Master, This Poor Disciple Died Again Today

Chapter 66: Prisoners

Chapter 66: Prisoners

Thoughtful, Hui walked over to the barrier and squatted down. He reached out and probed the barrier with a strand of qi.

Qi lashed out at him. Icy cold poured through his forearm. Hui jolted back, retreating.

Barrier got you? Bai Xue asked, chuckling.

Mmm, Hui muttered, shaking his hand. I shouldve expected it. Its a defensive technique, built to defend against qi. Of course it wouldnt be as vulnerable to qi-poking as other things.

Then again He lifted his hand and summoned a strand of death qi. Holding it a short distance from his hand, he reached out toward the barrier.

The second the death qi touched the barrier, it flashed. Ice launched at Hui.

He threw himself backward. The ice attack launched over his head and hurtled at Bai Xue.

Casually, Bai Xue waved his fan. The ice melted in a wave of heat. Learned your lesson yet?

Did it register that as an attack? Hui guessed.

Am I supposed to be an expert on Bai Fenfengs barriers? Bai Xue asked.

Hui sighed. He brushed off his robes and stood up. Were not getting through that.

Li Xiang shook her head. Its too tough.

Bai Fenfeng is only a fourth-stage cultivator. As far as I know, shes no barrier expert. I should be able to break through, but Bai Xue whipped a fan at the barrier. A wall of flames rushed at the barrier. Ice flashed, swallowing the fire. The barrier shivered, then settled, clear and solid once more. A barrier like this? She probably cast it in a spell array with the assistance of her branch of the family. To sustain it spirit stones? I hope she used spirit stones.

Eh? Are there other options? Hui asked.

Bai Xue shrugged. Dragon veins and other things.

Didnt you say Hui fell silent, thoughtful. Earlier, Bai Xue said this land doesnt have much qi. Bai Fenfengs branch is empty. Theres no one around.

She wouldnt have would she?

He knelt and peered down below the lotus, past the roots that descended into the pool, down to the white rocky bottom far below.

Not rocks. Bones.

He retreated, startled, and glanced at Bai Xue. Bai Xue nodded, just once.

Best not to tell Li Xiang. He cleared his throat and started to turn away. At the last second, a flash of color caught his eye. He turned back, then jogged over to Bai Xue. Where does your family keep the ones caught infected with lotus pills?

In quarantine, why?

Hui nodded toward the pile. Recognize that?

Li Xiang bounded over. She peered down. Eh? It looks like the robes that one man wore, back in the fake tea shop.

Bai Xue and Hui both stared at her. Youre fine with it? Hui said at last.

She shook her head vehemently. No, of course not. But if I crumpled at the first sign of injustice, I wouldnt be much of a defender of justice, would I?

Huh. That makes a lot of sense. Hui nodded, a hand to his chin.

If the people we brought to quarantine ended up here, and as ghouls Bai Xue shot a look at Hui.

Exactly, Hui agreed.

What? Li Xiang asked.

I think its time we took a look at quarantine, Bai Xue muttered darkly.

--

Bamboo poles shimmered with qi, marking the border of a barrier. A low building stood inside the poles, long and wide. Black stains crawled up the walls. The black roof sloped in. An abandoned air hung around the building.

Is this where you kept the infected? Hui asked, frowning at Xue.

Bai Xue tossed his hair, a disgusted expression on his face. We left quarantine to Bai Fenfengs branch. We thought we could trust her. Clearly, that was a mistake.

II suppose so, Hui agreed. He backed away from the flames, lifting a sleeve over his mouth. As long as we dont asphyxiate from the smoke first!

Eh? Theres fire, now? Li Xiang asked, confused.

They didnt have to wait long. Barely moments after the fire caught, ice crawled over the wall, suppressing it.

Hurry, Bai Xue urged.

Hui nodded and drew Li Xiang toward the infected cultivators. Right. Li Xiang, over here

Before he finished speaking, the door opened. A cultivator in black robes paused, half in, half out. A black veil obscured his face. He turned back in the door, twisted around to see behind him. Naturally. A moment, please, senior.

He stepped into the room, closing the door behind him, and turned around. Bai Xue, Hui, and Li Xiang stood in the middle of the room, not at all disguised, still fully out in the open.

His eyes went wide. You

Li Xiang shoved away from Huis hand and darted at the man. He reached for his sword. As his hand closed around the hilt, the butt of Li Xiangs sword slammed into his chin. His eyes rolled back, and he stumbled into the wall.

Bai Xue darted and caught him before he hit. With a short gesture, he cast a spell on the man, and the cultivators pained expression faded to a peaceful one, asleep. All three of them froze, listening.

The soundproof barrier, Hui said, realizing.

Whoevers outside didnt hear anything, Bai Xue finished.

Right, we can still salvage this. Li Xiang Hui turned.

Li Xiang stared at the infected in silence. Her grip on her sword tightened. He deserves to die. They all deserve to die.

You Hui didnt know how to finish the sentence. You arent afraid? You arent disgusted?

She gave him a stern look. Ive seen horrible deeds in my time. Dont forget that Im much older than you. Something at this level wont bother me.

Ah, Hui said. I did forget that. Shes a cultivator, after all. Shes been alive for decades. Even if shes pure at heart, it doesnt mean shes never seen evil.

But I will massacre everyone who did this, down to the last man, Li Xiang swore. She strode toward the dark-robed cultivator, hefting her sword.

Wait, elder sister, wait, Hui said, jumping in front of him.

She scowled. Do you protest my justice?

No, no, of course not. This small disciple wouldnt dream of it. I merely have a suggestion. Should we not remove his garments and have Bai Xue take his place? Then we can still get into the lotus room, and you can have your justice.

Li Xiang considered, sword still raised. She nodded once, shortly, and lowered her sword.

Why me? Bai Xue asked.

Your face. Youre the Young Master of Bai clan. Theyll recognize you long before they recognize Li Xiang or I, whove only been guests for one night, and we only have one mask. He gestured at the fallen cultivators veil.

Xue nodded sagely. Youre right. I am far too handsome to pass for one of these creatures.

Hui rolled his eyes. Xue smirked back.

Hurry. Justice should not be delayed, Li Xiang grit, still displeased.

Right, right. Bai Xue knelt and undressed the man, drawing the dark robes on over his own. The mans robes didnt quite fit Bai Xue, but since his yang forms robes were dark to begin with, it was hard to tell where one set ended and the other set began.

Youre not going to turn back soon, are you? Hui asked. If he swaps to his white-haired yin form, itll completely blow his disguise!

Bai Xue waved a hand. Id be more worried about midnight.

Midnight, when he turns into a ghoul? Hui nodded confidently.Dont worry. I can handle that.

Well, thats true. As long as I dont end up alone with Li Xiang, Bai Xue said.

That shouldnt happen, Hui said.

Are you done yet? Li Xiang asked.

Almost, almost. Bai Xue settled the veil over his face and smiled at them. Alright, my pathetic slaves. Follow me!