Chapter 1611: Heaven's Mandate Seven: Monster-Hunting Log 02

Moonlight gradually filtered into the courtyard, the evening breeze swaying the bamboo leaves, a few pieces fluttering down; it should have been an exceptionally graceful scene.

If one ignored the grape skins constantly being spat out and falling onto the courtyard floor.

Rong Zixu felt somewhat helpless, and unconsciously adopted his senior brother's authority, lowering his voice: "Jin Chen, come down."

As his words fell, the black-clad youth jumped down, arms crossed, standing silently opposite him, obviously still angry.

"Don't throw grape skins around next time." Rong Zixu saw the stubbornness in his brows and eyes, then asked: "What exactly are you sulking about? You've been like this all day and won't quit."

Jin Chen:??

He looked up in surprise, his face plainly saying, "You actually don't know why I'm angry!"

"Is it because of the vacation before going down the mountain?" Rong Zixu asked.

Jin Chen nodded, his voice tense, and asked: "Why give us a vacation?"

Rong Zixu really found it strange, even wondering in his heart whether it was time for the youth to hit his rebellious phase.

"This worldly mission is important, so I gave you a few days off first. Normally you can't wait to avoid training, so why are you upset this time?"

After hearing him finish, Jin Chen stepped closer and asked: "I know what you're doing on this vacation—going home to visit family. What about me? Where am I supposed to go?"

Rong Zixu stared slightly, his brows twitching as he gazed into the youth's eyes, seeing the sullen unhappiness there.

It turned out to be because of this.

That's right—Jin Chen was picked up by the master from the mountain's base, and he had only been at Tianming Mountain for a few months; for this worldly mission, he's probably the unhappiest of all.

His sleeve was grabbed by Jin Chen, who pressed his lips together, completely lacking his usual carefree, easygoing demeanor.

"I just don't want to stay alone and be separated from you for several days."

Rong Zixu seized his wrist, brushed off the grass dust still clinging to his sleeve, and said softly: "There's too much to prepare for going down the mountain; this was my oversight."

"If you're willing, I'll take you home to stay a few days, then rejoin them."

"Really?" Jin Chen lifted his head with interest; upon receiving Rong Zixu's affirmation, his gloom instantly dissipated.

Seeing the youth regain his usual spirit, Rong Zixu's lips curved into a faint smile: "From now on, just speak up about anything—I won't let you down, and throwing tantrums won't help."

After hearing that, Jin Chen raised an eyebrow and chuckled: "That's what you, senior brother, personally said—don't go back on it later."

Rong Zixu drawled: "That doesn't apply to the pranks you pull."

"No," Jin Chen looked at him solemnly and said: "Actually, I've already turned over a new leaf; do you believe me, senior brother?"

Rong Zixu smirked: "You've said that line countless times since childhood; do you think I should believe it?"

Jin Chen: ……

Probably because it was rare to see him at a loss for words, Rong Zixu's smile widened: "Get some rest early, or you won't grow tall."

This was also something Rong Zixu had told Jin Chen since childhood; it's practically useless against a headstrong kid.

"I'm already taller than you!"

Jin Chen suddenly stepped forward a few paces, standing face to face with Rong Zixu, and gestured excitedly: "Look, isn't it?"

Rong Zixu fell silent, suddenly realizing this as well, but there's more than one way to deal with Jin Chen.

"If you don't go back to sleep within half an hour, you'll do extra training alone tomorrow morning." He said gently, a meaningful smile in his eyes.

Jin Chen:!!

"Good night, senior brother."

Jin Chen swooped away, and before leaving he casually hugged Rong Zixu's shoulder.

By the time Rong Zixu reacted, Jin Chen had already slipped away without a trace.

He stood there, helplessly shaking his head, then raised his hand to gesture again, somewhat astonished.

"He's actually gotten this tall."

It turned out the master's saying "They grow like weeds right under your eyelids" wasn't baseless.

——

Jin Chen left Rong Zixu's courtyard, still remembering another thing he hadn't done, and flew into Chang Wuming's courtyard.

He first eavesdropped outside the door, confirming no one else was around before boldly pushing the door open, after all not wanting to witness any stimulating scene of the protagonists trysting.

"Fourth senior brother?"

Jin Chen poked half his head inside, but saw no one behind or in front of the screen, and let out a doubtful sound.

The usually most disciplined old stick-in-the-mud wasn't there.

He was about to search other parts of the courtyard when he turned around and saw Chang Wuming standing right behind him, making not the slightest sound.

Add to that his usual wooden face, devoid of any expression.

Jin Chen: ……

Good thing I'm bold!

"Why aren't you speaking? Pretending to be a ghost in the middle of the night?"

Jin Chen made a grimace at him, annoyed: "Even ghosts aren't as scary as you."

Chang Wuming wondered: "I thought you were about to play another prank, planning to go along with it."

He opened the door to let Jin Chen in, showing concern: "Did you make up with the eldest senior brother?"

"How do you know that too?" Jin Chen muttered, "We're reconciled—I'll go home with him tomorrow."

Chang Wuming: "?"

He didn't really understand what causal relationship there was.

Jin Chen took the tea cup Chang Wuming offered, took a sip, then set it down, and said earnestly: "Fourth senior brother, I have something I want to discuss with you."

"Go ahead."

"I think the rules of Heaven's Mandate Gate aren't many; the most important thing is to keep them in mind." Jin Chen tried to remind Chang Wuming not to forget the rules, then added: "Moreover, we mustn't let personal feelings make us overly impulsive, affecting the relationship among the seven of us—what do you think?"

Chang Wuming: ……

As the person who usually causes the most trouble, what nonsense are you spouting here? Could it be that Xiao Chen drank alcohol tonight?

His expression gradually grew complex, and all the doubts in his heart were about to spill out through his stern, expressionless face.

「I know。」

Then he took out a sobering-up pill from the mechanism box, saying, 'First, take this.'

Jin Chen slammed the table, 'I'm not drunk!'

'Right, you're not drunk—eat this first, then we'll talk.'

Jin Chen: '……'

We can't continue talking; let's wait until things happen later and then talk.

'Screw you, I'm not eating it.'

Jin Chen turned and slipped away, and then heard Chang Wuming calling from behind: 'Second senior brother has prepared your dinner in the kitchen; remember to go eat.'

He turned his steps and walked toward the kitchen.