Chapter 623: Not Dead Yet

Chapter 623: Not Dead Yet

Tseng Caihong. You called for me?

She turned from where she sat on her sword, the half-up ponytail flapping in the wind. This high up, her hair whipped around her, caught in the winds. Her seven-colored eyes dipped below, long lashes shading their scintillating light. Jinzhi Zhimei. I must apologize.

Oh? An apology? How rare. Jinzhi Zhimei laughed lightly, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. Since the veil already covered her face, the gesture was completely unnecessary.

Hmm. Tseng Caihong stared into the distance, eyes locked to infinity. With effort, she tore them away, regarding the beautiful cultivator once more. Your hostage. I killed him. Youll have to fetch another.

Jinzhi Zhimeis brows furrowed beneath the veil. No?

No? You already have another?

Gesturing below, Jinzhi Zhimei shook her head. The hostage is still alive and well. Did you perhaps make a mistake? Far be it from me to suggest one such as yourself might be imperfect, yet

Tseng Caihong squinted at Jinzhi Zhimei. She turned, her eyes piercing through the tiers.

Silence. The furrow in Tseng Caihongs brows grew deeper. Hes alive? But I saw

Could the eyes that pierce all have a fault? Jinzhi Zhimei wondered aloud.

Tseng Caihong turned, narrowing her eyes at Jinzhi Zhimei.

Not that one such as I would ever

Save your breath. Tseng Caihong put her foot on the blade and stood, planting her other foot beside it. He was dead. I killed him. My own eyes saw the life and soul leave him.

Jinzhi Zhimei chuckled. Then he must be even more of a prodigy than we thought.

Hmph. Seven-colored light burst out from Tseng Caihongs form. The light swirled, bright rays growing brighter. Jinzhi Zhimei raised her arm to shield her eyes.

The light vanished. Tseng Caihong, too, disappeared, leaving nothing behind.

A child she killed, yet who was not dead? Gui Hui youre more than you appear, arent you? Jinzhi Zhimei tapped the side of her chin. Tseng Caihong has eyes that see all as long as she knows to look. If she says he was dead, then he was dead. I wonder what kind of wondrous technique or artifact does that small body hold? After all, that much potential a disciple sent so easily as a hostage couldnt possibly be so wondrous.

Under the veil, an unpleasant grin distorted her beautiful face for a moment. If Tseng Caihong fails to harvest whatever secret that boy holds, then she cant mind if I give a try.

--Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Dismissed!

Almost in sync with Zhong Zhishos call, Hui sneezed. He rubbed his nose and looked around. Was someone talking about me?

Tian Mo patted Hui on the back. Catch a cold?

Hui fixed him with a look. Elder Brother, were cultivators.

Tian Mo laughed. Thats right. I forgot.

Tseng Caihong walked over, her multicolored eyes half-shut and dull, the colors no longer swirling. She looked at the lunch lady. Make it special.

The lunch lady saluted again, vanishing into the cafeteria.

Hui cleared his throat. Small disciple is grateful for Seniors attention, but theres no need to pay special attention to this small disciple. What if the other disciples feel jealous? All things must be fair in education as in raising children, Senior.

Ignoring him, Tseng Caihong accepted a fresh bowl of rice from the lunch lady. She held it out to Hui.

Hui looked down at the rice, then back up at her. Absolutely not. I wont be touching that.

Take it, Tseng Caihong ordered. Where it stood upright in the countertop, the seven-colored sword trembled, as if hungry for blood.

Snatching up the rice bowl, Hui bowed. Thank you for the food, Senior!

She nodded. Come with me.

Ah, Senior, actually, I was going to sit with Hui gestured at Tian Mo.

Gui Hui, I just remembered, I promised to sit with Meimei! Tian Mo said, nodding.

Hui narrowed his eyes. You traitor! Saving your own hide

Tian Mo gave Hui a jaunty wave as he scurried off.

Theres no obstacles, then. Come with me, Tseng Caihong declared.

Mmm I guess not. Reluctantly, Hui followed her off.

He expected her to fly off somewhere, but Tseng Caihong walked over to one of the tables and sat down. As if the force of her sitting sent them flying, all the disciples at that table jumped up and ran away, leaving Hui alone with no backup. Grimacing internally, Hui sat opposite Tseng Caihong.

Tseng Caihong looked at Hui. Hui smiled at her. Can I help you?

You arent going to eat? she asked.

Are you fucking kidding me? Am I going to eat? Fuck no! I know theres poison in this rice now, for sure! I have no wsh to die. He opened his mouth.

Tseng Caihong narrowed her eyes.

Eat, Im going to eat! Hui said, reaching for his chopsticks. Come to think of it, isnt Tseng Caihong here because shes suspicious? Since I died, after all. But then if I eat the poison and die, like an ordinary disciple itll prove all her suspicions wrong!

Ill admit, the dismount could use some work I have no idea how Im going to un-suspiciously come back to lifebut its better than sitting here and continuing to grow her suspicions by successfully surviving the poison or refusing to eat it.

of course, I have no idea how Im going to keep from dying to the poison, either, but if nothing else, it probably isnt a poison and herbicide? That only happened once. In the general case, my plant form should be a good way to avoid dying.

Reaching out with his chopsticks, Hui took a big bite of rice. It tasted delicious, the same as any ordinary rice. He went to swallow, then hesitated.

But it did happen once! It did happen. I cant rely on my plant form! Instead instead, Ill do this!