Feng Shui Chapter 112: Missing Again

Shi Ming’s troops were disciplined and swift. After issuing the retreat order, they quickly headed back to the camp. But since they were comrades, worried about the safety of the other three, they stopped after only half an hour’s distance from the White Spirit Fruit Forest to regroup anxiously and wait for news.

So Chen Xiao found them without much trouble. Seeing Chen Xiao alone, their faces immediately darkened. They feared the others had met with disaster and that Chen Xiao was the only one who escaped. A senior cultivator stepped forward to meet him, eager to ask about the situation.

Chen Xiao stopped before him, breathing heavily, and said, “Brother Li… told you to hurry back. Before… the black-tailed bat monkeys retreat completely and the cat beasts arrive, gather as much as you can…”

Finally finishing his words, Chen Xiao gasped for air, hands on his hips. The chase had exhausted him. The recent fierce battle against the black-tailed bat monkeys had drained both his spirit and strength. If it had been just running, it wouldn’t have been this hard.

The senior cultivator, hearing his heavy breathing, first felt anxious, then burst into joyful relief. He asked excitedly, “The black-tailed bat monkeys were driven off?”

Chen Xiao nodded, “Yes. Someone came to help. The Bat Monkey King was killed.”

The senior cultivator clapped his hands, delighted, “Excellent!” Then he called to the others behind him and quickly led them back toward the White Spirit Fruit Forest. But before leaving, he asked Chen Xiao, “What exactly happened? Any casualties?”

Chen Xiao guessed this senior cultivator was probably some kind of squad leader. Even though they could see the scene for themselves soon, he still answered honestly.

“No secrets,” Chen Xiao said directly. “One died, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and another was wounded. Brother Li went to report the situation at the outer perimeter. Right now, only my companion Tong Nuonuo is staying with the injured person.”

The senior cultivator’s expression darkened at the news of a death. They were all used to hearing about comrades falling, but it never ceased to be a painful blow. He patted Chen Xiao’s arm and said, “Thank you.” Then he took out a water pouch and a soft, freshly baked flatbread from his pack. “Here. Rest here for a moment. I’ll go catch up with the others.”

Chen Xiao had his own water flask and rations in his storage box but didn’t refuse the kindness. Taking the bread and water pouch, he nodded, “Okay, you go ahead. I’ll catch up soon.”

After the senior cultivator left, Chen Xiao found a clean spot to sit down and rest. The moment he relaxed, the soreness in his muscles hit him. He exhaled deeply, took a big gulp from his water flask, then broke off a piece of the flatbread to eat. There must be someone with excellent cooking skills in Shi Ming’s team, the bread was freshly baked just yesterday, fragrant and chewy. After battle, tasting such good bread was the perfect comfort for a stealthy foodie like him.

Refreshed and full, Chen Xiao felt fully revived. He stood, brushed off the dirt, and set off running toward the White Spirit Fruit Forest again. Now that his muscles were loosening, his body felt a bit weak, lacking the earlier burst of energy, so he ran slower. Luckily, there was no rush, a slow approach wouldn’t cause any harm.

Just as he thought this, a figure suddenly shot toward him at lightning speed. Chen Xiao couldn’t even make out the face clearly, but he didn’t need to. Just by the brilliant and imposing aura, he knew it was Xi Yunqing. Stopping in his tracks, Chen Xiao smiled happily and called out, “Big Brother!”

Xi Yunqing descended with an aura of coldness, but his stern expression softened when he saw Chen Xiao. His furrowed brow relaxed, his sharp eyes mellowed, and even his voice carried a subtle warmth and concern he hadn’t noticed himself.

“Xiao, are you hurt?” Xi Yunqing’s eyes scanned Chen Xiao from head to toe, inspecting every detail.

Chen Xiao felt his heart warm and smiled, “I’m fine.” But Xi Yunqing still didn’t believe him, staring intently without blinking. Chen Xiao laughed and said, “Don’t believe me? Look for yourself, am I okay?” He spread his arms wide and spun around in front of Xi Yunqing.

Satisfied Chen Xiao was unharmed, Xi Yunqing relaxed his tense shoulders. He grasped Chen Xiao’s arm to stop him mid-spin and said in a low voice, “I suddenly heard the Black-Tailed Bat Monkey King was a demon cultivator. The outer perimeter troops were terrified. I… I was very worried about you… and Daoist Tong.”

From how rushed Xi Yunqing looked when he arrived, Chen Xiao knew just how worried his big brother had been. He took Xi Yunqing’s wrist in return, lips pressing into a thin line, and said softly, “Sorry to make you worry.”

This kind of weighty yet warm concern was something Chen Xiao had only experienced from his master in his previous life. He understood what it meant to have people around you who truly care. It made him feel guilty.

Xi Yunqing’s eyes, clear and bright like grapes, filled with tenderness as he looked at Chen Xiao. For some reason, Xi Yunqing felt as if a hot iron block had been stuffed into his chest, burning painfully but passionately. He suppressed the feelings inside and calmly said, “This isn’t your fault. It’s inevitable to face sudden dangers when you go out for experience.”

Yes, Xi Yunqing knew well that what Chen Xiao had gone through was just the same as thousands of other practitioners training outside. It was a necessary trial. He shouldn’t act like a fierce beast protecting a chick, getting angry and restless just from hearing about it. Such intense feelings crossed a certain unclear boundary and made his already fragile emotional walls tremble.

Chen Xiao didn’t notice Xi Yunqing’s brief moment of distraction. He tugged on Xi Yunqing’s wrist and asked, “Did you come directly from the outer perimeter?”

Xi Yunqing composed himself and answered, “Yes. After Shi Ming got the report, he immediately informed me. I came straight here by flying.”

Chen Xiao asked, “How’s the outer perimeter? Are the cat beasts ferocious?”

Xi Yunqing smiled slightly, “Xiao, you’re interested in the cat beasts?”

Chen Xiao rubbed his nose awkwardly, “Yeah. It’s rare for a ferocious beast to tolerate human children. It makes me curious.”

Xi Yunqing said, “You can’t let your curiosity make you careless about the cat beasts. Their kindness isn’t for just anyone. They aren’t as tough or thick-skinned as the black-eyed green beasts, but they’re very fast and extremely agile. Their sharp teeth and claws are their most powerful weapons. In terms of strength, cat beasts are even fiercer than the black-eyed green ones. If we hadn’t only been diverting their attention this time, I wouldn’t dare face one head-on. Xiao, no matter what kind of ferocious beast you face, never let your guard down. Understand?”

Chen Xiao accepted Xi Yunqing’s warning seriously and said, “I’ll listen to you.”

Seeing Chen Xiao’s attitude, Xi Yunqing began describing the situation at the outer perimeter. After the outer defenses were set, Xi Yunqing, being the strongest, was placed on the frontline. When the black-tailed bat monkeys detected the intruders and started fighting, the cat beasts heard the noise and headed this way.

Xi Yunqing took the lead, drawing the cat beasts’ attention and leading them away. Shi Ming’s team supported him and occasionally distracted the cat beasts so they wouldn’t focus solely on Xi Yunqing.

With his snow-sharp heavy sword, Xi Yunqing constantly released small sword qi, striking at the cat beasts from time to time. As the group moved further away, they lost track of the fierce battle inside the White Spirit Fruit Forest.

Shi Ming’s scouts were still somewhat lacking, they didn’t discover the secret that the Bat Monkey King was a demon cultivator. Had they known earlier, they would have prepared more thoroughly and not lost a Foundation Establishment member.

They led the cat beasts in circles, keeping the tension high enough to provoke but not so much as to trigger a deadly fight. Thanks to Xi Yunqing’s extra strength, they managed to keep the cat beasts occupied longer. Finally, about an hour ago, the cat beasts grew bored and gave up the chase.

With the cat beasts retreating, Shi Ming and Xi Yunqing stopped provoking them. They regrouped and returned to the White Spirit Fruit Forest. Because of the extra distance and detour, they arrived much later than planned. When Brother Li found them and explained that the Bat Monkey King was a demon cultivator, they realized that without the mysterious barbarian girl’s help, the casualties would have been much heavier.

Xi Yunqing’s mood had been strange that whole time. Even the fearsome Shi Ming dared not approach him. Yet, because of the critical situation, Xi Yunqing forced himself to apologize for the incomplete intelligence.

He coldly questioned Brother Li about Chen Xiao and Tong Nuonuo’s condition. Brother Li hurriedly confirmed they were safe, which eased the tension. Hearing that Brother Li sent Chen Xiao to the camp to get help, Xi Yunqing immediately flew back to escort Chen Xiao.

After confirming each other’s safety and the details of the encounter, Chen Xiao and Xi Yunqing headed toward the White Spirit Fruit Forest. Without the black-tailed bat monkeys, there was no risk of attracting cat beasts.

Shi Ming’s men quickly harvested the spoils, handling the Bat Monkey King’s corpse while picking White Spirit Fruit.

Shi Ming waited for them to come from the other direction and approached Xi Yunqing. “About dividing the spoils, due to earlier changes, there will be some adjustments.”

Xi Yunqing nodded, “I heard from Xiao.”

While they discussed matters, Chen Xiao greeted them and went to look for Tong Nuonuo. After searching around, he couldn’t find her and asked Brother Li, “Where’s my companion, the Mechanist?”

Brother Li twisted his head, puzzled, “Uh? She was just here a moment ago.”

A bad feeling rose in Chen Xiao’s chest. “She was just here?”

Brother Li said, “Yeah. Tong Nuonuo was kindly helping to find a dropped magic instrument, the bee whistle. How could she just disappear in such a short time?”

Chen Xiao looked around the vast, sparsely populated White Spirit Fruit Forest but couldn’t see a trace of Tong Nuonuo anywhere. There were people everywhere, how could a living person vanish right under their noses?!