Master, This Poor Disciple Died Again Today

Chapter 330: Foxes and Swords

They arrived at the abandoned temple before dark, with Ying Lin quickly gaining comprehension in the movement technique as they continued onward. Even Hui began using the technique toward the end, figuring practice couldnt hurt. Bao Huli clung to Ji Taiyu the whole time, barely leaving his side as she made mistake after mistake and required him to step in time and time again to correct her.

As they approached the top of the peak, Bao Huli stumbled yet again. She looked up at Ji Taiyu with tears sparkling in her eyes, her brows furrowed. Master, cant you show disciple the flow of your qi? Please. If you show me with your qi, Im sure I can learn it.

Ji Taiyu blushed faintly. He glanced at Hui and Ying Lin and pushed Bao Huli away. First Disciple, you know I cant. Unmarried cultivators shouldnt mix their qi. Watch me again. This time, for sure

Master, I just cant! Please, just for a little? Bao Huli wont mind, she insisted, fluttering her lashes at him.

Bao Huli, I know youre capable. Youre my most promising disciple! Again, one more time. This time for sure! Ji Taiyu insisted.

Master, please Bao Huli tried, but Ji Taiyu turned away, refusing to look at her any longer. Behind his back, she clicked her tongue with a sour expression.

Hui licked his lips and averted his eyes, staring toward the setting sun instead. Is this how Bai Xue feels around me? Ah, how awkward

Master, unmarried cultivators shouldnt mix their qi? Ying Lin asked.

Hui coughed. Er, as Bai Xue said, people tend to fetishize it, but its really the same as any other technique.

She frowned. Didnt you tell me to disregard everything Bai Xue said?

That, that is yes, normally! But theres certain cases anyways, he finished firmly, turning away, unwilling to broach the subject again. I really dont get why this world is so weird about putting your qi inside other people. Its practically required for any healing arts! Or do healers get a pass? I still havent really seen any healers or healing arts, but then again, most people use pills

Hmm, could it be? Do most people use pills because the healing arts are er, are kind of seen the same way as a massage parlor offering happy endings?

Instantly, the miracle healers voice sounded in his head. Take that back! Youre incorrect, completely incorrect! My healing is pure and clean, and theres nothing horny about it!

Hui smirked. Someone sounds defensive. Hey, Healer, do you want one of the Bai Xue-chat talismans? Ive got extra, fifty percent discount. Im sure hell listen to your worries.

Shut up! What worries? Im secure in my healing, completely secure! the miracle healer insisted.

Healer, Healer its fine to scam people, as long as you get into the All Heavens Sect oh wait, you havent done that, have you? the rogue replied, laughing under his breath.

Hey! Whyre we beating up on me? Its not like youve broken into the sect. Youre the sects dog, no better than an errand boy!

At least Im not their whore.

Your mother is their whore!

Hui rubbed his forehead, extracting himself from the node. Flame wars are much more fun to start when they dont exclusively involve me.

Ji Taiyu looked around the temple. It stood in ruins, the pillars and the roof still strong, but the walls broken and sagging, the door completely blown aside, as though a great storm had descended within the temple and broken out of it. He nodded at his disciples, then led the way inside.

Bao Huli followed closely on his heels. Hui licked his lips, then gestured for Ying Lin to stay close and followed the other two inside. I hope it isnt actually haunted by monsters. Itll be good if this is a baseless rumor again, like all the others.

Inside, the temples wooden floors creaked underfoot. In a few places, the wood gave way, rotted through. Hui followed Ji Taiyu and Bao Huli, stepping only where they stepped and keeping his feet light. Ying Lin copied him, sticking close after him.

In the temples center, a wooden carving stood atop a shrine, honoring the local god, a fierce warrior deity. About the height of a human, the exquisite details of the statues face nearly brought it to life, even the creases in the eyes and the folds of the palm replicated. Though age dulled the finest details, enough remained to clearly exhibit the skill of the carver.

I dont sense any demonic qi Ji Taiyu murmured, a hand on his chin. He leaned close to the statue, examining it.

Hui flicked his eyes at Bao Huli. You dont?

Bao Huli narrowed her eyes at him. Hui quickly looked away. Dont aggro the fox demon, dont aggro the fox demon!

Its possible that its a ghost or a being that uses a different kind of qi than demonic qi, Bao Huli offered.

Mmm, thats true. Shall we stay here tonight? Ji Taiyu turned to the other two.

Do we have to? Hui asked.

I promised Song Weilai Id meet her here tomorrow morning, but if youre too afraid of the monsters, we can move on, Ji Taiyu offered.

Song Weilai? Hui asked.

A wandering merchant. I need to resupply, but shes an old friend, too, Ji Taiyu said, his eyes crinkling at the edges as he smiled.

A wandering merchant? If anyone would have heard of Li Xiang, its someone like her, who wanders the world and talks to a great many people. We have to stay the night! What are a few monsters, after all? Im a fifth stage cultivator! Hui shook his head. Disciple understands. Master, Ill prepare a hut!

No, no, we should move on! Bai Huli is scared, Master. What if we see monsters? Bao Huli said, shivering in place. She grabbed onto Ji Taiyus arm and gave him her most pitiful look. Master

What do you think, Third Disciple? Ji Taiyu asked, ignoring the pathetic Bao Huli as he turned to Ying Lin.

Ying Lin glanced at Hui. Hui nodded.

I that is, Third Disciple wants to stay the night, Ying Lin replied dutifully.

Hui beamed. What a good disciple! Why did I ever resist taking Ying Lin as a disciple? Shes such a great disciple, so earnest and obedient. To think, Sixth even tried to pawn her off on Bai Xue!

Then its decided, Ji Taiyu announced, nodding.

Master Bao Huli whined. She bowed her head, and Hui imagined fox ears drooping atop her head. A second later, she looked up. Although her expression remained pitiful, a hopeful and conniving light gleamed in her eyes. Master, Bao Huli is afraid to sleep alone. Could I share the hut with you?

Eh? If you wish. Second Disciple, build two beds.

Hui saluted, ignoring Bao Hulis death glare. Im not doing all the work, you demon fox! You can climb into his bed on your own, okay?

Separately from Ji Taiyu, Hui swept the temple with his mental energy, searching for death qi. Nothing lit up in his vision. The temple remained completely dark. Not even a remnant scrap of qi remained in the temple, apart from theirs. Hui stared at the statue distrustfully, but it possessed no qi, inert in his vision.

Hmm. I guess its just a well-carved statue.

There could easily be demonic beasts or undead in the area. After all, its not as if qi lingers for a long time, unless a huge attack went off, or something strange lingers, like the demonic cultivators corpse with the rot qi. The chances of them being dangerous to me are low, but Ill stick close to Ying Lin tonight to make sure nothing attacks her.

Second Disciple? Ji Taiyu prompted.

Hui bowed quickly. Bao Huli shot him a glare, so he cleared his throat and continued, Third Disciple, will you come and help?

Understood, Master! Ying Lin jogged to his side. The two exited the temples rear exit together.

Im your Master! Ji Taiyu shouted after her.

Outside, Hui drew an earth talisman. He went to activate it, but paused. Growing a leaf, he drew an ordinary earth talisman, not a modified fifth-stage one. Ying Lin, here. Try copying this formula, then use it to shape the earth and create a small moat around the hut I build.

Its fine if she doesnt succeed, but itll be a nice rain barrier if she does.

Ying Lin nodded. Talismans? Are you a talisman-maker, Master?

Theyre my favorite form of spell. After all, you can use them with very little qi, even if youre exhausted or playing dead! As long as you pre-draw talismans, you can use them at any moment. Theyre very convenient.

Can I draw a few to keep for myself? Ying Lin asked.

Hui laughed. He patted her head, amused. My disciple thinks ahead. I like that! Succeed at copying mine, first.

Ying Lin nodded. Understood!

Leaving Ying Lin to her studies, Hui activated his earth talisman and shaped a hut out of the earth. He stepped inside, then drew a wood talisman on the floor in two separate places, creating a pair of wooden beds. For the roof, he drew a wood talisman on a leaf and tossed it upward. A wooden cone materialized in the air and thumped down onto the earthen walls. The wood shaped itself to grip the walls as it landed. Hui looked around and wiped his brows, pleased at a job well done.

I wonder how Ying Lins doing. He stepped outside quietly and hovered over her shoulder, watching her draw the talisman. Her brows furrowed, and she paused, her brush hovering over a stroke.

Ah this is where I give her pointers, Hui realized. Put more weight on the upstroke. You cant fill in the curve of the stroke afterward.

Ah! Master, Ying Lin said, startled. She nodded and threw away the leaf to draw a new one. This time, she pressed the brush down firmly and drew a thick upstroke.

Like that, Hui said approvingly.

Ying Lin finished the talisman, then looked at him. Master where are we sleeping tonight?

Eh? Ah I usually sleep in the forest, Hui said. Now that Im a cultivator, the heat and cold doesnt bother me, and even the hardness of the ground isnt an issue. If I cant sleep, I can always cultivate instead. Compared to my first life, and the days when I had to sleep on cardboard in alleys after my father got too drunk for me to dare going home, its nothing.

Ying Lin frowned. She shook her head. Ill make us a hut!

I can Hui stopped himself. He smiled instead. Make us a hut, Ying Lin!

My little disciple is so ambitious! Is this what pride feels like? Shes such a good disciple, I cant help but be pleased with her. Still smiling, he petted Zhubi and stepped aside, letting Ying Lin continue her work.

He peered over his shoulder at the temple. Theyre still in there should I

Ah, no, no. I cant interrupt the happy couple.