HIDDEN EVIL [XIAO SHUXIANG THE SERIES]
358 - Concealment (8)

Patriarch Lan Xu Jian was surprised, no matter what kind of trouble this younger brother and Xiao Shuxiang were going through until their friendship became incompatible.

Lan Xu Jian exhaled and then asked Lan Guan Zhi to calm down. He said he would come back again after Lan Guan Zhi became calmer.

While at the door, Lan Xu Jian breathed softly and then said. "You already know what Xiao'Er's nature is, so whatever problems it causes.. I think you understand better than anyone."

Lan Guan Zhi stared as the door of his room began to close and Patriarch Lan Xu Jian was nowhere to be seen. He was actually not angry at his good friend, he was only disappointed at Xiao Shuxiang's completely unchanged actions. He was also disappointed in himself who could not stop the terrible tragedy.

*

*

The departure of Lan Guan Zhi and Xiao Shuxiang from the Upper Cultivation Realm was unknown to their friends. Yi Wen had just looked for Xiao Shuxiang after getting enough rest and changing her clothes.

There was a funeral ceremony for the disciples of the Thousand Sword Palace who died in the war against the Demon Valley Sect, even the grief was further thickened with the death of Elder Murong Xun.

"Zhi Shu! You seen Brother Xiao?" Yi Wen asked this fellow-colleague for giving up looking for Xiao Shuxiang alone.

Zhi Shu shook his head slowly, "No. I didn't see it. Let's ask Miss Ling, she might know."

"She didn't know either," Yi Wen sighed and re-opened his voice, "Think of it, I also didn't see Mad Beggar Boy and Young Master Lan. Where'd they go?"

"If Young Master Lan and the Mad Beggar Boy are also non-existent, then it is certain that they are following our Xiao brother. I'm sure they're taking a walk in town,"

"In this state of mourning? That's impossible." Yi Wen exhaled and then circulated his gaze. He then called out to the Thousand Sword Palace disciple who happened to walk over.

"Hey, handsome! Come,"

!

The Thousand Sword Palace disciple turned his head. He and his partner walked over to Yi Wen, but with slightly puffy eyes.

"Miss Wen, how can we help you?"

"Well.." Yi Wen smiled bitterly, she softly said. "I'm not really good at calling you guys, but I'm really desperate. Have you guys seen my brother xiao?"

"Sorry, but we didn't see it."

"All right, thank you."

The two Thousand Sword Palace disciples bowed respectfully and then walked away. Yi Wen pouted and swept her lips while looking at Zhi Shu.

Yi Wen said, "I feel sorry for them."

"What are you actually looking for brother Xiao for?" Zhi Shu asked, "Wherever brother Xiao is, he will definitely be fine."

"See, but it's not exciting if he's not around. Haaa... I'll find Hu Li. You just continue your work,"

Zhi Shu shook his head looking at Yi Wen who was so busy looking for Xiao Shuxiang. He stared at the large basket filled with candles and took it with him.

"Miss Zhi Shu, let me help you."

A young man suddenly came and helped her carry this large basket. Zhi Shu blinked and smiled, "Mo Huai. You don't have to do it, I can do it myself."

"How could I possibly let Miss Zhi Shu do this kind of work," Mo Huai smiled, but looked troubled as his strength really sucked.

Zhi Shu chuckled at Mo Huai who was about to become a hero for him. He said, "Brother Mo. I'd better be,"

!!!

Mo Huai's eyes opened wide as a large basket filled with candles was lifted by Zhi Shu and even placed on the girl's head. He froze on the spot seeing the way Zhi Shu carried the heavy basket.

"look, right? It's easy" Zhi Shu smiled and then started walking.

Mo Huai's expression looked pale. He said, "Miss Zhi Shu. It was indeed just a candle, but if the number was very much - then it would definitely be very heavy. Lower, I'm afraid your neck is broken. Let's put it down,"

"Geez, you're so adorable." Zhi Shu said, "Bringing goods in this way is common for women. Especially for those who live in small villages. It doesn't matter at all, but thanks for worrying about me."

"Miss Zhi Shu..!"

Who else is that? Zhi Shu and Mo Huai turned around when they heard the sound of an exclamation. A white-haired man walked over. Even without warning, the man immediately stood right in front of Mo Huai and seemed to make a distance between Mo Huai and Zhi Shu.

"Young Master Hu Li?" Mo Huai blinked, Zhi Shu was also curious about Hu Li's attitude which seemed to be a protective wall for him.

"What are you doing?" hu Li's tone of voice sounded cold and made these two friends shocked.

"I-I didn't do anything," Mo Huai became frightened. He had absolutely no idea what his mistake was until Hu Li behaved like this.

"Young Master Mo, please pay attention to your distance from Miss Zhi Shu next time. She's my future wife,"

"What-what?!" Mi Huai was surprised instead of playing, he immediately set his eyes on Zhi Shu and saw that this girl was as surprised as he was.

"Young Master Mo, don't stare at Miss Zhi Shu like that. This is a warning to you," Hu Li turned around and took the basket filled with candles from Zhi Shu. He held the girl's wrist and then pulled her to walk away.

!!!

Mo Huai and Zhi Shu both did not expect this to happen. They were both shocked to the point of not knowing what to say.

Mo Huai crossed his arms and snorted, "What's wrong with the fox? Is she in the marriage period?"

Mo Huai shook his head slowly then walked away to help another Thousand Sword Palace disciple who was in trouble.

On the other hand, Zhi Shu noticed her hand held by Hu Li before starting to stare at this young man beside her. He blinked and thought about this for a long time before he started to open his voice.

"Ehm... Hu Li," Zhi Shu gulped, "You weren't serious, were you?"

Hu Li turned his head and looked at this nearby girl. His facial expression was solemn as he said, "Is young master Mo more adorable than me?"

!!!

Zhi Shu was like hearing a voice falling inside his chest. He immediately threw a face away, but with a very shaken expression.

"My heart, is it safe? Jesus, god, god! Why did Hu Li become in the habit of sulking like brother Xiao now?! Oh my God, I'm not strong."

Zhi Shu tried to calm his heartbeat and then looked at Hu Li. She smiled as she said, "My Hu Li is more adorable."

!!!

Zhi Shu froze when she saw Hu Li's cheeks appear red. It was obvious because Hu Li had a pure white face, let alone the smile of this young man was extremely sweet. And whether it was just his feelings or not, but it was as if there were flowers blooming around this young man.

Zhi Shu shook his head softly, "I'm really blown away. He and brother Xiao were different, but their smiles were equally alluring. I fell in love,"

Zhi Shu smiled faintly, she tried to refrain from directly lunging at Hu Li with a hug given the circumstances surrounding her now.

"Kogetsune Ryuu," Hu Li suddenly opened his voice while walking with Zhi Shu. He made the girl beside him flinch and immediately turned her head to look at him.

"What did you say?" Zhi Shu blinked.

"My real name, Kogetsune Ryuu."

"Well..." Zhi Shu nodded and then asked, "Did Brother Xiao know?"

"Mn, Young Master Xiao knows. Hu Li is the name that Young Master gave me,"

"Do I look like I'm kidding?"

"Absolutely not, but I'm very confused..." Zhi Shu patted her cheek softly. He said, "How did you suddenly want to marry me? Have you liked me for a long time?"

Hu Li blinked, he had actually never thought of this. But of course he would not say that, so he exhaled and started to open his voice.

Hu Li said, "Miss Zhi Shu is a kind, simple, good at cooking, and motherly girl. I don't want many things, three of these are enough."

"But you said four, Hu Li. Good, simple, good at cooking, and motherhood. That's four, right?"

"Ah... Love seems to make me unable to think,"

"Hu Li..!" Zhi Shu struck the gnarled arm of the young man beside her. She was embarrassed until her face turned red, "You are this. Where did you learn from..! The age of prayer when did you do that? Pffts,"

"I think it's cool,"

Zhi Shu shook his head slowly, "How old are you? Your seduction looks like an old man's seduction."

"Please don't ask about age," Hu Li smiled. He and Zhi Shu are back walking while spending time together.

"Ah, right. Yi Wen was looking for you," Zhi Shu just remembered about Yi Wen, "You've met her?"

"No, but I'll see Ms. Wen later. Indeed Miss Wen is looking for me because of what?"

"He's looking for brother Xiao, have you seen him?"

Hu Li shook his head softly, "I haven't seen Young Master Xiao since yesterday. Wait,"

Hu Li stopped walking and began to focus on his kiss. He circulated his gaze around and his facial expression instantly changed. He seemed to have realized something.

"What's up, Hu Li?" Zhi Shu was astonished by Hu Li's sudden attitude.

"Miss Zhi Shu, where will this basket be placed? I'll take him and go to look for Young Master Xiao," Hu Li did not want to think of anything non-no, just that he did not smell Xiao Shuxiang's scent in this place. And when he remembered the last time he met his Young Master, Xiao Shuxiang looked so agitated.

Zhi Shu took Hu Li to the place where the Thousand Swords Palace disciples were waiting for the basket containing the candle. This is a great preparation and involves everyone.

*

*

Elsewhere, Yi Wen was seen searching for Hu Li's whereabouts. He was in the vicinity of the disciples of the Thousand Sword Palace who were working on crates for their dead brethren.

This scene of cooperating with each other made Yi Wen feel extremely hard hit in the heart. He didn't help much in that war until the casualties fell like this.

Yi Wen breathed slowly, "I feel guilty..."

"Miss Wen don't be sad. It's not Miss Wen's fault,"

Yi Wen spontaneously turned his head and looked at the figure of the white-clothed man standing nearby. He blinked realizing who was beside him this.

"Wang Zhao?" Yi Wen gasped, "When did you come?"

"I chased after the last of the party and came here, because it would be impolite if I didn't help in this place."

Yi Wen watched the young man beside her and extended his hand. He gently rubbed Wang Zhao's back and tried to calm this young man down.

Yi Wen said, "I know how you feel. Don't feel guilty,"

Wang Zhao lowered his gaze and his voice sounded sad, "I'm sorry. I ..."

"Wang Zhao, you are not as usual. I'd hate to see a man cry like this, pull back your tears."

"I don't cry, my eyes just water." Wang Zhao tried to calm himself down, he looked at Yi Wen and was about to speak when he heard someone call him.

"Wang Zhao? You're here?"

Yi Wen turned his head, the figure approaching towards them was none other than Liu Wei Lin. The red-clothed youth was visibly sweating as it helped the Thousand Sword Palace disciples make crates.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be in the Demon Valley Sect?" Liu Wei Lin rubbed the sweat that had descended onto his chin. He asked, "What happened? You got kicked out by your own people or you burned them and came here, huh?"

Yi Wen snapped, "Hey. Can't you talk good?"

"It's okay, Miss Wen." Wang Zhao said softly and looked at Liu Wei Lin. He gulped and tried to speak, "In a time like this.. Please don't start a fight. I was hard leaving that place and also hard forgetting this place. Don't you know how hard it is for me?"

"Yes, then help us." Liu Wei Lin threw the piece of wood that Wang Zhao had captured precisely, "There are a hundred more crates to be made."

Wang Zhao blinked and then smiled bitterly, he bowed respectfully to Yi Wen and then helped the disciples of the Thousand Sword Palace make a coffin.

Yi Wen went back to look for Hu Li and sometimes he called the Crazy Beggar Boy. He left Wang Zhao with Liu Wei Lin and also the disciples of the Thousand Swords Palace.

Liu Wei Lin, who was holding up a wooden board, looked at Wang Zhao and asked, "What are you doing to the citizens of your sect? Because if I don't remember wrongly, the more victims fall from where you live. You didn't make a funeral for them?"

Wang Zhao looked at Liu Wei Lin for a moment before breathing softly. He also said, "No. I feel ... I don't deserve to do that..."

"really?"

"You remember Wang Hu Zhuang's uncle?" Wang Zhao opened his voice, "He doesn't go to war and doesn't support anyone. He didn't hate me either, so I gave the sect guard to him. Including funeral preparations,"

"What?" Liu Wei Lin blinked. He snorted, "Are you stupid? She had been Qiao Nuan's accomplice all this time and you gave her that much responsibility? What if he just took advantage of the situation and took over the Demon Valley Sect?"

"It was he who had helped me and Elder Meng out of the sect. I think he's a good man,"

"Wang Zhao, you're so innocent." Liu Wei Lin shook his head slowly and said, "I don't want to know anymore. If something happens in your sect, don't tell me I didn't give you a warning."

Wang Zhao watched Liu Wei Lin and then said, "What about you? There are still members of the sect-"

"Sshh, don't talk about it." Liu Wei Lin interrupted, "They are not members of my sect and I am not willing to accept them. You can tell your uncle that to give them any punishment, whatever. I don't care,"

"................." Wang Zhao no longer spoke. He was silent for quite a while before finally starting to open his voice. His tone sounded sad, "I am actually ... It's not good to be back here. Because sekteku ... The disciples in this sect and the disciples in the other sects experienced the worst event of their lives. I feel so sorry,"

"Well, but how else. Everything has already happened," Liu Wei Lin said without a tone. "At the same time you're innocent in this, so don't feel that you have any responsibility for all the losses."

"I don't think so," Wang Zhao lowered his eyes. He gently swiped the chest in front of him and said, "When I was much stronger... Maybe there won't be anything like this. Elder Murong Xun also ... It won't be,"

"Here you are, that attitude of yours who always felt sorry for the actions you did not do is what makes you so annoying in my eyes. Stop blaming yourself,"

"Young Master Liu Wei Lin is right," a disciple of the Thousand Swords Palace opened his voice. He patted Wang Zhao's back softly and smiled, "This is all predestined by the heavens. Don't feel guilty,"

"Thank you," Wang Zhao smiled faintly, but the disciples of the Thousand Sword Palace, including Liu Wei Lin could see it was a smile that contained sadness.

Wang Zhao tried to help as much as he could, he was even very thorough in making the chest as the final resting place of the disciples of the Thousand Sword Palace who fell. Even at night, he continued to work hard to make the crate.

The disciples and sect elders who saw Wang Zhao so hard at work felt sorry for the young man. They felt that Wang Zhao was deliberately busying himself so as not to be reminded of his sadness.

No one knew that Wang Zhao was doing this not to relieve suffering, but the ceremony for his success took the lives of many people without having to dirty his own hands.

Wang Zhao carved a flower petal symbol on each of his artificial chests and stared at it fixedly. In the eyes of others, he looked so down, barely losing the light of hope. But beyond that, his heart smiled triumphantly.

"This is a sign .... That the new game has already begun. It was a pity that only Elder Murong had died, but the result was not too disappointing as this palace had already lost many of its talented disciples. Next time definitely ... I'll make more crates to bury with all of you,"

******