Chapter 26: Chen Ki

The next Day,

The sun was shining high in the sky. A man was roaming in the forest alone. He looked to be in his thirties. His face was filled with vitality. His eyes were light green in color and had an expression of casualness. He had long black hair that extended to his waist. 

"I wonder if I am going to find something impressive today. My luck has been quite rotten for some time. Even my group expelled me as if I were the villain. I just took some of Qui Ba's materials because I needed them for my advancement. Why don't they understand that if I become strong, they would also benefit? I wish I could take revenge on them for humiliating me." The man with light green eyes was quite angry right now and was moving forward while cursing his group for expelling him. His movement was not slow at all. It seemed that he was also a cultivator. His robe was black in color and was quite a unique match with his long black hair and light green eyes.

He kept on moving and reached a lake that extended into the horizons. There was also a waterfall in the middle of the lake. Near the lake existed a garden with blue and pink flowers that contained a trace of black color in them. These flowers were looking beautiful, and the crystal clear lake made them look even more beautiful. It was a lovely and peaceful place.

When the man saw this, he stopped a few meters away from the garden. He looked at the place, and after scrutinizing and confirming that there was no one around, the man moved closer to the garden. He went near a flower and examined it closely. Furthermore, he saw that blue and pink flowers were combining, and discovered that the bottom of the stems of the two flowers had already combined into one, turning black and only the lower parts of the stems had combined, the rest of the parts were still blue and pink, meaning they were still in their initial stage. Their roots may have also been combined already. 

When the man saw this, he became extremely happy. He stood up and clenched his fists tightly.

"These are the Rank 4 Black-Flower Leaves. They can be used to refine Kas. Not just that, I can even take my revenge on the group for expelling and humiliating me. How dare they do this to me? Just you wait. In just a few years, when they fully mature, I will be back for my revenge. You will all pay, hahaha" The man with light green eyes laughed sinisterly. He acted as though he had already taken his revenge or as if it was a sure thing set in stone now. His laugh scared the birds, as it echoed through a part of the forest.

**********

Meanwhile, in the cave where Yang Zhai and others were living, 

"I have to say that you two are truly talented." Yang Zhai was sitting on the bed meditating when he suddenly said to Cho Byeol and Bae Ah, who were sitting on their own bed.

"Why do you say that?" Cho Byeol came and sat on his bed, before asking.

"I only reached Rank 4 peak stage from Rank 4 third-stage in six years with the help of the resources that I collected. But you reached Rank 4 third-stage in six years from Rank 3 peak stage, and that is when even your aperture is not in its peak form. Whereas, Bae Ah suppressed her cultivation and still managed to reach Rank 4 third-stage. No matter what, I am truly impressed by you guys." Yang Zhai expounded the reason for his compliment.

"You are right about this, for sure. Your talent is too weak. At this rate, we are going to surpass you in no time." Bae Ah said proudly. 

"Yeah, yeah. You can at least be a little more gentle with your comments." He commented casually, as he was already used to her strict remarks.

"Now, now, Bae Ah, His talent is not that weak. Why do you have to be like this," Cho Byeol saw that Bae Ah was too straight, so she stopped her.

"Anyway, when the Black-Flower leaves grow to their fullest, I would be able to refine a Ka, and also it can help me improve a little. And also, I might be able to advance after using the extra Black-Flower leaves to increase my cultivation in some years of its use." Yang Zhai mentioned his plans. He was confident of becoming stronger after using the flowers to refine a Ka and increase his strength.

"By the way, I also wanted to know about the Black-Flower leaves. When do you think that they will mature? I noticed that they have already started combining." Cho Byeol wanted to traverse the lands and explore the wonders of the world. She could barely wait now.

"About that, I am confident that they will be able to mature in three to four years or so. After that, we can leave this place and travel the world. Yang Zhai estimated the time for the flowers to take to mature.

"I am going to visit the flowers in two or three days to make sure that they are in good condition."

"If you're going, I will come as well. I also want to see the Yellow Moonlights at night. It's been almost two weeks since I saw them." Cho Byeol interjected. She was more impatient than Yang Zhai to go to the lake.

"Will you be coming as well, Bae Ah," Yang Zhai looked in the direction of Bae Ah and asked.

"Huh, let her rest. She is too tired. I think we should let her relax a little." Cho Byeol chimed in again and spoke for Bae Ah. It almost seemed like she didn't want Bae Ah to come along.

"Oh, ohhh, who said that I need to rest? I am full of energy, just like a newborn baby. Don't worry about me. I will definitely come with you" Bae Ah understood what Cho Byeol was trying to do here. She wanted to go alone with Yang Zhai, but how could she let her do that, hehe? She gave a sinister smile.

"You do, …" Cho Byeol knew that something was amiss. She could see the devilish look in Bae Ah's eyes. Her head drooped a little, and her facial expression was like she was tired. She knew that Bae Ah was doing this on purpose. Why wouldn't Bae Ah let her spend a little time alone with her lover? It's not like she had done anything to her.

"Ok then, it's decided, we are all going after two days," Yang Zhai got back to meditation on his bed.

…..

Two days later, 

"Ah, I am impressed that no beast appeared within these two days that I have been here. This place is also beautiful, especially at night. Nature is truly a mystery. No wonder these flowers could grow so peacefully and to this rate. I think I just need to wait until the flowers mature. After that, my revenge can begin, hahaha"

The man in the black robe and light green eyes laughed crazily. 

"hahahahahahaha,..." He stopped for a while before laughing again. 

"hahaha,... Hahaha," 

Yang Zhai:"..." 

Cho Byeol:"..." 

Bae Ah:"..." 

The three of them who had appeared behind the trees were completely speechless. Who laughs like this?

"And, what's with him?"

"Don't know."

"Maybe he has gone crazy,"

"Do you think so?"

"Yeah, that must be the case,"

"Do you think that we need to help him?"

"No,"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah,"

"Ok."

"Then should we go back?"

"Why?"

"We should let him enjoy his life."

"No, I am going forward. What if he ruins my flowers in the best moment of his life?"

"Yeah, you should, probably."

Yang Zhai stepped out from behind the trees and went forward.

"Hi, brother. I wonder what you are doing here?" Yang Zhai interrupted the laughter of the man.

"Haha, …huh"

"Nothing, I was just taking care of my flowers." The man with green eyes saw that a man had appeared out of nowhere, so he became cautious.

"What flowers are you talking about?"

"Right behind me, see them? I am talking about them," The man said whilst pointing his left thumb towards the flowers from over his shoulder.

Yang Zhai:"..." 

Yang Zhai turned his head slightly to the right to look behind the man and saw his own flowers.

"And how are they yours?" 

"Simple, I have been growing them for so many years that I don't even remember now." The man said proudly.

Yang Zhai:"..."

Of course, you don't remember it because you never grew them, so how could you remember it?! And what's with this smug of yours, do you truly believe that you were the one who grew them?!: these were Yang Zhai's thoughts, he was rendered completely speechless. Just who was this guy?

"Can you tell me your name? I want to know the name of the man who grew such beautiful flowers."

"Of course, why not? My name is Chen Ki."

"Brother Chen Ki, do you know who grew these flowers?

"Of course me, didn't I tell you that already?"

"It was me who grew them."

Chen Ki:"..."

Whaaaat! I have been acting this whole time in front of the one who planted these flowers: These were Chen Ki's thoughts.

"Cough, cough, … Whether you grew them or not, they are mine already. So, just go away, shu, shu," Chen Ki coughed embarrassingly and shued Yang Zhai as if he was a bird or a dog.

"Oh, are you sure about that? Then get ready for a battle." Yang Zhai warned the man and took a battle stance.

"Do you think you can beat me? hahaha, … Then come, I will show you what I can do." Chen Ki laughed and also took a battle stance.

"But before fighting, let's get away from the flowers. I don't want to destroy my hard work" Yang Zhai spoke and left towards an empty space, away from the flowers.

"Alright," Chen Ki also went after Yang Zhai and left the area.

Cho Byeol and Bae Ah saw that the situation had taken a turn for the worse, so they also followed after.

**********