NOVPUB
Chapter 471: Shaping Swords
The heat of the forge blazed at Huis face. The hammer rang out, one strike after another. Under his steady beat, the two ores slowly fused together.
Hui poured magic into the material as the sword took shape. He twisted the magic into a talisman, but bound the talisman to the metal. By putting the talisman into the metal, it wont burn up when I activate the spell. The metal might slowly degrade, but thats a problem for future-Hui. I need these weapons to last through the battle, but no more. As long as theyre good enough for that, theyre good enough for me.
With another dozen strikes, the sword took shape. He doused it and set it aside, wiping his brow.
That makes ten swords that Ive personally made. If we include the disciples, its nearly a hundred. Song Wei Song Wei still hasnt produced any new swords, but he should be cultivating to produce even stronger swords. Soon ah. Probably not before the battle. But eh. Its not bad to put in a bit of effort to raise a particular disciple every now and again.
He sat back, exhausted. Slowly, he stood. Walking to the door, he stepped outside. A cool breeze blew. Down below, disciples clanged away at their forges.
Hui grinned. Ah. The wonderful sound of industry.
And thats pretty much what Ive been doing, Sectgoer said, shrugging.
Good to hear that well have weapons for the coming battle. And armor? Rogue asked.
What kind of fool do you take me for? Of course, armor! Sectgoer said, harrumphing.
Rogue put up his hands. Hey, I cant be sure. Heart-demon and all.
You and that damn heart-demon, Sectgoer grumbled.
I havent done much. Should I go next? Healer offered.
Not me? Peak Lord asked.
Healer hesitated. Lets save your news for last.
Oh, hey. Whats going on with Peak Lord? Rogue asked.
Later, later. But first Healer started.
Rogue sighed. Honestly
--
Several Months Ago
Hui sat atop his peak, quietly meditating. I need to meditate for a while to regenerate that life qi I spent at Clouded Pavilion. I hope it was worth it for Sectgoer!
A powerful beam of light blasted down from the sky and hurtled toward Hui. He jolted away, but too slow. With a strike like thunder, Gui Delun landed beside him with a clouded brow. He scowled at Hui.
Hui instantly jumped to his feet, ready to flee. I cant play dead. Gui Delun will recognize it, no doubt! Is this the end of this small clone? Farewell, sweet world
You! How dare you shame my daughter like this?
Hui blinked. What did Bai Jingwen do now? Er, Im sorry, Father-in-law, Im not sure I follow
Living on this distant peak while your wife struggles to carry your child in a distant place! Gui Delun huffed.
Last time I checked, Bai Jingwen was living on Gui Yutongs peak, so no problem there! Ahem, I mean Youre right. Ive been lacking. However can I make up for this shame Ive brought upon myself? Hui asked, trembling from supposed shame.
Gui Delun harrumphed. Obviously I cant count on you to take care of my daughter. You and she shall both live on my peak until her child is born! That way, I can protect the child as well, and it can be nourished by the thicker qi.
Hui nodded. Father-in-law, what a wonderful idea! Ah, one as lowly as me could never come up with such an incredible thought. Yes, yes, we should do it immediately!
Internally, he quavered. Shit! Did he find out? Is he suspicious? Using the baby to keep me under supervision well, its a good excuse! I cant refuse it without sounding suspicious myself. After all, every point he made is true, and on top of that, why would I turn down a chance to cultivate in the stronger qi of Gui Deluns peak?
And Im paralyzed, too, by the child. Not as paralyzed as he thinks, since the child isnt truly mine, but I still dont want Bai Jingwens child to die nor Gui Yutongs! I might need to think of a way to get the child to safety away from Gui Delun. I I somehow suspect that he might be willing to kill his own grandchild, if he thought it would harm his enemyme!
Well, it isnt entirely misfortune. I can train under the thicker qi of Gui Deluns peak, both to endure the weight of it and to cultivate myself to greater levels. I was just thinking I needed to recover my life qi! It does mean I cant move around as freely as before, but thats what the other clones are for.
Hmm, if anything this might indicate that hes suspicious but only of me, Healer! The other clones are still flying under the radar. If he continues to investigate, Im sure hell figure it out and he probably will continue to investigate! Our time is limited, but for now, we still have time.
Gui Delun gestured for Hui to follow him. Hui stepped atop his sword. Together, the two of them flew off toward Gui Deluns peak.
Healer, are you going to be okay? Peak Lord asked.
Yes, II think Ill be fine. In any case, it isnt important enough for you to intervene. Carry on! Hui replied.
Mhm. Understood! Peak Lord returned.
They hurtled toward Gui Deluns peak. Two cultivators circled near them, and from Rogues memories, Healer recognized Gan Li and Nian Ji. The two of them shot him bitter, jealous looks. Healer sighed internally. Thats right. One of the last things we saw from Rogue was him bragging that he knows me, the me who married Gui Yutong.
No, no. Dont be jealous. It really it really doesnt mean anything, Hui thought, tired.
Sleeping your way to the Inner Peaks, Nian Ji muttered.
I really didnt, though. Im innocent! Hui sighed again, this time externally. Argh, Gui Yutong I understand that Im a non-threatening sort of person, but youve caused so much trouble for me! Gui Delun might have completely ignored me if you hadnt decided to make me your beard.
Ah well, whats done is done. Ill reap the benefits and put up with the detriments. At the end of the day, my eternal fallback is that Im merely a clone!
Gui Yutong stood atop the peak, an anxious expression on her face. Beside her stood Bai Jingwen. Protectively, she stood at Gui Yutongs shoulder, her black eyes narrowed at the newcomers, though to Huis relief, she stopped short of openly hissing at them. Even Bai Jingwen still feels the weight of the heavens! Gui Delun isnt someone we can afford to face right now. And he might never be, but hopefully when we bring back the Sect Master and everyone, and have the rot spider and everything else on our side, wewe might stand a chance!
Gui Delun stopped dead. He glared at Bai Jingwen. What is this?
Gui Yutong stood in front of her. Shes shes my handmaid. You wont part us, will you, Father?
Gui Delun scowled, but turned away. As you wish. He narrowed his eyes at Hui, a threat unspoken passing between them.
Hui blinked. Fatherfather-in-law, youyou cant be serious. Youre glaring at me? You think I, this small cultivator, dares to touch Bai Jingwen? The one whos touching Bai Jingwen is your daughter, dammit! Leave me out of it!
What kind of opinion does he have of me? Am I the loose kind of man who would dual cultivate with anyone
Ah, well. Thats. Ahem.
Cultural differences, cultural differences, dammit! Im not sleeping with people, thats whats important! And the one time with Bai Xue and, and everyone, that, that was a one-time event!
Hui paused for a moment. He put his face in his hands. Ive been scum lately, havent I?
I really havent shown my best sides to Gui Delun. Maybe he really is just concerned for his daughters wellbeing.
Taking a deep breath, Hui stood upright. He walked over to Gui Yutong, holding his hands out toward her. My darling wife! Ive been so negligent. How can I ever make it up to you?
As his hands approached Gui Yutongs, Bai Jingwen let out a warning hiss.
Hui stopped short, hands held out to Gui Yutong and a warm smile on his face. Im not taking another step toward her. I dont want to be gutted by Bai Jingwen right in front of Gui Delun. Dear wife.
Dear husband, Gui Yutong responded. She stepped toward him and took his hands.
Bai Jingwen scowled hideously.
Stop it, dammit! Dont be so obvious! Arent you two hiding your relationship? Struggling not to tremble, Hui nodded at her. Please. Let me know how to make it up to you.
Ah, dear husband shall we go to my palace first? Gui Yutong suggested.
Gui Delun crossed his arms. You wont let him walk all over you, will you?
No, no. Father, Xie Hao and I had our own agreement. I already told you. Theres no need for all this.
I wont allow this man to walk all over you, Gui Delun stated. He narrowed his eyes at Hui. From now on, until he has my blessing, he isnt allowed to leave my peak.
Ooookay, nope, he definitely suspects me. Ah, to be fair, I havent been keeping things as clean as I should have. He took my arm, that one time, and well, I could have been neater. Hui bowed his head. As Father-in-law says, I will work hard to obtain your blessing!
Gui Yutong shot Hui an exasperated look and shook her head a little. Hui gave her a thin-lipped smile in return. She doesnt know, then. Whatever her father suspects, he hasnt told her. Good.
Gui Delun waved a hand. Go. Show him around your old palace.
Yes, Father, Gui Yutong said, bowing.
Golden light washed over the peak. Hui raised a hand, instinctively flinching away. Ugh. This guy.
Ah, did you catch him? Liu Guang said.
I have brought my son-in-law to my daughters side, Gui Delun rumbled, shooting Liu Guang a warning glance.
Hui glanced at Liu Guang, showing a terrified expression on his face. You want to intimidate me, right? You want to see me scared. Youre a sadist, so obviously, this is what you want. Come on. Take the bait. Come over and tell me that thing you clearly want to tell me, that youre sure is going to terrify me.
A placid expression on his face, Liu Guang walked over, hands tucked behind his back. He leaned in to Hui and whispered, Did you think I was asleep, that night?
To the other side of Hui, Gui Yutong gave him a taken aback look, then slowly nodded.
Elder Sister, I dont know what you just decided right now, but I absolutely disagree with it. I would never do anything untoward to a sleeping cultivator!
You thought I was drunk? That I wouldnt remember anything? Liu Guang continued.
Gui Yutongs eyebrows shot even further up. She blinked at Hui.
Elder Brother, Senior, please, Im begging you. Consider your words more carefully! Hui cried. So many misunderstandings dammit. Gui Yutong, dont look at me like that. I didnt do anything to this man. Especially not while he was drunk!
Liu Guang clicked his tongue. Youd better watch your step, child.
And you should probably watch your words, Senior, Hui returned.
What? Liu Guang said.
Nothing, nothing, Hui said, shaking his head, eyes wide with fear. Dammit, this tongue of mine. Rogue, damn you for infecting us all with your tongue!
Speaking of watching your words, Peak Lord snickered.
Ahhh Im exhausted. I want to go home already, Healer complained, rubbing his eyes.
