Luo Zehn's POV
"I... I made a promise." I simply stated.
For a split second, Ye Zhiyun and Xiao Liang stared at me in utter confusion before what I said finally sunk in.
But before they could retaliate with their convincing words, I continued telling them my side just so they would know what I'm talking about. I figured that if I let them speak now, I wouldn't have the chance later on since they would drown me in their useless banter.
"You remember that young man I told you who had the Dark Element?" I spoke up. "I promised him that I would catch up to him before he reaches Ziyou Shelter. I made a promise that I would help him in rescuing Yang Mei Mei. You read my report right?"
"Yes, I pretty much got the gist of it. So basically, Yang Chen asked you and that young man to save his daughter, right?" Ye Zhiyun sighed, but she still hasn't given up on convincing me to stay. I know since I could tell in her expression that she's set on not letting me go.
"That's right. But this isn't because I promised Yang Chen that I'll save his daughter. As far as I know, I never promised Yang Chen anything. However, I did promise that I would assist that young man in his rescue. And the reason being is that I wanted to, that's all. I can't go back on my word."
"If that's the case, then I'm coming with you. I can't let you go alone. Not like this." Xiao Liang suggested.
"No, what if something bad happens to this shelter while I'm gone? You're the strongest amongst us. You can't go with me." I responded. I know that Xiao Liang always thinks for our welfare and if push comes to shove, I could tell that he would abandon the shelter if it meant saving both me and Ye Zhiyun.
"You're right. Sorry for speaking before I thought things through."
"I promise I will return in three day's time," I reassured both Ye Zhiyun and Xiao Liang. "You wouldn't believe it but that young man has survived the outside for five years, alone. I want to welcome him to our shelter and... that's another promise I told him. I can't just leave him alone."
"Besides, he's got one of the rare cultivation elements. Wouldn't he be a good addition to our arsenal? Just in case another shelter tries to take over us? Trust me, I've traveled with the kid for a few days and I can say that deep inside, he's a good kid."
Sigh.
According to Ye Zhiyun's sigh, I could tell that she's conceding.
"Fine, be back by three days. If you're not back by then, then we can assume that you've gotten into trouble. You know that once I set my mind on something, I wouldn't change my mind, right? But now, I'm giving you a pass. I know that you don't go back on your words and even if we tried to stop you, which is highly unnecessary, you would still go to that kid and try to save him. If that's the case, then just promise me that you will bring back that kid with you. And let me emphasize... WITH YOU."
"All right, all right," I said. "And thanks for allowing me to."
"By the way, why do you keep calling him young kid? Even in the report, you just wrote young kid over and over again."
"Oh, that?" I shrugged. "I just didn't bother asking for his name, that's all. At first, he joked that his name was Tang Yongrui, but after that, he didn't say anything else... now that I think about it. He did look like Master but much much younger than him. I don't know if he's related to Master or not... or maybe I just don't remember Master's face clearly. It's been so long."
"I guess that's all the more reason to go to him. From the start, we already lost this argument, Ye Zhiyun." Xiao Liang smiled as he shook his head. "Just make sure you come back in one piece, and make sure you're still breathing when you get back."
"You got it!"
Before they could change their minds, I immediately rushed towards my tent and grabbed another sword of mine. I do have my trusty sword with me always but having a spare wouldn't hurt since I'm going through two to three cities. And who knows what kind of zombies are there?
Or in that young kid's term, rabid humans?
Of course, I also didn't forget to bring a few provisions with me, just enough to last me a day since I would be traveling alone. Reaching Ziyou Shelter would be easy if I don't meet an irregular horde of zombies on my way. By Irregular horde, I meant those hordes of zombies with a system that could easily defeat someone in the Immortal Realm, which is one cultivation higher than I am. There were rumors that Irregular hordes could also fight neck and neck with someone in the Dao Realm... which sounds pretty scary but utterly possible.
After all, it's been five years since the outbreak ensued, who knows how the virus had evolved?
Without further ado, I exited our Shelter and commenced my travel. Although I just came back to the Shelter for a day, I could tell that my body will miss this peace as soon as I set foot outside.
There's no use thinking about it now. I made a promise and I should see to it that I fulfill it. Otherwise, I will just be giving that young kid lip service.
And man, don't I want that kid to get angry. I've seen it first-hand and I shudder to think that he has the power to annihilate a shelter in one fell swoop. If I leave him unattended, who knows how many shelters he could destroy after destroying the Ziyou Shelter? As someone in the King Realm, even I'm not confident in going head to head with him?
"It's already been at least a week or so since we last saw each other. He must be a bit stronger by now." I told myself, hoping that nothing bad happens before I could get to his side.
"Wait for me, young kid."