Like a Ray in My Night

20 Promise to Protect Him

While Yang Wu Huang and Baili Chao haggled over Yun Bei Fen, Mei Chao Bing was called in to see Sect Master Zhang.
"Sect Master."
"Mei Chao Bing." Zhang Guan Yu smiled with a hint of embarrassment. "Please sit down. I'd like to talk to you about the upcoming mission."
Mei Chao Bing nodded and took a seat opposite the Sect Master, looking at the man silently.
Zhang Guan Yu cleared his throat. "Well, you probably figured out that I'd like you to go on this mission as well since I called you over for the announcement. I know this might seem a bit ... derogating for you considering you've already reached the Nascent Soul Stage."
"Not really." In fact, he was happy to go on this mission. Wouldn't this be a chance to see his little rabbit again and maybe even spend some time with him where he couldn't run away?
Zhang Guan Yu sighed. "It's good if you don't feel slighted but I think I should still explain. This matter with your Master is still influencing how others see you. I hope you can convince Elder Baili and Elder Xing of your strength and your loyalty to the Teng Yong Sect. Their advocacy will help you regain your footing in the sect so that we can announce your status as an Elder of the Sect in a few years."
"Mn." Mei Chao Bing nodded but didn't say anything else.
"There's one other thing." Zhang Guan Yu poured both of them a cup of tea. "We don't know yet what the demonic sects are planning and the ones we're sending to find out are our best disciples. We can't risk anything happening to them. Considering your stage you shouldn't have any problems protecting yourself and your martial brothers and sisters, especially since the demonic sects don't know about your advancement. So I hope that you can be another layer of protection for them."
"Naturally." Mei Chao Bing stared at the cup the Sect Master had pushed in front of him but didn't pick it up. Mn, would Yu Bei Fen be afraid on that mission? He seemed so timid and his last few years had been spent in secluded cultivation. Most likely, such a mission seemed really daunting to him.
The Sect Master waited for some other reaction but it became evident that he wouldn't get one when Mei Chao Bing still hadn't spoken up after a minute. He awkwardly cleared his throat again. It was no wonder people thought badly of this Mei Chao Bing with this kind of temperament. Couldn't he at least try to make some conversation? "Well ... Other than that, you also know that Elder Baili will be partly in charge of the mission. His youngest disciple will be following but his obligations will keep him from paying too much attention to the boy."
Mei Chao Bing's gaze on the cup of tea got more intense as if he wanted to drink the tea just by looking at it. Zhang Guan Yu barely held back a smirk. Ah, young love. Look at how this stoic person suddenly had such difficulties to reign his curiosity in! It was obvious he couldn't wait to hear more about Yun Bei Fen.
He had the urge to draw matters out but when he thought back to what the Black Warrior had said about the future of their sect, he dropped the idea like a hot dumpling.
"Well, Yun Bei Fen is the one with the most shallow cultivation base on this mission so he's also the person who'll be in the most danger. Elder Baili dotes on him very much though. It wouldn't do for anything to happen to the boy."
"Mn." Mei Chao Bing once again just hummed a response but his tone was significantly warmer. He obviously thought that this was very true. Nothing could be allowed to happen to Yun Bei Fen.
"I already talked to Elder Baili earlier and promised that we would pay special attention to his disciple's safety. So if it's not asking too much ..."
"I'll protect him."
Zhang Guan Yu barely suppressed a satisfied smile. Ah, thankfully, this person was so sensible. This made matters much easier. Just let them spend some time together on this mission and the rest would sort itself out. Maybe they could even hold a wedding ceremony already when they came back. "Very well. I won't have to worry any longer then. With you at his side, nothing will happen to him."
"Mn. I'll make sure of that."
Zhang Guan Yu's lips twitched. So mentioning Yun Bei Fen could actually get him responses that consisted of a whole sentence? He should take note of that for the next time he talked to this guy. Although he wasn't too sure if Mei Chao Bing wouldn't just blend out everything that hadn't to do with Yun Bei Fen.
"Oh, right, if I remember correctly, Yun Bei Fen just came out of a lengthier stretch of closed-door cultivation. He's still young though so I'm afraid he might not have learned much besides taking in spiritual energy and honing his mind and body. He's probably lacking in terms of combat ability. If you don't mind, why don't you head over already and train a little with him? Elder Baili certainly —"
"Of course!" Mei Chao Bing got up before Zhang Guan Yu had the chance to finish his sentence.
"Uh ..." Zhang Guan Yu stared at the serious face of this talent and finally sighed. "Yes, yes, just head off. Training a cute junior martial brother is probably much better than listening to an old man."
Mei Chao Bing gave a hum, cupped his fists, and bowed. Zhang Guan Yu gloomily watched him leave. Ah, this guy! Couldn't he at least have shaken his head or something? Now, he really felt old.