Master, This Poor Disciple Died Again Today

Chapter 738: Lost Game

Hui skipped back. The sword cut through the front of his robes. Feathers flew free, bright red like blood.

You arent living your truth, either, Li Xiang accused him.

Hui touched the cut robes. Not my truth?

No, thats fair. Ive changed, thanks to the world. This isnt my truth. Its just a momentary form.

Its as I realized. I cannot allow the world to change me, if Im challenging the world.

But in order to learn how to harness these powers, I need to make temporary adjustments. Allowances. If Im unwilling to bend and change, Im unable to become stronger. Ive always been willing to make temporary changes to my body and form in order to learn new powers.

Besides, I dont want the world to realize well. What Ive realized. I dont know how much the Golden Immortal will be able to see or understand from looking at me. Its best if it looks like I dont understand anything.

Though, to be fair, I have no idea how I became a Vermillion Bird. I absorbed that trash realm I have a lot of birds in me but aside from that, the details are fuzzy. Was the Vermillion Bird in that realm? Or am I just, uh, you know, combining with the birds Ive always carried around? I was in a pretty unstable state in that realm, and then I did something somewhat, er, ridiculous, so anythings possible.

I didnt take as much care toward my own state as I should have, but on the other hand, I was in a bit of a rush for this exact reason! Li Xiang, why are you attacking me? Ive done nothing to you!

Li Xiang! Hui shouted, even as he ran backward.

I cant tolerate those who refuse the truth, Li Xiang returned flatly, chasing after him.

Li Xiang, lets not be rash. We can use our words, okay? Hui tried.

No.

Ah no haha, Im sure theres still things to be said.

Rejected.

Li Xiang! Youre being unreasonable!

Youre the unreasonable one.

Each phrase came accompanied by a slash, and on Huis part, he danced backward, dodging each attack. His body moved faster than usual, his limbs lighter and stronger. Is that because Im using a Vermillion Birds body right now? It makes sense, right? As much sense as anything has made, this far.

The one thing Im sure of, is that I am not the Vermillion Bird. Its merely the way the world has chosen to comprehend me, in its broken state, but it is not well, as Li Xiang would put it, it is not my truth. I think the best way to comprehend waking up as the Vermillion Bird as, is to understand it as a symptom of the world breaking down.

Still, its handy to use while Ive got it!

Li Xiang closed the distance. She swiped at his neck.

Hui swayed back. The blade scraped by his skin, drawing a single line of blood. He touched his throat, feeling the wet, and leaped further away. Elder Sister, lets be reasonable. Theres no need to kill this small cultivator for a few small lies.

Hmph. Li Xiang paused, though she didnt put her sword away.

Retreating to a safe distance, Hui paused. She wasnt seriously trying to kill me. She didnt use a single magical technique or beam of sword light. I shouldnt be too hasty here. Shes still willing to listen, even if she insists otherwise.

Li Xiang, listen for a moment. You are a sword. You always have been. However, are you not also a woman? Hui asked, spreading his hands.

She squinted at him. What do you mean?

Your body wasnt formed from nothing. It was born, as earnestly as anything else. True, it belonged to someone else at the time, but she gave it to you. Theres no untruth in accepting this as your body.

But it isnt mine.

It wasnt yours, but it is now. It was a gift. You should treasure it, not rush to throw it away, Hui insisted.

Li Xiangs brows furrowed. She lowered her sword. How did you speak to her?

Hui pointed at her sword. She lived in there, for a time. I met her as she died.

She gifted this, to me? Li Xiang asked, surprised.

Hui nodded. You were her sword. When you gained her body, she was temporarily located into your sword. She wanted you to live on, and continue to grow stronger.

She lowered her sword. Slowly, she sheathed it. I see.

Letting out a breath, Hui stepped forward. Then, will you come with me? I need you at my side, for what Im attempting to do.

Li Xiang hesitated. After a moment, she nodded.

A thought that was his thought, and also not his thought, flashed through his mind. Ah though, if the plan Im thinking of works, I dont think shell like it much but in the end, I still need her.

Hui furrowed his brows. What was that?

Not something I should worry about.

I hear you.

Shut up, you hear nothing.

Is there a reason for

Yes.

If you say so.

Hui looked overhead, but saw nothing. Well, if this is one of my plans, I probably shouldnt think too hard about it. Still, why the hell did you spawn me as a bird?

No answer, huh. Well, then again, if I cant figure it out, I really doubt head-clone can figure it out, either. It might just be a thing that happened

Shut up! Stop thinking about it!

Oh. Er, okay. Sorry.

Its fine. Justjust focus on your timeline, okay?

My timeline? Theres more

Shhh, okay? Shhh!

Hui? Li Xiang asked, looking aside at him.

Huh? Oh, sorry. I got lost in my thoughts. Er, shall we go, Elder Sister? Theres a few more people I want to pick up.

Li Xiang nodded.

Hui took to the air. I didnt see Bai Xue on my first run, but given its been at least five hundred years, and even Song Wei, whos much lower realm, ascended, shes almost certainly ascended as well. I dont know where she is, but I know where to start asking. Bonus points, its the same place I need to go to find Song Wei!

This time, when he flew, a few sects spotted the Immortal Realm. Gold-dressed cultivators attacked the sects. The sects fought back, but they were clearly outmatched by the gold cultivators. Hui paused for a moment, watching.

Huh. I guess thats what happens when you empty the garbage can back into the Immortal Realm. It just gets shoved back into the garbage can.

Well, not unforeseen. They were in the garbage can for a reason, and that reason wasnt because they defeated the Golden Immortal and his men.

Li Xiang followed his gaze. Do you want to help?

Hui shook his head. No. Theres no point.

No point?

Well, since Im pretty sure this isnt our final timeline, there really isnt any point. And the next loop, theyll probably be back in the garbage bin.

Hmm. I need to power them up. Itll be nice to have a stronger army for the final loop. At least strong enough to distract the Golden Immortal while I prepare to destroy him.

No point.

Li Xiang looked away. If you insist.

Eh, really? That was easier than I expected.

Li Xiang has changed.

Were both older now. A lot has happened to us. It would be stranger if we didnt change.

Hui nodded. To the brothel?

Li Xiang nodded back, then froze. To the what?

Ah haha, Elder Sister will just have to trust me! Hui said quickly, and flew off, using the full speed of his Vermilion Bird body.

Weiheng Hui Li Xiang chased after him, squinting at his back.

I was only born today, Li Xiang! Im innocent!

Impossible, Li Xiang snapped.

Its true, its really true! Hui sped up even more. Next time, Ill have to remember not to mention it aloud!