Chapter 54: Downtime

Chapter 54: Downtime

Back in Bai Xues quarters, she yawned and stretched. I imagine Mother will throw a feast tonight, so shall I show you around the clan? If theres anything in particular you want to see, I can accommodate that too.

Hui thought to himself, then sat up, touching the complex talisman hed found in the secret realm. Dodo you have any talisman makers? I recently discovered a small talent in the area if I could have a moment of someones time, I

Sure! Good idea, taking advantage of your temporary position as my fianc to loot the clans knowledge, Bai Xue said, giving him a thumbs-up.

No, I Hui protested weakly. Its not entirely untrue. I might as well benefit from her scheming. But its not like I asked to get picked as her fake fianc, okay?

She laughed. Im joking, joking. But really, how does your sect treat inheriting disciples? Youd think youd never received guidance once in your life.

My situation is unique, Hui replied, grimacing. Our sects main peak is ruled by someone who hates methough he hasnt fully chased me outand my master is an absentee! This small disciple has to take his guidance where he can get it, okay?

Id like to trade pointers with some of your sects experts, Li Xiang said.

Bai Xue nodded, putting on a wise expression. Plenty of our experts would love to exchange pointers with a beauty like you.

Hui elbowed her.

Of course, of course. The training grounds are just around the corner. Its never difficult to find a sparring partner, Bai Xue said seriously, straightening up. She brushed down her robes and straightened her hems. Ill drop you by on the way.

Thank you, Hui said, dipping in a short bow.

Bai Xue leading the way, the three of them strode out of the complex and back onto the grounds. As shed predicted, a few black-and-white robed cultivators stood on the training grounds, moving through forms. A pair of men sparred. At Bai Xues approach, they jumped apart and bowed.

Young Master, can we help you today? one of the men greeted her.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

She nodded, giving Li Xiang a pat on the shoulder. This guest of mine wants to exchange pointers, does anyone dare take her on?

Bai Xue, theres no need to provoke them, Li Xiang said, laughing lightly. She stepped forward and cupped her hands at the men. Li Xiang of Starbound Peak, third stage sword cultivator. Ill be in your care.

Starbound Peak? Ah, I remember that monster Lan Taijian. Hes a Peak Lord now, isnt he? one of the men asked.

Li Xiang nodded. Yes!

He gestured her on, a glint in his eye. Lets see what Lan Taijians little disciples can do!

Grinning, Li Xiang drew her sword.

Bai Xue smiled and moved on. Lets leave them to it.

Hui nodded, glancing over his shoulder at Li Xiang just once. Shes a competent swordsman. She can hold her own.

Li Xiang and the man bowed to each other. In a flash, they darted at one another. Swords clashed. They exchanged a flurry of blows, too fast for Huis eyes, then separated again, slowly circling one another.

Sword cultivators are so cool! Too bad I only know rudimentary swordplay from the outer sect. I can defend myself in a fight, but I wouldnt want to throw myself into a clash like that!

Enjoying the show? Bai Xue asked, chuckling.

Hui jumped. Abruptly, he realized hed come to a standstill. He jogged to catch up with Bai Xue. Ah! Sorry.

Were in no rush, she said graciously, patting his head.

Hui ducked away from her hand. Xue

Arent we going to be husband and wife? You should let me act a little affectionate, she teased.

He frowned at her, hands over his precious hair.

She laughed and shook her head, leading the way across her clan.

Near a wall, facing away from a gate, an open-air pavilion stood. Silks draped from its beams drifted on the wind. Writing desks stood amidst the skills. At one, slightly off to the side, a young man copied calligraphy.

Bai Xue scanned the scene, then sighed. Mmm, it looks like no ones around. You wait here, Ill see if I can find one of the talisman-makers. The clan doesnt have many, but there should be a few I think some of the side families have talisman-makers as well.

Even this is enough. I can copy some talismans while I wait, Hui said gratefully.

Ill look around. You wait here, Bai Xue said decisively. She shuffled off, red rope dragging after her.

Hui strode up to the pavilion. Deep in his copying, the young man didnt look up at his approach. He settled at one of the desks and lifted the brush. Following the now-familiar formula, he copied the wind talisman again.

Eh? It feels wrong. He lifted the talisman and sent a wisp of qi inside. The talisman responded faintly, only the barest brush of qi inside it. Hui frowned. What went wrong?

Youre using the wrong ink, a man said gently. A pot of reddish ink appeared on his desk, barely clinking against the wood. Worn, ink-stained hands lifted away.

Hui glanced up. A middle-aged man with streaks of white at his temples smiled back at him. Interested in talismans? You dont often see hot-blooded young cultivators so excited for a dry, slow-paced art.

Hui let out a sigh and sat back, pushing the talisman away from him. There!

Bai Luoren leaned in. Thisa simplified version of Tigers Burning Maw?

Hui laughed, giddy from exhaustion. Mmm, see? If we simplify the tiger-shape formulation here, then it keeps all the power despite having fewer strokes to imbue qi. It wont look as good but

Incredible. Youve taught me something today, Bai Luoren breathed. He pushed another piece of paper in front of Hui. Could you copy that formula again, for me?

Ah, I Hui wobbled in place, qi depleted. Im not sure I could stand right now, let alone copy it again!

Bai Luoren reached into his robes and drew out a vial of dark blue pills. Here, qi-rejuvenation pills. Take one.

Hui gulped one down. Immediately, qi shimmered in his dantian, rushing out from the pill. It gushed forth, a veritable waterfall. Possessed with energy, he grabbed another slip of paper and lifted his brush again. While the qi poured into him, he copied the flame spell once, twice, four times.

Interesting, very interesting. Ill keep this, if you dont mind? Bai Luoren said, picking up one of the copies.

Hui nodded, exhausted, and waved a hand. I have plenty of qi now, but this small disciples mental energy is drained.

Bai Luoren hesitated. If I showed you another talisman

Im sorry, senior, but I dont think I could, Hui said. He pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead as a headache pounded through his skull. Exhausted, he leaned against the desk. Ive been a forced-overtime wage slave before, but please, not in this life too, okay?

Ah, right. Another time, then. Ill be watching you, Weiheng Hui. Youre more than your masters disciple. Bai Luoren rose. He gave Hui a short bow, then strode off, robes fluttering.

Dozing off, Hui stared at his talismans. A wind pulled at the corner of one. He jumped back to life and stacked them, then slid them into his robes with the rest. Its getting packed in there. I need to find some kind of spatial treasure, stat!

Eh, wait. How did he know my daoist name?

Hui! Bai Xue called, leading a woman behind her. At the pavilions stairs, Xue hopped rather than try navigating them with her bound ankles. Ive brought an expert.

Eh? Then who was Hui stared after the middle-aged man.

Bai Xue followed his gaze, then stared, startled. Father?

Father? Hui repeated numbly. He blinked. Er, was that a test? Did I pass?

Wait, wait, I dont care if I pass! Im not actually marrying Xue!

I cant possibly compare to Bai Luoren when it comes to talismans, the woman behind her said, pausing at the foot of the pavilion.

Sorry to have brought you for nothing. Please, be on your way, Xue said.

The woman bowed and left.

I I thought he was the expert you sent, Hui said, numb from shock.

Bai Xue laughed and shook her head. Turning to look at Hui, she asked, What were you two talking about? Father looked to be in a good mood.

Ah talismans. I exchanged a few formulae I found for one of his own, Hui said, giving her a glimpse of his simplified Tigers Burning Maw talisman.

She blinked at it. Hmm, interesting.

She doesnt notice anything odd about it? Good. Someone who isnt an expert at talisman-making cant comprehend one at a glance. This way, I dont have to worry too much about protecting my formulae. As I suspected, Bai Luoren is the oddity.

Then again, how much of an expert is he, that he doesnt even need to insert qi to fully comprehend a talisman?

Hui nodded, smiling. I feel it was truly a fortuitous encounter.

Good, good. Its good to get along with ones in-laws, Xue said, nodding sagely.

Hui narrowed his eyes at her.

She laughed and rubbed his hair. Aww, so cute! As Ive always said, Hui is a true genius, a genius.

Stop it, Hui complained. He ducked out of her reach, and the world wobbled around him. Lunging, he caught himself on the edge of the desk and barely avoided plopping onto the floor face-first.

Should fianc rest before the feast tonight? Xue suggested.

If I dont, Ill fall asleep in the soup, Hui replied. He pushed himself up slowly. Despite the qi rejuvenation pill, his insides felt hollow, empty and exhausted, and his head throbbed with every step.

To my bedroom? Xue suggested, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

It wouldnt do to share a room before the wedding. What would people say? Imagine the rumors, Hui declined honorably. Xue, Im already exhausted. Are you planning to suck away every last drop of my energy, you evil furnace?

Xue laughed at her own joke. Ive had rooms prepared for you and Li Xiang. This way, this way.