Chapter 161: Face Off
Hui stepped through the door and into light. He stood in a small room, boxed in on all sides by glowing walls.
A sword instantly thrust at his neck.
Startled, Hui toppled backward. He didnt fall very far; only into Jin Xians arms. She caught him numbly, face blank.
Oh, shit! Huis eyes widened. The blade slashed through his neck.
Motes of light burst around him. The blade passed through harmlessly through his body.
Eh? Hui asked, looking at his hands. He touched his neck, brows furrowing.
Xi Guanxi scowled at him. He withdrew his blade, but his eyes still burned with killing intent. As soon as we leave this trial realm, your head is mine.
Elder Brother, there must be a mistake, Hui said, putting his hands up.
A mistake? Are you telling me you didnt kill my brother? Telling me you didnt imbue Xi clans secret puppet arts into that corpse? Xi Guanxi growled.
Hui swallowed. He waved his hands. Eh? Ah it must be a coincidence?
Xi Guanxis face twisted in rage. He slashed out at Hui again. Again, his blade lashed through Huis body harmlessly, except for motes of light bursting around Hui and the blade.
What an idiot. You didnt learn you cant hurt him yet? Did your brain turn to wood like those beloved puppets of yours? Bai Xue mocked.
We dont use wood for puppets, Xi Guanxi growled. He narrowed his eyes at Bai Xue. After I kill this child, Ill claim the two of you as fresh puppets.
Bai Xue rolled his eyes. Youd expect someone at the fourth stage to understand jokes ah, is your comprehension lacking?
Xi Guanxis eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.
Correct choice, Elder Brother! Dont engage Bai Xue in a duel of tongues ahhh, thats something this small cultivator is never going to say aloud! Hui cried internally.
Hui cut his eyes around the group. Aside from himself, all the other three were accompanied by massive snakes. Black coils piled upon black coils, long, low bodies stretching to the horizon. He swallowed and licked his lips, glancing at his own snake, small enough to fit in his hand. Ah did this small cultivator make a huge mistake?
Bai Xue edged over. Hui, what happened to your snake? The one from the realm.
Hui silently opened his hand, giving Bai Xue a peek.
The womans eyes flickered, somewhere between fury and amusement.
Er, if, if ancestor would bestow your glorious name upon these small cultivators, we would be eternally grateful, Hui said. He tried to bow, but the energy locked him in place.
She waved her hand dismissively. You unworthy ones can call me Hei She. Now for my amusement, youll fight to the death. The surviving child may escape alive.
Surviving child? Hui asked, gulping. Dont make me fight Xi Guanxi and Bai Xue! I dont want to die! Let me out, let me out! I want to live a good, happy life, why did no one mention that only one could escape?
Bai Xues eyes flashed. If you recognize us as worthy, then youll have no problem with us leaving, correct?
Correct. So far, however, youve been disappointments. All except Her eyes panned over the group, then settled on Hui.
Xi Guanxis eyebrows shot up so far they nearly flew off his face. Liu Baozhai frowned faintly. The most puzzled of all, Bai Xue stared Hui in the face. But his snake is tiny!
Hmph. You dare question this ancestor?
Of course not! I wouldnt dream of it, Bai Xue replied smoothly.
Xi Guanxi glowered at Hui. Release us. Let us fight.
Hei She snorted. As you wish. She waved her hand. The power that gripped the four of them drew them down to the black earth far below. Hei She watched from above. She leaned her head against her hand, bored already.
Stay out of my fight. That trash belongs to me, Xi Guanxi snarled, glaring at Hui.
Bai Xue shrugged. Take him.
Hui cast him a despairing glance. Bai Xue!
Liu Baozhai gave no response at all, but her eyes burned a hole in Bai Xue.
Anyone who slays a member of Xi Clan will die at my hand, Xi Guanxi declared.
Hui glanced around. Jin Xian flew down alongside him, her face impassive. Hui gestured, looping his qi around Jin Xian and drawing her closer. He patted his neck, then his robes, quietly slipping some talismans out of his ring and into his robes instead, flicking one or two up his sleeves. He gave Xi Guanxi a nervous look and bowed again. Elder Brother, please go easy on me.
We arent trading pointers. You will die here, Xi Guanxi declared.
Hui furrowed his brows in determination. I refuse!