MingYu

17

Note: [Text] = Thoughts-one-has | [Text]= Thoughts-one-has-but-doesn't-want-to-acknowledge-it

Warnings: the depressive thoughts (talks about regression), angst (please be aware as there might be triggering things in this chapter), bouts of misplaced and rightful anger and miscommunication. If any of these triggers you, please don't read.

Author's Notes: 'm still alive, everyone! [Guess what? I baked a cake today and frosted it, but the buttercream frosting is too grainy. So a cake has been wasted :/] Anyways, I prepared an extra long chapter today (6.7K words long). The longest chapter of all chapters posted so far.

Beware though, it's pretty angst heavy, with chapters jumping here and there. Please note that is done on purpose to create the stilted mood. Hopefully, all of you like it!

"Hey, did you hear?"

"They just keep on appearing out of nowhere," somebody whispered, though they might have as well said it out-loud, since it wasn't inconspicuous at all. 

"Why hasn't anyone done anything yet?" someone asked, looking over his shoulder at the door, as if somebody might appear all of a sudden. "So many demonic cultivators are appearing, surely the 5 great sects should have done something." 

"Don't expect anything from Yunmeng, Gusu Lan or the Nie sect," the patron of the store hissed even as fear flashed in his eyes. "They've already been taken over by Jianjun-zun!" 

"Then what about the Wen sect?" somebody else exclaimed. "Why aren't they doing anything?!" 

The patron snorted, "The Wens? You expected them to help? As if they will even care about us! If anything, I'm surprised they haven't invited Jianjun-zun to join their sect!" 

There was silence for a long moment where everyone seemed to be stewing over their thoughts. 

"..Do you.. think that those demonic cultivators that keep appearing.. are related to-to them?"

Everybody felt the room temperature dropping. Nobody enjoyed talking about them, a group that had appeared out of nowhere and causing general mayhem. Just the other day, a few Liwei clan disciples noticed them skulking around. 

Everyone, from head to toe, was adorned in black, streaks of silver visible. What made everything more striking was the red ribbon around one of their wrist and a bright jade stone hung either around their necks or their hair. Their faces covered with a black veil, only their eyes visible. 

Nobody knew where they appeared from, but what they did know was that the sudden appearance of the demonic cultivators were related to each other. What was also known was the fact that this group seemed to be looking for something, stopping at nothing to get what they need. 

They weren't hostile. No damage, only creeping around, as though they were searching for something. And they quickly came to know that this group had power. 

Nobody knew where their hideout was. Nobody knew where they disappeared off to. Nobody knew when this group would attack. 

What the entire cultivation world was certain of, was that Jianjun-zun was definitely related to this group. A group that called themselves Guiren-Jun.   

"Don't talk about them!" somebody harshly said. "It's like they'll appear anytime you say their name!" 

Nobody noticed the lone man leaving the cavern, mirth twinkling in his eyes.