A low, round building stood before them. The reaper looked at Hui. There arent many weapons inside. Go inside and
And pick my fated weapon? Hui asked, excited. This is it! The mont when the hero chooses his constant companion, his weapon that sits at his side for the rest of the journey! The mont
I was going to say take whatever looks good to you, the reaper said, giving him a look. Theres nothing special in there. Just a few dusty old swords and other things that have accumulated over the centuries.
Eh? But your sword
Is imbued with the authority of the Underworld. The reaper rested a hand on its hilt. Look closely. Its an ordinary sword.
Imbued with the authorityptui! So in the end, all we underworldlings can do is borrow Zhu Diyus power, Hui surmised. He pursed his lips. Not that I had any incredible swordmight or anything, but its cheating, isnt it? Cheating! I would never clutch a golden thigh like that
Okay, I would, I totally would! But it rubs wrong this ti. Probably because hes forcing it on , rather than blatantly stealing it from soone else!
He looked at the reaper. Is Zhu Diyu an Immortal? No, I an a special one. A godlike being.
What the mortals call gods, we call Immortals. There is no difference, the reaper intoned.
En, understood. Its that sort of world, then. Hui nodded. He stepped forward, heading into the round building.
As the reaper had said, it was nothing special. Old swords hung on the wall. A few spears piled up in one corner. A bow laid crookedly on a shelf, abandoned half-off it. Coiled up on the floor, a whip twined around a few more esoteric weapons, morningstars and chain-daggers and the likes.
No scythe? Well, I guess it is farm equipnt. Its pretty unrefined, when you think about it. He circled, biting his lip. Nothing particularly magical. Ugh. I guess I should pick a sword? I have no karma with the sword, but Ive at least studied sword arts before. And I have the talisman-assisted form of the Seven Steps or one or two of them, anyways. I can always make more talismans, so its not as if picking a weapon makes a big difference in my fighting style one way or another
Hurry it up, the reaper called.
Huis eyes landed on an item packed away in the corner, leaning dustily against the wall. He licked his lips. Elder Sister
What?
The power of reaping is bestowed by Zhu Diyu, right? So the weapon we choose doesnt matter. No matter what we pick, a single touch will send souls to the underworld, Hui said.
Thats correct, the reaper agreed, with a note of warning in her voice.
Hui picked up a seven-plud fan, shaking off the dust. He grinned. I dont even need a blade, right?
Technically, no, the reaper said, narrowing her eyes.
Ive chosen! Hui said, stepping out of the round building. He held the plud fan high. Seven long feathers stretched from a feathered base, and a wrapped handle stretched from the bottom. The seven feathers wiggled.
The reaper blinked.
Hui smiled at her.
Think about the majesty of the reaper, the reaper said, crossing her arms.
Hui bowed at her. Sincerely, Elder Sister, Elder Sister said I could pick whatever I wanted. I want this.
Youre going to reap souls with a feather fan? she asked, cocking her eyebrow.
I can, right? Hui said, tipping his head.
You can
So I will, Hui said, nodding.
The reaper frowned at him. Arent you supposed to be a coward?
Elder Sister, what isnt cowardly about this? I cant even bare to lift a blade. I only dare use a harmless fan such as this! Hui said earnestly, offering the fan with both hands. He stroked the feathers lightly. Soft its very comforting. I like it.
Are you sure? You cant choose again, the reaper warned him.
Hui blinked up at her with big, innocent eyes. Elder Sister, Im going to gently send souls to the Underworld with this beautiful soft feathered fan.
The reaper pressed a hand to her forehead. Im so tired.
Lets go!
Go where? the reaper asked.
Hui nodded. Go reap souls. Thats our job, right?
The reaper paused. Thats true. It is your first day theres no need to hold back. Lets take a trip to the mortal realm.
Hui nodded. Yes! Lets go! To the mortal realm! I need to et my children!
The Eastern Alliance is at war with the Northern Lands right now. There are a great many souls attempting to remain in the mortal realm for their own petty reasons. Well head to the border of the Eastern and Northern regions, the reaper declared.
Hui startled. But thats so far from the Southern Sect Conference!
The reaper laughed at him. You want to go visit your family, dont you?
Of course I do, Hui said confidently.
She shook her head. We cant have you mixing your personal desires with the work of the Underworld. The Underworld must be impartial.
Why? Hui asked.
Huh?
Why does it have to be impartial?
Because thats what Zhu Diyu decided, the reaper said, crossing her arms.
Hui frowned. Surely Im not banned from the Southern Sect Conference forever.
No, no. In a thousand years or so, Im sure Zhu Diyu will approve you returning to your holand, the reaper said, nodding.
No one can approve returning to my holand. My holand is in another world. Huis frown deeper. Putting that aside, I cant wait for a thousand years. Bai Xue and Li Xiang are one thing. Theyre both unparalleled experts in their own right. Theyll almost certainly still be alive in a thousand years, though they might be at the end of their lifespans. But my children I have no idea what their potential is! It doesnt matter to if they never beco more than mortal, but theyll be nine hundred years dead by the ti Im allowed to enter the Southern Sect Conference if I follow Zhu Diyus rules!
Not that Im planning to stay dead for a thousand years. No, no. But it might take a hundred years to get out of here. I need to figure out a way to get back to the Southern Sect Conference as fast as possible!
Im sure youre thinking useless things, so Ill go ahead and tell you to stop now. Zhu Diyu granted you this body, and he can take it away at a monts whim. Youll be no more than those wandering souls, the reaper said, turning.
Hui followed her gaze. The disparate souls and lost ghosts wandered the empty plain, eyes blank, feet limp. His eyes narrowed.
Ah, I understand. These souls arent here for the souls benefit. Theyre here to remind the workers what could be.
Hui nodded slowly. I understand, Elder Sister.
She tossed her hair. If you understand, then follow . Ill teach you how to reap souls.
How do we get to the mortal realm? Hui asked, curious.
Are you thinking useless things again?
Hui shook his head. No, no, never, Elder Sister! But surely Ill go on solo missions?
She snorted. Quietly follow for now. If you cant figure it out, Ill teach you later.
Hui nodded. Ill keep my eyes open, then!
Ah, wait. Teach ? Shes actually going to teach sothing? That thats so nice of her! I havent been taught since Ma Master taught the Lightning Palm! Hui pressed a hand over his lips. He sniffed. Elder Sister, youre so nice!
The reaper blinked at him. This child is not right in the head. She coughed. This way. Marching off, she headed off into the darkness.
Hui tucked the feather fan into his belt and followed.
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