizhi had been making efficient pokes to slow down the enemy, however, Wu Huan had a foreboding feeling that the guy was only halfway putting in his effort. When he swiped at his head, he would merely evade it without attacking.

"You know my subordinates are waiting for me. Maybe, by now, they have already left."

"..."

At this rate, he would just run out of spiritual energy without being able to touch the guy. He sneaked a glance at Shi Lihua who was also watching him under the hole of the roof. Something squeezed at his heart noticing those black eyes.

"Well, to end the game, allow me to do this."

Before he could understand what he meant, the enemy had retreated to the roof and the direction of his aim was no other than Shi Lihua. Luo Yang tried to summon a barrier out of shock but he wasn't quick enough. So he turned to block Shi Lihua instead.The masked man shot forward like a meteor with red spiritual energy concentrating in his right hand.

"Shixiong!!"

Just when his hand dug into the shoulder of Luo Yang, Shi Lihua mastered all his strength to roll them around. Blood painted over the mask. His hand really was in Shi Lihua's back just like he intended.

However, he didn't have the time to celebrate before Peizhi had simultaneously cut off that same arm, taking the opportunity to aim for his head. Unfortunately, only the mask was destroyed. Pieces fell loudly on the ground, eyes were on him.

"!!!" Luo Yang at one point paled at the sight of his Hua'er , at another point at Peizhi and at another point, at the face behind the mask. "Lord Qi Tao?"

"..."Shi Lihua had also turned over, blood spilling down his chin. His face went a shade even darker.

Suddenly, Wu Huan dropped before Shi Lihua, shielding.

"He's not Lord Qi Tao," he muttered quietly. "Lord Qi Tao died in the fire with Fengyu." His aura seemed to have completely changed. It was almost overpowering that of the enemy.

"Of course, you would know," the creep smiled with Qi Tao's aged face. "You recognized me, don't you?"

"Back at Qi Huiling's room. It was you, wasn't it?"

"Who else would it be?" He chuckled, glancing at his bloody arm. "I suppose it's my voice. Hahaha. I can't hide with only suppressing my aura after all. Nonetheless, if I don't go now, someone else will chop me into pieces in your place. Hahahahahah. See you then."

The ground suddenly shook and drilled itself a hole under the enemy's feet. In a matter of a second, he had already disappeared under. Wu Huan made Peizhi followed but it bounced back up because the ground had already covered itself up again.

"So even Uncle Qi and Feng Yu..." Shi Lihua felt on his knees. His black hair slipped down, blood dripping like water from a cracked vase.

"Hau'er..." Luo Yang ripped out a piece of his clothes and pressed onto the wound. "You idiot, why didn't you dodge?" Even his scolding sounded like an apology. He had now a nightmare to wake up in the middle of the night.

Wu Huan also pressed down the fabric, "Let me carry him." Without waiting for an answer, he lifted the injured body over, hugged the bleeding person close to him, and hopped onto Peizhi. Luo Yang summoned his own, Zhou Ying, and left the temple.

-

No one spoke a word on the way. Shi Lihua had long buried his face into the back of his hand, motionless. Even if he was hurting, he wouldn't say. He wouldn't complain. Even if he was freezing from the night air, he wouldn't utter a word either.

"Shixiong, we're almost there."

Hearing that soft tone, Shi Lihua relaxed a little. Gulping, he finally spoke, "That's right. Fortunately, you didn't have a Qi deviation. All thanks to Peizhi..."

Wu Huan watched him with difficulty. But, he restrained himself and didn't speak anymore.

It was almost dawn when they finally arrived at the Qi family's Inn. Sect leader Shi looked traumatized by the sight of the wound. The young master has never been so injured in his entire life and here, he was with a hole in his back after chasing bandits. Fortunately, Elder Zhao from the 100 Fragrance Peak was there to tend to him right away. Otherwise, it would have given the old man another batch of white hair.

After hearing from Luo Yang, they went to search for the fake Feng Yu in his room. Turned out that he was already gone. The elders then resorted to divide among themselves to handle funeral arrangements and appoint a new head to handle the city's affair.

Whereas, Shi Lihua, he slept until the evening. He dreamt of many things. Fire, Peng Yu, Uncle Tao when he requested them to find the bandits, the temple, the face of his shidi, and not so strangely, peach blossom.

"Hua'er." He heard his father the moment he was awake. Sect Leader Shi had risen from his seat and walked over to the side of the bed. "How do you feel?"

"I...need water," he murmured, breathing in the fragrance of incense. His father poured a cup of tea and walked back to him. Shi Lihua slowly sat up from the uncomfortable sleep position and his voice was as thin as the incense smoke, "Thank you, father."

"I'm sorry for putting you in such danger. I should have let an elder accompany you. I also heard about Huan'er. He passed the Nascent Soul stage trying to protect you, didn't he?"

He coughed lightly, averting his eyes. "He was angry just like we all were at his crimes. I was inconveniently in his way. It could have been a Qi deviation instead."

"So many things could have been worse even though I'm not pleased to hear about your injury. We will be sending you back to the Sect to recover. It has been a closed call. We underestimated the enemy."

"Father, can I keep investigating the kidnap cases? I have an inkling that this is all connected somehow. The temple-"

"There you go again," his father darted his scolding eyes at him before he placed a heavy hand on his head to keep him quiet. "Think about yourself first. If you fall ill or hurt again, your shidi might just even shower with you."

"Eh?" His ears turned pink at such unexpected words. "What do you mean?"

"Look, he's waiting by the door to serve you his handmade porridge."

The two father and son turned to the slightly shadowy figure by the door. The other person seemed to hear them so he awkwardly pushed over the wooden door. "Sect leader Shi...Shixiong." He bowed holding a tray with a steamy bowl.

Sect Leader Shi sighed as he stood up, "I'll leave you two to it. I'll also tell Luo Yang that you have woken up. The kid is also traumatized."

"..."

The door closed and the shidi came to the bed. He scooted in without asking, propped the tray on his laps, and opened the lid. It looked like a well-made porridge. With no pumpkin, of course.

"I cook this myself. Shixiong has to eat every drop of it," He spoke without checking for a reaction and started blowing a spoonful.

"You cook it yourself?"

"That's right. I don't trust anyone anymore."

What could Shi Lihua say? This trip seemed to turn this shidi from innocent to having trust issues. He, himself, wasn't that better off either. "H-how is your health? Any side effects from the ascension?" He stared at the spoon that was brought to his lips. Shi Lihua just knew it was useless to resist. So he accepted it...with a thin face.

"I'm perfectly fine. Elder Zhou checked up on me. Don't worry. Eat well from now."

Shi Lihua met the other pair of dark brown eyes. He cleared his throat before taking another spoon.

"It's delicious."