Chapter 92: Chapter 79: A Belated Awakening
A bench sat at the entrance of the Evolution Shop, usually for passersby to rest their feet.
When the shop was empty, Zhong Chenghuai and Zhong Ling would also sit on the bench to relax.
As long as it wasn’t raining, Zhong Chenghuai would wipe down the somewhat worn-out bench at the entrance every day.
Zhong Yi would naturally welcome Zheng Yufeng if he wanted to stay at the Evolution Shop.
But regardless of whether there was a guest room, even if it meant giving up his own room, Zhong Yi couldn’t possibly let Zheng Yufeng sleep on the bench by the entrance.
Although Zhong Yi had saved Zheng Yufeng and his Shadow Strangling Beast, he wasn’t the kind of person to demand repayment for his kindness.
If Zhong Yi sought repayment for every life he saved, he wouldn’t have rescued so many Adventurers in the Horned Demon Secret Realm with whom he’d have no future contact.
"Of course we have a room, sir. I’ll go prepare it for you in a moment."
"It’ll be ready for you to move right in when you get here."
Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Zheng Yufeng’s usually smile-less face.
"It’s four in the afternoon now. I can be back before six."
"I’ll be staying here as your guard for the time being. This was Ah Yin’s idea as well."
"As you probably know, Starlight City isn’t very peaceful right now."
As he said this, the look on Zheng Yufeng’s face was exceptionally serious.
Zhong Yi thought Zheng Yufeng was talking about the two Mythical Tier Bizarres, but he didn’t know that Zheng Yufeng wasn’t actually concerned about them.
Since ascending to the Mythical Tier, Zheng Yufeng had killed more Mythical Tier Bizarres than he could count on both hands.
What worried Zheng Yufeng was the sudden appearance of the Mass Divine Sect. The death of the Celestial Destiny Seeker in Ximu City was a clear sign of the Sect’s aggressive advance.
They were clearly hostile toward the entire Xin Xia Federation; otherwise, they wouldn’t have killed one of its Celestial Destiny Seekers.
Now, every Heroic City in the Xin Xia Federation was on high alert.
Zhong Yi was deeply grateful that Zheng Yufeng was willing to stay and protect him as his guard.
He felt greatly indebted to the couple, Zheng Yufeng and Chen Yin.
Zhong Yi carried four pieces of Instant Jade, but if a Mythical Tier Bizarre were to truly take notice of the Evolution Shop, the jade could only save him, not the others inside.
Zhao Kai’s two Dinosaur Species Guardian Beasts were both at the Fantasy Tier Peak, just one step away from the Mythical Tier.
But even as Dinosaur Species Guardian Beasts, they couldn’t contend with a Mythical Tier Bizarre before reaching the Mythical Tier themselves.
If they truly encountered a Mythical Tier Bizarre, their only fate would be instant death.
Soon, Shen Xuan would also become a Celestial Destiny Seeker. Having two Celestial Destiny Seekers in one small shop would make it too big of a target.
With Zheng Yufeng here as a guard, Zhong Yi could finally rest easy.
Zhong Yi planned to wait for Zheng Yufeng to return before having Zhao Kai help Shen Xuan awaken his Soul Base.
While Zhong Yi was helping Zheng Yufeng treat his Deceit Beast, the Shadow Strangling Beast, Zhong Ling and Zhao Kai had already met Shen Xuan.
Before this, Zhong Yi hadn’t introduced the three of them. Zhao Kai and Zhong Ling didn’t know Shen Xuan, and Shen Xuan didn’t know them either.
However, Zhao Kai and Zhong Ling knew that the young man covered in purple marks must have been brought back by Zhong Yi.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be wearing Zhong Yi’s clothes.
Regardless of why Zhong Yi had brought Shen Xuan back, Zhong Ling gave him a warm welcome.
Zhong Ling’s enthusiasm left Shen Xuan, who had always seen himself as a slave, at a loss.
"Hello, you must be the Young Master’s friend, right?"
"Big Bell is about to start making dinner. Tell me what you’d like to eat, and I’ll have him prepare it."
"If Big Bell doesn’t know how to make what you want, I can look up a tutorial online and learn to make it for you."
Zhong Ling was cautious when she was out, but here in the shop, on her own turf, she loved to talk and laugh.
Her eyes curved into crescents when she smiled, and the poetic line, "phoenix eyes half-bent, hiding amber," couldn’t have been more fitting.
Shen Xuan looked a bit intimidating with all his purple marks, but Zhong Ling wasn’t scared at all.
For one, Zhong Ling had been greeting customers in the shop since she was little and had met all sorts of people.
Second, ever since she was a child, the parents of Zhong Yi’s predecessor and Zhong Chenghuai had taught her to be polite to everyone.
After the concern Zhong Yi had shown him, this was the second time Shen Xuan had ever received such kindness and care from others.
But the question of what he wanted to eat stumped him!
For as long as he could remember, Shen Xuan had never once ordered a meal.
’Besides, what right does someone of my status have to order food!?’
Just as Shen Xuan was about to open his mouth and say he was a slave Zhong Yi had bought, he heard Zhong Yi’s voice from a short distance away.
"Shen Xuan, let me introduce you. The one who was just talking to you is Xiaolingdang; her full name is Zhong Ling."
"This is Brother Zhao, a Four-finger Creator. He’s also the one who will be performing your Soul Awakening Ceremony."
"If you decide to live here from now on, they are your family."
"Xiaolingdang is a great cook. If you don’t know what to order, just tell her what flavors you like."
"Oh, right, Xiaolingdang. Could you make some restorative medicinal soup later? Brother Zhao, Shen Xuan, and the senior who’s coming soon all need to recover their strength."
The word "family" in Zhong Yi’s sentence made Shen Xuan freeze.
That single word, "family," not only moved and warmed Shen Xuan, but it also touched Zhao Kai and Zhong Ling as well.
’So this is what it feels like to be accepted?’
But the word "family" filled Shen Xuan with both longing and fear!
