Chapter 23: If You Have Coin, Xixing Has Pills

Chapter 23: If You Have Coin, Xixing Has Pills

Climbing the hill, Hui made a beeline for Qin Xixings shop. No less dusty and derelict than the last time, her shop sat empty, unlike the shops around hers. Silver smoke rose from the back of her shop.

Hui ducked inside, peering around. The same as last time, strange charts hung on her walls. Masks and gloves dangled behind them, each one stranger than the next. Cabinets with narrow, small drawers filled every other inch of the space, cluttered on top of one another. He peered around the cabinets and under the shelves. A pile of blankets layered on a shelf held Xixings outline, but not the woman herself.

Whos there? Xixing shouted from the back.

Its me, Weiheng Hui! Hui replied.

Almost done, almost done!

Nodding, he wandered around the shop, poking and prodding. At random, he opened a drawer. Small black pills rolled around in the bottom, clicking like beads. Curious, he reached out to pick one up.

I wouldnt, if I were you, Xixing suggested, wiping her hands on a rag as she emerged around a curtain into the back of the shop.

Hui yanked his hand back as if stung. He looked at her.

Theyre too high level for you. Might poison your qi if you touch them.

Right, Hui muttered, tucking his hands into his sleeves as a precaution. Pills are dangerous!

So? Those materials?

Hui drew them out of his sleeve and passed them over to her. Xixing took the packets and examined them. Hmm

So?

You say your master ordered these? she asked.

Hui nodded.

Ive got no idea what he wanted you to make. There isnt a pill I know of that requires both cinnabar and Five Luminescence Peony buds. Some kind of advanced exorcism pill, maybe? But then who the hell would make an exorcism pill? At this high of a level, too, its not something you could feed to mortals

Hui shrugged.

Ill take them. Itll cover the costs of your pills, if the little one gives me a teensy bit more venom, too Xixing cast a hungry look at Zhubi.

Zhubi rolled over, playing dead where he dangled around Huis neck.

How about some gold instead? Hui asked, patting Zhubi reassuringly.

She sighed. Fine. Wait right there.

He followed her halfway to the back of the shop and hesitated awkwardly near the back. The masks stared at him. Wooden, leather, some humanesque, others in the shape of animals or spiritual beasts. One drew his eye, a flesh-colored human mask that sagged off its hook. The mask was undeniably hideous. Crude features, pockmarked pink flesh, empty eye sockets, flappy, loose lips and an upward-turned nose all came together into a horrifying face. The material almost looked moist, as if alive.

Drawn by morbid curiosity, Hui reached out and touched the mask. Flesh gave under his fingers.

He jumped back. Disgusted, he shook his hand.

No, no, no! Thats demonic cultivation! Stay on the righteous path, Xiao Hui! He shook his head, shaking the bad thoughts out.

Xixing pointed at the bottle in his hand. Anyways. If you feel like stagnating your qi again, take one of those first. Should kill the side-effects before they happen.

What if I take one after? Hui asked.

Then youre risking a qi deviation for nothing, but sure, I guess itd work. I wouldnt do it habitually. Pills lose effect the more you take them, you know? If you dont use it properly, its effect will fade all the faster.

Understood. Thank you, Xixing.

Ah? Youre welcome.

He glanced at the pig-skin mask again. Could could I have that, too?

Xixing frowned at him. What do you want that piece of shit for?

It works, right? Its just hideous, Hui guessed.

If your goal is to look like a pigman, yeah. Xixing sighed and shook her head. I can only imagine what a rascal like you would use it for.

Whats that supposed to mean? Hui asked.

Arent you that guy who almost crippled one of your fellow entry-mates? Things happen, but thats intense.

Hehe almost killed me first! Hui protested.

Xixing frowned at him. Thats not the way I heard it. Way it came across, it sounded like you hauled off and attacked him for nothing.

Thats what he did! Chang Bolin, that rat, Hui snarled. He reached into his robes and drew out his money. How much for the mask?

Xixing eyed his heavy bag of gold. Fifty.

Its a piece of shit, you admitted that. Ten, and it covers the pills, too.

Lets compromise. Forty-five.

Twenty, and not a coin more.

You drive a hard bargain. Xixing held her hand out.

Hui sighed, slightly annoyed, and handed over his gold. I could haggle her down more, but shes been kind to me. Ill let her have it, this one time.

Hey, and if your master brings you more materials, let me know, alright? Xixing asked, counting out the coins.

The feeling of being taken advantage of grew stronger. Hui glared at her, then sighed. Fine.

Gathering his new items, Hui left the dark, cramped shop behind. He turned toward Starbound Peak and narrowed his eyes. Its time I launch my counter-attack.