Chapter 210: Return of the Ducks

Chapter 210: Return of the Ducks

Sis Meis portions were usually large, but todays was larger than usual. At last, Hui finished it and set the bowl on the back step. He stood and stretched, letting out a yawn.

It feels good to be back, wearing my own skin and no one elses. Maybe Ill go for a walk. As long as I stick to the wooded areas, I shouldnt be attacked by any of Li Xiangs worshippers.

With no real goal in mind, Hui set out, wandering through the woods. He laced his fingers behind his head and hummed to himself, watching the clouds drift by. Leaves swayed as the trees bent with a gentle breeze. A stand of bamboo clustered tightly to his right, sharp leaves shivering in the breeze. Underfoot, leaves crunched, and brambles broke away before his legs, no longer able to pierce his flesh.

I wonder where Li Xiang lives? He glanced upward, toward the peak. Shes a direct disciple of Lan Taijian, so she ought to live near him. Starbound Peak isnt like Masters mountain, which belongs only to Master. Sect Master Lan lives at the peak, but Lan Taijian, Peak Lord of Starbound Peak, shouldnt live far beneath him.

Hmm probably all the ordinary disciples know. Its because Im so disconnected from everyone, over on Masters peak, that I dont know. I could ask one of them Hui pressed his lips together. No. Theyd either outright refuse or directly attack me! Im the one who dared impinge their idol, after all. And now Im known as a slut, somehow ah, probably to do with the qi transfer when I saved everyone from the Qi Seeds. Ah! So unfair. Why is sharing qi such an issue in this world? But surely the medical experts must do it. Maybe I should

A blast of sword qi cut through the air inches from his nose. Hui jumped back, startled. Half of him began to play dead on instinct, but the other half stopped him. Its only a second-realm attack, at best! It couldnt hurt even if it landed. I need to have some dignity, as Masters inheriting disciple!

Inheriting disciple. What is there to inherit? The the Lightning Palm?

Master!

While he wailed internally, Hui glanced around, searching for the source of the sword qi. Suddenly, a fierce-looking youth, somewhere between twelve and fifteen years old, leaped out of the trees and slammed into his chest, kicking him backward. Distracted by his thoughts and search, Hui collapsed, instinctively playing dead.

Hey! Me! That didnt even hurt! Why am I playing dead, huh?

He sighed and opened his eyes, only for the fierce youth to stomp him to the ground with a foot on his chest. Hui frowned up at the youth, more confused than anything. Huh?

This is Master Wangs territory. How dare you trespass! the fierce youth declared.

My apologies, Elder Brother. I was simply passing through, Hui excused himself, still half-suppressing his cultivation.

The youth squinted at him, then laughed. Ha! I cant even sense your cultivation. As old as you are have you even entered Qi Gathering yet? Youre practically a mortal. Ah! Let this Elder Brother Li Qian help you out. You can be my underling, and help me defend Master Wangs territory. In return, Ill give you cultivation tips!

Eh? Hui asked, confused. This kid at the second stage is he asking for trouble?

Li Qian nodded. Lately, theres been an influx of bandits, coming for Sect Master Lans beloved ducks. Master Wang is in charge of keeping the ducks safe, and ever since Sect Master Lans prized duck, Fatty, died on his watch, hes been inconsolable! Of course, our grand and noble Sect Master didnt hold it against him, but even so, Master Wang couldnt bear for such a thing to happen again. Thats why hes posted guards like me to keep wayward disciples away from the precious ducks!nove(l)bi(n.)com

Ah my apologies! I had no idea my action had such far-reaching effects. Master Wang this small disciple offers his most sincere apologies. Hui bowed his head silently. Instead of continuing to release his cultivation base, he once again suppressed it to a near-mortal level. As apology, allow this small disciple to assist you in your noble goal of protecting the ducks! Ill give it my all to keep the small creatures safe, at least for as long as I have nothing better to do.

Know of. Know of! Hui edited himself. Ah! I dont need this kid to see me as a threat to his idol, too!

Oh. Everyone knows of Li Xiang. Li Qian sighed deeply, this time a sigh full of desire. You were going to ask if we were related? No. Its a common surname. We both come from unrelated mortal households.

I understand, Hui said, nodding. Mmm too bad. It would be nice to have an independent confirmation on Li Xiangs age. After all, if Im right about this, its possible that my fellow disciples are wrong!

But if she were Ah, but then I couldnt marry her, Li Qian said, shaking his head.

Mmarry? Hui stuttered.

Li Qian nodded. Its everyones dream, isnt it? Even you, I bet.

I Hui licked his lips nervously. His heart started to race, and he glanced at his feet. Li Xiang I about her, I

See? Its nothing to get excited about. Its impossible for us, anyways. The only ones who have a chance are other inheriting disciples, or people at that status. Princes from outside clans. Something like that.

Hui licked his lips again. He glanced at Li Qian. Inheriting disciples, like, maybe, Weiheng Wus inheriting

Li Qian scowled. Dont say his name! That awful villain. How dare he touch our Li Xiangs robes! How dare he flirt with her! Hes unworthy of her, unworthy from top to bottom. The things Ive heard about him

The things youve heard? Hui prompted, morbidly curious.

Li Qian ticked them off on his fingers. Hell dual-cultivate with anyone, even by force! Hes best friends with a well-known rogue and casanova, that Bai Xue, from the Bai clan. Ive heard he even villainously attempted to dual-cultivate with Bai Xue and Li Xiang at the same time! Thank goodness our goddess fought him off. Hes a coward who can only win by trickery, and hides on his Masters peak all day so no one can duel him for his spot as inheriting disciple. He spends half his time fainting and is so weak he cant take a blow from someone an entire tier below him without passing out. And worst of all hes the one who ate Fatty! Ate him!

Er he sounds like quite the villain, Hui muttered under his breath. Dammit! Is my reputation really that bad? Its all lies! Falsehoods! Itsokay, well, I guess some of them are true. I did eat Fatty, and I am friends with Bai Xue. And technically I did dual-cultivate with everyone, but it was just treatment for the Qi Seeds. And theres nothing wrong with winning by trickery or not wanting to duel every idiot who comes along, okay? Not everyone likes constant battle!

Besides, the one who tried to dual-cultivate with two people at the same time was Bai Xue, not me! And come on, Li Xiang had to fight me off, but Im also so weak I cant take a blow from someone a tier below me? Be consistent, you gossips!

Argh! Where did that rumor come from, even? They must have heard Li Xiang talking about her time in Bai Clan and twisted her words! The rumor-spreaders are the true villains!

You must have recently achieved Qi Gathering to not have heard about him. Hes the biggest villain in the sect. But dont worry, your Elder Brother will get you caught up! Li Qian thumped his chest reassuringly.

This small disciple appreciates it! Hui said, bobbing into a bow. Get me caught up? Dont tell me, theres more bad rumors about me? How deep does this go?