Master, This Poor Disciple Died Again Today

Chapter 677: Meeting the Beasts

As Hui finished his tale, the Tier Master sat back. She closed her eyes and breathed out. So it is as we thought. The Palace Master is in the business of unjustly stealing others beasts.

Er, was there doubt? Hui wondered aloud.

The Tier Masters eyes snapped open. She narrowed them at Hui.

Hui quickly bowed. Please excuse this small disciple. Ive picked up the bad habit of speaking out of turn lately.

She waved a hand, dismissing him. As we are beast cultivators, we cannot stand a tyrant who dares to steal beasts thoughtlessly. She could snatch up someones bonded beast and cut off a cultivators path. As the sect no. Tier Master, I cannot stand for this.

Yes, yes, Hui said, nodding. It makes sense. It seems petty, but since theyre beast cultivators and their immortality is wrapped up in their beasts success as much as their own, its understandable.

That is why She clenched her fist. Her brows furrowed.

Hui leaned forward. Is this where she says it? Is this the moment of her declaration of rebellion? History before my eyes!

The Tier Master nodded once, firmly. we must make a serious appeal to the Palace Master, with all haste.

Flabbergasted, Hui stumbled back. Thats all? After all this loudness, the cultivators practically declaring themselves Tseng Caihongs enemies, hiding from the sect and growing their strength in this secret realm theyre going to have a serious meeting? A meeting? And talk things through?

Hey, wheres my savage beast cultivators? Where are they? Chef! Someone made a mistake and gave me the wrong flavor! Take it back, and bring the right dish this time!

Hui shook his head at himself. No, no. This is good. Talking like reasonable humans is a rare step for cultivators. I should nurture this. Preserve it. Encourage it. Who knows? If they become prominent, talking to one another might become a popular resolution strategy for future cultivation sects! Less bloodshed, less danger, less death! Yes, yes. This small cultivator approves.

Even if its a bit strange to see this come from a beast sect, I still approve!

Ah, no. Im thinking of this wrong. It isnt that their first instinct isnt to fight. Its just that Tseng Caihong is holding somethingperhaps somethings, that are so precious that the sect cannot risk a fight. Because of that, they choose to talk, rather than fight. Fundamentally, their nature is no different from any other sect.

I cant support all sects in the future taking hostages. Thats the kind of bloody path that sees my children kidnapped, or, well, at the very least, sees me having to fake getting kidnapped to save my children. No, no. I have to think more on this.

The Tier Master looked at Hui. You seem to have Tseng Caihongs favor. You should come with us when we go to speak to her.

Ah? I do? Hui asked, startled.

The Tier Master squinted at him. Do you not?

Er, yes! Yes. I do. Probably, Hui admitted, not quite sure himself. She stole my snake, but she does seem interested in me. Im not sure interested is the right word, but well, something like that. Something like interested. Given her general lack of interest in sect goings-on from what Ive seen, interest might be a relatively high bar for Tseng Caihong.

She has the eyes that can pierce everything. That means shes seen it all. Hui nodded to himself. No wonder she seems aloof and uninterested. Id probably be pretty bored if I saw everything all the time, too.

After a moment, Hui cleared his throat. Er, Senior, could I ask a favor? That is, if youre agreeable to rewarding me for my help.

The Tier Master spread her hands. If it is within reason.

Er, that is, I could you He gritted his teeth, then spat it out all at once. If I help, could you name me as the number one disciple in the sect?

Staring at him, the Tier Master blinked slowly, like a cat caught unawares. Is there such a thing?

The Sect Master promised to give me my snake back if I became the number one disciple in the sect, Hui confessed.

The Tier Master snorted. Another one of her games yes. I will.

Hui breathed a sigh. Alright. Thats one Tier in my favor! Six to go.

Or, well, the Fourth Tier probably would vote for me. Jizhi Zhimei kidnapped me, and she taught me some of her personal technique. She likes me. The Third Tier, the body cultivators I passed their trial, so I have some points with them. The Second Tier is a problem, since Xi Sanji thinks Im dead, but Wan Lu seemed to appreciate me. And anyways, I dont need that pink Xi Sanjis approval to become the best disciple, anyways!

So thats four er, three and a half tiers in the bag. Ill deduct half a point for the second and third tier combined, since Im not sure about either of them. After all, Xi Sanji thinks Im dead, and I did destroy the body cultivators trial. I didnt mean to, but well, you know. In any case! Three point five out of eight.

Huh. Im doing better than I thought. Maybe I can become the number one disciple in Eight Tiers Palace, after all.

All I have to do is talk with Tseng Caihong and get her to agree to give the Sacred Beast back.

Hui pressed his lips together. I havent even convinced her to give Zhubi back. How on earth am I going to get her to agree to hand the Sacred Beast back? Whatever the Sacred Beast is.

Wait, wait, no. I didnt get her to hand Zhubi back for nothing, its true, but she did agree to hand him back on a condition. And she gave me the condition right away, too. Maybe theres a condition shed be willing to accept to hand their Sacred Beast back. Its worth an ask!

of course, ordinary cultivators arent as humble and reasonable as this small cultivator. I have to hope Tseng Caihong has a condition that the beast cultivators are willing to accept. If not Hui gritted his teeth. If not, then, then I guess I guess Ill have to figure out a way to fulfill the condition on my own! After all, its now a barrier between me and Zhubi, and I cant allow any barriers to block me away from getting my precious snake back!

He looked at the Tier Master. Er, if I may

She gestured for him to go ahead.

Hui cleared his throat. Er, what is the Sacred Beast?

Lao Hu growled, deep in its throat. It stood, its bulk filling the massive tent, and stretched its paws, baring massive claws.

Startled, Hui backed toward the door, instantly shivering with his whole body. What? What did I do wrong? Im sorry! I apologize! Do tigers eat dead men? They probably do, right? Oh no, oh no! Tier Master, save me!

Wait. Tigers dont eat vegetables! Hui quickly cycled to his plant form. Okay. Now I should be able to safely play dead.

The Tier Master raised her hand. Lao Hu looked at it, then fell silent. Giving Hui a baleful look, it lowered itself heavily back to the earth.

She turned to Hui. The Sacred Beast is a white tiger cub, born with pale stripes and red eyes. Lao Hus only precious child.

Huis eyes widened. He sucked a slow breath. Oh. Ohhhhh. No wonder the entire tier is pissed. Kidnapping a baby animal? And not only that, but the Tier Masters personal beasts cub? Tseng Caihong might as well have kicked the entire tier in the nuts. Why would she do that?

Never mind my reward. Now Im curious. Why did she do this? Why intentionally anger the tier to this extent? Hui straightened his robes and drew himself to his full height. You can trust me, Tier Master. Send me to Tseng Caihong. Ill do everything I can to return Lao Hus precious child.

The Tier Master nodded slowly, blinking languidly like her tiger. I wish you good fortune. She waved her hand, opening a rift in space.

Hui took a deep breath. Tseng Caihong, here I come!