Night passed quickly. It seemed as if no time passed before Ying Lin came knocking at Hui’s door. “Benefactor, are you ready? Let’s go!”

Hui broke out of the lotus pose and stood. He stretched and smiled at Ying Lin. “Let’s go.”

Together, the two of them set off. Ying Lin hugged her cloth bag to her protectively. As she walked, she glanced at Hui once, twice, then three times. At last, Hui turned and gave her a quizzical smile. What do you want? You’re making me nervous.

Ying Lin peered at Zhubi. “That snake… it really isn’t your pet?”

“I don’t consider him a pet. He is a dear companion,” Hui repeated.

“So we can’t… give it to Fu Liyu?” she asked hesitantly.

Hui almost spat. What would Fu Liyu do with a fifth stage spirit beast? Tame him? Seal him? He’s way over her level. Even if she tried to forcefully form a pact with him, Zhubi could break that pact and kill her with the tip of his tail. If she has any sense, she’d stay miles away from Zhubi.

Then again, the cultivators in this world… she’d probably see him as some kind of gift from the heavens and attempt to steal him away anyways. It’s better if we don’t tempt her, for her own sake.

He chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t think Zhubi would appreciate that, no.”

Zhubi peered sleepily up from Hui’s neck and flicked his tongue at Ying Lin.

Ying Lin sighed. “I was just asking. A pity. If I could get her a pretty spirit beast like that one, she’d take me to the banquet for sure.”

“No, no. That’s not a good idea,” Hui said, shaking his head.

Ying Lin stared at Zhubi and reached out, delicately touching his head. Zhubi hissed and tilted his head for her to scritch his chin. She gave him a regretful look. “It’ll be hard to find a spirit beast as pretty as him.”

“I don’t think there’s another spirit beast quite like Zhubi,” Hui agreed. Where else would you find a spirit beast that instinctively plays dead, after all? He’s one of a kind!

She gave Zhubi a rub on the top of his head. “Okay. I can’t sell off your friend. I’ll have to catch a spirit beast for her myself if I want to gift one to Fu Liyu.”

“It’s good to have goals,” Hui replied.

“Does he have a name?” Ying Lin asked, retracting her hand. Zhubi leaned after it, somewhat regretful that she’d stopped petting him.

“Zhubi,” Hui replied.

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Ying Lin smiled. “Nice to meet you, Zhubi!”

Zhubi bobbed his head in greeting.

Hui twisted away, suddenly a little possessive. He’s my snake, not yours!

Zhubi tilted his head at Hui questioningly.

Ah, what am I thinking? It’s not like Zhubi will go to Ying Lin. I’m being ridiculous. Hui straightened his robes and cleared his throat. He nodded at Ying Lin. “Let’s hurry to the Fu Clan.”

“Mhm! Before the spirit herb dies,” Ying Lin agreed, hugging the bag closer to her chest.

The gate to the Fu Clan appeared before them in moments. A small hole remained in the side of the gate where Fu Liyu punched it the previous day. Ying Lin frowned at the hole, then glanced at Hui, who shrugged. I don’t feel like explaining that. Fu Liyu did that all on her own. She can explain it on her own, if she wants.

“I heard fighting yesterday. I wonder if the gate got damaged in the fight,” Ying Lin mused.

Not quite, Hui thought, grinning dryly.

A servant stepped forward to block their way as they approached the gate. “Halt! Ying Lin, where do you think you’re going?”

“I… I have to see Fu Liyu,” Ying Lin insisted unconvincingly.

The servant harrumphed. “Fu Liyu is busy.”

“But I—”

Hui stepped forward, putting his arm out. Placatingly, he bowed to the servant and said, “I’ve come with a new treatment for Fu Liyu’s… condition. If you tell her, she’ll understand.”

The servant’s eyes narrowed. “Name yourself.”

“Xiao… ahem, Xie Hao,” Hui said.

Narrowing his eyes at Hui and Ying Lin, the servant made a few handsigns, then pressed his hands toward the ground. A faint glimmer of light appeared between the gates. He turned and hurried off, leaving them on the far side of the barrier.

Hui glanced around, then wandered toward the barrier. Examining the gate, he knelt and peered at the ground. Carefully, he extended a few fingers toward the barrier. Reddish light sparked around his fingertips. The barrier distorted, giving like a soap bubble. I could pop it if I so much as circulated my qi carelessly. It’s not much of a barrier. On the other hand, the servant cast it in the first level of Qi Gathering, too low cultivation to even be considered a real cultivator. That I’m able to touch it without popping it is already commendable.

It seems to be a square-shaped array built into the gates and the floor. The array uses the natural flow of energy of this place to project an outward barrier. Rather than physically protecting the clan, it’s a cruder version of the perimeter All-Heavens Sect put up around Starbound Sect. All-Heavens’ perimeter could withstand any number of crossings and sent a message to its caster each time. This barrier, on the other hand, will pop when I cross it, but should alert whoever initially constructed the array when I do. In summary, it’s a single-use perimeter that summons the strongest member of the clan. Not something I want to casually trigger!

“Benefactor?” Ying Lin asked, tilting her head.

Hui stood and dusted his knees off. “Nothing. Merely a professional interest.”

“I thought you were a doctor, not a gate designer,” Ying Lin said, confused.

Hui coughed. “That’s right, that’s right. But, er, we doctors have to consider the flow of energy, the feng shui of the area… the gate is a part of everything, all together,” he bluffed.

Ying Lin nodded slowly. “Oh… I see.”

Do you? Because I don’t, Hui thought to himself.

The servant reappeared. He harrumphed, but gestured for them to follow. Hui followed, tucking his hands behind him like a scholar. As Ying Lin stepped forward, he held his arm out. “You stay.”

Ying Lin staggered back, her expression hurt. She looked at Hui, giving him puppy-dog eyes.

Hui flicked his sleeve. Imperiously, he declared, “She comes with me.”

The servant scowled, but shook his head. “Fine. Come along.”

Ying Lin beamed. She skipped after Hui and jogged to his side, shooting him a smile. “Thanks, benefactor! I knew I could count on you!”

Hui smiled and bowed. “Of course, of course.”