Chapter 50: Reversal

Chapter 50: Reversal

In the kitchen, the two men from the alley lazed against a cold stove. The woman scurried back, carrying the teapot. She set it atop a small fire, the only live heat in the room.

Is it time? the first man asked.

Theyre cultivators. The girl is somewhere near fourth stage, right? At least until the incense burns out, the woman replied.

The second man shook his head, hesitating. Im not sure. The boy seemed strange.

Tossing her hair confidently, the woman laughed. Does it matter? They drank the tea. The incense is burning. If they resist the incense, theyll still get put down by the tea. Even a fourth-stage cultivator couldnt resist both of them at once.

A pair of low thumps rang out. The trio looked up.

Time to go, the woman said, smiling.

They walked single-file through a narrow passage at the back of the restaurant. At a door, the second man paused. He pushed the door open and whistled, low and quiet. Another few cultivators, skinny as whips with an empty look in their eyes, followed them in.

What was that for? Theyre unconscious, the woman admonished him. She pushed open the rear panel of the hidden room.

Hui and Li Xiang laid sprawled off the benches. The cups rolled into the corner, fresh chips marring the porcelain. The thick scent of incense rolled out of the room, cloyingly thick.

Just in case, the second man murmured. He kicked Hui, hesitant.

Huis head lolled to the side, eyes rolled back.

So what is it this time? The usual? Take the girl to the brothels, sell the boy to the demonic cultivators? the first man asked, giving the two an appraising eye.

Mmm. Where are the lotus pills? Before they wake up, lets make sure theyre addicted. That girl was a serious fighter. We cant risk her escaping. That girl last week already tainted our reputation for delivering hardworking bodies, the woman said. She patted down her robes, searching.

The second man frowned at Hui, then crouched. He reached out and put a hand on Huis neck, right over where the flipped-over snake laid. Er the boy, hes dead.

Dead? Never, the woman said, furrowing her brows.

Did you overdose the tea? His cultivation isnt high.

Ihe must be sensitive to it! Ive been doing this for years, and Ive never overdosed anyone, the woman said, flustered.

We can still sell him to the demonic cultivators. They could use more corpses to refine, the first man suggested.

He wont be worth as much dead. Mind the dosage next time, the second man replied. He hefted Hui upright by his armpits.

Is that enough evidence for you?

The second man frowned. What?

I didnt say anything, the first man replied. The dull-eyed cultivators stared blankly, jaws slack.

Hui looked at his hands. I masked my qi with death qi there, and the man didnt react to my presence. Admittedly, it was a chaotic situation, but doesnt that mean I have potential as a stealth fighter?

I havent had much karma with sword techniques so far, so at least theres some hope!

Hui, can you watch these men? I have to catch the woman, Li Xiang said, sheathing her sword.

Eh? I probably? Hui said, glancing at the men.

One of the men laid on the ground, twitching under the effects of Zhubis venom. The other crouched, eyes narrowed, watching Hui closely. The three dull-eyed cultivators climbed to their feet, but didnt attack. Without anyone to lead them, they stood vaguely, swords in hand.

I wonder what happened to them. I heard the woman mention lotus pills is that what they were given? Is it some kind of narcotic?

He nodded to himself, reminiscing. My loan-shark friends used to work with dealers to get people addicted, get them to take out stupid loans to drain them of all their money, then dump them gods-only-know where when they had nothing left.

A few of the addicts worked alongside me for a while, but they usually burned out and died within a month or two. They were hollow-eyed and slender, just like these men here, but they had ungodly strength when they thought theyd get another hit out of the deal.

If these men share those traits Im glad these idiots didnt use them to their full potential!

Li Xiang nodded once at Hui, then ran off.

Who are you? Where are you from? Are you demonic cultivators, pretending to be righteous? the man asked.

Im not a demonic cultivator, Hui said.

The man gave him a look. You were dead, I felt it. Your qi had extinguished. Are you undead, perhaps? Your skin looks fantastic for an undead, senior.

Hui shook his head. Were disciples from Starbound Sect.

The man cast him a skeptical look. You dont have to lie. Demonic cultivators are allowed in Twin Elemental city.

Turning his head to gaze at the sky, Hui let off a heavy sigh. You tried to sell me into slavery, and now youre convinced Im the demonic cultivator? Youre going to make this small disciple cry, okay?

Stop her! Someone catch that woman!

Get her!

Ive caught this criminal for you, nowumph!

Hui whipped his head around. Li Xiang?

Zhubi hissed. He turned back around to find the second man crawling off. He pointed his hand at the man. Zhubi!

The snake launched at the man and bit his leg. Convulsing, the man managed to crawl another two, three steps before he collapsed. Hui knelt to collect Zhubi, who slithered happily up to his neck.

You, stay here, he ordered the dull-eyed cultivators, and ran toward the ruckus.