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Chapter 470: Lonely Leaders
Im a bit of a tyrant, arent I? Hui mused, sitting in a tree outside his forge. He glanced down at the peak below from his high vantage point, then sighed. If I seriously tried to raise these disciples, it would be different. But for me, the only thing I want is to use them to make money and abuse the sects resources before I destroy the sect. Because of that, it doesnt matter how troubles are resolved, as long as theyre resolved before they get to me. Long-term, that kind of system inevitably breaks down, but for a year or so Its not good, but looking at it this way, at least I wont kill them in the inevitable war.
Peak Lord licked his lips. Healer, Sectgoers going full evil again.
What else is new? Healer returned, rolling his eyes. Speaking of going full in on something, how are things on your end?
Peak Lord laughed lightly. Eh, Im still a bit nervous, you know?
A familiar white-clothed disciple hurried toward the forge. Drowning out the other clones, Hui sat up and tossed a fruit pit at the disciples back. Up here.
Song Wei turned. He wore clean robes now, and clutched the sword to his chest with both arms, reminding Hui of a kid carrying their favorite stuffed toy. His face lit up at the sight of Hui, and he scurried over. Master!
Hui waved his hand. He hopped down from the tree and walked over, reaching for the sword. Let Master see that.
Song Wei hesitated. He clutched the sword tighter, afraid to let it go.
Come on. What has your Master taught you? Ill give it back, Hui said, making a grabby gesture.
Around Huis neck, Zhubi half-woke and peered sleepily at Song Wei. He opened his mouth in an adorable yawn, then settled back down again, tightening his grip on Huis neck.
Hui grabbed Zhubis coils, adjusting them just enough to breathe. He nodded at Song Wei. Cmon. Whatre you so afraid of? This small cultivator? Ha! 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘱𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝑚
Reluctantly, Song Wei handed the sword over.
Hui pored over it, examining the blade closely. Its roughly made. Quite obviously, Song Wei cant properly handle the materials hes trying to use. And yet, though it should by all accounts be a heap of slag, he managed to combine the materials in such a way that even at his level, even with all his limitations the sword itself can be considered a fifth realm artifact!
Ah, though quite a cheap one. Another swing or two, and itll shatter entirely.
Hmm but this Hui can use these same exact techniques, as a fifth realm cultivator, to make my own fifth-realm weapons without any of the mistakes or impurities! Huis eyes lit up. He nodded to himself, then handed it back to Song Wei. Looking Song Wei in the eye, he said, Song Wei, for now, focus on cultivation.
Song Weis face fell. Is it so lacking in Masters eyes that I should abandon the forge altogether?
What? No. Dont be ridiculous. I wouldnt talk down to anyone like that! Ah, except maybe a Young Master like Hong Lu Hui coughed. And this very Song Wei but anyways. No. What I mean is that youve already surpassed your cultivation level in terms of forging ability. You shouldnt have been able to work with these materials, let alone create a weapon this powerful, at your level. At this point, whats holding you back isnt your forging techniques or knowledge, but instead your cultivation level.
Master means, in order for me to progress with forging, what I need to fix right now is my low cultivation, Song Wei said, nodding. He paused. Master would you happen to have a technique or manual youd like to impart to this disciple?
Ah? Dont be ridiculous! You want to start over from scratch? Youre already a third-realm cultivator. Continue down that path, dont reset it! In any case, your cultivation technique doesnt matter. As long as you can progress with forging, any cultivation technique is good enough. Eventually, youll be able to combine that technique into forging, and then progress with forging alone, Hui said wisely.
But my cultivation technique is mostly a sword technique. Surely forging and sword techniques Song Wei said hesitantly.
Who knows better what a good sword is than a swordsman? Hui retorted, shaking his head. He slapped Song Wei on the back. Dont denigrate your skills, but build on them, and adapt!
Song Wei blinked. He startled, his eyes bright with enlightenment. Yes, Masters right! Ill go cultivate right now.
Good, good, Hui said, nodding. He handed the sword back to Song Wei.
Song Wei pushed the sword back to Hui. I dont need it any more, Master. The next time you see me, Ill have created an even greater weapon.
Wonderful, wonderful, Hui said. He kept the sword, patting it once or twice. I dont mind having this for continued study. Im sure I can learn more from long-term study than from a glance!
Hmm, was this what I was missing all along? An expert example to learn from? Or rather a halfway point between the finished spiritual artifacts that I couldnt possibly understand, and the trashes I kept making? This half-formed sword has more imperfections, but those imperfections show where I should focus to prevent them in the future, and what I should and shouldnt do to progress in my forging.
He looked up. Song Wei stood there expectantly, almost fidgety. Hui cleared his throat. Alright, lets put in a modicum of effort to be a good Peak Lord. What is it? Whatever it is, you can tell Master.
MMaster, I today, I know I did wrong. My anger got the better of me. Even if this time, Master agreed with me, I in the future
Ah, yes. Well, in the future, youll be some kind of horror, wont you? This grudge-holding and short-tempered nature of yours is only going to get more troublesome as you grow, and the monstrous talent in weapon forging bodes poorly for your future. Hui took a deep breath, then reached out and patted Song Weis head. Mmm. In the future, try not to do anything your Master wouldnt do. Ah, and think before you strike! I want harmony and peace on my peak, harmony and peace!
Not do anything Master wouldnt do? Song Wei mused, putting a hand on his chin.
Go on, go on, shoo! Master is busy, Hui said, waving his hand at Song Wei.
Eh? Wasnt Master lazing in the tree and eating fruits again when I came? Song Wei asked.
Hui scowled at him. This cheeky disciple. Listen to your Master and go cultivate hard!
Song Wei saluted and scurried off.
He looked at the sword again and tightened his grip on the hilt. Your Master is about to go cultivate hard, too! Ha, thank you for the guidance!
Master!
Hui sighed. Not again. He turned. What is it now?
Ying Lin descended from the sky. What kind of a greeting is that?
Oh no, no. Ying Lin, I saw you flying over. Did something hold you up? Hui asked.
Ah, that isI saw that Master had it handled, so I decided to hide myself. After all, I didnt want to pressure anyone by putting two Peak Lords in their presence.
Hui looked at her. Ying Lin, do you think I did the right thing?
Right and wrong depend on the perspective, dont they? Master taught me that. Theres no such thing as objectively right or wrong, just people and their perspectives. In any case, I think Master did what was right for Master, Ying Lin said, nodding.
Hui laughed. If you disagree, you can go retrieve that Hong Lu. Ah, I prodded his heart demon, though.
I dont want that troublesome disciple on my peak, Ying Lin said, wrinkling her nose. She waved her hand. Master, are you feeling guilty?
Mmm not guilty, but maybe a little regretful? Hui mused. I dont think I did the wrong thing, but Hong Lu did have talent. It might have been hasty of me to throw him out.
Besides, that old man said his clan was bankrupt, but what if it isnt? He could come back and attack me later ah, troublesome, troublesome. Maybe I should have killed him on the spot instead.
No, that wouldve been too harsh. It would have totally ruined my harmonious peak, if the other disciples thought I was a blood-soaked tyrant willing to kill his disciples at a moments notice! And lets not forget, killing someone never solves a problem! If Hong Lu has brothers, or siblings, or parents Ah! Right. I made the right choice not to kill him! This way, his sect whatevers left of it, has to spend resources curing and caring for Hong Lu, rather than fueling their retribution against me. Yes, yes. This was the best option.
But still
Better to remove the disharmonious disciple than swallow a poison pill, Ying Lin replied, nodding.
Ah! Thats right. Ying Lin, you know just what to say, Hui said, laughing. He reached over and patted her head. Today, Ive been taught by two disciples.
Ying Lin nodded. She smiled at Hui, but there was something melancholy in her smile.
Hui tilted his head. What is it?
Master, I hope I hope that Master can always treat me like this, Ying Lin said quietly. She took his hand and placed it on her head.
Why wouldnt I? Hui asked, blinking at her.
Nono reason! Its just, I Ying Lin nodded. Dont worry about it!
Ying Lin, saying it like that will make Master worry about it! Hui said, shaking his head.
Really! Its nothing to worry about, she insisted.
Hui raised his eyebrows, then smiled. If you say so, then Ill believe it.
Ah, thats right. Thats the Master I know, Ying Lin said.
