Hide it. Hide it. Hide it. Hide it. Hide it. Not in the forest, not the land, not in the sea, not somewhere where they can reach. Hide it carefully. Or there's no hope for humanity, our death and sacrifice mean nothing, everything will drown in blood again. You are our only hope ----- ------, you must succeed.
Wu Haoyu woke up in cold sweat. He rose up and lean his back to the wall, his eyes are tired, yet he can't fall back to sleep. Another memory from the original Wu Haoyu, here he thought Wu Haoyu had a privilege life, rich and carefree and shouldn't go wrong if hadn't he fell in love with the heroin. He raises from the bed and walk to the wooden door, he looks around and around him was cheap room with bland interior design, not his private residence. "Where..." He had a slight headache trying to remember, so he gives up trying. He was with Zhang Cheng, that's more than a guarantee that he's safe.
He heard a conversation between two behind right behind the door, he opens and saw Zhang Cheng talking to figure similar in height to him. The guy has an unassuming face that would blend to the crowd, he look approachable and an easy person to trust because of his kind smile. His eyes arch to his smile and his clothing was light, modest with only small orange accent color. Wu Haoyu also thought of go and greet the kind man. He pauses his steps, that person's character banner is in thick red. Wu Haoyu tiny red siren began loudly ring. He carefully approaches Zhang Cheng while keeping his eyes on the other person.
Having a close range to the unknown person, Wu Haoyu eyed the unknown person character board.
Name: ?????
He didn't look his steps and accidently bump to Zhang Cheng. "Ouch! Your shoulder had blade or something?! My forehead hurts!"
"Wu Haoyu, are you still sleepy?" Zhang Cheng face him with an earnest concern. In his eyes, Wu Haoyu face is pale, his lips are dried and there still droplets of sweat on his face.
Wu Haoyu sees his concerns face and feels unable to be angry, he reluctantly answers him while his hand on his forehead. "I... had a nightmare again. It was not a good rest. But you can mind your own business, I just need to sleep after we get back to the Sect."
Zhang Cheng moves his head closer to Wu Haoyu and their forehead touch together. Zhang Cheng close his eyes, feel Wu Haoyu comfortable heat through his skin. "You are not feverish. That's good." He let out a faint sigh of relief.
The protagonist was portrayed as a person who dislike physical touch, Wu Haoyu spend more than 2 years with him and Zhang Cheng not the person who dislike physical touch, he's the person who initiate it. Being treated like a child by a child, Wu Haoyu find it funny and cute his little Ah Cheng had learned to take care of people. He slightly chuckle, "Of course not."
Zhang Cheng raised a brow, "Why are you laughing?" He moves his head away from Wu Haoyu, the two standing at an equal eye level.
"People always said that I'm the one seducing you, and here you are, trying to seduce me with such an intimate gesture. You shouldn't do that with people. That's a sure trick make people fell in love with you."
"That's not--"
Cough "Excuse me if my presence is interrupting you both. I figure that I should end my visit?" The person with a red character board voice out, he'd been completely ignored the entire time Zhang Cheng and Wu Haoyu forgot about his presence. He made sure the two hear his voice, though it was not loud, it sounded pleasant to the ear and his tone was controlled. Though there a certain forcedness to his throat, like he was trying to suppress the emotion in his voice.
"I apologize for our tardiness. It's not in our intention to left you out of the conversation." Zhang Cheng lips curve, a dimple appears on his cheek. He invites the person to sit on a seat besides the table on the center of the room.
Wu Haoyu's the only one notice the person tone of speaking, he's certainly not please he was ignore. But Zhang Cheng seem to completely trust this person. He frowns and walk on the middle of the two and take a seat that made sure a distance between the two. "So, who are you?" Wu Haoyu cut the pleasantries, his brows furrowed, and his tone was rude.
Zhang Cheng frown, "Wu Haoyu, watch out your tongue and be polite." Wu Haoyu ignored Zhang Cheng anger and set his eyes still to the person besides him.
The person raised his left hand to Zhang Cheng, gesturing he didn't mind Wu Haoyu rudeness. "I'm Wang Wei. I'm from a small merchant family at the near town. I'm afraid I'm not too significant compared to the famous Young Master of the Scarlet Blossom Pavillion. But it was a pleasure to finally meet you, Young Master Wu." His smile seems genuine and gentle from an outsider eye.
Wu Haoyu temple narrow, a glint of disgust in his eyes was not hidden well. "Huh," He scoff condescendingly. "You are correct, you are very insignificant compared to me. To begin with, how dare you try to compare yourself to me?"
In a split-second Wang Wei smile fell, though he composes himself and reply calmly. "Oh? When did I imply such absurd thing? Young Master Wu, did I perhaps offend you at one point?" He looks very sad and wronged.
"Wu Haoyu, I'm not going to ask you again. Mind your manner." Zhang Cheng voice was cold. "Young Lord Wang is not to be look down upon. The Wang family is one of the most respectful landowners of rice and grain supplier in the country. The economy and people rely on them to survive, they are one the most important figure that worthy of respect."
"No, no, Zhang Cheng, you are exaggerating..." Wang Wei bashfully said. "I feel like all of us can speak on equal ground. That is said, Young Master Wu. Have I offended you before for you to display clear dislike for me?"
"I just don't like your face, it's ugly." Wu Haoyu blandly stated in a matter-of-fact voice.
Wang Wei lips twitch slightly. Though he looks rather ordinary, but his face is handsome compared to normal people, he also carries himself with nobility and has an heir of elegance that is charming. This kind of insult rarely came across, more so right to his face so blandly. He was dumfounded for a second.
"Wu Haoyu, get out." Zhang Cheng brows frown in a tight knot. To him, Wang Wei is his savior and one that deserve all good fortune in the world. Most times when someone was unfortune enough to walk pass him while badmouthing the Young Lord, he would throw them a few punches on the mouth and he's willing to fight them to the dead if he has to. But Wu Haoyu is different, he also been rude to everyone and to him it like talking about the weather. It's like he's babysitting a misbehaving toddler.
Wang Wei sighs in defeat. He waves his hand, "No, no, no. It's fine Ah Cheng, rather than holding on meaningless arguments, I have more important issues to discussed with the two of you."
Wu Haoyu sense danger right from that sentence.
"Do you about this kind of curse?" Zhang Cheng show Wang Wei the artifact from before. he probably took it from Wu Haoyu when he's asleep.
Wang Wei shakes his head. "Not precisely, it's call Siren Call, unfortunately that's all I can give to you right now. My information is limited to the informant of my area."
Zhang Cheng nodded, though disappointed he didn't have a lot of hope to find the person immediately. "I understand."
Then, Wang Wei flash a smile, "Although, I have something to share with you." Zhang Cheng perk his head up. "We a found an open domain, near The Great Tomb. Looking at how the timing of the two things related to the Demonic Cult appearing, I believe it is somewhat related."
"Cis," Wu Haoyu scuffs. Zhang Cheng primary weakness is his great sense of gratitude, it can sometime lead him going on a thorning path with his eyes close. Wang Wei is a master strategy, he always made sure his every move has an escape route. One rule of interaction with him is: not to trust a single word he said. "Isn't that a restricted area? Most people would not get close to the great tomb as fear for their lives. How can you, an ordinary merchant can immediately know it appear without any hint it will? Do you perhaps, expect it will?"
Wang Wei respond to that with a smile, "As expected of a famous young master of the Wu family. Full of distrust and suspicion, necessary attribute for business." He continued, "One of my men come from that land and visit the place to reminisce about the past.... That's when my men stumble upon an open domain, very dangerous to enter but also not very good to left it uncheck... Does that satisfy your question, Young Master Wu?"
"Hump, very convenient." Wu Haoyu words said with sarcasm.
"Wu Haoyu, that's enough. You have your curiosity fed. We should continue on the important matter." Zhang Cheng look over to Wang Wei. "I'll report the matter to the sect. Is that's all you need my help?"
Wu Haoyu glare at Zhang Cheng, "No we are not running errands!"
"I never said to involve you." Zhang Cheng said.
"You know I won't ever leave you alone."
Zhang Cheng lip almost curve to a smile for a split second, "That's your problem."
Wang Wei force a smile, "You both get along well. Though, my other reason here is not as your friend suggest. I received news that your carefree and talkative friend that particularly talented in medicine, got himself inside the domain all alone."
"What?! Jiang Yuze go inside??" Zhang Cheng both were shocked and infuriated. He quickly calms himself. "How is he? He's not dead yet I assume?"
"Ah Cheng, it's not good to curse your friend. To relieve your concern, we believe he is alive." Wang Wei let out an amused laugh. "I only here to inform you that. I never would want to bother you any errand or request."
It feels like a direct counter to Wu Haoyu sentence, he didn't like it. "That Jiang Yuze... He looks like a person with extra set of lives." He touches his chin and whisper to himself, "He's one of the important characters, I doubt he'll die.... Maybe...this is a quest!"
"You have my sincere thanks, Young Lord." Zhang Cheng cupped his hand.
Wang Wei... The true hidden boss giving them a single nod that the protagonist friend is in danger, there's much to not trust about his statement. First of all, what is his intention leading them to the unknown domain? Is he leading them to a trap, or there's something he wants them to do.
Whatever is it. Wu Haoyu is going to steal his plan and make it his own!