Back through the flashy palace and out of Jizhi Zhimei’s quarters. The second he stepped outside, Hui froze. Wait, hold on. I didn’t get her to ask Tseng Caihong for a meeting so I can retrieve Zhubi yet! Dammit! How could I let the most important part slip my mind so easily? The whole reason I went into her palace at all… totally wasted!

Taking a deep breath, Hui forced himself to calm down. Okay, okay. I always have tomorrow. And… I can always try the other seniors? Surely Jizhi Zhimei isn’t the only higher-realm cultivator who knows how to contact the Palace Master.

“Gui Hui! There you are.” Tian Mo ran over.

Hui turned. “Tian Mo.”

“We’re just about to head to practice. I wasn’t sure if you’d make it in time, but good thing I waited! Come on, hurry! Zhang Zhisho isn’t going to be happy if we show up late!”

Hui considered for a moment, then quickly adjusted his cultivation back to the second-stage level. I do still want to check in on the resentment demons. That damned alarm barrier still won’t give up the ghost. And there’s no need to alarm any of the other teachers about my sudden and rapid ascension. I’ll just adjust it back up if Jizhi Zhimei comes knocking! Nodding, he smiled. “Lead the way!”

Tian Mo nodded, then paused. He frowned at Hui. “Gui Hui, you look… how to say? More attractive…?”

“Ah, well—” Hui paused, examining his cultivation. It’s true that I cultivated charm, but—but I forgot I was still in yin mode, after Jizhi Zhimei forced me to keep it up! Er, quickly… He pulled his phoenix flame to the yin, quickly converting it back to yang. His body shifted subtly, and everything returned to his normal. “—well, I was learning from Jizhi Zhimei,” he quickly ad-libbed.

“Oh… you survived?” Tian Mo asked, startled.

“Huh? Ah, yes.” Hui said, scratching the back of his head. Yes… if I was an ordinary second-stage cultivator, I’d be severely wounded right now. Second stage cultivators aren’t able to instantly heal wounds. In fact, I’d likely have a fever brewing soon! Goodness only knows how actual second stage cultivators are able to survive.

Tian Mo shook his head. “Wow… you really are something, Gui Hui. You must have been famous in your home sect, too.”

“Me? No, no… well, er,” Hui hesitated. He scratched the back of his head. I am famous, to some small extent, but… probably for my cowardice more than my achievements.

I do feel kind of bad about this. All the actual second stage cultivators are going to underestimate themselves because of me! Because of me… but, but not because I’m good at cultivation. No, no. Only because I’m secretly higher realm.

But, on the other hand, if they underestimate themselves, they’ll be less likely to do foolish things and make the kinds of classic, brash mistakes cultivators make when they overestimate themselves. When it comes to over- or under- estimation, underestimation is a far less dangerous situation to find oneself in!

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

I should encourage underestimation. After all, their cultivation instincts will lead them to be confident! Better to preempt that and make them reconsider, then face life with the proper underestimation in order to survive a long time.

On the other hand, I really, really need to stop teaching assassin children things!

“Er?” Tian Mo asked, confused.

Hui waved his hand. “No, no. It’s nothing.”

Tian Mo squinted at him, then shrugged.

In no time, they arrived at the portal. None of the other disciples waited outside, nor did Zhang Zhisho stand anywhere in sight. The portal pointed into the field, where neither the disciples nor Zhang Zhisho could be seen. Only the faint traces of footsteps on the grass showed that the disciples had entered the portal at all.

Tian Mo licked his lips. “Uh oh. We’re late.”

“Better late than never,” Hui said.

“Is that true? We’ll have to run laps!” Tian Mo complained.

“But how many laps will we have to run if Zheng Zhishou catches us playing hooky?” Hui returned, spreading his hands.

Tian Mo considered for a moment, then nodded. “Gui Hui, truly you are wise.” Turning around, he jumped through the portal immediately.

“Ah? Does it count…?” Hui wondered aloud. Well, I guess he is a kid. Kids aren’t exactly known as great decision makers. Simply having the foresight to realize we’ll be in more trouble if we skip could be considered great wisdom at twelve! Following Tian Mo, Hui stepped inside.

A gentle breeze blew, the same as usual. False sunlight beamed down from above. Ahead of Hui, Tian Mo ran toward the practice field. He gestured at Hui over his shoulder. “Gui Hui, hurry up!”

“Coming!” Hui replied. He chased after Tian Mo, following him through the grass.

As they approached the field, Hui slowed. “Tian Mo, wait.” Everything’s quiet. This isn’t right. If Zhang Zhisho was teaching, we’d hear her instructions and the disciples shouting back in reply.

Tian Mo turned back, still running. “Gui Hui, don’t be ridiculous. We’re already late! We can’t be any later!”

“No, Tian Mo, stop,” Hui ordered, stopping himself.

Tian Mo slowed, drifting to a halt. He frowned at Hui.

Hui shook his head. He jogged to Tian Mo’s side. “Listen. It’s complete silence. There’s something wrong.”

Eyes wide, Tian Mo jolted. “We went to the wrong field!” He whipped around and sprinted back toward the portal.

“Eh? There’s another field?” Hui asked. He looked back toward the practice field. Is that all it is? I was getting concerned for nothin—

A sword swept from the sky to hover at Tian Mo’s neck. He drew to an abrupt stop, putting his hands into the air.

Lop-style rabbit ears draping elegantly in chestnut hair, her arms folded sternly, Ai Tuzi, the rabbit princess of the Northern Lands’ Demon Clans hovered above them atop a small flying sword. She narrowed her eyes at Tian Mo. “Move, and die.”

Tian Mo froze where he stood, absolutely refusing to move another inch.

“Tian Mo!” Hui ran toward him, eyes wide.

Ai Tuzi gave a hand signal. From behind her, a rabbit-eared man gestured, and a second sword flew toward Hui. Already prepared, Hui instantly fell backward. He cocked his head at an odd angle and died. Should I bleed a little? I don’t want to bleed, though. Bleeding hurts.

Well, I’m pretty far from the attackers. They probably can’t see my throat from there. So decided, Hui went completely still.

“Gui Hui!” Tian Mo shouted, aghast. He glared back at Ai Tuzi. “Why? Why did you kill him?”

Ai Tuzi scoffed, voice cold. “Don’t move, or you die, too!”

At the same time, she turned over her shoulder, glaring at her rabbit-eared subordinate. Without a word, her narrowed eyes asked, What have you done now? I didn’t tell you to kill him.

The cultivator’s upright rabbit ear flicked, just once. He licked his lips. I know I didn’t cut that child’s throat, so why did he die?