Master, This Poor Disciple Died Again Today

Chapter 554: A Reaper's Secrets

Hui scurried closer, tilting his head and making his eyes big. Senior Si Wang is about to spill the tea! Must hear, must hear! Oh?

Si Wang put a hand on his forehead and pushed him back. Dont do that. You look like a chipmunk.

Ah, my apologies, Senior. Hui straightened, adjusting his hems and tucking his hands behind his back. Setting his shoulders and standing with a ramrod spine, he nodded just once at Si Wang, as upright and righteous as could be. Please proceed.

Blinking, Si Wang stared. What is wrong with this man?

Taking a deep breath, he continued. The reaper that is, Mamian, or, to use her original name

Who are you? What are you doing on the border of Eight Tiers Palace? Identify yourself! a man shouted. He exuded an oppressive aura, at least sixth stage, if not seventh. Two lower-level cultivators flanked him, each one fifth-realm.

Hui jumped. Eh? What did we do? Why are they

He looked over at the resentment demons, happily tearing up the landscape all around them. Oh. Uh. Er, this small cultivator wasnt as careful as I could have been, hmm. Standing over the demons as they tear up the wilderness naturally, Eight Tiers Palace thinks Im the one directing them!

I did create them, but but theyve been free range since then! I cant control them, I cant control them at all! You cant blame me for this! Theyre their own people!

Si Wang whirled, scowling. Interrupting me? Who do you think you are?

Taken aback, the man stopped and looked down on Si Wang. I am Quan Yuanlong, Inner Palace cultivator of the Sixth Tier, the highest level Beast Master aside from our Tier Master. And you?

Si Wang laughed, just once. He tossed his hair and flew up in the air so he could look down on Quan Yuanlong. Imperiously, he declared, You can call me Death.

Oh dear. Oh no. The cringe Im dying, Hui thought, barely resisting the urge to curl up and hide his face.

Quan Yuanlong looked at Hui expectantly.

Hui coughed, breaking free of the cringe. He bowed to the other man respectfully. Please excuse this small cultivator. Small cultivator is not worthy of giving Senior his name, but since Senior insists, please refer to small cultivator as Xie Hao.

I cant give my real name right now anyways, but it seems the restriction doesnt apply to pseudonyms, Hui noted.

What are these beasts? Quan Yuanlong asked.

Si Wang scoffed. Ha! If I told you, it would melt your mind. Theyre horrific beings from beyond your compre

Hui stepped forward, interrupting Si Wang. Senior, with all respect, we dont know either. My colleague and I were investigating the beasts when Senior came by. As mere rogue cultivators, we do not possess the knowledge or prestige that Eight Tiers Palace Inner Palace cultivators must possess. Senior, please enlighten us. I know that Seniors boundless knowledge must encompass these beasts, too!

With that, he gave Quan Yuanlong his best shining puppy dog eyes, as if he truly, from the bottom of his heart, expected Quan Yuanlong to explain the resentment demons to him. Internally, though, he laughed. Good luck. If you can provide even a half-assed explanation for these creatures with the total void of knowledge you posses on them, Ill call you Father! Ah, even this small cultivator who created them didnt know they were the manifestation of the breakdown of the Heavenly Dao.

Hmm, though if theyre the manifestation of the Heavenly Dao breaking down, and theyre able to reproduce just by tearing apart a forest doesnt that bode extremely poorly for the Heavenly Dao? If the Heavenly Dao is broken down to the part that even a forest gathers resentment against it Hui pressed his lips together. Hmm. I might be in trouble.

A second later, he froze. Turning slowly, his gaze landed on Eight Tiers Palace. Theyre the manifestation of the breakdown of the Heavenly Dao so why are they attacking Eight Tiers Palace?

Does Eight Tiers Palace, perhaps

Quan Yuanlong cleared his throat, breaking Huis thoughts. He stepped forward on the air, drawing closer to the resentment demons.

As he drew closer, the large one opened its mouth. A low hiss emerged, threatening and dangerous. Instinctively, Quan Yuanlong stopped in midair and threw his arm out, preventing his assistants from stepping closer. This beastthis beast is a threat to everyone!

Eh, is it? Hui asked. Eyes twinkling, he flew over and patted one of the resentment demons arm. But Senior, it doesnt seem to mind me?

The two assistants suddenly drew away from Quan Yuanlong, looking at him with strange eyes.

What? But Quan Yuanlong stepped closer again.

The resentment demon hissed again, louder this time. One arm snapped out and batted at Quan Yuanlong. He darted back, only just dodging it.

Huis jaw dropped. He stared at Quan Yuanlong, shooting sideways glances at his assistant. Senior, so strange. Why does the beast react so strongly to you? Could it be does it recognize you, perhaps? Is it possible that it came here to enact revenge on Senior?

What? No! Ive never seen this beast before! Quan Yuanlong spluttered.

His two assistants gave him long looks. One tucked her hands behind her and edged subtly away.

Eh? Perhaps perhaps, then, this beast is not the creature Senior insulted. Ah! I must have been wrong. Happenstance, its happenstance! Unless Hui put his hand on his chin.

Happenstance, thats it! Its just happenstance. Theres no unless! Quan Yuanlong insisted.

His assistants leaned in, giving Hui a curious look.

Hui hemmed for a few moments, enjoying the look on Quan Yuanlongs face. Ha, thinking youll teach me about these beasts. Ill teach you!

There isnt, Quan Yuanlong insisted, crossing his arms. I really havent seen this thing before.

Huis eyes lit up, and he raised a finger as if hed just thought of it. Unless it was so torn apart by its resentment that its original appearance mutated into this. Butah! No, no. Senior would have had to do something truly, truly heinous, something that violates all morals and righteousness, for the beast to mutate to this extent. But ah, Senior must be upright and moral, right? So it cant be that, cant be! Hui said, nodding to himself.

The assistants glanced at Quan Yuanlong and drew away, backing toward the sect.

Whatdont listen to him. Hes an outsider spouting nonsense! Quan Yuanlong shouted, jabbing his finger at Hui. Hes the one accusing me

Senior, when have I accused you? Ive merely asked questions, asked questions! Ah, and to think, I even defended Senior, Hui sighed, shaking his head.

One of the assistants mustered himself and flew up beside Quan Yuanlong. He whispered something in the mans ear and gestured for them to return to the sect.

Face red, Quan Yuanlong huffed one last time, then turned to go.

Hui grinned to himself. Ill leave it at that for now. Hmm, is it just me, or is it a little too fun to give people heart demons?

Ha. Running away. A righteous man wouldnt run from trouble, Si Wang stated firmly, crossing his arms.

Hui glanced at him. Is Senior playing along, or did he somehow fall for it, even though he knows the truth?

Quan Yuanlong flinched. He scowled at Si Wang over his shoulder, then huffed, straightened his collars, and flew off, flanked by his attendants.

Putting a hand on his chin, Hui hummed to himself thoughtfully. I didnt think itd be that easy to get them to leave us alone. I thought wed have to fight, for sure.

Si Wang snorted. That man has a guilty conscience, or else it wouldnt work.

Hui glanced at him. Does Senior know that Quan Yuanlong?

Ha! Hes a high-ranking Beast Master of their Beast Tier. You know that the Eight Tiers Palace and the Northern Realm, run by demons that is, animals with inborn cultivations, not these monstrositiesare at loggerheads, correct? Si Wang asked, still staring after Quan Yuanlong.

Ah, yes. That was my first assignment as a reaper, Hui said, nodding.

Si Wang nodded back. That man is much of the reason why. He might only be an Inner Palace member, but the things he has done

Hui glanced at Si Wang, expecting him to continue, but he said nothing. After a moment, he glanced at Hui. Did you really accuse him of creating the demons without knowing that?

Huh? Er, well small cultivator got lucky? Hui said, scratching the back of his head. After a moment, he waved his hand. No, no. Small cultivator merely assumed that all cultivators must have some skeletons in their closets! I got lucky in that I guessed right the first time, or at least got close enough to make him squirm! Please dont worry, Senior. Had I guessed wrong, I would have kept trying angles until I found one that worked!

Si Wang gave him a look. Is that supposed to reassure me? You dangerous child! Having you around is like having an inner demon as your travelling companion!

Eh? Senior, dont worry. Im not trying to give you an inner demon, Hui said, shaking his head.

You couldnt, Si Wang said, laughing.

Hui cleared his throat, but said nothing. He raised his eyebrows.

You couldnt. Im much higher realm than you, Si Wang insisted.

Glancing aside at the floor, Hui cleared his throat again. Ah, well, its neither here nor there

You could not! Si Wang shouted, furious, raising his hand.

Hui cowered, putting his hands up protectively. Ahhh, Senior! Could you please not aggravate your own inner demon while Im desperately trying to avoid giving you a mental demon? Please! For your own good!