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Chapter 481: Final Preparations
Ying Lin burst into Huis gardens alongside Tang Fei, beaming bright. Master! Im here.
Good, good. And Tang Fei? Wonderful, Hui said, nodding.
Tang Fei regarded him suspiciously. Have you heard of me?
Er that is, yes, Hui said. I dont have time to explain everything. I only have time to accomplish what I called her here to do! Tang Fei, I can heal your hand.
Tang Fei blinked. She put a hand over the prosthetic. Even when they replaced my hand, they couldnt make it move. My hand is dead, Senior.
Mhm, I know. Tang Fei, despite all that, I can not only give you motion in your hand again, but also regrow your lost limb. Are you interested? Hui asked.
She frowned. Xing Huang said he could only heal my hand or my mind, not both.
Thats Xing Huang. Im Xie Hao, miracle healer. If I say I can do it, I can, Hui said. Ugh. I dont really have this much confidence, but I dont have any time for hesitation or politeness! I have to get directly to the meat of it, or not at all. Were about to attack the sect. Tang Fei has been valuable to us, and I truly doubt she would take Gui Deluns side. I think Ive figured out how to heal her, so why wouldnt I?
It was the meeting with Shen Aiguo and Liu Guangs disciples that started me thinking, and once I began to think about it, I couldnt stop. I thinkI must be right. Or at least theres nothing to lose! Lets give it a try!
Tang Fei furrowed her brows. She gave him an uncertain look, but after a second, she nodded. Heal me.
Hui nodded back, beaming. Ying Lin, youre higher realm than me, now, right?
Eh? Me? Master, IIm still fifth stage! Ying Lin said, startled.
Hui crossed his arms. Ying Lin, Im not stupid. Its been nine months. Youre probably on the verge of eighth stage by now, right? If not ninth.
Ying Lin bit her lip. I I might be a little higher realm than Master, now.
Good, good. I called Liu Guang over a few minutes ago. He should be here any minute now, Hui said. He nodded at her. You know what to do.
Tang Fei stiffened. She backed away. No!
Tang Fei, have faith. Ohif youre uncomfortable, theres a nice dark closet in the corner thats good for hiding in. Ive even put a few wards on it thatll probably hold up for at least ten seconds under Liu Guangs most powerful attacks. But dont go too far. You need to be here when he comes, Hui said, nodding.
Wh what? Tang Fei asked, looking at Ying Lin for answers.
Ying Lin leaned conspiratorially toward Tang Fei. Masters a real coward. If he says itll stand up to Liu Guangs attacks, it probably will!
No, I mean youyoure going to hand me over to Liu Guang! Tang Fei accused him.
Dont be ridiculous. I dislike Liu Guang as much as the next rational human being, Hui said, crossing his arms.
Gold light flashed across the sky. The man himself appeared, aura roiling around him from anger.
Tang Fei backed away. Ying Lin put a comforting arm on her shoulder. Its okay. Master wont hurt you. And he wont let Liu Guang hurt you, either.
What is this? Liu Guang asked, lowering his voice. A fierce gold glow burned in the sky, and Liu Guang descended toward them. He narrowed his eyes at Hui. Why dont you go on?
Oh, I will. But firstYing Lin! Restrain this man! Hui shouted, throwing his hand out.
Ying Lin burst up from the ground and hurtled at Liu Guang. Yes!
This disciple, your head is far too big! Liu Guang shouted back. He waved his hand. A huge gold scalpel darted at Ying Lin.
Ying Lin ignored it, letting it pierce through heror so it appeared. In the next second, a crack shot down the length of the gold scalpel, and it shattered into a thousand strands of gold. Liu Guang recoiled, but before he could escape or launch another move, Ying Lin grabbed him by the shoulder. An overwhelming, fiercely oppressive aura filled the room, and Liu Guang stiffened, immobilized.
What what realm Liu Guang stuttered, his eyes wide.
Master! I have him, Ying Lin reported cheerily. She flew to Huis side, carrying Lui Guang casually in one hand.
Tang Fei stared, wide-eyed. She looked at the immobile Liu Guang, then at Ying Lin. She slowly backed away again, but this time from Ying Lin, not Hui.
Good, very good, Hui said. He looked at Liu Guang, and this time, his eyes blazed right through the man, seeing his threads without having to step out of his body. If Im right, then
Gold threads coursed through every inch of Liu Guangs body. Thick, thin, long and short, even different shades of gold, they packed so tightly inside him that there was no room for anything else. The gold glow he usually gave off grew even brighter, so that Hui had to lift his sleeve and peer through it, or else go blind. Ha! I knew it. He was not only blackening the disciples threads but stealing them, and binding them into his own body! Righteous cultivation, my foot. This is overtly demonic cultivation. Tearing apart disciples bodies for their inherit resources and destroying their fate to forward your own cultivation and prolong your life those are the basics of demonic cultivation, and exactly what this Liu Guang has been doing!
Tang Fei, come here. Im only going to have a moment to do this, Hui said. He reached out and grabbed Liu Guangs threads.
Liu Guang trembled. His face turned hideous. He struggled against Ying Lins grasp, to no avail. You wont get away with this. Gui Delun will
Soon, Im going to do a lot worse to Gui Delun than merely attacking you, Hui said evenly. He looked at Tang Fei. Elder Sister, you decide. I can fix your hand, or you can run, but I cant fix your hand while you run.
Tang Fei took a deep breath. She stepped forward, still ever-so-slightly out of Huis reach. First, I need to confirm something. Xiao Hui?
Hui stiffened. He laughed. II dont know what Elder Sister
Ying Lin shook her head. Master, youre about to attack, right? Theres no point denying it now.
Ah, thats true, thats true. It was only on reflex. Yes, yes, thats me, Elder Sister, Hui said.
Tang Fei nodded slowly. Then, the man who saved me
Hui coughed, interrupting her. To be precise, Elder Sister, neither of us are Xiao Hui. Were both clones of his. Clones with a bit of his soul. In essence, we are pieces of Xiao Hui.
She blinked. Her brows furrowed, as thoughts flashed through her head. At last, she offered her hand. Please. And it might be far too late, but I apologize.
For what, Elder Sister? Hui asked, lifting a hand to hers.
For for my unsightly behavior in attacking Li Xiang in that arena, after battle had finished. It was my mistake. I should have refused, even if it was Masters orders.
Hui nodded. And I apologize for at the time, permanently removing your hand. I didnt know what I was doing. I moved on reflex to save Li Xiang, but I didnt know the consequences of my actions.
Liu Guang steamed between them, caught helplessly in Ying Lins grasp. YouyouI knew it! I knew you were that criminal! Dont think youll get away with this. With any of this! I
Oh, thats right. Hui stomped. All around the room, barrier talismans lit up. He turned back to Liu Guang with a smile. Go on, Senior. Please, go ahead and scream all you like! Its fine, its fine. Even if you scream with all your might, the barrier will absorb it all!
Liu Guang grit his teeth. He turned his head and bit a bead at the neck of his outfit. The bead shattered, revealing the shimmering light of a spell which quickly fell apart, unable to sustain itself.
Ah, Ive stagnated your cultivation. You cant exercise qi right now, Ying Lin informed him cheerfully.
Are these people demons? How can they smile in this situation? Liu Guang wondered, gnashing his teeth in frustration.
Then, Tang Fei? Hui asked, gesturing for her to step closer.
She did so, raising her ruined hand.
Hui removed the prosthetic and placed his fingers on the stump. Sending life qi inside, he coaxed the hand to grow, to form bones and muscles, tendons and skin. As the hand formed, he reached out with his other hand and grabbed a handful of threads from Liu Guangs body. Yanking them free, he released them momentarily to sever them with a blade of death qi.
Liu Guang screamed in horror, feeling something leave him. No! Give them back!
Im afraid not, Senior, Hui said, ignoring Liu Guang once again to focus on Tang Fei. His hands darted back and forth as he sewed the threads together, winding them into the end of her arm. The hard part is that there isnt something to tie the other ends of the threads to. They end at her fingertips. Looking at the quickly-decaying threads, Hui bit his lip.
Well why not give them something to tie to? Hui drew on the threads, lengthening them. So thickly were the threads packed in Liu Guangs body that they had shrunk a bit, the way clothes shrink in the wash, and with a little force, he drew them back to length. Folding them in on themselves, he tied the other ends back to her wrist, as well, leaving the threads doubled-over in her hand.
He looked at Tang Fei. Can you move?
She flexed her fingers, turned her hand over, and flexed her fingers again. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she nodded. Yes!
Thats good. Thats what a disciple should say! Hui smiled and nodded at her. Good, good.
Liu Guang growled, enraged. You wont get away with this. When you release me
Release you? Senior, what kind of fool do you think I am? Hui asked, shaking his head.
Then, you mean to kill me? Liu Guang snarled.
No, no. Senior, havent you come up with a solution for this? A cold storage of sorts, Hui said cheerfully. Ah, it perfectly preserves bodies, too. And arent you nothing but a vast storehouse of those golden threads? 𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙥𝒖𝒃.𝙘𝙤𝒎
Liu Guangs eyes widened, then narrowed. You have no idea how to manipulate that realm. You dont even have the first comprehension
Hui coughed. Senior, are you familiar with Fen Long?
Our Patriarch? What kind of question is that? Naturally, Liu Guang said, taken aback.
Ah yes. Ive shattered three no, four of his realms now, as easily as flipping over my hand. Are you really so confident that I cant also shatter your realm? Hui asked, tipping his head at Liu Guang.
Liu Guangs jaw dropped. He stared. After a second, he shook his head. Bl-bluffing. Youre bluffing!
Hui sighed. He looked at Ying Lin and shook his head. Elder Sister, have I ever bluffed?
Yes! Ying Lin said, nodding vigorously.
Ah, well, thats true. But have I ever bluffed that my abilities are greater than they are? Hui asked.
Not usually, Ying Lin said.
Hui nodded. Exactly. Senior, even Fen Long has acknowledged my skill with realms. So what secret does your realm hold, that I would be unable to unravel it?
Liu Guangs mouth moved, but nothing came out.
Or could it be that theres no secret at all but your realm is a malformed realm, an accident that formed when you were studying realms, that you decided was beneficial to you? Hui mused aloud, watching Liu Guang from the corner of his eye.
Liu Guangs face reddened. You know nothing!
Oh, so it is. Well, I figured as much. Ive run into a few realms that collapse and freeze, but none that do it as incidentally as yours, Hui said, nodding. In any case, I expect that itll only take me a few hours to break your realm and claim it as my own. Do you want to bet against me, Senior?
You
I suppose its not truly a choice. My apologies for presenting it falsely, Senior. You must bet against me, Senior, because here I come. Ying Lin, hold him steady, Hui said, reaching out toward Liu Guang.
Stop! Stop this moment! Liu Guang shouted. You trash! You insect! You dare lay your hands upon this Senior? Ill
Ying Lins hands blurred as she pushed a few acupoints. Liu Guangs mouth continued to move, but nothing came out. There we go. He should stay silent now, Master!
Mmm. Ying Lin, Tang Fei, if it takes me too long to claim his realm keep yourselves safe, first and foremost, Hui ordered, raising his hands to Liu Guang.
Tang Fei nodded. A strange expression flashed over her face for a moment, almost guilt, but in the next second, she suppressed it.
Huh? Oh, well. Ying Lin is high enough realm to handle whatever Tang Fei wants to do. With a wave, Hui sent his qi into Liu Guang, searching out his storage array. He keeps it on his body. He must, if he sends new cultivators to it all the time. I just have to find it!
--
Huis body stilled. His eyes shut, and he settled into a meditative pose, hands hovering over Liu Guang.
Ying Lin looked at Tang Fei. Theres something you want to do, right?
Tang Fei bit her lip. I just I dont know if I can survive it. He wouldnt he wouldnt want me to die, right after he healed me, but but to not repay him for this, I
Ying Lin laughed. Youre very cute, Tang Fei!
Eh? Tang Fei asked, startled.
Master doesnt care if you repay him or not. Hes not that kind of person. As long as you dont hold it against him and seek vengeance, hes quite happy, Ying Lin explained.
But but Tang Fei shook her head. She scowled, then stomped her foot cutely. Balling her hands into fists, she shook her head again, but this time, with an adorable expression on her face. But! I cant allow it! This adorable Tang Feier, who dares to assume shed seek vengeance on those who helped her? No! I wont allow it! I have to repay him.
Ying Lin clapped her hands. Master will be very happy to hear that.
Tang Fei leaped into the air. He might not hear it. I might not survive this, but I cant go without repaying him. Ying Lin, if I dont return, express my gratitude to Xiao Hui.
No. Youll express it yourself, Ying Lin declared, staring directly at Tang Fei.
Midair, Tang Fei paused. She hesitated a long beat, then nodded. Thats right. Ill be back. No one can keep this cuteness down for long!
With that, she sped off, rapidly vanishing toward the top of the peak.
Ying Lin watched her go. As Tang Fei vanished, her usual smile faded, and a serious expression emerged. She pressed her lips together. Tang Fei, may you succeed and return safely.
Her eyes turned upward, where a faint flash of lightning burst through the otherwise clear sky. She licked her lips.
Master please hurry. I cant hold on much longer.
