Chapter 320: Fortuitous Timing

Chapter 320: Fortuitous Timing

The sea of bamboo fell away, and they emerged into a field of wild grass. An inn stood beside a three-way intersection, alongside a small farm and the beginnings of a broad pasture. Chickens pecked at the earth, and a farm dog roamed in the distance, watching the herd. The little outpost settlement stood alone, three small houses and an inn at the shore of the lonely bamboo. Despite that, a few wagons already docked at the inns stables, proof of a thriving trade route.

Ahead, the road wound into a thick forest. At the pastures edge, tangled overgrowth and saplings sprung up, quickly building into broad, tall trees as the gentle hills wound away. The trees grew gargantuan in the distance, nearly large enough to rival Mount Mu s saplings, Hui amended mentally. Even the biggest ones are still babies compared to Mount Mu, that mountain of a tree.

The remnants of Mount Mus inheritance stirred in him, stimulated by the thick wood-elemental qi emanating from the trees. Another energy flowed on the air, dark and rancid. Hui raised his hand and coiled some of the dark energy within. It seethed in his hand, bubbling.

Hui frowned. Thats not death qi. Its almost like rot. Mold. Decay.

A duck bill emerged from his palm and gobbled up the energy, disappearing along with the energy.

Licking his lips, Hui stared at his empty palm, then lowered it. I dont know what I expected.

Hui turned to take in the scene, mentally routing escape plans and noting anywhere he could take cover in. An open field a pasture the forest is the source of that dark energy, and the bamboo is too tight to flee far inside without cutting through the bamboo. Mmm if I had to choose, wed press on! But I dont get to choose, do I.

The driver gave a grunt and hopped off the wagon. Well rest here for tonight. Everyone, rest well, because were going to press through the Forest of Death tomorrow.

Hui shuddered. I dont like the sound of that.

The laborers groaned. Tomorrow?

Come on, boss, we cant get a day or two?

My poor feet

The Forest of Death with four guardians? Ive said it was suicide from the start!

Yeah, especially with that one weakling

The driver glared, turning slowly to stare each one in the eye. Were doing it tomorrow. The deliverys already a week late. We cant slow it down any further.

The grumbling continued, the laborers glancing amongst themselves.

Edging subtly toward Hui and the trio of All-Heavens cultivators, the driver glared down at his laborers. If you disagree, say it to my face!

At that, the mutters fell off, and the laborers wandered away, dispersing. Lu Lintei, Zhi Ahn, and Ding Qinwen shared a nod, then split up. Zhi Ahn and Ding Qinwen headed off toward the left and right of the forest respectfully, while Lu Lintei yawned and wobbled for the inn.

Before she could get there, Zhi Ahn spun on his heel and glared at her. Lu Lintei hesitated, then sighed and wandered off toward the forest instead, though not without casting a longing glance the inns direction every few steps.

Ying Lin drew close to Hui. She glanced after the other three, then met Huis eyes. Master, should we help?

Hui shook his head. You need to focus on your training, and I have my own tasks. Were better off leaving the professionals to their job, and instead completing our own objectives.

Ying Lin nodded. I understand! Master is indeed wise.

In any case, Im not approaching that dangerous forest until I give it a good examination from afar. Theres no chance Im letting Ying Lin anywhere near it until I know its relatively safe!

He headed toward the inn, quickly reserving a room for himself and Ying Lin. Though he was tempted to reserve two rooms, the exhausted laborers behind him exuded dangerous, fierce energy, so he backed down and only took one in the end. Both Ying Lin and I will be meditating, so its not as if anything untoward will happen. It does mean a maiden will have to share a room with me, but Im not going to do anything, and mmm, I still feel bad about it. I dont want to accidentally ruin her chances at marriage. Maybe Ill meditate on the roof instead, or something. Isnt that something cultivators do? Meditate on roofs?

No, I think Im mixing them up with other light novels.

Hui considered, then shrugged at himself. Theres always the hallway. Not like it bothers me. All I need is a space to sit in quietly. Im quite used to ignoring noise and chaos, after all. My past lifes apartment well, lets just say paper might have made better walls.

Emerging, he found Ying Lin meditating under an old tree in the inns front lawn. She unfolded her legs and stood as he approached. Master?

Ive secured us a room in the inn, he informed her, passing her the key. Go inside any time you please.

What about you, Master? Ying Lin queried, taking the key.

Hui turned to the forest. A shiver ran down his spine, but he forced it back. I cant run away from it. I have to examine it now, before we head into it tomorrow. A known enemy is an enemy half-defeated, or something.

Besides besides, Im a clone! Im not afraid of death! Yeah, like Sixth, its fine if I sacrifice my life to save the main... the rest of the bodies! Yeah!

Shit. I dont want to die. Even this small clone doesnt want to die, dammit! I might have Sixths memories, but Im not Sixth.

He touched his chest and once again felt the gap, the hole that would never again be filled. We lost something when Sixth died. He didnt simply perish as a clone and reassimilate with the rest of us, the way Healer did that one time, but died completely. Even though were clones, theres still pieces of us that belong to the original, and if those are destroyed, we lose them forever.

All of us know, now, that theres no such thing as a free meal. Clones can be killed. We must remain vigilant.

Master? Ying Lin asked, tilting her head. Around her neck, Zhubi tilted his in sync, the cuteness overflowing from both of them.

I hear you, Bai Xue replied breathlessly, with a gruff, male voice. Xiao Hui, can it wait a moment?

Eh? Whos talking? a female voice replied.

Huis face burned. II didnt think! I should have scheduled a time! I

A friend? a second female voice giggled.

Bai Xue, do you really have time for friends? a third woman laughed. Sheets rustled.

Hui scowled, forgetting his embarrassment. Never mind! Bai Xue, you licentious furnace, three women at once? Youre the one at fault, not this pitiful single dog! It can wait, you damn horny

Ah, its fine, its fine, I was almost done anyways. Everyone, same time tomorrow? Bai Xue said politely, his voice reverting to its usual tone.

A chorus of voices replied in the affirmative. Sheets and clothes rustled. A door slid open, then shut again.

Bai Xue sighed aloud, settling back in the bed once more with the creak of wood and the swish of silk. It had better be important, Xiao Hui.

It is. Bai Xue, I

Or were you merely lonely? I havent put my robes back on yet, you know Bai Xue added, his voice turning deep again.

Bai Xue! Put your robes on! Hui insisted.

Bai Xue chuckled. Theyre on, theyre on. I was only teasing.

Hui sighed. Thank goodness.

Or was I?

Hey!

Bai Xue chuckled again. So? What was so important that you had to call me right at this moment?

Er, my apologies, Bai Xue, I didnt know you were otherwise engaged, Hui stuttered. In, in any case, Im currently in a bind. He explained the situation quickly to Bai Xue, as simply as he could.

Hmm Im in the middle of consolidating my realm, or else Id come. It sounds interesting, Bai Xue said. He shifted, silk hissing over silk.

Is that what youre calling it, now? Consolidating your realm? Hui mocked silently. Out loud, he asked, What do you think?

Forest of Death I havent heard of it before. It must be the mortals name for the area if we even have a name for it. Some kind of monster that even fifth-stage cultivators fear Hmm. That seems like something I would have heard about. A monster fifth stage forest

Still nothing? Hui asked. It is a fair distance from Twin-Elemental City, and its not as if Bai Xue knows everything. Still, it was worth an ask.

No. Im thinking, but Bai Xue rolled over. Xiao Hui, did you get away? I thought I smelled your weird plant blood, but well, I suppose I should have known my little Hui wouldnt be so easy to kill.

No, I died, Hui replied.

Eh? Bai Xue said.

Hui took a deep breath. Bai Xue, Im a clone. The me you interacted with was Sixth, the latest clone to wake up. Aside from him, theres another six of us, including First, who we didnt know about until after we named Sixth in any case, even though were clones, Sixth died a true death. Even if another clone was born, we that is, Xiao Hui, can never regain the parts of him that made up Sixth.

Silence. There was a quiet shifting. Xiao Hui, Bai Xue said softly.

Hui shook his head. Bai Xue, dont worry. Im notnot too bothered by it. Its better to lose some of me than for all of me to die eternally. In essence, I created these clones to take my place, and even die if necessary. Though none of us want to die, we all understand what it means to live under the thumb of All-Heavens Sect. Death can come at any moment. Ah, in this case, it wasnt All-Heavens, but

Six Xiao Huis, Bai Xue said, his quiet voice suddenly full of longing.

Hui paused. Bai Xue?

Six of you? Six? Xiao Hui, when can I meet you? All of you? At once? Bai Xue asked breathlessly.

Er Bai Xue, we are kind of hiding from All-Heavens Sect. We arent going to all show up in one place at once, Hui replied.

Bai Xue clicked his tongue. All-Heavens Sect All-Heavens Sect! Damn you! Just you wait. Bai Xue is coming for you. You wont keep me and six Huis apart!

I havent even agreed to anything, Hui muttered.

I believe in you, Bai Xue said confidently.