Chapter 449: Meet Cute at the Library

Chapter 449: Meet Cute at the Library

Ignoring the Master-disciple banter, Tang Fei marched directly ahead toward the main pavilion on the peak. Hui glanced at her, then hurried to follow. Im curious about what happened to Tang Fei. I should ask her now that I dont have my own face, I can investigate what happened to her without causing her more pain.

Ying Lin hummed happily to herself, skipping by Huis side as they headed into the library pavilion. An attendant came out and greeted Tang Fei, then turned to the two of them. Without hesitating, Ying Lin flashed a jade tablet at the attendant, and the attendant bowed and gestured them in.

Hui looked at her. Whats that?

She held up the tablet to him. An all-hours all-access pass to the library. They gave it to me after I visited them ten times in one day. Ying Lin wrinkled her nose. It isnt my fault I read so quickly. If they want to make a fuss about it, send a chain to my peak! But, well it is a convenient thing to have.

This disciple how much romance is she reading? No wonder her brain is stuffed with fluff and nonsense! Hui sighed. Ying Lin, if you studied cultivation techniques as seriously as you read romance

Eh? Am I not cultivating fast enough? Ying Lin asked, tilting her head.

You Huis words stopped. If Ying Lin claimed to be the second fastest cultivator at advancing in stages, I dont think even Master could claim to be first! He paused, then bowed. My apologies, Elder Sister! This cultivator is clearly incapable of chiding one as advanced as yourself!

Ying Lin smiled. She patted Huis hand. See? Its fine to read a few romance novels every now and again.

I dont know if ten visits to the library in one day counts as a few or every now and again but I digress. Hui coughed. He looked around. I should look up forging techniques. After all, I do want to complete some weaponry and armor for Starbound Sects cultivators before we attack All-Heavens. At my current rate, well be throwing rusty knots at All-Heavens and hoping it charges some kind of dark-matter-generating item!

They stood inside a massive multi-tiered pavilion, not unlike Starbound Sects library, though several times the size. The center of the pavilion stood open, allowing them to see all the way up to the pavilions ultimate ceiling, high above. Various cultivators walked leisurely around the layers of the pavilion, though fewer of them strode around the further the layers progressed upward. Narrow staircases connected the layers, and the faint shimmer of spells glittered around the top of each staircase, a restriction to prevent cultivators from progressing to parts of the library that werent proper for them.

Ahead of them, Tang Fei leaped into the air and headed directly toward the martial techniques section of the librarys fifth tier. Hui leaped after her, only to plummet back to the ground. He barely caught himself. Huh? I cant fly?

Ying Lin rushed over to Hui and grabbed his arm. Master! You cant fly in the library without a library tablet.

Ah, Hui said. He looked at Ying Lin. How do I get one?

You have to have the librarys trust, and be a good patron for a year, and commit meritorious deeds for the library, and collect a dozen new manuals she trailed off, then flashed her tablet. Or just annoy them enough for a week that they give you one!

Ying Lin! What a good disciple you are. Romance novels are the best! Hui cheered.

Ying Lin grinned. Now Master understands. She offered Hui her hand, and the two of them flew up into the pavilion, following Tang Fei.

The pressure increased as they ascended, growing heavier and heavier on Huis shoulders. As they reached the fifth level, he finally felt a burden from the pressure. Looking up at the sixth tier of the pavilion, Hui let out a wistful sigh. I bet you can only enter that area once youre sixth stage. Ah that wont be for a while yet, for me.

Ying Lin flew upward, looking around. Her head broke through the level of the sixth tier.

Hui blinked. Eh? Dragged after her, he frowned. Then am I wrong? Maybe lower realm cultivators can

Seconds before he struck the sixth tier, Ying Lin glanced down. Oh! There she is.

Looking over, Hui nodded. Indeed. In the martial techniques section well, thats reasonable. She was a fist-fighter, right? I remember some kind of Zodiac Fist technique I think. Its been a while.

They landed on the fifth tier. Hui released Ying Lin, and she waved at him. Ill let Master go talk with that girl alone now but you have to tell me all about it, okay?

Hui sighed. Ying Lin Oh, can you look up forging techniques for me? Youre just going to find garbage romance again, so you might as well.

Ying Lin froze. Master! I would never. Im here to seriously study, like you told me to!

Hui squinted suspiciously at her.

She squirmed, unable to meet his eyes. And maybe also grab a few romances?

As long as you also study, Hui said seriously. I know I havent been the best Master for Ying Lin, but I have startlingly little to pass down to her. She doesnt have much karma with talismans, and Im no sword cultivator, so we cant share much. At least Senior Chen Wuya took a liking to her and passed down his sword technique, but she still needs more techniques. One can never know enough spells, after all!

Ying Lin nodded, giving him a quick salute. Disciple understands! With that, she rushed off into the library.

Hui glanced over his shoulder. Ying Lin stared seriously at a row of manuals, but out of the corner of her eye, she closely watched Hui. Their eyes met, and Ying Lin glanced away, pretending to examine the manuals.

As expected, shes more interested in me and Tang Fei than browsing the manuals. Hui sighed quietly, then shook his head. Oh well. At least she agreed to find something to study, too.

Hui blinked a few times to adjust his eyes as the world popped back into color. He wobbled in place, his knees weak. His entire body trembled, drained of qi. Abruptly, his knees gave out, and he fell against the bookcasebut only for a moment, before a dozen manuals exploded with little blasts and sparks. Thrown away, Hui careened toward the opposite bookcase, where manuals began to charge their attack even as he fell toward it.

Ah, fuck. Cant do a good deed without being punished Hui thought to himself, bracing for impact.

A small hand reached out and caught him. He fell against a soft body, and glanced up to find Tang Feis cute face inches from his. Hui took a breath, startled. Floral scents assaulted his nose. Eh. Did she still wear perfume, even when she was braindead?

Tang Fei looked down at him. Her brows wrinkled in concern. Kneeling, she pulled out an elixir and pressed it into his hand. Are you hurt? You suddenly collapsed

A subtle motion from across the room caught Huis eyes. Ying Lin nodded approvingly, then pointed at Tang Fei and mimed a kiss, going so far as to throw her head back. Whatwait, she wants me to ask Tang Fei to feed me the elixir by mouth? This Ying Lin really needs her morals adjusted!

With some effort, Hui lifted the bottle and drank it. He instantly felt refreshed, and power coursed through his body. Sitting up, he shook his head, then turned to Tang Fei. Elder Sister, how do you feel?

I She rubbed her forehead, and her brows furrowed again. Clear-headed. Like a cloud has been lifted, for the first time in in years. Everything was Her eyes darkened. Memories swam across her face in the form of emotions; disgust, horror, anger, then a suppressed rage. Her chest rose and fell quickly, and she gripped at her sect robes, her hand digging into the fabric as if she wanted to tear it off and throw it away.

Hui caught her hands before any nudity could threaten the peace of the library. Elder Sister, listen to me. I I realized something was wrong with your cultivation, and took action to fix it. This did someone do it to you?

Tang Feis upper lip trembled. She nodded, once, and spat, Liu Guang.

Huis expression darkened. As I thought. At the orders of Gui Delun?

Lip coiling in disgust, Tang Fei nodded again.

Hui bit his lip. He looked down, struggling over his own emotions. Tang Fei attacked Li Xiang, and I took her hand, rightfully. But she attacked under the orders of Gui Delun. Attacked my whole sect, incited the entire incident but as a pawn, under Gui Deluns orders. She did wrong. Theres no doubt she did wrong. Nor is there doubt that she deserves blame. But but if I turn her away

What am I thinking about? Right now I need fighters, and she hates Gui Delun. I need to take advantage of everyone and everything I can, emotions be damned. Later, I can quibble about wrongs and rights, and who should be on what side. But right now I need Tang Fei.

He looked up. Tang Fei, I currently, I only have one disciple. Im an Outer Peak Lord, and I know the qi on my peak is much thinner than the qi on Gui Deluns peak. But even so would you like to come to my side? Ill protect you. Gui Delun and Liu Guang they wont be able to touch you any more.

Tang Fei grabbed his hand. Her small hand gripped his so tightly that her knuckles turned white, and his hand ached, but he didnt push her away. She looked up. Their eyes met, hers so alive, now, full of rage and horror and disgust and gratitude.

Yes, Tang Fei said.

Hui looked away, unable to meet her eyes for long. Then come with me. And if a day ever comes when you despise me as much as you despise Gui Delun, then on that day, you are free to go.

That will not come to pass, Tang Fe said shortly. She rose quickly, brushing off her robes. Her hands kept moving, as if she wanted to wipe them away entirely. Take me to your peak. I want to get changed as soon as possible.

Elder Sister, I dont have womens robes, Hui confessed.

I dont care. Anything is better than this, Tang Fei replied.

Hui glanced around. He caught sight of the forging section across the library and waved his hand, summoning a few random manuals to his hands. Ill let fate decide. He nodded at Ying Lin, who hurried over.

I have womens robes, Ying Lin offered immediately.

Ha! Not even pretending you arent listening in, Hui thought to himself. Still, its convenient this time, so I wont complain.

Tang Fei stared at Ying Lin. Who is this?

My one disciple, Hui introduced her. He nodded to Tang Fei. Ying Lin. She can be trusted.

Tang Fei nodded at Ying Lin. Her body stayed stiff, clearly uncomfortable. And who do I owe my freedom to?

Ah Hui hesitated. He glanced at Ying Lin, then nodded again. Small cultivator is Xing Huang.

She nodded. Call this one Tang Fei.

Hui bowed. He gestured for Tang Fei to follow. Ill lead you back to my peak. Ying Lin, fetch Tang Feier a cute set of robes.

Tang Fei turned. Behind Hui, she opened her mouth, then closed it again. She nodded. This disciple is in your care.