The Endless Promise

34. A Desperate Stand

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Zhang Cheng suddenly appeared in Xu Haoyuan's Camp, standing atop a high branch.

'Little Brother, you can't escape today!' He thought, with a cold smirk down at Luoyin, then he turned to Xu Haoyuan.

"Head disciple, I thought you were smarter. How can you listen to the nonsensical ramblings of my useless brother?"

Xu Haoyuan was incensed. "1st Disciple Zhang, why are you attacking us?!"

"I only attacked one person." His gaze flew to Xu Min. "Zhang Luoyin, how long will you hide behind him like a coward?!"

Luoyin attempted to step out, but Xu Min held up an arm, blocking him.

"1st Disciple Zhang, no matter what, you can't simply attack other disciples!" Xu Min yelled.

"Yes! Don't be so arrogant! I know you want revenge for the 'Back-en-' er, for the arena incident, but we're on a mission!" Xu Haoyuan protested.

"Stay out of my business, you paper tiger!" He sent Xu Haoyuan a cold glare. "Without your blood, would you even smell the title of 'Head Disciple'?!"

"You-!"

"Older Brother, I can say the same." Luoyin stepped out, patting Xu Min's shoulder. "How many Zhang family resources have you swallowed to reach this level?

"Head Disciple Xu is the Sect Leader's son, yes. But our Sect Leader is fair and responsible, so resources are mostly shared fairly amongst the Xu disciples," *shrug* "...which is why there are too many 'Disciple Xu's in this generation to keep track of..." He raised an eyebrow.

"Now compare that with you, the singular pampered egg of the Zhang family, who has swallowed all the resources, and is still not fully hatche-."

"Zhang Luoyin!!!" Zhang Cheng pointed his sword at him. "I'm going to kill -!!!!"

"Yes, yes." Luoyin waved his words away. "You can do whatever you want in Yue City. For now we must all leave this place, if you don't want to die."

"Nonsense!!" Zhang Cheng raged, his aura spreading around. "This is a Level Three Mission! I personally saw the request letter! There are no beasts above Level Three, and our group hasn't encountered a single evil spirit so far!"

This awoke doubt in the hearts of the disciples, and Xu Haoyuan himself was like a coin which teetered on its edge, nearly falling on 'Heads', but suddenly flipping to 'Tails'.

'I must have been foolish to listen to Zhang Luoyin!' He concluded with a grim shake of his head.

"Don't spread confusion here!" Xu Min yelled, his voice cutting into their thoughts. "Don't you know things might have changed since then?!"

But Xu Haoyuan was no longer willing to listen. "It simply makes no sense! We're staying!"

"Hao!" Zhang Cheng nodded. "Now that there's no urgency, I will do as I please with Zhang Luoyin!"

Xu Min pulled Luoyin back behind him. "You're still not allowed to attack a fellow disciple! Head Disciple!" Xu Min snapped Xu Haoyuan into action.

"Ah, y- yes! Zhang Luoyin is under my protection on this mission!" Xu Haoyuan appeared before Luoyin as well.

But Zhang Cheng was beyond reason.

On the first day of the mission, he had deliberately arrived late, so Luoyin wouldn't see him and run back to Yue City.

After that, he had tried to get Weiyan to come after their group, so he could deal with Luoyin in front of her and the other disciples, but she had remained stubborn and kept to their own route.