Chapter 9- The taste was bland

Just as early as the hatching bird, they arrived at the forest where Shen Gui left his new friends. As the idiot suggested, he tried to sense any lingering opposing essence yet found nothing but a gentle breeze of morning gale that made him yawn.

"You mean the wind?" Exhausted by Shen Gui's claim early in the morning, his fingers messed through his silky hair, "Ugh, whatever, this one's skin is sticking from the density last night, shall it needed to be cleaned.

Shen Gui's thick brows knitted together, as hi pose became that of a thinking-man, delving deeper upon his own perceptions.

He looked up at the creature, striking cold air behind him. Of course you wouldn't believe me because "we had just met, and we needed to work our relationship in order to gain each other's trusts"  bullshit!!

Though, he doesn't understand why he was stressing over trivial matters when it's all just a dream to forget anyway. Shen Gui's perturbed thoughts vanished away as if he vacuumed them away.

Now that he came up to this situation, shouldn't the first person point of view defy the three laws of Newton's physics by slowing the acceleration of a full force punch? Maybe he should test out some few swings.

Glancing at his first target, Fuxiao rhymes bad being a punching bag to him. Every one of those dreams would only happen if he has an opponent, thus he'll wait for that time, it's sooner anyway.

Heaving a loud grunt, he crouched down and traced the plucked areas where the soil was dug from his hands.

"I just have a question," asked the idiot.

Fuxiao was startled for a bit, thinking that this question would only end up as one of those "silly fun rhymes". He's actually curious what it's like falling into one of those trap, so he nodded and gave the idiot the green light.

"Do you particularly hate humans? Or it's just the people around you?"

As the first two words spat out of his mouth, Fuxiao's dainty energy decreased a little as he replied with a vague reason, "I grew up with the human's environment."

Shen Gui pursed his lips, frustration coming at its apex as he tried his best not to lash out at this creature. He sighed and rubbed his temples, "You... Okay, I actually understand it, but you're sometimes a durian."

"You should pick your words wisely, thus people wouldn't think you've lost your brain since birth," Fuxiao once interrupted the idiot's train of thoughts.

Irked by his bold response, his lips cracked a big smile and beamed at him brighter than the rising sun, "Says the illiterate."

But it's the reality of the world anyway, no one would believe no one unless they've stated with solid testimonies; even humans forget the true meaning of living. They've been fogged with black smokes that their vissions were tinted with red blood.

If a monster or animal grew up in a human household, they would open the door similarly to a human. Fuxiao is no different from them.

"Stupid idiot..." The creature muttered. Fuxiao observed Shen Gui's complexion for a while before thinking of a way to bathe himself.

It's hardly possible to keep fresh without any skin contact with the water. His skin would grow adhesive, once scraped to another surface, a great shiver of thousand bolts would strike down his whole body.

The idiot began to dig his fingers through the soil, smearing his fingertips with its mushy texture. Fuxiao bent down and reached for the idiot's hand, preparing a clean fabric to wipe off that dirt.

Startled by the sudden movement, Shen Gui stared as his hand was getting cleaned by this creature without a warn.

"What... are you doing?"

"Cleaning."

"Yeah, I know, but what are YOU doing?" Shen Gui's voice was filled with uncertainty.

Fuxiao ignored him and continued to clean the dirt off from the idiot's fingers. Aside from that, he was somehow in awe that the idiot's fingers were undeniably slim and smooth, as if it hadn't played with the dirt. His nails were evenly cut, unlike Fuxiao's bitten nails.

Honestly, with hand as smooth and slim like this, doesn't fit Shen Gui's whole character at all. Whether be it physical or emotional, it doesn't perfectly blend in with him.

Looking at his own hand, he heaved out a sigh and asked, "I doubt you remember the main set goal of this little plan of yours to help the poor chief in need. "

Shen Gui nodded, "I know. Maybe said 'leakage' is causing more problem than we'd initiated. And if it really is a leakage, there should be cracks connected from the main leakage, spreading from each different places."

Fuxiao's eyes collided with Shen Gui's in a fierce glare. "Yeah, there's more on such mere problem."

"Ugh, so now you're an investigator? What next? Public Aristrocat?" Rolling his eyes, he wouldn't believe a single bit of this idiot's words even if it's mingled with truth.

"What? You wanna keep livin' a life, serving nothin' as your purpose?" Asked Shen Gui.

The amount of heavy truth that lies within the idiot's words choked him on spot, "I-well, no? Duh, but I'm just teensy bit curious of who I truly am."

Shen Gui laughed wholeheartedly, as if this conversation was not but a laughingstock. "As a man like you, I too, would like to find out about who I truly am. If I don't know who I am, what's the point of giving brightness to your life?"

Fuxiao grunted in response, rolling his eyes. The idiot's words we're too unrecognizable to understand in the first place, let alone hearing new language from his mouth. However, his heart beat increased? This idiot could've possibly used some sort of incantation on him!!

Whatever it is, I'm more intrigued by-wait. I almost forgot of my own mission!! Damn you, you idiot!!!

Come to think of it, when they arrived yesterday morning, the crack somehow resembled something, to him. They knew somehing was off but played throughout the whole game, in which angered Shen Gui from keeping it from him. Of course he doesn't care too much about it, but when he saw carved statues plastered on the walls, his stomach turned into a knot.

What was it called again? Hellogrephs? Hell, hell. Who cares, just a mere bug on my mind, nothing much. Hahah!

But wait, does it really do that?

Well, whatever on earth that is, he needs to find out about his past and move on with the purpose of his life. He had always been the one that's especially curious about everything, analysing how every single thing was created and why it was created, he even got himself to calculate how they work.

It's just one of his nature to be curious and figure out everything. May it be powerful or devious, shall he uncover their purpose.

He slowly shifted himself, sitting on the edge of the rock as he hugged his legs, burying his face between his knees. Shen Gui observed his movements, the handkerchief left in his hand straining from his fingers.

Shen Gui tilted his head, wondering what's on this creature's mind when he snatched Fuxiao's hand and yanked him to a the place where he had last seen the "pair of glowing eyes".

The minute Fuxiao was about to complain, Shen Gui spoke, "This spot, this spot is where I spotted those pair of glowing eyes. If you don't believe me, sense it for yourself, I don't have that kind of thing anyway."

Shen Gui's words deafened his ears, voice ringing all over his veins. Without further complaints, he furiously flicked his head like it broke, trying to sense the idiot's nonsense. And he expectedly sensed nothing.

"Your words are the mirror to your intelligence. The lack of evidence and firm statement is getting you nowhere, if you want to settle something, go ahead and settle it with your dealer."

Shen Gui blinked twice, stupified by the creature's sudden switch of mood and how he was so quick to close the case. What is this now? Attorney's case with a mere civilian?

"Hey, hey, hey, evidences are clear enough! Look at those footprints, the trees bending perpendicularly, you can't hear a running water, the air ain't moist, and the leaves doesn't emit any dew!!"

"Even if those are the evidences and it's the truth, what am I gonna do with it?" Fuxiao turned around, leaving Shen Gui's face in pure shock, "I'm not some type of cultivator or daoist to help this town's spiritual problems. I think you forgot about the part that it's not your business to handle their problems by yourself, you're only making things worse here, Shen Gui."

That should shut the idiot back, but not until he heard that idiot's voice.

"Isn't that called helping? And also, I only brought you here to consult you about the matter, if you don't know anything about it, you should've talked about it instead of going along with it."

And then, that soul wrenching, bolt stricken, big grin streched the idiot's lips out. Fuxiao could feel the veins on his neck popping out of control when the frustration turned into agitation.

"You are an idiot, buddy."

Those words tinted Fuxiao's eyes with red, jaw clenching so hard that it could crack in any moment. He swears to all of the gods above that this man will be the cause of his death.

His hand twitched and attempted to snatch the idiot's clothes, but Shen Gui was as slick as a snake, Fuxiao's hand slipped off from his clothes, falling terribly on the ground.

With shamefulness plastered on his face, Fuxiao's eyes flared up. He lifted up his head, meeting that hell of a grin.

"You!!"

Shen Gui was amused by the turn of events, seeing this as a new sort of game. He bent down and prodded a stick to the creature's cheek, making him more frustrated with mixed anger.

"Yeah!! Meeeee!!!"

Fuxiao's anger flued up and chased him off from the woods while the idiot was laughing loudly, catching the passersby's attention. His face was beet red, chasing the idiot like a bull with the opposite reason. He was supposed to wash off his sweats, not creating more of them!!

Through the bustling streets of the town where the sun hits the earth with golden light, the similar house structures with varied furnishing lit up the town with vivid colors, the morning breeze calmed their hearts before their presence disturbed them. They gave the two idiot some weird gaze as they continued busying themselves.

Their stomps were too loud that they woke up the others that were slacking off. It wasn't soon enough just as they bump onto a person carrying a large basket of grains on his back. Stopping, Shen Gui quickly offered some help to the man, apologizing as if he was to kowtow.

Just as he stood straight, Fuxiao grinned widely, feeling the quench of victory. His hands creeping behind the idiot's back to grab him roughly on his broad shoulders, he made sure it was painful enough time leave handmarks.

Shen Gui grazed his teeth, yet he took all the pain with a big grin. He successfully failed his game in which he started. But, a little game wouldn't hurt, would it?

"Would you two like to take a little help with me on my way back?" The man asked.

Fuxiao could hear the force Shen Gui have to laugh lively, not moving an inch from Fuxiao's full grip. "S-ure! We would love to m-meet your beautiful harvest!!"

Noticing the raspiness of his voice, the man's face contorted in concern, "Are you alright? Would you-"

Interrupting the man by grabbing his basket and pointed to where the man claimed to live, "Yes!! Let's go!!"

He marched towards the street. The man glanced at his companion only to receive a shrug on his shoulder. Fuxiao would only be satisfied if his grip was painful enough to make that idiot regret.

Back to the idiot's deep concentration, it seemed that he'd planned to get along with the folks in order to get over with the purpose of their plan.

They arrived at the town's farm in no time, meeting the other fellow farmers, greeted with large smiles and compliments. The farmer in the farm noticed their appearances and started to persuade them to join.

"Visitors!! Would you like to help harvest our plants for your blessings?!!!" One of them shouted and the others began.

With such commotion, Fuxiao couldn't take it and wondered why he even bothered to follow the idiot all along for that stupid plan. Only for him to notice that the idiot dragged him onto the muddy soil.

"W-wha-hey!!" He stuttered, his legs feeling the coldness of the soil wrapping around his skin, its mushy texture sent shivers down his spine. As if he'd eaten a poison, his complexion paled.

"Oh, please, don't be such a drama queen and actually help us!!" While all Fuxiao heard was, "It's your fault you followed me along! Haha! Served you right!"

"Hmph! I am better of a farmer than you!!" He said confidently, raising his nose higher than usual.

Shen Gui laughed in response, giving him a cheeky grin, "Oh really?"

Leaning in with an arrogant face, "Yes!! Oh yes I definitely am!!"

"Then let's get it started!!"

The two began to harvest the farmer's farm with high spirits, leaving the owner in awe. The other farmer saw their playful challenge and laughed at their energy.

"Youngsters these days..." The old farmer woman shook her head, still looking pretty healthy.

The other old farmer man nodded in agreement, "We can't blame them, our crops are getting a bit healthier these past days."

"In which section is this farm getting 'healthier'?" A firm voice of a woman collided in between their conversation, startling their weak hearts. She lifted up her gaze, meeting the two idiot's presence on the field of their farm.

"Oh? New guests, I see."

The old female farmer chuckled, her eyes landing back on their new guests, "Ahh. They were said to be the chief's 'investigators' on our water shortage. We need to give them a proper welcome."

"And by proper welcome, you mean this?" The woman asked, her voice growing firmer each syllable. "You all need to stop what you're doing. You're lucky that they're benevolent enough to willingly help your dying corps."

The old male farmer laughed, "Stop what? Are we doing anything, no?"

The woman rubbed the space between her eyebrows, sighing disappointedly. She grit her jaw and felt their glares, just how a dozen of cobras bites her skin one by one, each cobras digging their fangs with malice. It annoyed her.

Shen Gui yelled at them, breaking off their gazes from the woman to meet the idiot waving at them excitedly. They smiled and rushed over to him, leaving the woman grinding her molars.

"We've planted tons of 'em! I even got edible worms!" Shen Gui happily announced.

The farmers laughed offhandedly, but then stopped as soon as they listened to the words spoken by the obnoxious little idiot.

"W-worm?" One of the farmers asked.

"Yeah, worm! I even ate them, and they're veeeery delicious!!" He exaggerated every single words, giving them upset stomachs.

This line made their stomachs drop, some even turned on their backs to hold their vomit. The old female farmer earlier stepped in and patted Shen Gui's shoulder just to notice that her hand was as though she'd touched a hard steel.

Thinking what kind of mammal gave birth to this child, she just smiled it away and brushed it off like it's nothing. Though her heart is already pounding crazily at the potential this idiot could've held if it weren't for his stupidity.

"You did a great job on doing that, and then– oh, where's your friend?"

Fuxiao was behind him the entire time, looking like he had seen a ghost. He gave them a glimpse of his golden, sharp eyes, breaking the momentary awkwardness that lingered in the air. And as if though they understood him, they all painfully nodded their heads in agreement, confusing the poor idiot that was sandwiched between their silent communication.

He truly is an idiot.

Shen Gui held out some moving worms, "Look at them! Wanna try?" Leaning closer to the old female farmer, she retreated a few steps back and reversed the tables instead.

"Since you guys look hungry, we invite you to our dinner."

They brought the two in a big table where foods were covering the whole table, leaving no space for their hands to rest on. Giving them permission, the two began to eat like they're in a competition.

"Ahh, it seems that we have other businesses to do, have a nice meal! She will take care of the two of you." Leaving the scene, they were left with a stern woman that had her eyes glaring at them.

As soon as they finished eating up, she stopped them to have a little conversation.

"You two... Are gonna start your investigation?"

Shen Gui was confused for a bit just as he realized that she was talking about the agreement with Tianyu, but just as he could reply, Fuxiao got him first.

"Yes, we are! Wanna join?" Shen Gui choked on his own spit. Fuxiao should be careful with his own words, it's deadly and could easily kill anyone, including the idiot!

She let out a soft sigh and shook her head, "No, I want to give you the... Small evidences I've gathered since I was living here..."

If they were to pick who to trust, they would rather trust each other than believing those uttered words. With that tone and that face, would they be easily convinced of her statement?

So, they nodded awkwardly, though it only made things worse by making her realize something was off.

"I am extremely genuine on my words, please don't ever doubt... Me..."

"The way you said it makes us feel extremely uncomfortable..." Fuxiao mimicked her speech, making the corners of her lips twitch in restlessness.

"I apologize, but I have the evidences that-"

Fuxiao flicked his hair to the woman, letting the earthy scent, silky hair to detoriate her runny nose, "Just tell us right away, stop skulking."

The woman's thin lips curled up in a terrifying smile, it was enough to tie a knot on Shen Gui's stomach. If he was poisoned by the creature's words, then he had died from the woman's gaze.

"The water source came from that location," she pointed at the forest, "You may know it. Our water came beneath from that water source, in which it's common for us to have shortage of water because of a small leak. Yet now that we came in such crisis that our healthy crops were dried by the lack of water, it's just insufferable for us."

"Then... Why didn't the chief handle it in his first hand?" Shen Gui asked politely.

"As of that, the chief have tons of problems surging at the same time. This was not the only matter that gathered in his hands, but his assistant have to trouble himself to carry half of the situation."

Just how far could this problem possibly get?