As Chen Yu had predicted, his declaration incited the protagonist to join the campaign as well, but he didn't show any reaction besides throwing a disdainful snort in his direction. Whether Zhuo Biming had volunteered with the hope of killing him off in the turmoil or of proving his superiority by gaining more beast cores, Chen Yu didn't mind. If the boy wanted to add some excitement to his life, he would naturally play along.
Eventually, with a fairly sizable party of a hundred or so people having been formed, the Moqi brothers signaled the end of the meeting and led the group of youths, only two of whom were from Jade Sword Mountain, directly down from the Sun and Moon Hall.
The two didn't waste time allowing anyone to return to their rooms for supplies, because while the journey to the villages would take a mundane person about a week by foot, due to the age restriction they'd placed, all of the volunteers should have cultivated to be able to travel on their swords, thereby shortening the travel time to two days. As such, the whole trip would take less than a week, a neither long nor short period of time—if the teenagers couldn't find some way to acquire resources, the worst that could happen would be that they'd have to endure some hardship. Besides, they hadn't prohibited anyone from bringing their storage spaces, so, if they were prepared as they should be for emergencies, then there wouldn't be a problem.
Nevertheless, after pleading with Moqi Baihui, Ning Taio managed to earn a short delay and pulled Ning He out to a shadowed corner, where he anxiously asked, "He'er, what are you thinking? Haven't you heard how dangerous those beasts are?"
Studying the other's reaction through half-lidded eyes, Chen Yu merely tossed his head and shrugged off this man's concern, carelessly bragging, "Didn't you tell me I'm a genius, Father? Of course I can take on a few animals!" From what Chen Yu had observed, Ning Taio was genuinely worried, but what exactly he was apprehensive about was unclear. After all, the sect's so-called guardian wings could eliminate the stampede on their own, so protecting some children while they were at it shouldn't be a problem.
With his son's flippant response, Ning Taio recognized that he couldn't change the boy's mind unless he honestly told him how weak his body was and how he could hardly compare to even one demonic beast. Uneasily wavering for a long minute, however, he chose not to be so harsh, then pulled out a pile of well-packed medicine from his storage ring instead. Handing it over, he showed Ning He a stern face for the second time ever, warning him to drink a pack every morning and night and it was only after Chen Yu obediently swore to the heavens, a rite which seemed to carry some weight in this world, that Ning Taio at last sent him off.
As he rejoined the waiting group without a hint of apology on his face, Chen Yu thoughtfully stroked the red jade bracelet on his wrist, which served as his storage space. He had noticed before that the original owner had been taking this medicine, which would supposedly aid his cultivation, for several years, but he'd have to test it for himself. Narrowing his eyes, he smirked, it would be useful even if it wasn't helpful for his health, since it would serve to expose Ning Taio's intentions. At this body's memory of the brew's bitterness, however, he unhappily frowned, he would stop taking it as soon as he could judge its function.
Once they were finally able to depart with Ning He, Moqi Baihui and Moqi Lirong separated as was their habit, the former helpfully leading the way while the latter silently guarded the back. Although he had been flying closer to Moqi Baihui because he'd shoved his way to the front before, noticing the new formation, Chen Yu slowed down to keep Moqi Lirong within his sight and mused over what the original owner knew about the man.
Apparently, Moqi Lirong's sole interest was in strengthening himself, so much so that his similarly fanatical supporters often boasted that even his brain had been replaced by muscle, whereas Moqi Baihui usually spent his time improving cultivation techniques and researching demonic beasts. Because of these respective obsessions which led to their reclusive lifestyles, most of the information readily available to Ning He, who had scarcely ventured outside of Jade Sword Mountain and, in any case, had no way of meeting either leader firsthand, was based on rumors, but it at least seemed true that Moqi Lirong was far more taciturn compared to his brother, who was usually in charge of interacting with outsiders when necessary.
So...Chen Yu hummed, between the twins, Moqi Baihui had received all the IQ and the EQ? Smiling curiously, he looked back at the black figure soundlessly flying behind him. If that was his lover, perhaps the man would be easier to deal with in this life?
Moqi Lirong was vigilantly scanning his surroundings when he sensed someone focus intently on him and cut his eyes over, only to find that it was that Ning He again. Why was the boy so attached to examining people this audaciously, hadn't he been taught any rules for survival? If he'd been in a bad mood, he might have punished him thoroughly for his boldness. Still, gazing back at the youth without a ripple on the surface, he couldn't prevent himself from becoming enthralled inside by that faintly curved mouth and amusedly glittering eyes. Although it was hard to believe, the child was even more charming when he smiled.
At that realization, Moqi Lirong woke up and turned his head away indifferently, considering, what could possibly have made Ning He smile at him? Could it be that the boy knew that he couldn't bully a peak leader and had therefore chosen to seduce him into guarding him throughout the battle? Or maybe he wanted a share of his captured beasts to bolster his reputation? Hng, as if this Moqi Lirong would fall for a honey trap!
Having grasped from the ugly expression on Moqi Lirong's face that the man had concluded that Ning He's character was as described by gossipmongers, Chen Yu shrugged and also faced forward. Anyway, he hadn't planned to pursue the man until he was certain that he was his lover; perhaps before, he would have discounted the possibility entirely from that single look, but thanks to Sun Ri's gracious teachings, he had experienced how annoying his lover could be. He would have to wait for a decisive clue, so in the meantime Chen Yu entertained himself by speeding along on his sword, occasionally glancing at the woods below him.
For the next several hours that passed, however, the scenery remained the same boring treetops, there was no sign of human activity except a few cultivators exercising by hunting some animals. This was because, for the purpose of training the best disciples, Heavenly Saber Sect had been founded in a fairly isolated place, far from any potential distractions. The sect grounds were so remote, in fact, that even when night fell, the group had to settle down in the forest.
But the disciples who had dared to sign up for this expedition were generally rugged types, so they didn't complain and quickly set up their resting places. Moreover, since they didn't have to worry about any night beasts with the Moqi leaders around, they were able to build several small fires for their comfort and, sitting around them, they heartily enjoyed whatever food they could take out from their storage spaces. Combined with Heavenly Saber Sect's traditional encouragement of friendship between disciples, the unusual chance to interact with youth from other mountains was welcomed by most of the teenagers, creating a lively atmosphere.
On the other hand, Chen Yu wasn't very hungry due to his secretly higher cultivation nor did he have any interest in mingling with these children, so he didn't follow the protagonist in slipping in to join the conversation. Instead, he turned around and headed out of the clearing toward the nearby river because, despite using a cleaning talisman, he wasn't satisfied, he wanted to wash off and had the supplies to do so in his bracelet.
Of course, if there had been more members from Jade Sword Mountain, he, as befitted the original owner, would have ordered them to carry the water back, but the only person available was Zhuo Biming. Although he could have insisted on using the protagonist, he instantly gave up on the idea, since, even if Zhuo Biming didn't pull any tricks to protest, that would require too many trips and take too long. Thus, he walked to the riverbank himself, sighing at how the rule against going OOC so rarely worked in his favor.
Having consoled himself with the thought of relaxing in the water, however, he didn't brood, he traveled downriver a bit and peered around to check that no one was around, then slipped off his robes. Unlike the summer heat of the day, the night breeze was chilly, as was the water, so that Chen Yu started shivering uncontrollably as soon as he entered, but, bracing himself, Chen Yu directly waded in until he was entirely submerged in order to adjust to the cold temperature. A moment later, he shot back up, flinging his long, wet hair back, laughing openly at how sensitive this body was to any discomfort and hurriedly scrubbing down his arms with his soap.
At the same time, hidden in the woods behind him, Moqi Baihui froze at this sight, the words he'd intended to say swallowed down.