Zhong Chun

Five minutes later, Lu Zheng arrived in an inn near the previous headquarters of the Azure Tide Clan.

He lowered his head, not daring to meet the hurried pace of the members of the Scorching Blade Clan, as though they were panicking.

He glanced at his scabbard, filled with viscous dirt, which he purposely painted earlier to avoid catching others' attention.

Although it would have been conspicuous to act like a swordsman who could not even take care of his scabbard, it would be much better than to get their attention due to how attractive his scabbard, and possibly his sword.

If that was the case, he would draw their attention longer.

He certainly did not want it to happen.

Furthermore, he also changed his clothes when he saw dried clothes hanging in a line.

After all, his shabby clothes were filled with blood.

When he entered the inn, he was welcomed by the sleeping receptionist, having his hand on his cheeks to avoid falling his head on the table.

Lu Zheng slid his vision inside the place, and saw some group sleeping on the table filled with drinks and empty plates.

All of them were asleep, except the restaurant manager, acting like a bartender, as he was cleaning the bottle of wine.

Since Lu Zhen had a business first with the receptionist, wanting to ask about the free private room he could take, he walked in front of him.

"He–"

"Lu Zheng?" 

A familiar voice called him, startling Lu Zheng.

The receptionist awoke. He and Lu Zheng turned their heads simultaneously at the stairs, leading towards the rooms.

There was a boy of Lu Zheng's age, with average black eyes and hair, staring at Lu Zheng in shock.

Lu Zheng, too, was surprised to see a familiar person appearing before him.

Furthermore, it appeared he had just come from the rooms of the Inn, meaning he had been there for a while now.

Lu Zheng was befuddled why only now he saw him.

Seeing him in the same shabby clothes, he could guess his intentions of coming here.

He was delighted to see him.

Hence, without hesitation, he walked towards him and waved with a smile on his face.

"Zhong Chun? Why are you here?"

Zhong Chun, who appeared genuinely surprised, was filled with trouble when hearing Lu Zheng's question.

Lu Zheng formed his speculation.

'He might not want me to take revenge on the clan. I know my brothers really well.'

"Don't you learn your lesson?" Ravyn's voice echoed inside his mind, startling him.

"What do you mean?" Lu Zheng asked inwardly, not wanting to act weird, as though he was speaking by himself.

"Whatever," Ravyn indifferently replied, puzzling Lu Zheng.

"I-I…" Zhong Chun's voice snapped Lu Zheng awake.

"Don't worry." Lu Zheng walked towards him with a reassuring smile.

He moved forward and whispered in his ear, "I will help you."

Zhong Chun, as though feeling the strike of the lightning, was jolted awake, staring at Lu Zheng in disbelief.

He sighed and nodded.

"Thank you, Lu Zheng. You are really a brother to me."

Lu Zheng nodded, patted his shoulder, and laughed lightly.

"Of course. Do you think we have forgotten our brotherhood? If you really want to avenge the clan, and so am I. We will accomplish it together!"

Lu Zheng smiled ambiguously, as he focused his gaze on Zhong Chun's facial expression, which changed after he said the last sentence.

He saw Zhong Chun's left eye twitch for a second.

Zhong Chun then turned his head and faced Lu Zheng, beamed a smile, and nodded.

He hugged Lu Zheng, patted his back, and said in a grateful tone, "We will accomplish it together, Lu Zheng. Thank you.. Thank you, I am not alone. I hope so…"

Lu Zheng chuckled and patted his back.

"Don't overthink it. We will be."

They hugged for three seconds more before Lu Zheng pushed Zhong Chun's away, his hands on his shoulder, as he said, "Will you not invite me to your room? Let's discuss more together!"

Zhong Chun hesitated for a while, steeling himself, and nodded.

"Alright. Let us go."

Lu Zheng glanced at the bartender, staring at him ambiguously.

His stomach growled, but not louder for Zhong Chun to hear it since he had long walked forward.

Lu Zheng patted his stomach, smiled at the bartender who kept his expression vague, as he followed Zhong Chun.

As for the receptionist, he had long back to sleep, dreaming of the woman he had long wanted to bring on his bed.

***

Lu Zheng walked beside Zhong Chun as they arrived on the second floor, seeing a long hallway, filled with doors left and right.

Lu Zheng took the chance to talk with his brother, as he had not seen him for a week.

"How did your mission outside go? I was tasked to catch fifteen horn rabbits. Enough for me to waste a week, running, instead of helping the Clan Elders and the Head to fight against the Scorching Blade Clan."

Lu Zheng was staring at him, expecting for his answer, while Zhong Chun kept his face straight, seemingly not wanting to meet Lu Zheng's gaze.

He replied, "We have the same mission. All of us did. Didn't you meet other members when you were on your mission?"

"Uh… I did. On the first day, I went too far up the mountain to avoid meeting them and fighting to catch the rabbit. You know me, as your brother. I love to fight but I don't want conflict. I did ask them for a fist fight, they agreed, but they were too weak. Even the top ten external members might not be on the same level as me." Lu Zheng guffawed.

Zhong Chung laughed lightly and nodded.

"Right? You only entered the clan for a year, but you were the most promising of your batch. You even surpassed me, who was five years in the clan. If we waited for weeks for the examination to determine the top ten external members and the test to become an internal member, I would not have been surprised if you entered the top ten external members.

If best, become top 1!"