Master, This Poor Disciple Died Again Today

Chapter 702: A Good Night's Sleep

Am I actually going to sleep? Absolutely not. Im not into mortal LARPing. Already had a life of that, thanks. Not interested in a second round.

Glancing at the cot to make sure Zhang Ming wasnt watching, Hui rubbed his hands together, then tossed a lotus seed into a gap in the floorboards. It bounced out of sight, vanishing into the crawlspace under the hut.

He settled in to meditate again. This time, though, he sent his soul into the lotus seed. Rather than growing it to his full human form, he only grew large enough to barely climb out of the seed. Peeking out of the black hull, he looked around.

He stood alone under the hut. No one else joined him in the crawspace, no one except the worms and the dirt. He crawled over to the edge of the crawspace and peeked out through a gap in the boards at the spaces front.

The harmonious village scene wound down for the day. Parents corralled their children home. Shopkeepers took their wares down. As the sun set and night took hold, the village went quiet.

Hui waited, holding his breath. Come on. Something has to come out. Something has to go wrong. Dont disappoint me!

He waited. And waited. The moon rose.

Hui yawned. Even though I dont have to sleep, I can still get bored. Come on. Is nothing going to happen? Is this really just a harmonious mortal LARP session? Come on!

In the dark of the night, something moved.

Pushing himself upright, Huis eyes widened. At last! Show yourself, evil! A slasher? A monster? Perhaps a jiangshi or ghost?

Notnot that small cultivator wants to see such danger. No, no. Of course not. In fact, Id rather this village has no secret danger, and that its all small cultivators delusions.

Its just theres so many hints I if there isnt something, Id be more surprised! And under those conditions, not seeing whatever that thing is, is far worse than confronting even something as dangerous as a slasher or jiangshi! The monster always gets less scary once its revealed. Plus, once I know what kind of threat this village hides, I can prepare for it! I can defend against it! Right now, I know nothing. If itwhatever it isattacks me, Im totally at its mercy!

No, this cant stand. I need to know. I must know!

Jie Xinlei stepped out of the dark and into the moonlight, her face pale in the silver light.

Hui pursed his lips. Boring. Come on.

A moment later, he shook his head. No, no. From the beginning, I thought it was more dystopia than slasher. Maybe if I follow her, I can find out whats wrong with this place!

She looked left and right, then hurried toward the chiefs house. Leaping up behind her, tiny Hui scurried across the road after Jie Xinlei. Jie Xinlei stepped into the chiefs house, and Hui hurried under the floorboards after her.

The wooden floor creaked over Huis head. Jie Xinlei hesitated by the door, then stepped forward, closer to the chief. A moment later, she quickly bowed, remembering herself. Jie Xinlei greets the chief.

Speak, child. What is on your mind? the chief said warmly. He moved toward the central hearth, stirring a pot dangling over the fire.

Jie Xinlei rose, but continued to cup her hands to him. Could today be a real day?

Hui blinked. A real day? What does that mean?

The chief chuckled. Of course! Weve gained a new member of the village today. Its a joyous day.

She let out a held breath, her chest deflating. Then then tomorrow?

The chief clicked his tongue. His smile vanished. Dont be greedy, child.

Standing upright, she stepped forward. Its justI like the newcomer. Mother says I should think about marriage, and I want to get to know him. A few days, just a few days!

Silence.

Jie Xinlei jumped. She quickly bowed again.

The chief stirred the pot again, his face lit from below. A deep melancholy scrawled over his face, his eyes hooded, lips pressed together. After a few seconds, he sighed. Abandoning the pot, he went to Jie Xinleis side. My dear, sweet Jie Xinlei, I wish I could make all days real. I wish it wasnt like this. I wish we didnt need to live this way. But we cant. We have to obey. If we refuse

Jie Xinleis face darkened. Her shoulders slumped. I know. But one more day? Just one?

The elder shook his head, more regretful than before. We live on a razors edge. Even existing in this way is contrary to his wishes. If we knew his wishes, perhaps but since he is unknowable, we must bow our heads and live in fear and silence. This charade of ours pleases him. And so we can scrape by and continue to survive.

Whywhy does he

The elder shot her a glare. No more.

Jie Xinlei bit her lip. Her eyes dropped to the floor, almost shut. Tears welled up.

Seeing her sorrow, the chief relented. He put a comforting hand on her back. There, there. No need for tears, child. Were allowed to live this way. Its better than dying.

Cant we fight, or

We lost the war long ago. All our warriors are dead or crippled. Now, we have no recourse but to bow our heads and agree.

Under the floorboards, Hui watched it all play out, his brows knotted. Someone else is forcing them to do this? Could it be? Is it my eternal adversary? The gold hand is it the same one bullying them?

No, no. Lets not get ahead of ourselves. Theres many powerful beings out there. Many powerful Immortals beyond my ability to even comprehend. I shouldnt jump to hasty conclusions.

Still, it is interesting that theres a being so powerful that its capable of suppressing an entire village full of Immortals. Interesting and a powerful reminder to the small little me! I may have achieved Immortality, but just because my lifespan is long, doesnt mean the buglike me cant be killed! New death-faking skills, I need new death-faking skills! As soon as possible, at that! I cant continue to rest on my laurels. I need a power that allows me to cause even Immortals to double-guess my status!

Jie Xinlei nodded. She mopped at her eyes, wiping away her tears, and sniffled. But but eventually?

The chief smiled gently. Eventually, it will be a real day again. You and that boy can continue to get to know each other.

A real day curious. What does that mean? A real day. Hui pursed his lips. If today counts as a real day, then Ill have to take a measure of the difference between a real day and a fake day.

Sharing a few more kind words, the chief sent Jie Xinlei away. Taking it as his cue, Hui hustled after her, quickly vacating the floorboards as she walked away.

After he left, the elders eyes wandered to the floor. A smile touched his lips. Our warriors are tired and crippled. And yet, perhaps

Humming to himself, the elder nodded, wandering back to a small cot in his room.