The Elders both stared at him dumbfounded, not knowing what to say for a moment. In the end, it was Elder Xing who wasn’t as close to him who got his bearings back first.
“Chao Bing, don’t say that. All of this isn’t your fault. You shouldn’t have to give up your life for this.”
Mei Chao Bing could only smile wryly. Of course, this wasn’t his fault. He was only unlucky enough to have the kind of Master like Feng Bai Xiao who wouldn’t leave any of his disciples a way out. But be that as it may … “I’m not proposing this as something to pursue. I’m saying that this can be done as a last effort if all else fails. Anyway, if I don’t …” He shook his head. “How many will die if my Master succeeds?”
Yes, he couldn’t give in to his Master’s demands but he also couldn’t allow him to harm Fen’er. In that case, what else could he do but give up his own life to prevent the worst from happening?
At that time, the other disciples would be saved. Or at the very least, they wouldn’t have to deal with a bunch of newly strengthened demonic practitioners. And even though he didn’t trust his Master, he trusted his senior martial brother Mu Qing enough to know that he would ensure that Yun Bei Fen got out of that alive even if he had been captured. He wasn’t the type to look away, after all.
Elder Xing couldn’t deny that. He wanted to retort but he really couldn’t think of any words that were appropriate for the situation.
Mei Chao Bing smiled faintly. “I know what the Elders want to say: I shouldn’t throw away my life. There is still a lot to do and experience. It’s better to confront the situation together as there is strength in numbers and we’ll be able to do it somehow.”
His lips curved up even further when he finished. In the end though, he shook his head. “It’s not wrong. And if the situation was any different, I would agree. But this plan … it hinges on one person and one person only: me.
“As long as I am not there anymore, my Master can’t continue with his plan, the demonic practitioners can’t strengthen themselves, and whatever battle finally breaks out won’t be as much of a one-sided slaughter. Knowing this … how could I not weigh the outcomes and do this?”
Baili Chao immediately shook his head. “We don’t have any certainty for now.”
“But we will get it soon.” Mei Chao Bing didn’t really doubt this. Among all the people on their side currently in the border region — apart from Xi Ju Hai, of course —, he was the most familiar with Mu Qing. As such, he knew just how much his senior martial brother had loved his fiancee.
She had to be the reason their Master had sent Mu Qing away ahead of time because he also knew that Mu Qing wouldn’t be able to follow his arrangements any further if that relationship was allowed to continue. Since this was the case, he would certainly admit the full truth when she was the one who confronted him. After all, right after his Master, Xi Ju Hai was the person he owed the most.
They had been engaged but he had left and even without a word. Now, not only had she never gotten the promised wedding but she had also needed to live with the blemish of being the fiancee of a person who betrayed the Teng Yong Sect and the righteous side. All of this was his fault whether he liked it or not. So, of course, he had a debt to repay her as well.
Naturally, if Mei Chao Bing was aware of this, so were the two Elders. Thus, whether it was Elder Baili or Elder Xing, they both couldn’t deny what Mei Chao Bing was saying. It was uncomfortable though. The sect already owed him too much for how they had treated him all these years since his Master’s betrayal. If he was now also forced to give up his life for their survival … at least the two of them weren’t sure if they could square it with their conscience.
They exchanged a glance, trying to see whether the other had any idea as to what else they could use as an argument. Unfortunately, they only saw the same helplessness in each other’s eyes.
Mei Chao Bing watched them and smiled faintly. “I am glad the Elders are trying to talk me out of this. It shows that you don’t want me to lose my life just like this. But … I still need to do it if the circumstances require it. If they don’t, then of course, I’ll happily go on living.”
Anyway, there was still Fen’er. He wouldn’t leave him alone if he didn’t absolutely have to. Just imagining how his little bunny would cry if he really died … it sure was heartbreaking.
Mei Chao Bing’s expression softened and he shook his head. “It’s the last option. I am sure we can find others until then. In that regard, I think what might be the most important is understanding the constitution I apparently have. After all, if we do, we might be able to guess at more of the details. Of course, if we’re lucky, senior martial brother Mu knows about these as well and will tell us. If not though, we’ll have to work it out ourselves.”
Elder Baili nodded. “Yes, that should indeed be the first step. Elder Feng never mentioned anything about it to you though, did he?”
Mei Chao Bing shook his head. “If he had, I would have guessed it was about this much earlier.” As things stood, he was still surprised that he apparently had that kind of background. He really never would have thought. In fact, thinking of his birth parents, he still couldn’t quite believe it.
The Elders both stared at him dumbfounded, not knowing what to say for a moment. In the end, it was Elder Xing who wasn’t as close to him who got his bearings back first.
“Chao Bing, don’t say that. All of this isn’t your fault. You shouldn’t have to give up your life for this.”
Mei Chao Bing could only smile wryly. Of course, this wasn’t his fault. He was only unlucky enough to have the kind of Master like Feng Bai Xiao who wouldn’t leave any of his disciples a way out. But be that as it may … “I’m not proposing this as something to pursue. I’m saying that this can be done as a last effort if all else fails. Anyway, if I don’t …” He shook his head. “How many will die if my Master succeeds?”
Yes, he couldn’t give in to his Master’s demands but he also couldn’t allow him to harm Fen’er. In that case, what else could he do but give up his own life to prevent the worst from happening?
At that time, the other disciples would be saved. Or at the very least, they wouldn’t have to deal with a bunch of newly strengthened demonic practitioners. And even though he didn’t trust his Master, he trusted his senior martial brother Mu Qing enough to know that he would ensure that Yun Bei Fen got out of that alive even if he had been captured. He wasn’t the type to look away, after all.
Elder Xing couldn’t deny that. He wanted to retort but he really couldn’t think of any words that were appropriate for the situation.
Mei Chao Bing smiled faintly. “I know what the Elders want to say: I shouldn’t throw away my life. There is still a lot to do and experience. It’s better to confront the situation together as there is strength in numbers and we’ll be able to do it somehow.”
His lips curved up even further when he finished. In the end though, he shook his head. “It’s not wrong. And if the situation was any different, I would agree. But this plan … it hinges on one person and one person only: me.
“As long as I am not there anymore, my Master can’t continue with his plan, the demonic practitioners can’t strengthen themselves, and whatever battle finally breaks out won’t be as much of a one-sided slaughter. Knowing this … how could I not weigh the outcomes and do this?”
Baili Chao immediately shook his head. “We don’t have any certainty for now.”
“But we will get it soon.” Mei Chao Bing didn’t really doubt this. Among all the people on their side currently in the border region — apart from Xi Ju Hai, of course —, he was the most familiar with Mu Qing. As such, he knew just how much his senior martial brother had loved his fiancee.
She had to be the reason their Master had sent Mu Qing away ahead of time because he also knew that Mu Qing wouldn’t be able to follow his arrangements any further if that relationship was allowed to continue. Since this was the case, he would certainly admit the full truth when she was the one who confronted him. After all, right after his Master, Xi Ju Hai was the person he owed the most.
They had been engaged but he had left and even without a word. Now, not only had she never gotten the promised wedding but she had also needed to live with the blemish of being the fiancee of a person who betrayed the Teng Yong Sect and the righteous side. All of this was his fault whether he liked it or not. So, of course, he had a debt to repay her as well.
Naturally, if Mei Chao Bing was aware of this, so were the two Elders. Thus, whether it was Elder Baili or Elder Xing, they both couldn’t deny what Mei Chao Bing was saying. It was uncomfortable though. The sect already owed him too much for how they had treated him all these years since his Master’s betrayal. If he was now also forced to give up his life for their survival … at least the two of them weren’t sure if they could square it with their conscience.
They exchanged a glance, trying to see whether the other had any idea as to what else they could use as an argument. Unfortunately, they only saw the same helplessness in each other’s eyes.
Mei Chao Bing watched them and smiled faintly. “I am glad the Elders are trying to talk me out of this. It shows that you don’t want me to lose my life just like this. But … I still need to do it if the circumstances require it. If they don’t, then of course, I’ll happily go on living.”
Anyway, there was still Fen’er. He wouldn’t leave him alone if he didn’t absolutely have to. Just imagining how his little bunny would cry if he really died … it sure was heartbreaking.
Mei Chao Bing’s expression softened and he shook his head. “It’s the last option. I am sure we can find others until then. In that regard, I think what might be the most important is understanding the constitution I apparently have. After all, if we do, we might be able to guess at more of the details. Of course, if we’re lucky, senior martial brother Mu knows about these as well and will tell us. If not though, we’ll have to work it out ourselves.”
Elder Baili nodded. “Yes, that should indeed be the first step. Elder Feng never mentioned anything about it to you though, did he?”
Mei Chao Bing shook his head. “If he had, I would have guessed it was about this much earlier.” As things stood, he was still surprised that he apparently had that kind of background. He really never would have thought. In fact, thinking of his birth parents, he still couldn’t quite believe it.
