Master, This Poor Disciple Died Again Today

Bai Xue tapped her foot. “What’s taking him?”

A servant scurried up to her. “Bai Yizhen took him to get dressed. It might be hours yet.”

“It had better not be—”

The door flew open. Hui staggered out, draped in long red robes. Dragons swirled over the silk, embroidered in the same shade as the robe, so only the interplay of light and shadow as he moved made them visible. When he moved, though, the dragons seemed to fly around him, so fine was the embroidery. His hair was done up in a tight ponytail, not a single whisp escaping. Long red ribbons draped from the ponytail tie and hung down his back, as straight and long as his hair. Red sapphires dangled from gold chains, adorning his head, neck, wrists, waist, and even the hems of his robes, the gold chain dripping off him. A bit overwhelmed, he shied back from the crowd, but at the sight of Bai Xue, he stood up straight, catching his breath.

Bai Xue smiled, her face barely visible through the red veil. She waved, quietly calling him over.

Hui stared.

Layers and layers of translucent red veils draped her body, leaving her form completely obscured, and yet unspeakably alluring. Thick gold chains reined in the robes at her waist, only for them to flow again, the entire look both chunky and slender at the same time. Lacy red gloves covered her hands, and a red ribbon wound around her neck. Her white hair looped around ornate gold hairpins, each one studded with a ruby to match Hui’s sapphires. She lowered her eyes slightly, still smiling. A brush of red makeup brought out how long those snow-white eyelashes were, her eye makeup perfectly matching her ruby-red lips.

Hui moved to her side, blind to everyone but her. He gently touched her shoulder, almost afraid to break her. She smelled of peonies, a sweet, floral scent. “You, you look…”

Bai Xue laughed gently. She took his hand and caressed it. “So? Are you ready?”

“I—”

“Bai Xue!” Bai Bing shouted, bursting into the room. Bai Luoren followed at her shoulder, whispering sweet nothings, but she batted him back. “You—”

“Bai Shuang, mommy wants you!” Bai Xue called sweetly.

A little toddler came out from under a nearby table, his hair barely streaked with black. He caught sight of Bai Bing and ran over to her side, arms up. “Mommy!”

Abruptly, Bai Bing shut her mouth.

Bai Xue winked at Hui. “She won’t shout in front of the child.”

Bai Bing snatched up Bai Shuang and glowered at Bai Xue. “Using your little sibling against me like this…”

“Against you? Me? I would never. Mother, you’re going to be a grandmother soon. Aren’t you proud?” Bai Xue said, eyes twinkling.

“You…” Bai Bing sighed. She looked at Bai Luoren. “Why are my children so willful?”

“They take after you,” Bai Luoren said kindly, though with a bit of mirth in his eyes.

Bai Bing shook her head at Bai Xue. “Your child will be just as bad as you were, mark my words.”

“I’m hoping for it,” Bai Xue said.

Turning to Hui, she clasped both of his hands and smiled. “Shall we?”

“Yes,” Hui returned.

Delicate instruments played in the background as they exchanged vows. As they finished, fireworks went off with loud pops, lighting up the sky outside the hall. The Bai Clan’s servants hurried around, serving food and drink to the attendees. Hui smiled and laughed, but slowly found himself growing tired. Deep into the night, the party showed no sign of stopping.

Bai Xue leaned toward him. “Should we go?”

Hui nodded. “Please.”

Time abruptly accelerated. Rogue crossed his arms. Hey!

I’m not going to show you that, Peak Lord said, blushing.

That just makes me more curious what happened, Rogue said, pinching his chin.

Healer sighed. If you really want to know, you can always review his memories on your own later. On. Your. Own.

Rogue laughed. Yeah, yeah. I bet you review those memories on your own a lot, huh Healer?

Dear Heavens, I didn’t miss you, Healer said, casting his eyes toward the sky.

Peak Lord paused. Is it here?

Bai Xue looked at him, her head tilted curiously. “So how did Bai Jingwen and Gui Yutong end up with a child, if it wasn’t your doing?”

“Eh, that’s… lotuses are, are hermaphroditic,” Hui admitted.

“Oh?” Bai Xue’s eyebrows shot up.

“No, no, that is, that is—” Hui stammered.

“This clone technique is lotus-based, isn’t it?” Bai Xue murmured, stepping closer. She touched his chin. “So, Xiao Hui, can you—”

Nope, not here! Peak Lord blurted, speeding the memories up again.

Rogue shook his head. Peak Lord, admitting that to Bai Xue? You’re going to get us in trouble.

I know, I know, Peak Lord sighed. He shook his head.

Sectgoer nodded. At least it’s only the clone bodies with that particular trait, so if anyone has to take responsibility for that statement, it’ll be Peak Lord.

Seems fair to me, Rogue said, shrugging.

There’s a lot of… not much… let me see if I can jump ahead to…

Bai Xue’s face, twisted with pain and red from strain. She narrowed her eyes at Hui. “If you show anyone this—I swear I’ll—”

Er, almost there, Peak Lord said, hurrying on again.

Yeah, that’s fine. Newborns all look like wrinkled potatoes anyways, Rogue said, shrugging.

Rogue! That’s our child, Healer said, shaking his head.

When they first come out, I mean. You remember health class. Seeing it on video was traumatic enough. I don’t need to experience it live, too, Rogue shrugged.

Peak Lord looked down. A tiny white-haired baby slept quietly in his arms. Its little brow furrowed, and it stretched tiny balled-up hands out, powerlessly struggling against sleep.

So cute! Is it a boy or a girl? Rogue asked.

…

Rogue sighed. Right. Bai Xue’s kid.

Their name is Xingxue, Peak Lord said quietly, an unusual gentleness in his voice.

Fresh snow? So Bai Xue made—

Yes, thank you, Rogue. We all noticed, Healer said.

You’re in a bad mood, Rogue commented.

Healer twisted his lips. I just feel so powerless. Being unable to help, I… I want to eradicate the sect already. I want to be able to stop these assholes from ruining more innocent lives.

What is there left to do? Rogue asked. Oh, wait, that’s right. Peak Lord, you’re at Master’s Peak?

Yes. Along with Bai Xue and Bai Xingxue, Peak Lord said warningly.

Mmm, that should be fine. I’m going to send Senior Fen Long to you, so he can release Chen Wuya.

Are you sure he’s on our side? He’s— Peak Lord licked his lips nervously. Our lives are one thing, but Bai Xue and Xingxue…

Rogue shrugged. Send them to the Bai Clan if you’re concerned about it. We can’t afford not to trust Fen Long. Who else do we have that’s strong enough to face Gui Delun?

In any case, you should probably send them to the Bai Clan for safety. What we’re about to do… if we fail, there’s nothing that can protect them on Master’s Peak. Long term, they can’t stay there, Rogue advised him.

Peak Lord shook his head. Are you insane? You—

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Peak Lord… Rogue has a point. If we fail… the Bai Clan might end up crushed, too, but I still think they’d have a better chance there than on our peak, Healer agreed.

You too, Sectgoer? Peak Lord asked.

Sectgoer hesitated. I hate to say it, but… yeah.

Alright. I’ll make those arrangements. Then the only one we’re waiting on is—

First cleared his throat. I’m ready.

You’re—already? Peak Lord asked, startled.

I’m not sure how long it will take, but after all everyone has done and comprehended… the time has come. The time to get everything in line is now. Soon… we take our revenge.

All the clones sat silent for a moment.

Well, fuck. Finally! Hey, Peak Lord, kiss our kid for all of us. Er, I can’t do much from in here, and I don’t think I should emerge for now—since we don’t want to reveal Fen Long is free until the critical moment. But someone should call in Li Xiang.

That’s true. I’ll let her know to get ready, Sectgoer said.

And… is there anyone else? Oh, Senior Wolf…

I’ll send him over, Peak Lord said, nodding.

Healer put a hand on his chin. I suppose I’ll make final preparations to free Jin Xian—that is, Fang Hua and all the ghouls, on my end. It might… end up revealing to Liu Guang that I am Xiao Hui, but…

At this point, we might as well cause a little bit of chaos by getting caught, or at least, leading the sect on a wild goose chase, Rogue laughed.

I’d rather not get caught… but whatever. First, let us know when the sect is back. We’re ready to go! Healer declared boldly, clenching his fist.