Chapter 24: You're Gonna Go Far, Hui

Chapter 24: You're Gonna Go Far, Hui

At the base of Cauldron Peak, Hui pulled the pig-skin mask over his face. For a second, he stared through the flaccid eye-holes, and then the mask came to life. Like a human-skin mask, it adapted to his features and hugged close to his face, transforming him.

At last, the motion stopped. Hui walked on, through the space between sects. A little brook trickled along the edge of the path, and he moved over to it, curious. In the stillness of the stream, he caught a glimpse of himself and had to bite back a grimace. His handsome features were just visible enough through the masks heavy-handed features to make it tragic. Rather than seeing a hideous pigman, he stared at a horribly disfigured version of himself, which hurt worse than merely seeing a monster. Ugh, who made this thing? Xixing, I dont question your pill-making skills, but your mask-making could use some work.

He shook his head. Im not here to be handsome. I can do that later. Still, he let down his ponytail and raked his hair into his face. As I am now, Im so ugly I might scare someone to death. Best to soften the blow a little.

Joining in with the stream of fellow cultivators, he followed them up Starbound Peak, using the main roads this time. Hurrying back to the cafeteria, he knocked on the back door. Sis Mei, Sis Mei.

What is it, you scamp? Didnt have enaugh! Who? Mei lifted the knife in her hand threateningly.

Hui grabbed at the mask and peeled it up. It stuck to his skin, sticky and uncomfortably moist. Its me, me!

Meis eyes widened. What on earth have you done to yourself?

Hui grinned and raised a finger to his lips, then drew the mask back down. Could I ask you a favor?

She grinned again, leaning against the doorframe, knife clasped against her crossed arms. Anything. I think of you as a little brother, Hui, you know that.

Then this afternoon, at dinnertime, could I ask you to gather these outer-sect disciples for todays serving staff? Hui asked. He handed over a list of names.

Mei took it, frowning. On such short notice

I know. Im sorry, Mei. Theyre all hard workers, I promise

I dont doubt that. Youd never do anything to hurt your elder sister, mm? She winked at him. Dont worry, I can make it happen. Can I ask why?

Hui shrugged. Best if you dont know.

Mei nodded. Will I see you at dinner?

Ah at the front of the house, for once. In this. He tapped his face.

Mei grimaced. Youre perfectly welcome to keep coming back here even if you wear that mask, if you enter the cafeteria openly, I

Just for today, elder sister Mei. I wont stay long, either. I dont want to trouble you, Hui said earnestly.New novel chapters are published on

Yeah, thats just a rumor, one of the other disciples dismissed it.

No, its not!

All of them turned. One of the serving girls glared back, her cheeks flushed from the fear of speaking up. She shook her head, cute pigtails thrashing across her face. Its not a rumor. I was there! Chang Bolinthat bullytried to kill Hui because he was jealous, no other reason!

One of the disciples furrowed her brows. Surely Lan Taijian

Lan Taijian hates Weiheng Wu, doesnt he? Hui suggested softly.

Her brows lifted, as if shed just realized something. She glanced at Hui, then averted her eyes in disgust.

Ah, who cares? I heard he was a waste anyways, one of the other disciples dismissed.

Hui nodded vaguely, keeping his hair in his face. Chang Bolin was so jealous of a waste he killed him? Isnt that concerning? A rabid dog like that how long before he becomes jealous of someone else?

Thats right! Hes a danger to everyone around him. Im just glad hes out of the outer sect. He used to spend all day whining about how the sect was wasting his talent in the outer sect the serving girl twisted her lips, frustrated.

Ha! As if none of us did our time in the outer sect, one of the quieter disciples muttered. He only spent, what, ten years there? I was out there three decades! Three!

Five for me, another replied.

And he kept ducking his responsibilities as an outer sect disciple. I hear he refused to take any of the servant shifts, even when he was offered the good ones, Hui added, throwing fuel on the fire.

The serving girl nodded furiously.

The male disciple whod dismissed Hui as a waste earlier frowned. What a disrespectful brat. Does he think hes better than all of us?

Joking, the disciple beside him nudged him. Better than him thinking youre better than him! Watch out, he might come for you, next!

A disciple from the table behind theirs turned around. What are you guys talking about?

Listen, did you hear? That Chang Bolin, he

Hui smiled slightly to himself and turned back to his rice. My job here is done. He scraped the last of the rice into his sloppy mask-mouth and stood, walking outside into the night.