The Scum Is A ***

"Alright. Let's do a headcount." Yu Sheng said as he looked at everybody. "We have seven people from the Xinfaxian Sect – Xie Lan, Fan Wen, Li Tian, Feng Mo, Lei Qing, Lei Ling and You Rou. Two people from Shanliangde Sect – Fei Lin and Xi Ling. Six people from the Zunjingde Sect and Righteous Alliance – Jing Rui, Jing Cheng, Jing Bai, Jing Kang, Jing Hei and Zheng Yi. Then, there's Zhe and I." he said as he looked at each one of them. "We have a total of seventeen people." He said as he looked at all of them. 

"Include us." Qian Tian said. He and Qian Lin were gravely injured before and so they were recuperating inside the cabin. 

Yu Sheng nodded. "That's nineteen." He said. Qian Tian was about to sigh in relief when he spoke again. "But, going to the Ni Lai Gate is very risky. You can't go." He told him. 

"What? No, I can – " Qian Tian said. 

"You can't." Yu Sheng said, his voice firm and his words are final. "Do you want your brother to be left alone in this world?" he asked and glanced at Qian Lin. 

Qian Tian also turned to Qian Lin. He didn't notice Qian Lin was clutching the side of his clothes very tight. "Brother…" Qian Lin called. 

"Xiao Lin." Qian Tian called. 

"Sect leader Qian." Fei Lin called. 

Qian Tian was startled before he fell into a daze. 'sect leader Qian' was his father and he thought his father was around when Fei Lin said those words. However, he immediately remembered that his father died. Now, it was him to be called 'sect leader Qian'. 

"I know what you're thinking." Jing Rui said as he looked at Qian Tian. "There's no one who will care about merits and count it in this life and death situation. So, just do your job of resting and leave everything to us." He told him. He has always been frank. "When you've fully recuperated, then, we will ask you to give us a hand at that time." He said. 

"I will! I definitely will!" Qian Tian said and bowed. "Thank you, sect leader Jing!" he said. 

Jing Rui just scoffed and didn't speak. 

"Ai." Xie Lan sighed as he pulled You Rou, Lei Ling, Lei Qing and Jing Hei towards Qian Tian and Qian Lin. "Xiao Rou. Stay here and nurse them back to full health. Make more magic pills and potions as best as you can, okay?" he said. 

You Rou nodded. "Yes, founder!" she answered. 

Xie Lan turned to Jing Hei. "I know you won't leave your little lover, never again, so you stay here and protect him and your brother-in-law. Xiao Qing will be here to help you guard." He said. 

Lei Qing nodded. "I'll do my best, founder!" she answered and bowed. Then, she patted Jing Hei's back, to which Jing Hei almost spat out blood because of how heavy her hand is. He won't underestimate her. 

"Xiao Ling." Xie Lan called. 

"F-founder." Lei Ling answered and lowered his head. 

"I know you want to go with Jing Kang – " Xie Lan said. 

Lei Ling immediately blushed and he did his best for his gaze not to fall on Jing Kang. 

" – but, he have to help us later closing the Ni Lai Gate – " Xie Lan said. 

"I understand!" Lei Ling said as he stood upright. "I know, founder…" he said, his voice lowered. Finally, he raised his gaze and met Jing Kang's gaze. 

"I will definitely come back." Jing Kang told Lei Ling. "I have to prepare for our wedding – " 

Lei Ling's face became beet red and he ran to Jing Kang to cover Jing Kang's mouth. "Shut up!" he said and closed his eyes tight. Then, his hands covering Jing Kang's mouth lowered to hug Jing Kang tight. "I'll wait for you." He whispered before he lowered his head and ran back, behind his elder sister. 

Lei Qing's brows raised as she looked at Jing Kang. "I'll beat you up if you'll hurt ah Ling." He told him. 

"I won't." Jing Kang answered. 

Yu Sheng looked at them all before he spoke. "There are two things to do when sealing up the Ni Lai Gate – " he said. " – sealing the gate like what Cheng Sheng did, but you also have to kill the monsters around that would interfere with the sealing process." He explained. "Plus, both of you have to have an unwavering trust to each other. One has to trust to the person sealing the gate that he could seal it, while the other one should trust that the person behind him would definitely protect him. With this, both of you could fully focus on your work." He told them. 

They all looked at each other and nodded. 

"There were a total of five Ni Lai Gates in the Southmost Region." Yu Sheng continued. "Excluding the one Cheng Sheng sealed, there were four left." He said. "Zhe and I will take one." He told them. 

"Are you sure?" Fei Lin frowned. "Wouldn't that be too much burden on you?" he asked. 

 "Zhe and I have already sealed two in the West Region, and another two in the South Region. A total of four." Yu Sheng said. "Alone." He added. 

Fei Lin shut up. 

"Excluding the ones that will be staying in the ship – " Yu Sheng said. " – there are thirteen people left for four gates." He said before he paused. "Such an unlucky number." He muttered. 

Everyone. "…" can't you not jinx us?! The situation couldn't be any more dismal. 

Yu Sheng coughed to clear his throat before he continued. "Zhe and I will be sealing one, that leaves eleven people sealing the three remaining gates." He looked at Xie Lan, Fan Wen, Li Tian, Feng Mo, Fei Lin, Xi Ling, Jing Rui, Jing Cheng, Jing Kang, Jing Bai, and Zheng Yi. 

"Let's do it four-four-three." Xie Lan said. "Xiao Tian learned from xiao Sheng about arrays. He'll seal the gate. Wen, you supply him with qi." He said. "I'll guard your backs." 

"Yes, founder!" Li Tian answered. Fan Wen nodded. 

"How about me?" Feng Mo asked as he pointed himself. 

"Xiao Mo. Go with elder Fei and my younger brother." Xie Lan said and nodded at Fei Lin before he smiled to Xi Ling. 

Feng Mo nodded. "Yes, founder!" he said before he ran towards Fei Lin and Xi Ling and bowed. 

Fei Lin chuckled while Xi Ling patted Feng Mo's shoulder. "I'll seal the gate. You guard my back." Xi Ling told Feng Mo and Fei Lin. 

Jing Rui then spoke. "I'll take Jing Kang and Jing Cheng with me." He said. "Jing Kang can seal the gate with his talisman. I will provide Jing Kang with qi. Jing Cheng will guard us." He explained. 

Jing Cheng and Jing Kang nodded. "Yes, uncle!" they answered. 

Then, everyone looked at the remaining Jing Bai and Zheng Yi. "Uncle, you take ah Yi." Jing Bai spoke. "I'll go with elder Fei and elder Xi and help Feng Mo and elder Fei guard elder Xi." He said. 

Jing Rui stared at Jing Bai for a while before he nodded. "Alright." He said and pulled Zheng Yi. 

"Eh?" Zheng Yi muttered before he looked at Jing Bai. But, Jing Bai just walked towards Fei Lin, Xi Ling and Feng Mo. 

Fei Lin and Xi Ling looked at each other while Feng Mo carefully observed Jing Bai's expression. "Good choice." He said and patted Jing Bai's shoulder. 

"Huh?" Jing Bai was confused. 

Feng Mo grinned. "You left Zheng Yi to your uncle because sect leader Jing can watch over Zheng Yi more than you can, right?" he said. 

Jing Bai was taken aback before he nodded. His expression heavy. "Elder Fei. Elder Xi." He called and then bowed. 

Fei Lin has a gentle nature and so he patted their backs. "Don't be too worrywart. Ling and I are tougher than you think. In case something happens, you should prioritize your life more, okay?" he told them. 

Feng Mo and Jing Bai were startled before they nodded. "Yes." They answered. 

Xie Lan, Fan Wen and Jing Rui were secretly watching Feng Mo and Jing Bai. They are worried the two might not get along with each other, so they felt relieved when they saw them chatting. Feng Mo has always been outspoken and Jing Bai is tolerant. 

The three of them, their gazes met and they nodded at each other before looking away. They have worried for nothing. 

"Sect leader Xie. Sect leader Jing. Elder Fei." Yu Sheng called as he looked at the three gentlemen. "You can either memorize this, or take out your jade drive." He told them. 

The three men nodded. No need for jade drives, as they can just memorize the map. It was Fan Wen, Xi Ling and Jing Kang who copied them into their jade drive. 

"Now, for the sealing process – " Yu Sheng said. 

Li Tian, Jing Kang and Xi Ling perked up their ears to carefully listen. 

"Zhe." Yu Sheng called.