The heat of the forge blazed at Hui’s face. The hammer rang out, one strike after another. Under his steady beat, the two ores slowly fused together.

Hui poured magic into the material as the sword took shape. He twisted the magic into a talisman, but bound the talisman to the metal. By putting the talisman into the metal, it won’t burn up when I activate the spell. The metal might slowly degrade, but that’s a problem for future-Hui. I need these weapons to last through the battle, but no more. As long as they’re good enough for that, they’re good enough for me.

With another dozen strikes, the sword took shape. He doused it and set it aside, wiping his brow.

That makes ten swords that I’ve personally made. If we include the disciples, it’s nearly a hundred. Song Wei… Song Wei still hasn’t produced any new swords, but he should be cultivating to produce even stronger swords. Soon… ah. Probably not before the battle. But… eh. It’s not bad to put in a bit of effort to raise a particular disciple every now and again.

He sat back, exhausted. Slowly, he stood. Walking to the door, he stepped outside. A cool breeze blew. Down below, disciples clanged away at their forges.

Hui grinned. Ah. The wonderful sound of industry.

…And that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing, Sectgoer said, shrugging.

Good to hear that we’ll have weapons for the coming battle. And armor…? Rogue asked.

What kind of fool do you take me for? Of course, armor! Sectgoer said, harrumphing.

Rogue put up his hands. Hey, I can’t be sure. Heart-demon and all.

You and that damn heart-demon, Sectgoer grumbled.

I haven’t done much. Should I go next? Healer offered.

Not me? Peak Lord asked.

Healer hesitated. Let’s save your news for last.

Oh, hey. What’s going on with Peak Lord? Rogue asked.

Later, later. But first… Healer started.

Rogue sighed. Honestly…

--

Several Months Ago

Hui sat atop his peak, quietly meditating. I need to meditate for a while to regenerate that life qi I spent at Clouded Pavilion. I hope it was worth it for Sectgoer!

A powerful beam of light blasted down from the sky and hurtled toward Hui. He jolted away, but too slow. With a strike like thunder, Gui Delun landed beside him with a clouded brow. He scowled at Hui.

Hui instantly jumped to his feet, ready to flee. I can’t play dead. Gui Delun will recognize it, no doubt! Is this the end of this small clone? Farewell, sweet world—

“You! How dare you shame my daughter like this?”

Hui blinked. What did Bai Jingwen do now? “Er, I’m sorry, Father-in-law, I’m not sure I follow—”

“Living on this distant peak while your wife struggles to carry your child in a distant place!” Gui Delun huffed.

Last time I checked, Bai Jingwen was living on Gui Yutong’s peak, so no problem there! Ahem, I mean— “You’re right. I’ve been lacking. However can I make up for this shame I’ve brought upon myself?” Hui asked, trembling from supposed shame.

Gui Delun harrumphed. “Obviously I can’t count on you to take care of my daughter. You and she shall both live on my peak until her child is born! That way, I can protect the child as well, and it can be nourished by the thicker qi.”

Hui nodded. “Father-in-law, what a wonderful idea! Ah, one as lowly as me could never come up with such an incredible thought. Yes, yes, we should do it immediately!”

Internally, he quavered. Shit! Did he find out? Is he suspicious? Using the baby to keep me under supervision… well, it’s a good excuse! I can’t refuse it without sounding suspicious myself. After all, every point he made is true, and on top of that, why would I turn down a chance to cultivate in the stronger qi of Gui Delun’s peak?

And I’m paralyzed, too, by the child. Not as paralyzed as he thinks, since the child isn’t truly mine, but I still don’t want Bai Jingwen’s child to die… nor Gui Yutong’s! I might need to think of a way to get the child to safety away from Gui Delun. I… I somehow suspect that he might be willing to kill his own grandchild, if he thought it would harm his enemy—me!

…Well, it isn’t entirely misfortune. I can train under the thicker qi of Gui Delun’s peak, both to endure the weight of it and to cultivate myself to greater levels. I was just thinking I needed to recover my life qi! It does mean I can’t move around as freely as before, but that’s what the other clones are for.

Hmm, if anything… this might indicate that he’s suspicious… but only of me, Healer! The other clones are still flying under the radar. If he continues to investigate, I’m sure he’ll figure it out… and he probably will continue to investigate! Our time is limited, but for now, we still have time.

Gui Delun gestured for Hui to follow him. Hui stepped atop his sword. Together, the two of them flew off toward Gui Delun’s peak.

Healer, are you going to be okay? Peak Lord asked.

Yes, I—I think I’ll be fine. In any case, it isn’t important enough for you to intervene. Carry on! Hui replied.

Mhm. Understood! Peak Lord returned.

They hurtled toward Gui Delun’s peak. Two cultivators circled near them, and from Rogue’s memories, Healer recognized Gan Li and Nian Ji. The two of them shot him bitter, jealous looks. Healer sighed internally. That’s right. One of the last things we saw from Rogue was him bragging that he knows me, the me who married Gui Yutong.

No, no. Don’t be jealous. It really… it really doesn’t mean anything, Hui thought, tired.

“Sleeping your way to the Inner Peaks,” Nian Ji muttered.

I really didn’t, though. I’m innocent! Hui sighed again, this time externally. Argh, Gui Yutong… I understand that I’m a non-threatening sort of person, but you’ve caused so much trouble for me! Gui Delun might have completely ignored me if you hadn’t decided to make me your beard.

Ah well, what’s done is done. I’ll reap the benefits and put up with the detriments. At the end of the day, my eternal fallback is that I’m merely a clone!

Gui Yutong stood atop the peak, an anxious expression on her face. Beside her stood Bai Jingwen. Protectively, she stood at Gui Yutong’s shoulder, her black eyes narrowed at the newcomers, though to Hui’s relief, she stopped short of openly hissing at them. Even Bai Jingwen still feels the weight of the heavens! Gui Delun isn’t someone we can afford to face right now. And he might… never be, but hopefully when we bring back the Sect Master and everyone, and have the rot spider and everything else on our side, we—we might stand a chance!

Gui Delun stopped dead. He glared at Bai Jingwen. “What is this?”

Gui Yutong stood in front of her. “She’s… she’s my handmaid. You won’t part us, will you, Father?”

Gui Delun scowled, but turned away. “As you wish.” He narrowed his eyes at Hui, a threat unspoken passing between them.

Hui blinked. Father—father-in-law, you—you can’t be serious. You’re glaring at me? You think I, this small cultivator, dares to touch Bai Jingwen? The one who’s touching Bai Jingwen is your daughter, dammit! Leave me out of it!

What kind of opinion does he have of me? Am I the loose kind of man who would dual cultivate with anyone—

…

Ah, well. That’s. Ahem.

Cultural differences, cultural differences, dammit! I’m not… sleeping with people, that’s what’s important! And the one time with Bai Xue and, and everyone, that, that was a one-time event!

Hui paused for a moment. He put his face in his hands. I’ve been scum lately, haven’t I?

I really haven’t shown my best sides to Gui Delun. Maybe he really is just concerned for his daughter’s wellbeing.

Taking a deep breath, Hui stood upright. He walked over to Gui Yutong, holding his hands out toward her. “My darling wife! I’ve been so negligent. How can I ever make it up to you?”

As his hands approached Gui Yutong’s, Bai Jingwen let out a warning hiss.

Hui stopped short, hands held out to Gui Yutong and a warm smile on his face. I’m not taking another step toward her. I don’t want to be gutted by Bai Jingwen right in front of Gui Delun. “Dear wife.”

“Dear husband,” Gui Yutong responded. She stepped toward him and took his hands.

Bai Jingwen scowled hideously.

Stop it, dammit! Don’t be so obvious! Aren’t you two hiding your relationship? Struggling not to tremble, Hui nodded at her. “Please. Let me know how to make it up to you.”

“Ah, dear husband… shall we go to my palace first?” Gui Yutong suggested.

Gui Delun crossed his arms. “You won’t let him walk all over you, will you?”

“No, no. Father, Xie Hao and I had our own agreement. I already told you. There’s no need for all this.”

“I won’t allow this man to walk all over you,” Gui Delun stated. He narrowed his eyes at Hui. “From now on, until he has my blessing, he isn’t allowed to leave my peak.”

Ooookay, nope, he definitely suspects me. Ah, to be fair, I haven’t been keeping things as clean as I should have. He took my arm, that one time, and… well, I could have been neater. Hui bowed his head. “As Father-in-law says, I will work hard to obtain your blessing!”

Gui Yutong shot Hui an exasperated look and shook her head a little. Hui gave her a thin-lipped smile in return. She doesn’t know, then. Whatever her father suspects, he hasn’t told her. Good.

Gui Delun waved a hand. “Go. Show him around your old palace.”

“Yes, Father,” Gui Yutong said, bowing.

Golden light washed over the peak. Hui raised a hand, instinctively flinching away. Ugh. This guy.

“Ah, did you catch him?” Liu Guang said.

“I have brought my son-in-law to my daughter’s side,” Gui Delun rumbled, shooting Liu Guang a warning glance.

Hui glanced at Liu Guang, showing a terrified expression on his face. You want to intimidate me, right? You want to see me scared. You’re a sadist, so obviously, this is what you want. Come on. Take the bait. Come over and tell me that thing you clearly want to tell me, that you’re sure is going to terrify me.

A placid expression on his face, Liu Guang walked over, hands tucked behind his back. He leaned in to Hui and whispered, “Did you think I was asleep, that night?”

To the other side of Hui, Gui Yutong gave him a taken aback look, then slowly nodded.

Elder Sister, I don’t know what you just decided right now, but I absolutely disagree with it. I would never do anything untoward to a sleeping cultivator!

“You thought I was drunk? That I wouldn’t remember anything?” Liu Guang continued.

Gui Yutong’s eyebrows shot even further up. She blinked at Hui.

Elder Brother, Senior, please, I’m begging you. Consider your words more carefully! Hui cried. So many misunderstandings… dammit. Gui Yutong, don’t look at me like that. I didn’t do anything to this man. Especially not while he was drunk!

Liu Guang clicked his tongue. “You’d better watch your step, child.”

“And you should probably watch your words, Senior,” Hui returned.

“What?” Liu Guang said.

“Nothing, nothing,” Hui said, shaking his head, eyes wide with fear. Dammit, this tongue of mine. Rogue, damn you for infecting us all with your tongue!

Speaking of watching your words, Peak Lord snickered.

Ahhh… I’m exhausted. I want to go home already, Healer complained, rubbing his eyes.