Darkness. Hui reached out his hand, not sure whether to move or let the darkness carry him. “Zhubi! Zhubi, are you here?”

A little hiss answered him. Scales wound around his tiny body, keeping him safe. Hui grabbed onto one of Zhubi’s coils with both arms and clung for dear life.

The two of them blasted out of the darkness and into the sky over the grassland. They rolled a few times, then came to a halt, Hui still clinging to Zhubi.

Slowly, Hui stood up. He wiped his face, exhausted, then frowned and turned, sniffing the air. “Do you still smell smoke, Zhubi?”

Zhubi hissed and nodded below them.

Flames raged through the grassland. Hui blinked, then climbed up onto Zhubi’s back and lifted a hand to his eyes. As far as he could see, the secret realm had become a sea of flames. In the distance, the cultivators hurriedly evacuated their small village, packing up their homes and belongings and sprinting to the realm’s exit. The exit wobbled in the air, unsteady.

As Hui stood there, a cultivator rushed by him. He paused, then looked back, frowning at the tiny Hui. After a moment, he pointed. “Fellow Daoist, this realm is collapsing. Hurry! Get out before it collapses!”

Hui’s eyes widened. He bowed. “Thank you, Illuminous One. This small cultivator thanks you for your guidance. Zhubi!”

Zhubi let out a ferocious hiss and undulated in the air, flying rapidly toward the wobbling exit.

The cultivator flew alongside them. “We’re lucky it collapsed now. Almost everyone is already outside, battling Chen Xigui’s men. The few who remained behind were enough to evacuate our belongings, and we should be completely able to escape the realm before it collapses!”

“Where will you go next?” Hui asked, concerned.

He shook his head. “I’m not sure, but we’ll figure something out. There’s sects and clans that quietly oppose All-Heavens Sect. One of them might be willing to hide us for a time, or at least overlook us.”

Hui nodded. Li Xiang will bring them to safety. I can trust in her.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Fellow Daoist before,” the man commented, looking at Hui as if he’d only just realized the fact.

Yeah, I think you’d remember someone this size, Hui snarked back in his mind. He smiled up at the man. “I’m known as Xiao Hui.”

“Xiao… ah, because you’re small! This Daoist is known as Shen Menhan,” the man replied. He gestured at his feet. Kindly, he offered, “If you’d like, you can ride on my sword.”

Hui broke out in a coughing fit. In my original world, that’s a very different proposal to make so casually, Shen Menhan! Aloud, he waved his hand and said, “No, thank you. I find that Zhubi is the best mount for me.”

Zhubi hissed happily, slithering faster through the air. He curved up and looked smugly down at Hui, a bit of pride on his snakey snout.

Hui blinked, a little confused, then finally realized it. Oh! I’ve been carrying Zhubi all this time, basically since I met him. He’s proud that he’s finally able to carry me in return! What a good snake. Smiling, he patted Zhubi’s scales. “That’s right. You’re a big, strong snake who can even carry me around.”

Shen Menhan stared, not sure what to say. At last, he cleared his throat. “If you’ll excuse me…”

“Of course. Oh! Wait,” Hui said, reaching out.

Shen Menhan hesitated. “Yes?”

“Do you know Li Xiang?” Hui asked.

Shen Menhan gave him a look as if he’d asked, “is the sky blue?”

Hui cleared his throat. Of course, of course. She is their leader and everyone’s eternal sword spirit idol! “Tell her that the senior who lived in this place may attempt to break out and attack, and to be wary of it. Now is not the time to drink alcohol… ah, not that she does. And tell her that Xiao Hui had to go ahead, but someone will come by to pick up Ying Lin in a short time.”

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“Tell her yourself. If you live here, then you know Li Xiang prefers to hear things directly,” Shen Menhan replied.

Naturally, because of her truth-sense. But it doesn’t matter. Right now, I can’t afford to meet her. “Tell her Xiao Hui said it, and she’ll understand,” Hui replied.

Shen Menhan hesitated, but ultimately nodded. “I’ll do as you ask.”

“Thank you,” Hui said, bowing. He patted Zhubi, and the two of them hurtled ahead, zipping toward the unsteady exit. I can’t afford to go to Li Xiang’s side right now. I doubt Zui Jiu would hurt her intentionally, since she seemed affectionate toward Li Xiang, but Han Qin would have no such hesitation, and even in Zui Jiu’s case, an alcoholic is capable of anything once they’re drunk. I wouldn’t want to accidentally display affection toward Li Xiang around Zui Jiu and make her a target of Zui Jiu’s rage. From my experience with alcoholics, they’ll destroy anything that they think could hurt you when they’re drunk and angry, even things that they themselves love and rely on when sober. I don’t know how many of my precious novels I lost to my father before I finally learned to hide them away!

Hui took a deep breath and settled his energy, but his qi still twisted a bit at the edges, a hot, prickly feeling to it. And I myself… I’ve become possessed by the heart-demon. Although I can still return to rationality for spates at present, I can’t be sure the trend will continue as the heart-demon continues to corrupt me. I’ll find some place to quietly meditate and face the heart-demon for all of us, and hopefully overcome this horrible thing before it overwhelms me.

Eh, is Sectgoer not going evil? Mortal asked.

He just said he’s possessed by the heart-demon. He isn’t not going evil, Healer clarified.

Rogue laughed. When it comes to going evil, Peak Lord’s the one consorting with questionably-demonic clans.

I think that’s more like ‘going wild,’ Healer replied.

Rogue and Healer mentally high-fived.

Hui put his head in his hands. Maybe I should cut off my link to the node. I might corrupt the rest of the clones. Yes, that’s right. I need to cut off the link to prevent corruption. Yes. Corruption.

Guys, Sectgoer’s going to cut us off for being too annoying, Mortal complained.

Oh, hey! Rogue shouted.

Healer cleared his throat. Sectgoer, in all seriousness, keep us connected for now. In case any of us independently develop the heart demon, we can learn from your experience.

That makes sense. Ah, though I can’t guarantee that the heart demon won’t break the node, Hui replied.

Healer nodded. Of course. We’ll understand if that happens.

The exit to the secret realm wavered before Hui. He stopped at the node and looked back, scanning the realm. If this realm collapses, Han Qin’s clone and Zui Jiu will both be released. I should be far from here before that happens. In fact, I could even act as a decoy, to distract the dangerous seniors from chasing my other clones.

Hui shivered. That—that’s the heart demon speaking! I would never be so bold! Daring to attract the seniors, getting them to chase me… I… I…

I have to admit it’s a good idea! It’s better than having them sneak up on the rest of the clones. Although… I shouldn’t subject Zhubi to that kind of danger. Hui put his hand on Zhubi and sent him back to the node.

Growing back to his full size, he stepped through the exit and back into the real world. Rather than disguise his strength or aura like he usually would, he flew off openly. I’m not sure if they can follow me from that, but I’ll certainly find out! It’s an important thing to know, after all. I might be suppressing my qi unnecessarily!

Or not, but well, I’ll find out!

He took a deep breath. I still don’t like it, but… but maybe this heart-demon has a point.

Guys, he’s going evil for sure, Mortal stage-whispered.

Hui flew on. The city fell away behind him. An hour or so later, Healer’s voice sounded in his mind. I have Ying Lin. I’ll keep her safe.

Hui nodded. Good.

Li Xiang is safe as well. The battle at the city has mostly concluded. Li Xiang and her vigilantes have taken the city over. Although they don’t expect to hold it forever, they’re currently looting it and absconding to some second hold, Healer explained.

Hui nodded. Good, good. Make sure they loot it all. Don’t leave a single scrap behind!

Naturally, naturally, Healer said, nodding. He cleared his throat. Li Xiang’s secret realm falling came as a surprise to her, but Li Xiang is a competent leader. She’ll find somewhere to hide, and if she can’t, I’ll do everything in my power to help her and her men. They’re our important vigilantes for when we attack All-Heavens Sect, after all.

What about Wang Xiu? Is she dead? Hui questioned.

Eh? I don’t know. Li Xiang is the one who fought her. Why?

It’s just… she also uses a clone technique. If I was her, I’d fake my death with my clones. Check the body, Hui requested.

Healer nodded. That’s a fair point. I’ll check.

Thank you, Elder Brother. Hui took a deep breath and hurried off, leaving the city behind. His hands clenched to his chest, he glanced back once before flying away. Li Xiang, I’m sorry I couldn’t say goodbye. But the current me who’s weak enough to be possessed by a heart-demon… doesn’t deserve to say goodbye!

Eh. Since when has being weak stopped us from doing things? Mortal commented.

Healer raised a finger to his lips. Shh. It’s part of the heart-demon. Let’s take pity on him and not point it out!

Hui pressed his lips together, narrowing his eyes. Hey! What part of this is ‘not pointing it out,’ huh?