Chapter 18: Mud-Grass Horses

Chapter 18: Mud-Grass Horses

Chang Bolin strode over to him and stood inches from him. Their noses would have almost touched, if Chang Bolin had enough height to manage the feat. As it was, he stared fiercely up at Hui from his chest. Is it bravery or idiocy that drives you to risk life and death to visit Starbound Peak?

Er probably more the second, Hui muttered honestly.

Other Starbound Peak disciples wandered in behind Chang Bolin. Moving casually, they formed a loose circle around Hui and Chang Bolin.

Hui flicked his eyes toward them. Hatred blazed back at him. They wont let me escape easily. What, do they believe Chang Bolins bullshit? Or are they also jealous of me for holding the spot of Weiheng Wus inheriting disciple?

He grimaced. You can take it! He hasnt helped me out once so far! He abandons small children on the top of peaks! Hasnt taught me a single technique! What master, ptui!

I see youve graduated from being a waste. Should I congratulate you? It only took ten years, Chang Bolin sneered.

Thank you. Hui bowed.

Disgusted, Chang Bolin spat. Wetness splattered over Huis cheek. What gives you the right to stand before me? After what you did, you should be prostrate on the floor, begging for my mercy. I have every right to strike you down right here!

As if that matters. You dont need a reason, you mad dog. You think its fine to kill anyone that gets in your way.

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes,Hui bowed deeper. Dont antagonize him. Think of him as another debt collector. Give in and get on with your life. Please have mercy, elder brother.

Chang Bolin snatched his robes, drawing Huis face to his. You think that insincere apology can wipe the slate clean?

Hui took a deep breath. He started to form words, but they twisted in his mouth. Sneering, he drew himself upright. Chang Bolins hand slipped down his robes, unable to hold him in place. You took that for an apology? Why should I apologize for striking back against a thoughtless beast like you, who only knows how to kill and throw tantrums?

Chang Bolins eyes went wide. His eyes slipped to the open gap of Huis robes, and they widened even further. You!

Hui glanced down. Stitched in red in the inside hem of his borrowed robes, Li Xiang stood out for all to see.

A hush fell over the crowd of white-robed disciples. Every eye darted to him.

Itit was a mix-up in the laundry room! I didnt, I dont Hui protested, throwing his hands up.

Chang Bolins eyes narrowed. You! You eat our food, you tresspass on our peak, and now you sully our idol?

What our. Have you been officially accepted to Starbound Peak? When, last night? And shes already your idol, Hui mocked silently.

Around him, the crowd grumbled. Swords flashed in the librarys low light.

The other disciples backed away. Hes dying.

Oh, shit. Were in trouble now.

I just wanted to stab him a little bit arent we cultivators supposed to be hardy?

He stopped dodging! How was I supposed to know hed just stand there?

Who has a qi-and-blood restoring pill? Anyone?

Im not wasting my good pills on that guy

Chang Bolin pushed himself up, wiping blood off his lip where it had burst open on the floor. Hes not dead!

Shut up. Im almost dead. Thats close enough, Hui thought, annoyed. His body temperature dropped. He shivered uncontrollably, just once. Qi siphoned out of him slowly, so slowly. Cmon! Faster!

Chang Bolin rested his sword on Huis neck, then raised it over his head. A vindictive smirk on his face, he shouted, Come back from this one!

Thats enough! Absolute Authority! the librarian shouted, standing up from his desk.

Instantly, an immense pressure weighed down on everyone in the room. Chang Bolin fell backward, weighted off-balance by his raised sword. The other disciples crumpled as one, falling under the pressure.

You step in now? Is this the line between let them hash it out and murder to you?

No, wait, Im dead. So the line isnt at murder, its between murder and mutilating corpses? Damn librarian! Stop them before they stab me next time, not when Im dying and theyre about to behead my poor cold dead body! Hui cursed him inwardly.

The weight stifled Huis qi. It fled his body, as if he really were dying. His vision faded to a slit. His body went limp.

No, wait hold on, I still need some of that! Releasing his technique, he fought against the pressure. The last spark of his qi wavered in his chest, flickering like a candle. He cupped it with all the energy he could muster, mental energy, physical energy, all balled around the quavering light.

Even then, his qi fled, but slower. Staring at his last qi, Hui counted the slow breaths as it waned. Five more. Four. Three.

He tried to stoke his qi, draw in the surrounding qi and feed the flame, but under the weight of the librarians Absolute Authority, his efforts proved meaningless. The spark became an ember. He held on as hard as he could, but it still faded. Two. One.

The door blasted open. A figure in white rushed in, exuding enormous pressure. Eyes blurred, Hui could make out no details. Lan Taijian?

He let out a last rattling breath. Chang Bolin, may mud-grass horses trample all over your grave