"I'm sorry beauties and a gentleman" Three looks darted towards him pressuring him to give reasons for his answer, Wu Haoyu sigh like he's about to explaining how gravity works for children. "Don't you all forget? I'm the Shu Scarlet Blossom Pavilion Patriarch son. I'm hurt that you force me to have to remind you all that my father, Shu Chang Ming happens to die in that effort?" His lips were smiling in a smooth and sharp arch that can cut through the air. "The goblet, the Key was left there for a reason. To protect it. What makes you–," he looks at Meng Yao and later at all of them, "–all of you think we can keep it safe better than an entire domain design specifically for it?"
It was unfortunate Wu Haoyu's father, Shu Chang Ming died. He was regarded as one of the legend, kind and caring, willing to sacrifice his lives for other's. Meng Yao, Jiang Yuze and Zhang Cheng made a thoughtful expression for a few second. Even if it's for the betterment of the world, they can't be heartless on that regard of the sacrifice done by the people that seal the goblet from evil.
Meng Yao purse her lips and she says, "We have to destroy it completely."
Wu Haoyu eyes narrowed, "Don't you dare! That's absurd, are you retarded?!"
"There's no telling when they will come to take it! That's the best bet we have right now since we can't protect it." Meng Yao argued.
"Many people died just to get that thing here! Destroying it meant their deaths means nothing! My father–" he choked on that last part. It was unintentional, he was supposed to be unreasonably angry get on their nerves. But he cannot talk about his dad on the topic regarding his death without his throat clench on itself and words come out weird and broken.
"My father's death would means nothing isn't it?" His words were spiteful. His father sacrificed his lives and sacrifice his role as Wu Haoyu father just for it became meaningless again.
"I'm sorry. It was my fault we have come to this." Meng Yao voice was filled with guilt. Wu Haoyu is still in grief about his father's death and can't come to terms with it. It's unfortunate, the right decision doesn't always feels good. "But we don't have a choice either."
"It's going to happen sooner of later even without your help, Ah Meng. You can't blame yourself too much." Jiang Yuze voice was nonchalant, giving any sort of comfort he can to the girl. Then he turned to Wu Haoyu, "We all know that. Wu Haoyu even your father will agree on me with this fact. The Shu former Patriarch sacrifice himself to save lives, Wu Haoyu. He had saves many lives. You as his son should be proud of that instead of disregarding everything as meaningless."
Wu Haoyu temple wrinkled."What do you know?! As someone who got expelled before you sure talks like you knew everything!"
"Well I certainly know much more than a snotty brat like you!" Jiang Yuze shouted. The mention of "got expelled" seem to strike at his nerve.
"We should stay on the topic." Meng Yao exclaimed. It was effective and the two stop arguing, they're hotheaded but not stupid.
Jiang Yuze takes a deep breath of frustration, "If you don't want to help then, Ah Meng can send you back."
"What if this all a trap?" This caught everyone's attentions. They have doubts.
"We have to come up with a safe backup plan." Meng Yao suggested. She glanced over to Zhang Chang, he hadn't say a word. "What are your thoughts in this Zhang Cheng?"
"We should rest." Zhang Cheng said. Completely out of topic.
Though it was one that most agrees with. They are tired and still being mostly normal mortal, drowsiness comes over their eyelids after 3 days of walking and with no proper sleep.
Hardly be qualified as a tent, but they use what they can to shield them from coldness and wind. Tree as the pole that holds the triangle structure from falling and leaves all around it to create a wall.
Meng Yao and Jiang Yuze was used to each other company their tent was place closely side by side.
There aren't really any sun or moon in the sky to indicate time, but light and brightness of the sky seems to function the same way as sun and moon. The sky was dark and shines of blue radiant from the dot on the sky.
Wu Haoyu sit beside the burning wood, eyes sinking in a pool of distress.
"What is Wang Wei's plan? What if this is all a trick? Why am I doing here?" Wu Haoyu contemplates his plan and his actions. Not usually does he act without proper planing, even when he mindlessly beats the living shit out of the kids that bullies him, he plan out how to avoid receiving consequences for his actions.
Weirdly, when it comes to Zhang Cheng, he never has proper planing. A massive contradictory to his role and a gigantic problem to have.
Follow him here and then do something evil. What does his mind thought of? "Honestly I don't want him to be hurt." He whispers thinking no one was there to listen.
"Li Jie, that is foolish. Think of what to do, from what I see you've accomplised nothing till now. You haven't kill a single person, ruin the hero's mission, stab him or even injured him! This is your change to mend your role in the story." Clostine ridiculed him. Flapping her wings aggressively, it reminds him of a blood lust little kitten. Ironic that she's a bird, a cat's prey.
"I know" Wu Haoyu sigh.
"Let go of that feeling, Li Jie. "
Wu Haoyu knows it himself. He scoffed mockingly. "You are this dumbass accomplice." He said it with a proud tone. Clostine sigh.
"Why didn't you sleep yet?" Zhang Cheng called.
Wu Haoyu glance slightly behind and smile, "I just don't feel like it."
Zhang Cheng takes a seat on the wood beside Wu Haoyu, "You should sleep." He said.
"I don't want to." Wu Haoyu answered.
"Why?"
Wu Haoyu in turn look at him with an amused smile, "Why do you ask?"
"I want to know. It's really up to you if you didn't want to tell me." Zhang Cheng said.
"Well," He pause to think, "I thought of ...your promise to get me a hobby. And I think to myself, other than it was being out of the blue and out of pocket....why?"
"Because so that when you have better things that you actually like and love, you would understand that you don't love me." Zhang Cheng said nonchalantly.
".... That's quite troublesome of me." Wu Haoyu can't stop himself from grinning. His thoughtfulness never fails to let him feel visible, that he still exists in this world. He that forget about living his life and think only of his mission. "But isn't that basically a date? You just promise me a date silly!"
"No! I just want us to be in friendly terms!" His voice let out a lot of emotion than he intended.
"Can you tell about your hobby then?" Wu Haoyu continues, "I for one only saw you practicing sword and talking to fan girls. Not much different than me."
He shakes his head, "Swords to me is as a means of power and control over my life. But back home, I like helping my parents selling vegetables and take care of the farm back in my village."Zhang Cheng expression shows fondness as he reminiscent.
"Oh? Where's that?"
"It's back at The Cloudy Morning Village, though it's in a remote part of forest behind the town and up the mountain. It's a remote area."
It's Foggy Lake Mountain.
"It's called Foggy Lake Mountain."
Wu Haoyu widen his lips. He already knows. He read the page a thousand times over and remember it better than the date of new year.
"It's the reason why I applied on the quest at the Cloudy Morning Village." Zhang Cheng said.
"I figure." He casually replied. "You are too over-qualified and it unnecessary for you." It was as-a-matter-of-fact that they both are not too shame to agree, Wu Haoyu can say the same for himself to. He glance at him with a soft smile. "Never heard of the place. What it's like living there?" His only intention was to keep the conversation going.
Zhang Cheng storytelling ability improved a lot compared to years ago. His words are phrase with intentions to create clear images on people's head, Wu Haoyu never felt bored listening to him.
Listening and watching Zhang Cheng talks with the cool blue light from the sky, it struck him again how beautiful Zhang Cheng is. His skin was smooth and with no imperfections and no prove of his hard-work in the sun, his cheeks bone are sharp and precise of both of a peerless beauty and strong hero.
He hasn't even started with his eyes, he likes looking at his eyes. It was beautiful beyond any he can describe. He could say it was like looking at a sapphire by the ambiance of the moon. Like the sound of the rain while you're inside the house with a bonfire and coffee on hand, Wu Haoyu feel like he can relax.
The fire went out as they talk, they didn't notice their conversation was so long it outlived the thick firewood. But Zhang Cheng log in a new fire wood and light it up.
"Wu Haoyu?" Zhang Cheng called.
"What?" Wu Haoyu snapped out of his trance.
"You seem out of it,"
"Well I do listen for the most part." He continued, "It sounds... nice. I would want... nothing really. Your home sounds lovely to visit." He yawned.
Zhang Cheng expression softens. "You are exhausted. You should sleep," his last words are said in a whisper. His voice soft and comforting.
"I don't..." Wu Haoyu sentences was left unfinished, tiredness hangs on his eyelids.
Zhang Cheng reach his hand to Wu Haoyu shoulder intended to guide him to his tenth, but Wu Haoyu's head collapsed Zhang Cheng's chest, gradually fall to his lap. Zhang Cheng didn't push him away and run his finger to his hair whiles fixing the messy hair.
They went on a rush, Wu Haoyu hair wasn't as stylish and dignified as he usually put it and it's tangled up to each other.
"You are this tired and yet you are still stubborn." He whispered.
.....
The sky is bright. Wu Haoyu had a good sleep, though it shock him that he slept the whole night on Zhang Cheng's lap and he didn't kill him or push him to the ground. He's too kind for his own good.
He stand up when Wu Haoyu awaken and it does take a toll on him evident by how he stumble slightly as he walk, probably because his leg fell asleep under the weight of Wu Haoyu's head.
"Ready to go? Ready or not let's go. Time will not waiting for us." Jiang Yuze called.
"Absolutely ready, brother Jiang!" Meng Yao raised her fist up the air, cheering and hopeful for the journey ahead. She then turn to Wu Haoyu, the others always follow as she did and stare at him. Waiting on his decision.
"What choice do I have?" Wu Haoyu complained.
Meng Yao beam a smile,"I have fate in you, Shu Wu Haoyu."
They start their walk together. Nothing was particularly interesting, they walk and look around to see something different other than trees and to place, searching for.... something.
Finally, they stumble upon an enemy, a giant spirit beast guarding a road. The beast were big twice the size of the tree and were armed with a giant cub. Not much talking was made between the group to discussed their strategy when put in a fight–they were in disarray.
Wu Haoyu, Zhang Cheng and Jiang Yuze simultaneously attacked and they failed to do any damage because of the beast's thick skin and the beast protected itself with its club.
Zhang Cheng didn't unsheathe his sword for plot reasons and Wu Haoyu didn't feel bothered but it did lessen the slash damage that would've happened if he unsheathe his sword. That would help finish things faster.
They avoided getting hit by the club, the beast was swift–they dodged and dodged, their stamina was visibly decreasing.
Sweats building up their forehead. Mouth breaths in heavy air.
Jiang Yuze moves in a unnoticable motion and target the beast eyes and slashes his swords on its face. The beast screams in agony, the swinging of its club became frantic and unable to be calculated. "Ahhhhhh!!!"
"I don't know if I did something right or wrong..." Jiang Yuze was concerned.
"ZHANG CHENG WATCH OUT!!" Wu Haoyu screams.
Zhang Cheng got knock over to a tree across the field. "Ugh." He groaned.
"He'll be fine." Jiang Yuze give half smile.
They continue to focus on the fight, Jiang Yuze bare the wrath of the beast was often targeted by the beast by smell.
He became quickly out of breath, right then a club was inches away from knocking his face.
Then, the beast staggered drop to the ground and stay was unconscious.
Meng Yao standing behind the beast without being noticed, strike its heel making it fall and as it already injured, the bleeding worsen and the spirit beast died.
Meng Yao grin, joyful from able to kill the spirit beast and help the tree. She has talent as many people said to her, but without anything to sharpen it, she is akin to a duck sitting on a chef kitchen. Her grin was quite off putting when combined with a blood on her hand and spatter of red on her face. "We did it!" She cheer.
Zhang Cheng rush to the scene with the fight already ended were looking quite impressed. "You all did a great job." He praised.
"Miss Meng did the finishing blow. You should praise her." Wu Haoyu was exhausted, but he still can't stop the grin on his face.
Zhang Cheng was a little surprised and turned to Meng Yao, this time a look full of respect. "I was wrong about you Miss Meng. Forgive my attitude towards you before."
Meng Yao face flush, she wave her hand up in a nervous manner. "No, no! I just helped a little. All of you injured the spirit beast beforehand so it was easy for me to do so!"
Jiang Yuze snatch her head and rub it, effectively messing her hair. "Come on! Don't be cheeky, you deserve the praise!" He act like a proud older brother, in which Meng Yao apparently dislike.
"Stop messing my hair, brother Jiang!" She frowned.
They continue along their path. They run into a few challenges here and there but because of their wide range of skills and abilities, each help each other to get through places unharmed.
They run into a very poisonous territory, Wu Haoyu with a knowledge of poisons warn them what not to touch and when not to breathe. Jiang Yuze with his field in medicine strike a conversation with him, it said that poison and medicine go hand in hand. An unexpected bond was form between the two of them.
The other time, Jiang Yuze help them going through traps that laid to prevent people from leaving there alive. Sometimes even invisible traps which is incredibly helpful because they could probably would died if not for Jiang Yuze insights.
It didn't always have to be tense and nerve wrecking. Later after the traps, in order to avoid detection and direct the enemy attention away from them, Meng Yao mimicked the sound of birds and other animals– it was incredibly similar to an actual bird and animals sound they couldn't have known it came out of a human mouth. Awesome.
Needless to say, it was fun.
Finally, they arrived to what seems like the final set. At the center of a treasure filled place were a simple cub, paint with gold and intricate old patterns of calligraphy with an old talisman wrap around it.
They all were in doubt whether to take the mystical goblet from the tapestry on the center, all of the sign leaning to that it is a trap.
"What do we do now?" Jiang Yuze fold his arm.
"Should we...?" Meng Yao also hesitant to take the goblet carelessly with the risk of danger.
"What do we do if the place suddenly falls apart if we take it? The sole purpose of this place was to keep the Key, wouldn't it self-destruct the moment it lost its purpose?" Wu Haoyu thought critically.
"Probably..." Meng Yao words as the Juanang Gate Sect Patriarch descendants bear heavy weight to it.
"We just take it." Zhang Cheng said. They all look at him with a weird look. He continues, "Doing nothing won't do us any good. It is either that or we burn this place to the ground."
Unbelievable. Zhang Cheng is really too straightforward. Sometimes, it can be a blessing or a curse, or both.
Just then the place shake as if in fear or maybe anger, and a voice called out to them. "Young people these days are too wild and absurd!"
"Who's there?!"
A ghost-like figure appears before them, an old man with a long beard and eyes sharp with scrutiny. "Who are you? Dare to destroy the sacred place of Juanang Gate Sect domain?!" His brows frown in condemnation.
Meng Yao eyes brightens, "You are the uncle my father told me about!"
The old man raised a brow, "Oh, judging from your qualities, you must be the descendants of us."
"I'm truly proud to call my humble self as your descendants."Meng Yao elegantly gestured her respect. "I was told about how strong and mighty the legendary Slayer of Demons, Lord XiaoSheng. It is a dream come true of mine since I was born to meet you in person. Truly I wasn't disappointed being grace by such out worldly individuals as yourself." She sings his praises to him.
XiaoSheng seems pleased by Meng Yao, "I'm Lord XiaoSheng, the Slayer of Demons!" He heartily laughs out loud. "Since you are my own descendants, tell me what's your name?"
"My name is Meng Yao, it is my biggest apologies for me being brief with my introduction but we need to destroy the mystical goblet to prevent the Demonic Cultivator from finding it and resurrect the Demon Lord." She said.
Lord XiaoSheng face wrinkles, "It is as I afraid long years ago." He sighs, "I'm afraid to tell you that the goblet cannot be destroyed. For two reasons. One: if it were destroyed this place with follow suits its fate. Second: it is indestructible."
Jiang Yuze walks forward to face XiaoSheng, "Is it truly indestructible? Is there no way to destroy it?"
"There is a way, is that if the Demon Lord himself destroyed it on his own." It was known that the Demon Lord is a soul close to immortality and was feared for power that can rival the heavens. It is why even in his death, his soul cannot be perish for it is impossible to do so.
The phrase made everyone unable to word their thoughts, silent plague the scene. None of them can come to a solid solution that brings no danger to them and the world, maybe there isn't a solution at all.
Well, all of them except two. Wu Haoyu as a reader known the story and the becoming of it like the back of his hand. He glance around, as if waiting for something.
Zhang Cheng walks towards the alter and trace the rim of the goblet, "If I can, is it safe to take it?" He asked.
XiaoSheng has the chance to look at the boy clearly, he was too focused on his descendants to notice the odd boy with a weird energy. His eyes locked on the sword hanging on the boys hips. It was a sword of his mortal enemy that he can never mistaken even in death. He smirk, "The danger was myself, if I allow it, the goblet is safe for anyone to hold. However. Tell me, boy. Are you aware that your sword is The Moonlight Dawn?"
It was the name of a sword that is wielded by the Demon Lord, it is said that it was one of the most powerful sword in existence.
"WHAT??" Meng Yao and Jiang Yuze both were shocked.
Zhang Cheng inspect the goblet in his hand and momentarily ignore the shock look on his friends. Curiosity got the better of him and he press hard on a certain spot of the goblet.
Crack.
It was a small sound a piece slightly crack akin to a glass.
It fucking crack.