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Chapter 474: Golden Man
Liu Guang looked around the palace, folding his hands behind him. Yes, I suppose this is yours, now that you and Gui Yutong are wed.
Ah, no. Small cultivator misspoke. This is Gui Yutongs. My palace is in the rear, Hui clarified.
Are you hated? Liu Guang asked, laughter in his eyes.
No, no, not at all. In fact, I consider it a mercy, Hui said.
A mercy? Liu Guang asked, confused.
Hui nodded. Otherwise, Id be subject to certain vigorous exercises every night. Gui Yutong and Bai Jingwen havent let a single thing slow them down! Sometimes I wonder how Gui Delun hasnt noticed but then, Gui Yutongs palace does have a pretty good barrier on it. Especially her bedroom.
actually, thats a good question. Can Gui Delun see into Gui Yutongs palace? Or could he? Until a certain point, that
Cultivators children have no privacy, huh? Man. The teenage years must be rough. Hui shook his head. No wonder they spend so much time preaching about abstinence and sexual purity with the adults enhanced senses, every batch of disciples must be an absolute shitshow once they all hit the teen years together.
Hui pressed his lips together. Anyways, thats enough thinking about that.
Liu Guang frowned at Hui. Is he complaining that hes having too much fun with his wife? He waved his hand. This is not what I came here to discuss.
No, naturally not. Id be more concerned if you had, Hui said honestly. The last thing I want to do is discuss my sex life with Liu Guang.
Instead, I came to discuss that night, and what happened between us, Liu Guang said.
Senior, may I formally request that you use concise and clear language? Hui returned.
You know what I mean, Liu Guang said, frowning.
Hui nodded. That might be, but everyone else
I traced your qi to that peak, but no further. What did you do inside? Liu Guang insisted, ignoring Hui.
I guess you cant win them all. Hui shook his head. I have no idea what Senior is talking about.
You dont? Liu Guang said, his voice dipping dangerously.
Hui sat back. He crossed his arms. Are you threatening Gui Deluns son-in-law? Inner Peak Lord Gui Deluns son-in-law? Does your boss know that youre here, threatening me?
Amusing that you would bring up Gui Delun. I might take my concerns to him next, if you arent careful, Liu Guang said.
Hui laughed. Go ahead. Do you think I dont know? Im under his supervision. Why else would I be here if you hadnt already told him?
Oh? Do you think thats why youre here? Liu Guang said, putting a hand on his chin.
Is it not? Hui asked, pretending to be taken aback. Come on. Tell me! What else do you suspect?
You know, that arm you left with Gui Delun it was awful similar to something Id seen before, Liu Guang said, his eyes narrowing. Hui could only tell because the glow from his eyes lessened somewhat.
Is it? Senior, you must know I found that technique in a library. Anyone could have found it ahead of me, Hui immediately bluffed. He gave Liu Guang a concerned expression, but not too worried, as someone whose hand had been caught in a cookie jar, but not the cookie jar.
Hmm I wonder. Why immediately deny it? Liu Guang asked, wiggling his eyebrows. Or something like that. The light danced on the far wall, in any case.
Deny what? Senior, I use that technique. But the way Senior said it, obviously, Senior thinks the technique is proof of some terrible crime. A crime that anyone with this technique could have perpetrated, Hui guessed, intentionally wrong. Ha! See, Senior? Im assuming that the technique was used to do evil, when we both know it wasnt. Pick up on my wrong hint! Get mislead!
Liu Guang frowned, putting a hand on his chin. Sarcastically, he asked, How many people do you think know this technique? Is it widely known?
Senior! Please! Are you claiming that this small cultivator is the only one who knows a clone technique? Hui asked, shaking his head.
Clone technique? Liu Guang asked, his turn to be taken aback.
Hui blinked. He nodded. This its a clone technique. I explained it to Gui Delun clearly on the day he took my arm. I use the technique to clone my arm and use it as a prosthetic, after I lost my original arm in battle.
Liu Guang frowned. He waved his hand. Whatever you call it, whether its used for cloning or healing this technique is used by All-Heavens enemy. A vile cultivator known as Weiheng Hui. He comes from a demonic sect All-Heavens purged, but survived by hideous trickery.
Hui widened his eyes. He sounds like a villain indeed! But Senior, must I stop using this technique merely because that villain uses it? I need the technique to replace my lost arm.
Am I really meant to believe that of all the cultivators in the world
Hui cut him off. Senior Liu Guang, how many cultivators know the Lightning Palm? Innumerable. It isnt so unreasonable that two people can share the same technique. Its quite unfortunate that I and this villain both know my clone technique, but I cant stop other cultivators from learning the same technique I learned. It isnt my fault if they use the technique for villainous purposes.
Did Senior really think Id quietly admit it if he confronted me? What kind of madman would own up to his deeds in front of his enemy? No chance!
Liu Guang stood. Ill catch your tail. Watch yourself.
As Senior wishes, but I have no tail to catch, Hui said earnestly, smiling. In the end, hes a healer, not an interrogator or strategist. I cant expect him to be an expert at wrangling truths out of people.
Standing, Hui showed him out of the palace. At the door, he bowed to Liu Guang. Thank you for being so cautious. I know youre only doing this out of concern for Gui Yutong. But Senior, I ensure you, I am fully committed to caring for her.
This isnt Liu Guang scoffed. He flicked his sleeve and whirled off, ignoring Hui.
Not good. Theyre close. We dont have much more time before they figure us out. Or me out, but this small cultivator has no faith in my ability to keep my lips sealed if Senior decides to torture me before I die! Hui took a deep breath. Whatever Rogues doing, he better finish it up soon. I can only bluff for so long.
A timid knock from across the palace caught his ear. Hui waved his hand, sending one of the lotus beasts to take a peek.
Shen Aiguo stuck close to the wall, peering up at the lotus beast. She swallowed. Is what he said true?
Just nod, Hui told the lotus beast.
It nodded vigorously, black seed eyes glittering.
Then what should I do? she asked. I dont want to leave everyone in danger, but Lao Ning, he wont listen to me. Even if I believe you
Hui closed his eyes. When he opened them, he did it as the lotus beast. Elder Sister as you are, you have no future. What Liu Guang has already done cannot be undone. You can continue to cultivate for a while, but your future has been cut off. If you dont die soon, you will probably hit a bottleneck you can never break through.
Theres nothing I can do? she whispered, her face crumpling.
Hui took a deep breath. Elder Sister, how flexible is your mind?
Eh? Shen Aiguo said.
As you are now, youre halfway to becoming a death cultivator. As a death cultivator, you can continue to live and cultivate, though your path will become twice as difficult. Still, you will continue to exist, and your cultivation will not be cut off, Hui explained.
Shen Aiguo drew back. I dont want to become something that has to kill to live! Id rather die!
You dont have to kill to survive as a death cultivator. There are other ways. Elder Sister, if you dont give up hope, you still have a long life ahead of you. Even fruitful cultivation and immortal ascension are still within your grasp, Hui said patiently.
Shen Aiguo shook her head. She continued to draw away.
Please, take all the time you need to process it. But if you make up your mind, come to me. Whatever you decide I can help you, he said. Whether you wish to die, hope against hope as a cultivator with ruined threads, or become a death cultivator even if theyre enemies, I dont I cant give up on the people right in front of me.
After all, theyre victims of the same people that hurt me. In a way, were kin. Maybe its a mistake, but I cant help but make it.
Shen Aiguo nodded once. She opened her mouth, but then shut it and whirled, running off into the distance.
Hui watched her go until she was out of sight, then closed his eyes. He opened them again in his own body. Exhausted, he rubbed his face.
Im so tired. I want this to end. If only it could be over already, and I could close my eyes and rest
He let out a slow sigh. Soon. Soon, it will all be over. And then
