Chapter 212: Before You Know It

Chapter 212: Before You Know It

Running through the forest, Hui quickly flipped through the ducks vision again. Still nothing?

A vague sense of discontentment, slowness, and the need to conceal themselves came back to him. Hui sighed, understanding. Right. They have to hide themselves in Starbound Sect, or else I might get kicked out for cultivating death qi. Im doing it righteously, but Lan Taijian would never understand, to say nothing of the Sect Master. I should be thankful that the ducks thought to hide themselves!

He sped up toward his Masters peak. By leaps and bounds, he left Starbound Peak behind and quickly ascended the mountain. Weiheng Wus hut appeared atop the hill, as simple and pristine as he remembered it. The well sat alongside it. Hui slowed to a halt before the well and closed his eyes, reaching a hand over it. His brows furrowed. I still dont sense anything strange about this water.

Shrugging, he pulled up a bucket. Water sloshed within, clean and clear but otherwise unremarkable. He held his hand over it and sent a probe of qi inside. Still nothing. Its just water.

Hui hesitated, looking at the water. Maybe it can only be sensed when the water is drunk? I havent drunk any of the water since before I was in Qi Gathering. Ive used it to make paper, but I havent drunk it. Maybe thats the key.

Moving to the hut, Hui filled a jug with water, then put it in his storage ring. A little water remained at the bottom of the bucket after the jug filled. He lifted the bucket and dumped the last of the water into his mouth.

Hui settled into a lotus pose and circulated his qi evenly. Focusing internally, he turned all his energy inside of him, watching the flow of his own qi. He frowned. Is it circulating a little more smoothly? I cant tell. If there is an effect, its a subtle one.

Oh, well. I guess the kids were duped about that. That, and the whole Xiao Hui is the true villain nonsense. He sighed and shook his head.

A flash of forest passed before his eyes. Grass, littered with charred bones. A group of disciples crouching over a fire. Hui looked up. The ducks! Theyve found something! He set the bucket down on the edge of the well and charged down the peak.

At the base of his Masters peak, Hui paused. Half the problem is those damn rumors. I bet these duck-eating idiots have a big hand in spreading them, but one way or another, I dont want to charge in and stop them, only for new rumors to appear. I can hear it now: Ah, did you hear, Xiao Hui ate a whole fleet of ducks and blamed it on those righteous fellow disciples? No, no, no! I need to fight back.

But how?

Hui bit his lip, then suddenly nodded to himself. He jogged up Starbound Peak, pausing at the common areas for a moment. If I were Li Xiang

Hui followed her finger. Smoke rose over the forest, slowly dissipating on the wind. By the time it reached the spell boundary theyd just crossed, little remained of the smoke but a faint scent of woodfire.

He reached out to the ducks, who confirmed it. His eyes flashed. Those are our culprits. Li Xiang, be ready!

Nodding, Li Xiang drew her sword. Hui hesitated, then threw a hand up in front of her. Li Xiang stopped abruptly and gave Hui a look.

Elder Sister wait here. Be ready to come out on my signal.

Li Xiang looked at Hui. Are you sure?

Hui nodded. Looking at the clearing, he sucked a deep breath. This time I think its best if I I jump in alone!

I can come with you. Theres no need to push yourself, Li Xiang offered.

Hui shook his head. He put on a heroic face and turned to Li Xiang. Elder Sister, I couldnt possibly ask you to step out first! Where would my pride as a man go? My heroic aura?

Li Xiang frowned at him, lost. Your what?

Elder Sister! Theres some things you cant say, even if theyre true! Hui nodded and stepped out into the clearing, leaving Li Xiang behind. She ducked behind a tree and watched him go, waiting.

Four disciples sat around a fire, their backs to him, chomping on fresh roast duck. The savory scent of meat filled the air, enough to make Huis mouth water. With some effort, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, then let out a stern snort. The disciples jumped, startled.

Well, well, well, what do we have here? Disciples, eating the Sect Masters beloved ducks? Hui asked, looking down on the other disciples, his hands tucked neatly behind his back.