(MC POV)
I opened the chest, "So this is your sli core right?"
??
Zhiyang gasped, "Ye… Yes! Yes it is!"
She tried to reach for it but I snapped the chest shut before she could take it.
"Ah, ah… Did you think I'll really just give it to you? After what you've done?"
At least she was considerate enough to look shafaced, "I… My apologies, Master Lin… It's just that I haven't seen it in so long… Did you… Did you kill Sect Master Feng?"
"Firstly, you can stop referring to him as Sect Master. Secondly, nah, I thought of it, but the repercussions of such a thing would be too troubleso to handle. At least for now. So I swapped the chests and replaced it with sothing else. He stabbed the replacent and most likely thought he killed you."
Yep, I had Akari knock over that stone vase and while he was distracted, went in and switched out the chest he had left on the table.
The sli core he had stabbed was just a normal water ball I made to mimic the sli core so he wouldn't suspect a thing.
Once I secured the chest and returned here, I had the two foxes monitor him for any other movent just in case he tries anything else.
Her eyes widened, "Why… Why go so far for ?"
I shook my head at her, "I didn't do this for you. Like I said, killing him is way more trouble than it's worth."
"No… I an… You could have just let him kill …"
"What better way to use you against him?" I grinned. "If he doesn't know you're still alive, he won't be looking for you, would he?"
She frowned, "N… No… I suppose not… You… You're looking to use like he had… Aren't you?"
I raised an eyebrow at her, "Use you? Whatever could I use you for? There's nothing you can do that I do not have the ans to do as well."
"A sacrificial pawn… For example…"
I actually burst out laughing at her.
"Ahahaha! This may sound a little arrogant, but girl… I am not at the level where I require a sacrificial pawn for anything. I don't involve myself in all that complicated crap going on, I'm not vying for more power either, I just want to live a simple life surrounded by my cute disciples. There is literally no need for to have soone like you."
To prove my point, I snapped my fingers and materialised another by my side.
Hmm… Still feels a bit weird seeing double and controlling two bodies at the sa ti. Maybe I should start practicing. Last ti I did this was only because Diao Chan asked to.
I concentrated slightly and my copy transford to look exactly like her.
"H… How?" She gasped.
Both of shrugged, "It's not exactly that hard. Plus I did study sli's biology before. How else do you think I can trick Elder Feng into destroying a fake sli core while thinking it was the real one?"
"But… But the concentration needed to control two bodies at the sa ti… Unless you give another personality to the clone, a human's mind shouldn't be able to handle such a strain…"
"Well, I admit it's not easy, but this isn't my first ti doing it so I know how to at least control multiple bodies."
"Not your first… No… Does Master Lin an you have controlled multiple bodies at once?!"
I frowned at her, "What's so surprising about that? Ok, I can't do that perfectly yet so no need to mock for it. And what gives? Do you even rember your own position right now?"
"No… That is… Umm… I… I just realised how truly monstrous Master Lin is…"
"Haaa? Woman, do you even hear yourself?"
She waved her hands in front of her, "Oh! I never ant that as a negative thing, Master Lin!"
I sighed and scratched my head exasperatedly, "Whatever. I'll be holding on to this for now. Not because I want to control you, but because I do not trust you, even if your actions were dictated by another."
She gulped, "Then… What… What would you do with ?"
"Hmm… Well, I suppose I can either keep you here or have you join the group."
"The… The group?"
"Yes, the monster group. There's no way I can bring you back to my disciples now. Even if I can understand your position, you will definitely be bringing them trauma."
"Master Lin… Has a monster group?"
"Yeah? Is it that surprising?"
She poked her fingers together, "Well… You know… Normally people and monsters don't get along? There's even people out here who discriminate against youkai…"
"Huh? Didn't Elder Feng take you in? He's like your father isn't he?"
She scowled, "I most definitely do not see him as a father figure, Master Lin. Do you know what na he gave ?"
I raised an eyebrow at her, "Was Zhiyang not your na?"
The sli girl shook her head, "This was the na given to by the Sect Master of Nirvanic Gate Sect when I was allowed into the Sect. Sect Mas… I an… Elder Feng only called 'sli'. He never deed worthy of having a na of my own."
Well… That's just sad isn't it? Look how happy Akari and Shiori were when they got their nas, I'm sure this poor sli girl would be happy to receive one too.
"So… Shall I refer to you as Zhiyang as well?"
She hesitated before shaking her head, "The Zhiyang from before was an assassin that was ant to kill the Sect Master of Nirvanic Gate Sect and betrayed Master Lin's trust… It would honour greatly if Master Lin would allow to break free of that na's shackles."
I shrugged, "Hey, it's your na. You can do whatever you want with it. Though I suppose I'll just give you a new one right now. You know, maybe you can aspire to be worthy of the na or sothing."
She gasped out loud, "If… If Master Lin would… I swear, I will serve you as your servant for eternity!"
See? Nas are important.
Now what should I na her…
"Hmmm… Xun Guan. Your na shall be Xun Guan."
Mmm, not a bad na even if I say so myself.
Hmm? Is it just or is she losing her form?
Just as that thought crossed my mind, her entire body suddenly lted into a puddle of goo.
Ok… This scene looks familiar.
I squatted down and tried poking at the puddle to see if she was alright.
It felt just like poking at a puddle of jelly, the entire surface rippling from each of my poke.
I thought I would just leave her like this until she regained consciousness again when a part of the sli latched itself onto my finger.
Oh? Did she wake up that fast?
I tried to pull back my hand but the sli held fast, holding in place. I got confused until I heard the sound of whispers coming from the surface of the sli puddle.
I thought she wanted to tell sothing so I leaned a little bit more forward.
Thus, I was definitely not prepared for the puddle to suddenly explode outwards and envelope in its slimy embrace.
What the…
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