23 You don't remember any of us.

W-w-w-what was that all of the sudden... B-b-b-big brother... Was n-naked with two elderly men... Young master, what's happening?" Lu Qing nervously asked her young master sitting by her side.

It couldn't be helped that she panicked. Even though they were typically siblings to each other ever since they were little kids, Lu Qing had never seen Lu Chong so bare in her entire life.

Exposed so much that she even saw the embarrassed look on his face... He looked like he wanted to bury himself alive.

Having gotten to know his big brother a little more, Lu Qing's cheeks flushed red as her thoughts raced to how was she going to see her big brother once again.

The girl sitting on the other side of Lu Qing also felt the same as her cheeks flushed red ever since he got out from that room.

She was Ran Ranxu, who just happened to have stumbled with Ben Li's pair and found out that they were heading towards the same place, going to meet the same guy. Thus, they became a trio and managed to arrive in their destination without any trouble.

It's just that... They entered Lu Chong's room at the most awkward timing unimaginable. It's was just one of those cliché moments when a guy opens a door to the bathroom only to see his crush bare naked without a towel as they both stare at each other awkwardly. Only, the positions were reversed.

And now these two young maidens had seen a different side of a dude. And the said dude was caught in a very maladroit situation under the pressure of two old fogies. If anyone wants to let their imaginations go amok then the first guess they'll tell will likely be unpleasant.

Ben Li didn't answer Lu Qing and the 3 went silent in their seats. But the silence didn't last long enough as Ran Ranxu was too triggered to stay calm. Her hands reflexively swoop in pass Lu Qing and grabbed Ben Li's collar. Pulling him near her furious flushed visage.

"This is your fault!" she shouted angrily at him. "If you didn't open the door and had instead knocked first then I wouldn't have seen that bastard's... That bastard's..."

Ran Ranxu was unable to finish stammering due to her seeing Ben Li's scowling face so close as if he didn't care how she felt and felt offended being treated like some frustration-dumpster.

She was shaken by his attitude and felt overwhelmed by his crimson eyes locking into hers. Making her fall into a slight trance for a moment.

Those eyes of his suddenly reminded her of her Master. And how those eyes scared her soul ever since.

Meanwhile, Ben Li scowled even seeing Ran Ranxu falling in a daze. With both their faces so close and it would take was a slight move from him to make contact with his lips. Which he actually did.

And there he goes again. Stealing a maiden's lips in a moment's slip.

Ran Ranxu's senses woke up as she felt the wet pecking on her lips.

"You..." Taken aback, she pulled back and saw ben Li's scowling face again. Which had her nerves pop in rage a second later, wanting to punch this jerk square in the face.

She freed one hand from his collar and pulled it back with a hardened fist. Charging it up to send this bastard to his oblivion!

But just before she could launch her attack, Lu Qing sandwiched between them, managed to squeeze her hands in and pushed Ben Li and Ran Ranxu apart. Pouting her cheeks at both of them.

"Who are you guys, children?" she berated at both of them. "Why are you guys fighting all of a sudden? Is fighting so good that you'll make friends out of each other? Or is it that thrilling to see someone get hurt?"

""... Sorry."" both Ben Li and Ran Ranxu were greatly taken aback by Lu Qing's abrupt change in demeanor that they were even rendered speechless by it. Especially Ben Li, who had seen most sides of who this girl truly is in the heart. But this was the first time he saw some mature aspects of hers.

He wished that she would remain this mature way if hers since he liked those kinds of girls anyway.

"Sheesh..." Lu Qing sighed to herself like she was somehow became the big sister of the trio despite the youngest in the group.

Silence befalls on them once again as the 3 fixed their stares on the door to Lu Chong's room. Feeling both perplexed and curious of what was going on in there.

Time flew away like a bird and the trio began to feel bored of themselves. And perhaps right now it was the best time to leave. But somehow the 3 couldn't get their selves to walk away.

Ben Li was only her to escort Lu Qing so that she can check on her big brother. The least he was worried about was her encountering trouble within the sect with his support. That's why he remained by her side for now. Also, he plans to have a talk with Lu Chong on the way.

Ran Ranxu was also here to check on Lu Chong. But now that she saw her master came before she arrived to check on him, she was then assured that her presence wasn't needed here and it was time to go cultivate again.

But now, she couldn't just go seeing that Ben Li had remained to stay for some reason. She asked his reason and he only said that he was escorting this girl he brought with her.

Seeing this girl by her side, she couldn't help but remember the foolish mortal girl back then who had dared to obstruct her sword with her defenseless body.

And now, the foolish mortal was already breathing the aura of a Gate Practitioner. This had shocked Ran Ranxu for a bit and made her wonder of the former's identity.

As for Lu Qing, she was of course here to see her big brother. But seeing that he was fine somehow or another, she deemed that this time wasn't the right day to ask his condition after witnessing that 2 elders wearing prestigious robes were 'examining' him. Besides, she was also taking his young master's busy time and she should also be doing some maid work too.

"Young master. Let's go back." said Lu Qing to her young master.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure." she replied. "It seems that big brother's actually fine today. I'll come back sometime and bring him some treats. Is that okay?"

Ben Li hummed as he pondered and said to her seriously. "It's fine as long as you don't run into some trouble. Can you find the residence and the Infirmary all by yourself?"

"Yes, I do. In fact, I am familiar with the route that leads here and there." she said to ease his worries. "I can manage just fine all by myself. No need for young master to worry about me."

"Alright then." Ben Li said as he suddenly had a thought in mind and took out an emblem from his storage ring. He then gave it to Lu Qing and said. "This is a guest emblem with my name on it as the host. Use it to identify yourself when some disciple will ask who you are. Under no circumstances are you to cause trouble. You understand me?"

"Noted, young master." she replied seriously right to his face and Ben Li couldn't help knead her head gently to reward her. Making her eyes closed and giggle as she enjoyed the gentle sensation on top of her head.

"Compatible couples should go explode." hearing that comment had rendered Ben Li and Lu Qing stunned. Turning their heads to look, they saw Ran Ranxu brooding with her head resting on her arm. Facing the door ahead but her cold eyes were somewhat fixated on them.

Ben Li looked Lu Qing one last time before retracting his hand from her and behaved quietly.

Waiting here for about 4 minutes, the door finally opened and two elders walked out. Ben Li and others stood up together and gave the elders a greeting bow. ""Disciples of Helios Dragon sect pats respects to esteemed elders.""

"At ease." master Hong waved his hand before them before leaving in a hurry first after bidding goodbye to Xingjian. Feeling extremely unpleasant having wasted his time.

Xingjian then shifted his attention on the trio and saw Ran Ranxu in the group. Then his gaze landed on Ben Li who was also looking back at him. His expression was unrecognizable placid facing this brat the second time today.

Xingjian gave them a nod and also left.

Afterwards, Ben Li's group enter the room and saw Lu Chong sitting on the bed, looking back at them with a perplexed look on his face.

He was rubbing his hands all over his body. Overwhelmed by the sensation of those metallic needles piercing through his skin without causing him pain.

"Umm... Are you alright?" Lu Qing asked him out of concern after noticing his unnatural reaction.

"I'm fine... Thanks..." Lu Chong said. He forced a smile on his face and said. "Thanks a lot for coming to visit me... Friends. But I want some time alone for myself. Is it okay that you all just leave me here?"

"R-Right..." said Ran Ranxu. "It must've been hard for you to know that your hard work Cultivation had been crippled away... Come on, guys. Let's give him some space." she said to the others which Lu Qing agreed.

Ran Ranxu was the first one to take her leave, followed by Lu Qing. Only Ben Li remain where he stood. He smiled faintly at Lu Chong. Seemingly intrigued by his condition.

"Lu Chong, am I your friend?" he asked with a sly smile.

"Huh?" Lu Chong was a bit shocked being asked this question. He was stunned speechless as he didn't know how to respond. His silence only made Ben Li more intrigued and continued to ask him another answer.

"Tell me this, what's my name?"

"..." Lu Chong.

"... Oh, I see." Ben Li softly chuckled as he understood his current condition.

"... What do you see? Come on and get out. Let's not annoy him." chided Ran Ranxu.

"You girls go ahead first. I have something important to talk about." Ben Li didn't heed her words and pushed the girls out of the room.

"Hey, wait a minute..." Ran Ranxu was unable to finish speaking when Ben Li shut the door lock before.

With the two of them alone, Ben Li gave a playful smile towards Lu Chong. A smile that somehow sent shivers down his spine. And then the former said. "You don't remember any of us, don't you?"