Chapter 297: Belly of the Beast

Chapter 297: Belly of the Beast

Oh? Do I recognize you?

Hui smiled to himself. Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao shall appear. He turned and bowed to Han Qin. Benefactor! I didnt get the chance to thank you properly yesterday for saving my life. My name is Xie Hao. Consider me your servant.

No, no, thats not necessary. Ah, you can call me Han Qin, Han Qin replied.

He looked Hui up and down, and a prickly sensation assaulted Huis skin. Hes examining me with his qi, isnt he? Good thing Im still repressing my cultivation.

A second later, Han Qin frowned slightly. No discomfort from yesterday, I hope?

Beaming, Hui shook his head. None! My thanks. If sir physician hadnt come along when you did Ha! Probing to see if the sword qi is eating at me, huh? Too bad, its already dispelled! Or so hell think. I bet hes cursing that Ying Min girl for having such weak sword qi right now. Ill let him think that for now. It doesnt harm me any.

He bowed to Han Qin. If I recall, sir invited me to the manor. Please excuse this servant for acting on my own. However, as a fellow physician, I wanted to consult with you about Fu Liyus state as soon as possible.

Han Qins eyes narrowed subtly. He gave Hui an intense stare, then smiled slowly. I see. You must be a talented physician.

Hui waved his hands. No, no. Only a little talent. Ive been able to see internal energy since I was young, but no more than that.nove(l)bi(n.)com

Really? A unique talent in of itself. May I have a look? Han Qin asked, stepping closer.

Hui hesitated. Refuse? Itll be easiest to refuse. But thatll be suspicious. Hell wonder why a mere mortal with a little bit of qi manipulation refused the chance to get examined by a great immortal doctor. After all, Im a mortal! I should be overawed that an immortal has deigned to talk to me!

But I Im not a mortal. If hes actually skilled, actually a physician, theres a chance he can see that Im repressing my cultivation. If nothing else, it should be suspicious how pure and well-structured my body is. No mortal should have cleansed flesh and neat meridians, and my qi has almost certainly seeped into my body at some level. Again, if hes skilled, hell be able to sense that.

Besides, besides, I nearly forgot the most important part! My body is far from mortal. Its plant. Plant! Not flesh and blood at all! Im a clone, not a human. No! I cant let him examine my body.

But what do I do? Is there an excuse I can make? What can I do, what can I do

Wait! The plant art. Reverse it! Use it to make my body human. Human and polluted! Intentionally create a flawed body of flesh. Can I do it? Is it possible?

Ying Lin nodded. She grinned, proud of herself. I dont know how to properly harvest herbs, so I figured I wouldnt harvest it! That way, you immortals can properly harvest the herb instead!

Han Qin stared. He licked his lips, then looked at the spirit herb dangling from his hand. Decisively, he tossed it into the air, then made a blade with his hand. Slashing at the herbs base, he snatched the sprout out of the air and let the roots fall to the ground. This is Blue Ice Grass. Its roots are useless, but the leaves can be used in potions. This particular herb isnt difficult to harvest. Next time you encounter it, slice it quickly at the base of the roots.

Thank you for the lesson, immortal! Ying Lin said, excited.

Han Qin snorted. He looked at Hui. Is she yours?

Hui bowed. Shes a servant, a lowly servant like myself. Ying Lin, now that youve delivered the spirit herb, why dont you head back? It will take me a while to examine Fu Liyu.

Ying Lin hesitated. She looked at him, her eyes burning. You wont forget?

No, no. Ill be sure to recommend you, and mention the spirit herb you found to Fu Liyu as well, Hui said, smiling. Shes come far enough. I know that even Han Qin wont spare her a second glance, despite her incredible talent. I should pass her a few small skills and techniques so she can step into cultivation, if shes interested. Any real sect would be salivating over a talent like hers. Only this small clan would dare be thoughtless enough to ignore her!

Besides I get the feeling Han Qin might not let me out alive, once I tell him what Ive seen. Thats fine for me, but I cant fake someone elses death if they go for beheading or anything that does serious physical damage. If Ying Lin doesnt overhear anything about Fu Liyus condition, though, and remains a mere lowly servant, they ought to forget she was even here.

Hui hesitated, then lifted Zhubi off his neck and handed him to Ying Lin. My snake is tired. Take him home.

Ying Lin blinked. Zhubi lifted off her hands and leaned toward Hui, letting out a nervous hiss.

Be a good boy, go with Ying Lin. Im going somewhere dangerous. Hui smiled and shook his head.

Zhubi curled in on himself, tilting his head. After a second, he lowered his head and closed his eyes, understanding.

Ying Lin stared at him for a few more moments, then nodded and hurried off through the manor. She vanished quickly out of sight around the edge of the buildings, and Hui breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She brought me Zhubi, after all, and hasnt done anything to harm anyone. I dont want to see her come to any harm. Getting her out of here before Han Qins next move gets a load off my shoulders.

Han Qin nodded at Hui and gestured him on with a smile that didnt reach his eyes. Come along, come along.

Hui smiled back. This man is absolutely going to kill me. Blithely, he followed along after Han Qin, winding ever deeper into the compound.