96. Selfish
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"Y- You guys!" Luoyin exclaimed in shock, his voice ringing across the silent Tea House.
Surrounding him were the angry faces of Xu Weiyan, Xu Min, Xu Lian, and Xu Wen, along with Elder Zhou and the Head Alchemist, who wore smug expressions like they'd just caught a fox.
At the center stood Lord Xu, his face unreadable, except for the glint of disappointment in his eyes.
Xu Weiyan suddenly appeared before Luoyin, her eyes blazing with hurt and anger which made his heart twist.
"Y- Yanyan, I can explain-!" He started, but her hand moved fast, pressing a familiar talisman to his chest.
Spirit-binding robes instantly sprung around him, pinning his limbs to his sides.
"You-!" He sent her a look of utter betrayal, but it shattered as soon as he caught the angry tears glistening in her eyes. He swallowed his words as guilt sliced through him, and she turned sharply and silently walked back to her father's side.
'How... How are they here?!' Luoyin panicked inwardly, then scrambled into a polite bow. "Ehehe, F- Father-in-law, I apologiz-!"
An unexpected aura washed over him.
"Zhang Yin! How could you simply leave?!" Xu Min's voice thundered, angrier than Luoyin had ever heard it, and it was as if he could see not just Xu Min, but Chu Cui, the proud merman with his glinting azure scales, making Luoyin wonder why he hadn't recognized him sooner!
But his friend's anger made Luoyin feel like he chewed on raw goldthread... He was indeed a sinner if he could make Chu Cui - no, Xu Min this angry!
"Yin Gege! Did we offend you anywhere?!" Xu Lian's voice cracked in a pout, adding to the weight of his guilt.
"Hmph. Was I calling you 'Shixiong' as a joke?!" Xu Wen folded his arms with an accusing scowl. "What matters can't we resolve as comrades? Or as a Sect?!"
"Tch! Yin gēge, you certainly don't acknowledge any of us!" Xu Lian snapped again, with a crack in her voice which made his heart heavier.
"Xiaoyin," Lord Xu's voice was soft and low. "Do you still see me as an elder? As family?"
The shower of words were like arrows piercing through Luoyin's flesh, but it was Lord Xu's quiet voice which made him feel the most uneasy...
He would much rather his father-in-law yell at him like the rest, and he lowered his head, speechless, his heart aching.
'Was I... wrong...?'
"Perhaps..." Old man Bao's voice came from behind him.
The commotion had brought the Immortals out, and they stood behind Luoyin, prompting Weiyan, Lord Xu, and the others to pull out their weapons.
"Perhaps we can discuss this over hot cups of tea?" Old man Bao suggested, releasing just enough of his aura to make them gently give up!
Lord Xu cupped his hands and bowed, and the rest followed.
"Greetings, Immortals. Forgive our insolence... We didn't know he was meeting you."
Luoyin scowled.
'What if these Immortals had been enemies?! Not one of these little ones would stand a chance!'
Wasn't this proof that mortals shouldn't associate with him?!
Still, their words and Weiyan's look of betrayal deeply hurt his heart, and he could still feel the weight of their words.
Did leaving them behind really mean he didn't acknowledge them?
Old man Bao turned and headed back inside, and they all followed after him...
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Silence had descended on the Jade Cloud's interior, as the Immortals sat on one table with Luoyin, while Weiyan, Lord Xu, and the rest sat a short distance away at two other tables.
Both sides stole glances at each other, while paying overt attention to their teas, except for Old man Bao and Immortal Kai who had their eyes peacefully shut, occasionally sipping from their cups.
Lord Xu eyed the three Immortals.
Yin Xing had been enough of a surprise, but now, here were two older Immortals, clearly more powerful, and Zhang Luoyin was in their circle?!
'Xiaoyin's surprises can certainly shorten my lifespan!'
And so, when Luoyin cleared his throat, breaking the silence, Lord Xu didn't hesitate to reprimand,
"Let the elders speak first!"
"Er... Ahaha, sorry, sorry!"
"Actually," Old man Bao calmly sniffed his tea. "I think Xiaobai should explain himself first."
"Xiaobai?"
"Oh, we call him that because of the white streaks in his hair." Old man Bao smoothly lied.
Well, it wasn't totally a lie... The white streaks were after all from Bailong's original full head of silvery white hair!
The mortals had believed it and were beginning to nod, but...
"Ah, yes!" Yin Xing put in. "It's best if elder brothe- Ah-! Ahehem! I mean, as X- Xiaobai's 'sworn elder brother', I also think he should speak first!"
Then he fell into a fit of coughing, nearly vomiting blood for the disrespect he just showed!
Old man Bao shook his head.
Luoyin and Immortal Kai struggled not to laugh!
And the disciples certainly weren't convinced, especially considering Luoyin's own past lies!
'Aren't these four cut from the same cloth?!'
"Ahem." Luoyin gave a light cough. "Father-in-Law, everyone, please permit me to explain myself!" He bowed to Lord Xu. "Thi- this all started because I exposed Zhang Furen and the invasion plot!"
The disciples, Head Alchemist, and Lord Zhou all had varying looks of surprise, but Lord Xu merely raised a brow.
"This is something I already knew..."
"Ei? You knew?!"
"Hmph. Who did you think you were fooling? It was clever to modify your handwriting, but I already guessed. Are you going to keep hiding your strengths?"
"Ehehe... Strengths?" Luoyin reached for his teacup. "I don't understand what Father-in-law is talking about..." He lifted the shaky cup to his lips.
"Tsk tsk tsk. You really take us for melons..." Lord Xu shook his head. "I was already suspicious from the eye-eater incident- no, even before that... The day you proposed- the morning of the scandal."
Luoyin and Weiyan simultaneously sprayed out a mouthful of their tea.
'How could I forget such a wonderful thing?!' Luoyin wondered.
They had awoken beside each other that morning...
Almost completely undressed!
"Ahem!" Lord Xu continued, ignoring their reddened faces. "That morning, you could already handle my angry aura. Quite abnormal for someone supposedly in the early stages of the Foundation Tier. And did you think none of us would guess your intent to disappear...?"
"Ahaha," Luoyin scratched his head. "Father-in-law is wise, after all! Then, let me explain the whole thing..."
And thus began a rather dramatic and engaging tale (lie)!
According to Luoyin, he had met the three immortals in the four months he had been missing!
They took pity on Luoyin, healed him, and helped him gather the evidence against Zhang Furen.
But in harming Zhang Furen, Luoyin enraged Lord Mo and Mo Zhen, Zhang Cheng's true father and brother.
Which then led Luoyin to warn Lord Xu about the invasion.
But 'before beating one's dog, one must look at the owner'...
Lord Mo's Masters were the cloaked woman and flower deity- two powerful immortals who could even control the black dragon, and in defeating Lord Mo, Yue City had offended them.
Luckily, the cloaked woman and flower deity blamed Luoyin for Lord Mo's disgrace, and were now trying to kill him.
But to do that, they might be ruthless enough to destroy the entire Yue city, and might even use the black dragon against them!
...which was why Luoyin was forced to leave for everyone's safety...
By the time Luoyin was done, Yin Xing was resisting an urge to clap. ~"Wah! Elder brother! Such a clever twist!"~
A tale which highlighted great dangers without revealing the littlest bit of his real identity!
At least there were several nods here and there, and a bit of understanding in the disciple's gazes.
But then Weiyan's eyes narrowed at him. "A-yin, I might still be young and silly... But can you not make such a decision for m-...?" Her voice broke and her eyes were wet, sending one final arrow right through his heart.
"Yanyan..." He softly uttered, and several uncomfortable glances shot their way.
"Ahem!" Lord Xu cleared his throat, shattering the brief silence. "Xiaoyin, she's right. I can certainly understand your heart, but how could you simply decide on your own and leave?!
"I'm an elder, your father-in-law, and your Sect Leader... Even if I wasn't fond of you, these are three roles which would require me to protect you, yet you won't let me make the choice?
"And what about your wife? Or your friends?"
Luoyin stole another glance at Weiyan, but she looked away.
Lord Xu continued. "Do we really mean nothing to you? You want to protect us and Yue City, but can't we also desire to protect you? If you will be safe where you're going, shouldn't we know? What if your companions do not mind journeying with you?
"And if you're not safe, that's even more selfish... It's almost as if you're saying we can afford to lose you, but you can't afford to lose any of us."
Luoyin sighed.
He was indeed 'Selfish'!
These new friends were precious, but they were certainly the type to stand between him and death.
But he didn't think he could bear any more loss...
He would willingly admit he was too selfish to lose a single on-!
"Xiaobai." Old man Bao's voice cut into his thoughts. "There's someone you should meet before you say anything more."
Luoyin raised a curious brow, but Old man Bao simply continued.
"I sensed him from a while ago, but I warned him to stay far away and wait. Go out, about six miles northwest, a vast clearing by a waterfall." Old man Bao's irises slid to Lord Xu. "Will you permit him to go? This meeting determines whether we return with you to Yue City or not..."
A silent spell passed, and Lord Xu nodded his permission.
'Who is it?' Luoyin felt a wave of apprehension.
Weiyan and Yin Xing automatically rose to follow him, but Old man Bao suddenly dropped his teacup, and a mild wave of aura spread outward.
"He must go alone." His voice remained calm, but his warning was clear, and they both fell back to their seats.
Knowing his masters would never harm him, Luoyin eventually bowed. "Then, please excuse me, seniors."
He left the tea house and it didn't take long to find the clearing Old man Bao had spoken of.
It was a beautiful scene filled with serenity.
Torrents rushed over a waterfall, splashing onto the rocks and into the pools below, as the breeze gently swayed the trees and grasses, and the scent of flowers filled the air.
But Luoyin could feel nothing of the scenery, and he secretly prepared a variety of talismans for the worst case scenario.
Because he already guessed who waited for him by the waterfall...
Still he didn't want to believe it, and his eyes widened slightly as the elegant gold and white robed figure turned to face him.
His old friend, the Sky Emperor himself...
'Zhurong Tianlong!'
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