Chapter 127: An Invitation

Chapter 127: An Invitation

Thump. Thump.

Hui startled awake. His hair stuck to his face, eyes hazy. He yawned and rubbed his face, then stretched.

Ah. I had a good nights sleep.

Wait. I slept? I shouldnt need to sleep anymore. What happened?

He blinked around, and his eyes fell upon the talisman, sitting on the bone floor in front of him. He picked it up. Though inert, the power contained within squirmed at his touch, barely contained between his blood and the paper. The talisman formula stared back at him, unfamiliar. He knew hed made it, and yet the creation of the formula remained blurry, out of reach.

Hui shook his head and stowed the talisman in his ring. I did it! I dont remember how, but its done now. Now that I have the formula, I can create more once I have more qi.

Thump. Thump.

Xie Hao, the great Hong Xue has come to your paltry cave! Get your ass out here!

Hui scrambled upright. He ran to the entrance of his cave, paused, ran back and drew the ghoul skin on, then ran to the entrance again and glanced out. B Hong Xue?

A cultivator at the third realm gazed down his nose at Hui. He had simple features, a long jaw, high cheekbones, and a flat nose, like a henchman in an imperial court. Thats right. Be honored that Hong Xue deigns to drop by.

Hui glanced at Bai Xue, who quirked his lips in a small smile and winked at Hui, lifting his eyebrows suggestively.

A furious blush rolled over Huis cheeks, visible even through the ghoul skin. He spluttered, the events of their last meeting replying in his mind, then managed to remember to bow. Ah this small cultivator is honored, truly.

Eh? Whatre you blushing for? the man asked, frowning at Hui.

Its fine, its fine. My overwhelmingly handsome face has that effect on people, regardless of gender, Bai Xue declared magnanimously.

Even ghouls? the cultivator asked.

Mmm, ask your Fa Chuyou about that, Bai Xue replied, smirking.

The cultivator blushed at that. How how dare you. Fa Chuyou is a pure plum blossom, white and untainted, who lives delicately above the rest of us, a true jade beauty, a bastion of pure snow in this bloodsoaked sect!

Eh, Hui said flatly. Are we talking about the same Fa Chuyou who begged to refine my corpse? Who mixes corpses together and gets all hot and bothered about refining corpses?

Bai Xue chuckled. Ah, never mind, never mind that. Huang Muwen, why dont you lead us to the Blood Mist Valley?

Eh, already? Hui asked.

Bai Xue nodded. Its been months since our last meeting. I was willing to let you hide away for a time, but its becoming excessive.

Hui blushed again, furiously. II wasnt hiding! I was busy studying and seeking enlightenment!

Ahh, dont say that. Dont deny your goodness, Huang Muwen. A fantastic cultivator like you deserves to shine brightly, Bai Xue said. A familiar glint of mischievousness danced in his eyes.

No, no. I wouldnt dare.

Huis lips quirked slightly upward as he watched Bai Xue torment Huang Muwen. Its so much more fun to watch when he isnt teasing me.

They passed by the ghoul field on their way to the Blood Mist Valley. Fa Chuyou stood around, supervising the ghoul platoon. As they passed by, her eyes lit up, and she ran over.

Huang Muwen smiled and straightened his shoulders, drawing himself to his full height. Fairy maiden Fa Chuyou! To what do we owe

Xie Hao! Xie Hao, Ive been so lonely. Its been so long since I refined your corpse, she cried out. She ran to Hui and threw her arms around him, patting his ghoul-skins cheek. Why havent you come back to me? Ive been waiting for you every night.

Hui tensed. Fa Chuyou, IIve been busy cultivating. I didnt have time to

She pouted, sticking her lips out. You have time to wander around with that no-good Hong Xue and his hangers-on, but you dont have time for me?

Hangers on? Huang Muwen staggered back as though hed been struck, hands gripping his heart.

Elder Sister, were on our way to the inheritance zone in the Blood Mist Valley. When I come back, IllIll let you refine my corpse, Hui agreed reluctantly, the images of the distorted figures in the Corpse Refining Valley flashing before his eyes. He carefully extricated himself from her grasp and backed away.

Still pouting, Fa Chuyou put her hands on her hips. Fine. But dont make me wait.

I wont, I wont, Hui promised, bowing to her.

The three walked on. Huang Muwen walked like a living corpse, his eyes empty and motions lifeless. Bai Xue hummed to himself, face unreadable except for the small smile. Hui glanced at Bai Xue, nervous. Hes got something to say, I just know it.

Bai Xue caught his glance, and the small smile grew wide. Eh, Hui, how popular, how popular. All these beauties crawling into your lap, but the chaste little you keeps his hands to himself? How precious.

Elder Sister, Hui sighed, exhausted.

Elder Sister? Huang Muwen said, startling back to life. And whos Hui?

Elder Sister Fa Chuyou is quite the handful, Hui improvised.

I was simply praising our Xie Haos cleverness and brilliance in gaining so many womens attention, Bai Xue explained cleanly.

Huang Muwen furrowed his brows, but then shrugged and turned away. They drew to the lip of the valley.

Huang Muwen drew a deep breath, banishing his exhaustion and depression. From here on out, stick close to me. Its easy to get lost in the blood mists. If you get lost, theres no guarantee you can escape alive, understand?

Understood, Hui said, nodding.

Got it, Bai Xue yawned.

Turning, Huang Muwen jumped down into the valley.