Chapter 555: Triple Trouble
Si Wang lowered his fist. He tossed his hair and turned his back to Hui. Hmph. Ill let it go, this once. Only because Im such a magnanimous man.
Yes, yes. Senior is the most kind and gentle of all cultivators! Hui hurriedly praised him. Casually, he put a little distance between himself and Si Wang and put his hands behind his back, where he quickly scribbled a barrier talisman on the inside of one wrist with the other hand.
He glanced over his shoulders at the resentment demons. Without anyone to bother them, theyd gone back to rolling around in the forest. Looking in the opposite direction, he took in Eight Tiers Palace. I wonder has Eight Tiers Palace also experienced the breakdown of the Heavenly Dao, somewhere inside that massive building? Is the resentment demon drawn to it because theres more resentment against the Heavenly Dao within?
Or does it perhaps hold some piece of the Heavenly Dao, that the resentment demon desperately hates?
After all, the Heavenly Dao is broken, but it isnt as if the Southern Sect Conference is seriously struggling. I havent encountered resentment within it at all, for example. But out here, it seems, you turn around and encounter resentment. I cant help but wonder if the Eight Tiers Palace isnt doing something to incite resentment.
But what?
And if so what do they want with my children? Is that really just to suppress the Southern Sect Conference? It isnt impossible, far from it! But I know the Heavenly Emperor has his eye on me. He touched the back of his hand. I have the hidden Heaven mark on my hand even now. If the Eight Tiers Palace is colluding with Heaven, they would have the aura of the Heavenly Dao, making the resentment demon hate them, and if so, then isnt it possible theyd find my children to try to track me out?
A moment later, Hui shook his head. No, no! Im being too deep, too deep. Keep it simple. Theres a simple explanation for all this! Perhaps the corrupted mind of the resentment demon is under the impression that it was created by Eight Tiers Palace, and holds a grudge for the death of the people that made it up. And as for my children, they already said theyre kidnapping them to suppress Li Xiang and Bai Xue! Bai Xue is only sixth stage, but apparently their clan trades outside the conference, so naturally, theyd be known. And Li Xiang has become a powerful enough cultivator that people around her treat her with more piety than they treat the Patriarch of All Heavens Sect, Fen Long! Of course Eight Tiers Palace would suppress her!
Yes, yes. Theres a simple explanation for each individual thing. Dont get caught up in silly thoughts!
And yet
Si Wang glanced at him. Dont think too much about my magnanimity. Someone at your level cant possibly comprehend it.
Huh? I was thinking aboutof course, of course it was Seniors magnanimous heart! Ah, its a good thing Senior pulled me out of that, or else I might have faced a qi deviation, Hui said, nodding with a smile.
Si Wang smacked him on the side of the head.
Hui startled. He flinched back and cradled his head. Senior, why?
I suddenly felt like I had to squash a small bug, Si Wang said.
A bug? Hui patted his head. A second later, he squinted at Si Wang.
Si Wang tossed back his head and laughed. Thats right. YOU are the small bug!nove(l)bi(n.)com
Ah, right. I forgot Senior was a madman. Hui nodded along, quietly exploring his options. Agree? But he doesnt seem to want a sycophant right now. Disagree? Hmm no, Ill get smacked again. Play along? I dont want to get smacked again! Er
Hui looked up. Instead of a chunni or madman, an old man stood before him. Si Wang looked the same as he ever had, and yet, something in the way he held his shoulders and face made him look beaten down, tired. I understand. That is exactly what Zhu Diyu took from me, and from the reaper.
Hui startled. Why?
Because he himself descended to the underworld before he could experience all that. In his rivalry with me, he hurtled into the depths to surpass me, and yet, neglected everything else that life has to offer to chase that end. For some cultivators, thats fine, but not Zhu Diyu. Hes jealous, intensely so. To consider me a rival even after he had left me far behind isnt it obvious? Si Wang said, shrugging.
Ah, Hui said. Abruptly, he jolted and looked at Si Wang. Then he
Be careful, Si Wang said seriously. He will do anything to get what he wants, and hes happy to use what you love the most as leverage against you. Especially because he never accomplished the same.
Hui nodded. I understand, Senior. Then can I count on Senior to help me later?
No, Si Wang said flatly.
Ah, well, I expected no different, Hui said, nodding.
In the end, I lost to Zhu Diyu a long time ago. If you can best him, youre the one who has to do it, Si Wang said. Without relying on anyone else.
Yes. That Im used to, Hui said quietly.
Really? A righteous cultivator like you? Si Wang said, cocking a brow.
Hui laughed and rubbed the back of his head. Ah, well, Im just a small coward. No one has ever relied on me, so
Si Wang frowned. Not even those wives of yours?
We are all the type to stand on our own, Hui explained.
Si Wang blinked. Thats almost sad.
No, no. Its much better than being in debt! Hui said, nodding vigorously. Better to not rely on anyone than to be in someones debt!
Taken aback, Si Wang blinked harder. I dont understand you.
Mmm. Senior shouldnt worry. No one does! Hui said, beaming.