Chapter 94: An Internal Dispute Leading to Death

Chapter 94: An Internal Dispute Leading to Death

The green-robed cultivator stopped mid-strike. He narrowed his eyes at Hui, then threw back his head and harrumphed, looking down his nose. The pathetic cultivator who had to cheat to win? What, are you going to stop me?

I didnt cheat. Theres nothing in the rules against mid-battle extortion, Hui replied, crossing his arms.

A coward who uses poison and pathetic, weak tactics, who cant stand up in a fight, is here to defend this beast? Oh, Im quaking in my boots, another taunted.

Just hand over the branch, and this will all be forgotten. Dont waste it on an animal like that thing, the third added.

The fourth snorted and pushed up his glasses.

The wolf growled at them. The four Mysterious Heavenly Forest cultivators ignored it.

Hui bowed respectfully. Seniors, this is Starbound Sects land, Starbound Sects spirit beast, and Starbound Sects branch. It is Starbound Sects right to use them as they see fit. Even if that branch is a heavenly treasure, its our right to use it to play fetch with our seniors if we so desire.

Starbound Sect, Starbound Sect, ptui! This tiny sect thinks they can stand up to our Mysterious Heavenly Forest Sect? Starbound Sect has five sixth stage cultivators, and only two cultivators above that. Two! Only one member of your sect has ascended, ever, in your entire sects history. Do you know how many members of the Mysterious Heavenly Forest Sect have ascended to the Immortal realm? A hint: its more than one, one of the cultivators mocked.

Eh, actually, no, because this small disciple never attended history lessons. They sounded a lot like the rules. Hmm, so Starbound Sect with one ascension and only a few higher-realm cultivators, it seems like were a middling-low level sect. Above small clans like Bai Clan, for sure, but doubtless tiny compared to other sects.

Mmm, it makes sense. If we were a large clan with sixth-stage and higher cultivators lying around like leaves in autumn, Master wouldnt be able to get away with half of what he does.

Long live small sects!

Hui bowed again. This still does not give the right for seniors to attack our sects spirit beasts or demand our resources.

Ha! And I thought Starbound Sect had some intelligence. Dont you know? You should kiss the boots of sects greater than yours, not demand we listen to your rules, the Mysterious Heavenly Forest disciple declared, kicking the wolf again.

Hui jumped between the disciples and the wolf, his arms out. And yet, your sect still bows down to Weiheng Wu. I wonder which sect truly is greater. Even if, in the past, Mysterious Heavenly Forest Sect had cultivators ascending like the stars in the sky, it means nothing for the sect today.

The leader of the four cultivators ground his teeth. A vein throbbed in his forehead. You have no idea what youre speaking of! Apologize this instant for insulting Mysterious Heavenly Forest Sect!

Hui raised his eyebrows. Oh? I seem to have hit a nerve.

Weiheng Wu doesnt count. A once-in-a-thousand-year talent might appear, but it means nothing for the quality of the sect. He had to go somewhere, and its his misfortune to end up at a second-rate sect like yours, another chimed in, wrinkling his nose.

Are you jealous of Starbound Sect? Hui asked innocently, tipping his head.

As if! And Im not afraid of a coward, either. Your master might be great, but that means nothing for the disciple! one of the cultivators declared.

Theres no point trading words with a cowardly snake like this one. Lets get rid of the trash and be on our way. Starbound Sect might thank us for the service, another said. He drew his sword and darted at Hui.

Hui managed to draw his sword before the cultivator reached him, but little else. The sword darted across his body. He threw himself back in the same instant, falling with the blow. Blood spurted down his chest, a deep gash cut in his ribcage.

If I didnt jump backhe would have seriously injured me! I must have really struck a nerve

Hui killed his qi, flopping dead to the ground. The world began to darken around him in a familiar way as he circulated death qi, hiding the remaining signature. From drooping eyes, he watched the trio. Were here for a friendly tournament. Dont tell me youre fine with killing a fellow disciple from an allied sect?

The other three cultivators stared at him. After a second, ones surprise turned to anger, and his face reddened. Youyou coward! Faker!

The lead cultivator staggered over the Sect Master Mu, his bleeding forearm held out before him. Ssect Master, my my hand!

What happened here? Sect Master Lan demanded, crossing his arms. He turned to Hui.

Sect Master! Small cultivator was playing feter, me and senior here were practicing a, er, collaborative search and retrieval technique when senior alerted me to danger. I came down here to see what was happening and found these villains attacking senior over our treasured branch, there. In the midst of reasoning with these villains, their leader cut me down, and to save my small life, I had no option but to tragically fake my own death! Unfortunately, their villany knows no bounds, and after cutting me down, they decided to attack senior as well. That was when the virtuous you arrived and saw through their villainy to protect the both of us, Hui explained, bowing repeatedly to the Sect Master.

One of the green-robed cultivators scowled. He ran over and mocked Mysterious Heavenly Forest Sect with no provocation! Were we supposed to let him besmirch our sect and do nothing?

Only because you were trying to steal this small cultivators treasured branch! Hui argued.

What treasure? You were playing fetch with it! another cultivator argued.

Sect Master Mu raised his hand. Immediately, the green-robed cultivators fell silent. This small dispute we should never have been involved. However, your Peak Lord has cut the hand of one of my cultivators. I must demand recompense.

Nonsense! They started it! Hui snapped.

Sect Master Mu cut his eyes at Hui.

Hui jumped. Ah! This small cultivator has been drawing aggro since the fight earlier! Its a bad habit to be in, a terrible habit! I must change my ways before I truly start seeking death! He bowed repeatedly, dipping low. Apologies, apologies, this small cultivator spoke out of turn, please ignore me.

Sect Master Lan sighed. Then, how can our sect recompensate you?

We should not. They injured my wolf. My actions were equivalent, Weiheng Wu stated.

Sect Master Mu glared. You mean to suggest

Please, there is no need for argument, Sect Master Lan insisted.

Eyes narrowed, Sect Master Mu glared at Weiheng Wu. I think a certain Peak Lord has been unrestrained for too long. I request the hand of Weiheng Wu in return for the hand of the disciple.

Thats ridiculous! He was a mere third stage disciple. The two are not equivalent, Sect Master Lan protested.

Weiheng Wu crossed his arms, unimpressed, expression daring the other Sect Master to try.

Sect Master Mu frowned. Youve taken the potential away from my young cultivator. Perhaps with time he could have cultivated to sixth stage, or even further. The two are equivalent.

Hui backed away, getting out of the crossfire of higher-level cultivators. The green-robed cultivators hand caught his eye, and he made a face. He deserved it, attacking Masters wolf for no reason like that!

Eh, wait. I feel as if I, maybe, have done something similar?

No, no. I must be imagining it.

The world faded. Cold gripped Hui again. He watched his body slump uncontrollably and scowled. Again? This is getting out of hand.