8 Unreserved Loyalty (1/2)
Elder Feng frowned. He certainly hadn't wanted his disciple to see this. Mei Chao Bing was a serious person that always upheld the teachings of the sect. Convincing him to leave the Teng Yong Sect would have been hard in the first place. Now, with the lifeless body of Elder Wu in front of him and the dagger in his hand, it might even be impossible.
The worst thing was that he didn't have much time. He couldn't have a lengthy discussion with his disciple. Maybe Elder Wu had alarmed somebody else already and even if he hadn't the disciples guarding the soul palace would notice that Elder Wu's soul jade had broken. They had to leave immediately or it would be too late.
He cursed inwardly, put the dagger away and took a step toward Mei Chao Bing. ”Chao Bing. Come with your Master. We're going to leave the sect and start anew at a better place.”
Mei Chao Bing didn't acknowledge what his Master said. ”What happened?” he questioned instead, still staring at Elder Wu's body. He wanted to hear it. He wanted to hear the truth and personally from his master, at that.
”There is no need for you to worry about that.” Elder Feng reached out to grab him and just haul him off but his disciple sidestepped to evade him. Elder Feng cursed. Mei Chao Bing couldn't be underestimated. He was one of the top talents of their sect. He wouldn't win in a fight against him but it definitely wouldn't be easy to subdue him and take him away against his will. Well, if he hadn't had that much strength the Wu Yun Sect never would have shown interest in him. They had enough disciples of their own, after all. ”Chao Bing, let's leave now. There isn't much time.”
Mei Chao Bing's eyes dulled. His master obviously wouldn't admit what was happening. He wouldn't explain anything. He just trusted that he would blindly follow him. But how could he do that?
Yes, this was the person that had taken him in, raised him and taught him all he needed to know about cultivation. He would be eternally grateful to him and he knew that it was wrong to question him.
But … he was also a disciple of the Teng Yong Sect. He was supposed to live and die for this sect and its honor. Leaving with his master, especially after what he did … How could he do that? How could he casually abandon the place that had given him the chance to lead his life in the right direction?
With a heavy heart, Mei Chao Bing cupped his fists and bowed. ”Master has taught me painstakingly all these years. I'm very grateful for this and will never forget Master's kindness but I can't leave the sect. I'm sorry, Master, for not living up to your expectations.”
Elder Feng frowned. He had feared that it would be like this. Originally, he had wanted to slowly instill the idea of leaving the Teng Yong Sect in his disciple but now that was impossible. If convincing him wouldn't work …
”Aren't you afraid to end up like him?” He nodded to Elder Wu's body behind him.
Mei Chao Bing smiled without humor. ”If Master thinks that your disciple deserves death for defying you, then this disciple will gladly give his life.”
Elder Feng clenched his fists. Could it be that he had raised this boy for nothing? If he really had to kill him now …
”Just leave him be.” The voice of the man in the dark cloak sounded from behind him.