Chapter 306: Procession

Chapter 306: Procession

Ying Lin and Hui passed time within the glen, Hui playing Ying Lins dharma protector while she consolidated her foundation. At dawn on the third day, Hui stood at last, stretching. Zhubi came back to his side reluctantly, dripping spring water down his scales. He wriggled back up to Huis neck. Water dripped down Huis spine, and he shivered. Cold! nove(l)bi(n.)com

Wiping the water off, he turned to Ying Lin and held out the robes hed stolen from the female servant. Here, change into these robes.

Eh? Why? she asked.

You want to go to the banquet, right? Hui said. With the snakeskin technique, I could change her clothes as well as her face, but these robes do have some protective spells woven into them. Its better than having her rely only on the snakeskin.

Ying Lin nodded. She took the robes, then frowned at Hui. No peeking.

Hui smiled and bowed, turning away. Elder Sister, Ill be quite honest. Youre basically a single step above a mortal in beauty, and a child to boot. I have no interest in looking at your body.

Clothes rustled behind him. Ying Lin grumbled under her breath to herself as she tightened the robes to fit her, then cleared her throat. Im done.

Hui nodded. He turned around and reached his hand out toward her. Stand very still. Im going to cast an advanced technique on you. It might feel a bit uncomfortable, but bear with it.

Ying Lin nodded. She screwed her eyes up tight and tensed.

Chuckling, Hui called up the snakeskin technique. He gathered the spell in his hand rather than circulating it through his body, then lowered his hand onto Ying Lins head. A skin rolled down over her body from his palm, changing her face. In a moment, a shorter version of the servant Xiu Ya stood before him.

She is a bit shorter, but will anyone notice? Hui considered for a second, then mentally shrugged. Well mix in with the servants at the last minute. Like that, they wont have time to question us. Besides, the servants are apparently randomly-hired rogue cultivators. Its not as if they know one another wellprobably.

Ying Lin raised her hands and frowned at them, flexing her palms and stretching her fingers. It feels weird.

Youll get used to it, Hui said. At this point, Id probably feel uncomfortable if I wasnt wearing a snakeskin.

Like Im wearing someones skin, Ying Lin said, wrinkling her nose.

Hui cleared his throat. It most certainly is not exactly what you are doing right now, Elder Sister! Dont worry about it! Ying Lin, call yourself Xiu Ya from now on. Im Li Huang, understood?

Not Xie Hao? Ying Lin asked, tilting her head.

I er, were in disguise, Hui explained.

Were you in disguise from the start? Ying Lin wondered.

Hui cleared his throat again. Er, its not important.

So you were! What do you really look like? she asked.

I look like I did when I was tiny, Hui said.

Ying Lin frowned. I couldnt see clearly. You were too small.

Ill show you after the banquet, Hui promised. Its not as if itll hurt anything if Ying Lin knows what I look like. She doesnt know Im a wanted cultivator. Though I should probably break the news that Im wanted before I show her my face, so she doesnt get any ideas about me hiding that from her.

Ive warned her not to treat me as her master for good reason! Once I do that, she should understand. Ah, if she decides to leave and find a real sect after that, Ill help her with that. Its understandable to not want a criminal for a master.

Ying Lin shook her head. I cant read.

Ah ah, dammit! I shouldve figured. A mere servant girl, where would she learn to read? I guess Ill have to ask Bai Xue for a copy of the Three Classics while theyre in town.

Mmm, but that manual doesnt require one to comprehend its words in order to pass on enlightenment. I suppose that means she has no karma with this technique.

Its not surprising. It was forgotten in the depths of the library, and as far as I can tell, only myself and Yunxu have been able to comprehend it in the modern era. Ill have to find other cultivation manuals and try them on Ying Lin. He sent a message to the other clones as he thought it, sharing his difficulties.

As if hed broached some sort of floodgates, requests flew in every direction. The mortal one requested qi, another asked for a sword technique, yet another declared their undying need for new talisman formulas, while the miracle healer requested someone think up a good way to bluff a nosy cultivator without turning them entirely off the scent.

Hui stumbled and pressed a hand to his forehead. Ow! Quiet, please!

Yeah, sixth clone isnt used to the network yet. Quiet down!

Hes the one who requested in the first place!

Speaking of, sixth, what are you up to? Cultivation manuals it almost sounds like youve taken in a disciple.

He has!

Hes done it!

Is she cute? Our disciple has to be cute.

Can she absorb death qi? What about life qi?

Hey, sixth, I came up with this new technique. Its a very simple sword-attack talisman, if she has any karma with swords, shell

Hui scowled. Please! Im at a delicate moment here, okay?

Ooh, is Bai Xue around?

At last, the miracle healers voice cut in. Silence! I know everyones excited since weve just met sixth and first clone, but keep the chatter to a minimum!

Blessed silence fell over the node. Hui sighed and shook his head. Before they could start chattering again, he rushed ahead and joined smoothy into the procession of cultivators. Ying Lin bobbled along after him, somewhat less smooth. For someone whod only just passed Foundation Building, her motions as she ran with a qi-enhanced body were practiced and comfortable, but compared to the rest of the servants, rogue cultivators whod cultivated for years, she still stood out as somewhat wobbly. One or two of the servants shot glances their way, and Hui tensed.

One of the servants leaned in, a smirk on his face. Li Huang, Xiu Ya, youre late. Did the two of you get lost in one anothers eyes again?

Hui blinked, startled. What?

Ying Lin blushed a vicious shade of red.

Dont act so shocked, everyone knows about it. Hurry up and ask her to become your Daoist partner, already, the servant said, nudging Hui with his elbow.

Hui licked his lips and laughed awkwardly, refusing to look at Ying Lin. Dammit, if Id known, Id have found a different set of disguises!