The sun was going to set so low in the sky, and the colors were painting the forest with hues of orange gold. Bai Cheng just was going around aimlessly, singing to himself. He starts spinning this really strong stick he found; he has it for imagination as something of a weapon. Fang walks beside him wagging with excitement.
That was too easy," Bai Cheng said to his dog, grinning. "Did you see their faces? So funny! Mortal, right? I'll show them what a so-called Mortals can do." He laughed, but his laughter was curtailed when the idea came to him.
"Do you think they'll try to find me, Fang?
Once the dog barked, agreeing that was how it felt.
Yeah, maybe, Bai Cheng said, running a hand through his hair. "But hell, they aren't even smart enough to—
He fell silent at the sound of a little groan. He didn't move; his eyes narrowed. Fang listened intently; he moved his ears.
"Someone's hurt," Bai Cheng whispered, his smile gone and replaced by worry. He moved quietly through the bushes, trying to locate the source of the noise. A little later, he spotted a man leaning against a tree old man who looked weakened, with tattered robes and a walking stick that eluded him.
"Hey, old man!" Bai Cheng called out, moving closer. "You okay there? Need help?"
The old man groaned again, raising feebly his hand in supplication. "Help me… please…
Fang growled softly, his hackles rising. Bai Cheng frowned, looking at his companion. "What's wrong, boy? It's just an old guy."
Fang stayed tense.
Bai Cheng knelt beside him and touched his arm. "Okay, let's help you—"
Hello, kid, a gruff voice growled.
Bai Cheng felt a shock. The "old man" stood upright at once, strong-looking. The false image broke into pieces like glass and Bai Cheng saw Jia Ling standing before him, eyes shining with triumph.
"Ah-hah!" Bai Cheng shouted jumping away. He barely avoided Jia Ling's hand as it went for him, settling immediately into a defensive pose.
From the darkness, the other rogue cultivators emerged, covered in mud and furious. Boss Ren moved ahead, his sword shining in the dimming sunlight.
It took us hours to leave that swam, kid, Boss Wu said with low menace. "You got guts I'll give you that but now it's time to put things right.".
Settle the score?" Bai Cheng laughed nervously and raised his hands in defeat. "I believe we are even! You laughed at me, and I made you take a mud bath. That is fair, isn't it?"
Da Ru growled, his fists bunched up. "I am going to break every bone in your body.".
"Take it easy, big guy," Bai Cheng said, relaxing toward Fang, who had his teeth bared. "We don't want to go to blows. I did not make you fall into that swamp. That, um, was gravity!"
Enough! Wu yelled, silencing his crew. He pointed his sword at Bai Cheng. You have two options, kid: come along with us peacefully, or we're going to drag you back in pieces.
Bai Cheng's mind was spinning around. Okay, think, think. Gerald is not here. Mei Feng is not here. It's only me, Fang, and many angry cultivators.
Jia Ling smiled faintly and stepped closer. "What's wrong, human? No smart plans this time?
Lots of tricks, he said, his voice trembling. Just deciding which one to use first, Bai Cheng explained.
Boss Wu laughed mockingly. "You have no spiritual energy. You're just a noisy little pest. Let's see how strong you are when you shut up.".
As Wu tried to step forward, Bai Cheng raised his hand. "Wait! Wait! Look, you don't want to hurt me.".
"Oh, we do," said Jia Ling, whose smile kept getting bigger.
"Fine, that's understandable, but imagine this," Bai Cheng spoke in a hurry. "I'm just a Mortal, correct? If you kill me, then the people would know that some powerful cultivators were not able to deal with a human so easily. That's humiliating."
Boss Wu paused, his eyebrows furrowing. "What's your angle?
Bai Cheng took his chance. "No angle! I'm just saying, that you don't want to damage your reputation for someone as unimportant as me. Also…" He gestured loosely behind them. "If you spend too much time here, you might miss the Flame Beast."
Jia Ling paused and gazed at Ren. "He's delaying.
"Am I?" Bai Cheng asked, forcing a smile. "Or am I really trying to help you feel better?"
Wu squinted, gripping his sword tighter. "No more playing around, kid. You're coming with us."
"Okay, okay, you win!" Bai Cheng said, holding up his hands. "You caught me."
The air grew tight as the group huddled around him. Bai Cheng's heart was racing. Okay, new idea. Delay for a bit to think of a real plan.
When the farmers came close, Fang sprang forward, barking furiously. This was enough distraction for Bai Cheng to roll away, grab some dirt, and throw it into Da Ru's face.
AHH! My eyes! Da Ru yelled, retreating.
"Sorry, big guy!" Bai Cheng shouted as he quickly stood up.
"GET HIM!" Wu yelled.
The chase began. Bai Cheng ran into the trees, his heart beating fast as the cultivators followed him. He moved side to side through the bushes, avoiding vines and jumping over fallen logs, with Fang running next to him.
This is your fault, Fang!" Bai Cheng said, breathing in. "Why didn't you bark earlier?
The dog barked as if it were saying, I knew so.
Behind him, Jia Ling's voice called out. "You can't run forever, kid!"
"Oh, I'm not running forever," Bai Cheng said quietly to himself. "Just long enough."
He saw a stand of trees ahead with low-hanging branches and climbed up the nearest one, pulling Fang along. He flattened his body against the trunk and held his breath as the cultivators rushed past below.
For a few minutes, there was silence.
Then Jia Ling's voice cut through the quiet. "He's up there.".
Bai Cheng sighed. "Of course you'd see me."
Wu appeared in view, the sword shining menacingly. "It's time up, kid".
Bai Cheng's mind ran. Alright, last-ditch effort. Hope they fall for it.
"You're making a mistake!" he called down. "You don't know who you're messing with!"
"I'm pretty sure we do," Jia Ling said, drawing out her dagger.
No way! You really do not!\" Bai Cheng shouted out his voice getting louder. "I'm not just an ordinary man! I'm." He paused for effect. "A future cultivator! You will regret this!
Boss Wu raised an eyebrow. "You have no spiritual energy, no friends, and no hope. Come down now, or we'll come up and pull you down.".
Bai Cheng swallowed hard. Well, that didn't work.
"Alright alright," he whispered to Fang. "Let's go with Plan C. Time to improvise!"