Ying Lin dropped down into a busy street. Elegantly, she extended her small feet and landed with barely a sound, her robes fluttering around her. Zhubi tumbled clumsily after her, flailing his newfound limbs wildly, his face still stiff but his eyes wide in panic.

All around them, cultivators stopped and stared.

Hui reached out and caught the small child with the long hair, not willing to appear as a child abuser in the middle of a busy street. A small, round face peered up at him, then turned and hugged him tight, the boy hiding his face in Hui’s robes.

Er… who? Hui wondered silently, arms stiff, not sure what to do with this small child.

A second later, he caught the scale pattern on Zhubi’s robes and the long, winding sheaf of hair. He cleared his throat. “Zhubi?”

Face still buried in Hui’s robes, Zhubi nodded.

Hui sighed and petted Zhubi’s head absentmindedly. He looked at Ying Lin with a sense of trepidation. Why is it that I feel the two of you are a bad luck charm, recently? Every time you appear, Han Qin is not long behind. Don’t tell me, is this small clone the next on the chopping block? I don’t want to die! Go on, go on, shoo!

“What is it, Master?” Ying Lin asked, tilting her head.

Hui sighed again. He waved a hand. “Nothing, nothing.” I can’t actually tell them to shoo. One is Zhubi, and the other… well, I bear responsibility for introducing her to the world of cultivation. I should see my duties through.

He looked down at Zhubi. “Zhubi, it’s incredibly inconvenient to carry you about like this. Why don’t you change back?”

Zhubi looked up at him with big, watery eyes. Instantly, Hui waved his hands. “No, no! You aren’t inconvenient, I didn’t mean that. Please. I do like your manifestation, it’s very adorable. So go ahead, be my guest.”

Pleased with himself, Zhubi continued to lounge in Hui’s arms like a little monkey. Hui sighed and shifted Zhubi to his hip.

Ying Lin shook her head at Hui. “If you spoil him like that, he’ll grow up crooked.”

“What ‘grow up?’ Isn’t he already two hundred and some?” Hui asked, looking down at Zhubi.

Zhubi gave him an innocent look.

“Still, you shouldn’t indulge him so much. He’s big enough to walk. Make him walk,” Ying Lin insisted.

Zhubi grabbed on tighter to Hui, practically gluing himself to Hui’s side.

“Zhubi… she is right, you know,” Hui said.

Zhubi shook his head.

“Do you not want to walk?” Hui asked.

“Of course he doesn’t. That’s not the point,” Ying Lin grumbled.

Zhubi shook his head again.

Hui let out a big sigh. “We can have this argument later. For now, let’s get out of the middle of the street.”

Ying Lin nodded, and the three of them retreated to the roadside. All around them, cultivators flew on swords or walked, rode shuttles or descended majestically in immortal boats of various sizes.

Taking it all in, Ying Lin stared, amazed. “Master… is this a cultivation city?”

“Twin Elemental City. The best place to hear news and gossip… and make a few spirit stones,” Hui said, nodding.

Ying Lin turned. Her eyes widened. “Master, your robes!”

Hui looked down at himself. Blue silk brocade patterned with phoenixes and flood dragons stared back at him, the hems a muted gold. He adjusted his robes and cleared his throat. “This is nothing unusual. My true body wears something similar.” True, he stole them from Bai Xue, and these are robes I bought myself, but they’re similar enough.

“Your shoes… look at that fan! And the jade decoration at your hip. Master… are you rich?” Ying Lin asked.

Hui quickly tucked the gold leaf-covered fan into his robes and self-consciously adjusted his belt to hide the decoration under Zhubi. “Well… modestly so. I’ve made a living selling talismans. These are nothing compared to what a true merchant could acquire.”

“Master! Don’t delude yourself. I’ve told you, you’re talented! It isn’t just anyone who could make talismans of such quality that people would pay so much for them,” Ying Lin insisted.

Well… most fifth-stage talisman masters likely belong to a sect or clan, and have a support system unto themselves. Unlike a rogue cultivator like me, who has to make his own way. Naturally, when a good is rare, its price becomes higher, whether the quality is there or not. Hui cleared his throat, reaching for his fan before he remembered how flashy it was and let his hand drop to adjust his hems instead. “It’s nothing worth making a fuss over.”

“What about your house? You have a house, don’t you?” Ying Lin asked.

“A modest hut,” Hui demurred.

Her brows furrowed. “Master… you aren’t sleeping in the forest again, are you?”

“I… no,” Hui said honestly, taken aback.

Ying Lin sighed, a hand to her chest. She shook her head. “Honestly… you clones are going to run me ragged, with all these bad habits of yours.”

“Bad hab—Ying Lin! Watch your mouth,” Hui said, scowling.

“It’s true, Master. Besides, didn’t you say it was my right to question you?” Ying Lin returned, putting her hands on her hips.

I… I did! Ah, dammit. If I’d known how mouthy this damn disciple would be, I never would’ve run my mouth like that! Hui sighed and shook his head at himself. He scanned over Ying Lin, and a frown appeared on his face. Aren’t those the same robes I stole off that cultivator back in the Fu Clan? Hey, all you pathetic clones who can’t make any spirit stones! To think you’d be so shameless as to let our disciple continue wearing second hand robes!

Respectfully, Sectgoer, we’re all dead or indisposed, Mortal replied.

Hui snorted. Hardly an excuse. He waved Ying Lin on. “Come along. Let’s head back to my place. I’ll get you some proper robes, and see if I can find you a room.”

Ying Lin nodded. “Is there room to practice sword techniques? I’m close to mastering the ones Ji Taiyu taught me.”

“Ah… naturally, there’s a courtyard,” Hui said. Eh? When did she learn Ji Taiyu’s techniques? While I was fighting Song Weilai? But that was… that was a day, at most! And she’s nearly mastered them? Hui stared, then shook his head. Calling me talented, when I failed to learn the same techniques after months at his side. Truly, there are heavens beyond heavens, and this small cultivator will never forget that!

As they walked, a palanquin passed them by. Delicate hands raised a curtain, and a white-haired Bai Xue stared after Hui.

“That’s his disciple. That’s his aura. Can it be? A child? Hui had a child… but not with me?” she murmured. She shook her head. “This cannot be allowed to stand. This Bai Xue has been holding back, but no longer!”

Hui’s ears twitched. Bai Xue, you know I can hear you? And how have you been holding back, huh? Explain it to me, in clear language! He turned and bowed, the motion slightly awkward for holding Zhubi. “This small merchant is honored to be in the presence of the Bai Clan heir. This boy is the manifestation of small merchant’s spirit beast, not his child.”

Bai Xue narrowed her eyes. “Is that how we’re playing it?”

Playing what? Hui asked.

She smiled. “I’ve taken an interest in that spirit beast of yours. Why don’t you sell him with me? I’ll take good care of him.”

The guards around the palanquin tensed, ready to attack Hui to take his spirit beast if Bai Xue demanded it.

What is this domineering villainess plot twist? Hui sighed. He shook his head, unintimidated by the low-level guards. It isn’t like Bai Xue will actually have them attack me to steal Zhubi away. It’s as threatening as a paper tiger. Ah, although she might have them attack to kidnap me… no, Elder Sister wouldn’t do such a thing. Probably? “Unfortunately, Zhubi is not for sale. Elder Sister should understand this.”

“No, no, don’t misunderstand. I simply wish to have Hui’s child… care for Hui’s spirit beast for a bit,” Bai Xue replied. Under her breath, she murmured, “I’ll get him to talk. Then I’ll know how to tempt Hui into my clutches at last…”

I’m misunderstanding. I’m misunderstanding everything! Hui shouted silently. Bai Xue, your internal voice is leaking out…

“Greeting Illustrious Bai Xue,” Ying Lin broke in, interrupting the moment.

“Ah, it’s Hui’s cute little disciple. Has he stopped trying to pawn you off?” Bai Xue asked.

Ying Lin nodded. “He’s accepted me as his disciple, even if I had to do it forcefully.”

Bai Xue’s eyes flashed. She nodded slowly. “Good girl. Yes, yes, that’s the way…”

“Hey! What does that mean?” Hui interjected, frustrated.

Bai Xue laughed quietly into her hand, then nodded. “Have you heard about the female warrior to the west?”

“Ah, yes,” Hui said, his expression falling for a moment. Actually, a clone died to earn that information.

“Then… go to her side, already. And remember, you will always have me,” Bai Xue said. She dropped the curtain and rapped on the palanquin’s side, and moved on once more.

Hui watched Bai Xue go, his brows knotted. What does that mean? Always have… Bai Xue? Is Li Xiang in danger, somehow? But then, surely Bai Xue would have been more urgent about telling me.

“Master, are we going west?” Ying Lin asked.

“Ah… eventually. Let’s give it time for Han Qin to wander somewhere else. Besides, I want to get you cleaned up and properly dressed, first,” Hui said adamantly. I want to find Li Xiang, but at the same time, all the other clones have neglected Ying Lin to this extent. Leaving her in someone else’s rags… I don’t want her to think I’m a cheap master who can’t even afford proper robes for his disciples.

Healer agreed with a snort. You tell those poor clones.

It’s… it’s really just me, at this point, Mortal cried miserably. I’m doing my best…

Eh? What’s this? Everyone… huh?

All the clones fell silent, then began to speak all at once.

Another clone?

Ah, thank goodness. We were starting to run out!

Where are you? Are you safe? What’s happening?

The new clone cleared his throat. Elder Brothers, please…

Everyone fell silent, waiting. Healer spoke first. Where were you born?

I’m on Master’s peak. I’ve been raising the lotus plants here, growing new clones. Just recently, I thought to try the inheritance, and…

Master’s peak! How is it?

The new one paused. It’s very peaceful. Occasionally, I see All Heavens patrols in the distance, but none can break Master’s barrier. Senior Wolf keeps me company, and I check every day to see if Bai Jingwen has woken up.

Healer nodded. What should we call him? Shepherd? Gardener?

How about Peak Lord? Rogue suggested with a laugh.

My vote’s on Homebody, Mortal chipped in.

The new clone hesitated, then added, And… I’ve been digging a hole.

Digger.

Digger for sure. His name is Digger.

Pressing his hand to his face, Healer sighed. Why are you digging a hole?

I don’t know. I just… feel as if I should.

Sectgoer spoke at last. We all have our oddities. Mortal can’t make money, for instance.

Hey!

So let’s peacefully call him Peak Lord for now. In any case, I’m busy. Don’t interrupt me.

“Master?” Ying Lin asked, looking up at him.

Hui shook his head and walked on. “A daydream. Let’s hurry. The shop will close if we don’t arrive soon.”

“Eh? Okay,” Ying Lin agreed.

Hui looked at Zhubi, then shrugged. His robes are plenty nice, and he’s a manifested spirit beast, anyways. They might even be a part of him. “Zhubi, are you sure I couldn’t convince you to enter beast form, at least for a while?”

“Make him walk, Master! He’ll never learn, otherwise!” Ying Lin whispered from the side.

Zhubi shook his head, somewhat distracted. Head turned about, he watched the cultivator city with wide eyes.

Come to think of it, he might be able to see more colors in human form. In which case, it’s no wonder he wants to spend a little longer as a human, in such a colorful city. Hui swapped Zhubi to his opposite side and walked on.

“Master… you’re spoiling him,” Ying Lin complained.

“Hmm,” Hui commented.

Tutting, Ying Lin shook her head. “Such clear favoritism. When this disciple has sore legs from sword practice, she has to walk, but Zhubi sits around all day and gets carried?”

“Your legs will get less sore if you walk,” Hui replied helpfully.

Ying Lin shook her head. “He’s a fifth stage spirit beast! He’s much more powerful than me. There’s no need to carry him. This much walking is nothing to him.”

“Ying Lin, are you jealous?” Hui asked. Zhubi turned to her as well, his big eyes blinking innocently.

Ying Lin scowled. “I am not!”

Hui gave her an indulgent look. “How about this. When you hit fifth stage, Master will carry you, as well.”

“Who wants that!” Ying Lin retorted.

“It’s alright, Ying Lin. There’s no shame in it. Master, too, wasn’t carried much as a child. I’ll carry you all you want once you hit fifth stage,” Hui said, smiling gently.

Ying Lin stared back at him, her cheeks pursed and her face red with indignation.

Hui fought the urge to laugh aloud, turning away instead. Has it always been so much fun to tease people? No wonder everyone always teases me!