Master, This Poor Disciple Died Again Today

Chapter 502: The Mortal Realm

They walked and walked. As they walked, the light slowly grew brighter, and the cave fell away. The Underworld and the mortal realm overlaid one another, while the mortal realm slowly faded through. Hui stared around, his eyes wide. Is the Underworld superimposed on the mortal realm? Is that why Elder Sister Reaper can appear wherever I am, at any moment?

But no. If it was only superimposed, wed have to go to a certain part of the Underworld to step through to the equivalent space in the mortal realm. It would still take time for Elder Sister to follow me around. Theres something else. Some other mystery involved in this spell.

The reaper glanced over her shoulder. Have you figured it out yet?

Hui pursed his lips, then shook his head. No. Youll have to teach me, Elder Sister.

She chuckled. Shall I give you a hint? It has to do with Zhu Diyus authority.

How is that supposed to help me? I have no ability to use Zhu Diyus authority! Is it something I have to cultivate? I dont want to have to cultivate from scratch especially not someone elses authority! Hui shook his head. I dont understand, Elder Sister.

After the job, the reaper said, shrugging.

Ah, right, right. What is the job? Hui asked, tilting his head.

The reaper raised her hand.

In the distance, cultivators clashed. A hundreds-of-meters-tall boar crashed into a deer with antlers that spanned the sky. High in the sky, a thousand fireballs crashed down on the cultivators around the boar, only for spear-like thorns to jut through the ground and impale those around the deer. The smoldering and bleeding cultivators shoved themselves back to their feet, choking down healing potions. Their eyes burning with rage, they threw themselves at one another again, screaming out war cries and insults alike. Hui and the reaper stood on the edge of the battle, which raged for hundreds of kilometers, stretching far into the distance, so far Hui struggled to see much about the furthest combatants. Hundreds of thousands of cultivators charged at one another, dressed in the uniforms of more sects than Hui could count.

Hui blinked. Damn. Compared to this, my All-Heavens War was a piddling little slapfight!

The Eastern and Northern regions have been at war for years. This is but a passing battle, the reaper said evenly. She strode off toward the fight.

Although the world appeared in full color around them, it faded to black and white around the reaper. Hui looked at his hands, and found them in grayscale, as monochrome as the reaper.

Even if Im here on the surface the world is reminding me that Im dead. I dont belong here.

He clenched his hands, then shook his head and chased after the reaper, hurrying to follow her.

Why are they fighting? Hui asked as he caught up.

Why do mortals fight? the reaper asked rhetorically.

But specifically, Hui said, shrugging.

She glanced over her shoulder at him. In the monochrome that enveloped them, her inky-black hair cut a sharp contrast to her pure white skin, her eyes a dark shade of gray. The Eastern Alliance claims the Northern Lands invaded them. The Northern Lands say this has always been their territory. Greed. Lust for power. Its all the usual reasons, and no reason at all.

Ah, Hui said. A body crashed toward them. Hui dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding it. The body thumped down and rolled head-over-heels, ploughing through the rich earth. He turned, regarding the limp form. So well be busy?

We only need to bother with certain souls. If you want to practice, though, go ahead, the reaper said, nodding at the body on the ground.

Hui looked at it, then shook his head. I dont want to try to reap someone and fail! Then Ill have some kind of horrifying disparate soul-monster chasing after me for the rest of my death No thank you! Ill let Elder Sister lead the way.

Hmph. She flicked her hair and turned away.

The two of them cut through the battlefield. The longer they walked, the more chaotic it got. Casting a look around, Hui peered at the reaper. Elder Sister, at this rate, were going to accidentally be killed

A sword thrust through Huis gut. Hui screamed in shock and fell flat on his face, dead.

The reaper turned back. She crossed her arms.

Hui pushed himself upright. Im fine?

Obviously. We dont fully exist in the mortal world, therefore, the weapons of the mortal world cannot harm us, the reaper said, rolling her eyes.

Climbing to his feet, Hui dusted himself off, though it wasnt necessary. None of the red dust of the mortal world stained his pure white robes. Elder Sister could have explained that. It would have saved my life.

Saved you from dying, she retorted dryly.

En, Hui agreed.

She sighed. Turning, she looked upward. Shes about to die. Lets go.

Without another word, the reaper jumped into the air. Hui hesitated. Experimentally, he circulated his qi. It caught, his passages somewhat ragged and ever-so-slightly misaligned, but it flowed nonetheless. I cant use much without my soul falling apart, but I can use enough to fly. He took into the air after the reaper, and the two of them soared up into the battlefield. The feathered fan fluttered after Hui, stuck through his belt so the plumes draped over his rear. Just like an enormous birds plumage, they flowed beautifully on the wind.

The reaper glanced over her shoulder. When her eyes landed on Hui, she narrowed her eyes ever so slightly. It hurts it hurts to look at. Where is the elegance and dignity of the reapers?

What is it, Elder Sister? Are you blinded by the brilliance of my handsome form? Hui asked, tilting his head innocently.

You look like an enormous crane, she said dryly.

Ah! Im honored that Elder Sister thinks I look as auspicious as a crane flying through the sky, Hui said, bowing.

The reaper pressed her lips together. Is this really the man Zhu Diyu chose to replace the missing reaper?

Two women clashed overhead. One had long blue claw-like fingernails, while the other sported elegant lop-ear style rabbits ears that swept back from her temples and draped down in her dark chestnut hair.

Fei Guren! Give us back our homeland! the rabbit-girl shouted.

As if, Ai Tuzi! These lands are Eastern Alliance lands. You demons are the ones who invaded our land! the blue-clawed girl shouted back.

Ai Tuzi wrinkled her upper lip in a very rabbit-like way. Her ears flicked in annoyance. You Eastern Alliance dogs, who have enslaved my rabbit clan since ancient times. Your unrighteous domination of the demon clans ends today!

Ah, so the Northern Lands belong to the demon clans that is, beast cultivators who are descended from high realm beast cultivators to the point that the majority of them are born with intelligence and cultivation levels. Then, the Eastern Alliance

Fei Guren flicked her hand. Ai Tuzis eyes widened, and she ducked, rabbit ears flying after her, the cream tips of her long ears flying up behind her. A huge spinning blade materialized out of the sky and flew through the space Ai Tuzis back had been moments before. She gritted her teeth at Fei Guren. Filthy Eastern Alliance. Resorting immediately to such underhanded methods!

Fei Guren smiled, licking her long blue nails. Why go to war with the Eastern Alliance if you dont want to face hidden weapons? Everyone knows the Eastern Alliance focuses on weapon cultivation, particularly poisons and hidden weapons!

Hui snorted. So its the demon clan versus the openly demonic Eastern Alliance. If I had to choose, Id easily side with Ai Tuzi! After all, Im no demonic cultivator.

The reaper bumped Hui in the side. Dont think about useless things. We arent here to join the fight, were here to do our job.

Yes, maam! Hui chirped, standing up straight and ducking into a quick salute.

The two women darted at one another, trading blows back and forth. Ai Tuzi dodged flexibly, landing hard kicks on Fei Guren left and right. Fei Guren barely blocked Ai Tuzis blows, clearly struggling to bear the weight of her kicks, while she plied mysterious and unexpected attacks. A strange silver chain dagger shot out of her sleeve, tainted with dark purple poison. Ai Tuzi leaned out of the way, and the dagger shot by. Hooking her finger, Fei Guren called the blade back to herself. Ai Tuzi leaped into the air, her heels clearing the blade seconds before it carved through the air.

Hui settled in to watch. This battle is going to take a while. Ill cheer for Elder Sister Ai Tuzi!

The reaper stood tall. Shes here.

Hui frowned. He stood up as well, peering around. We arent here to reap one of these protagonist-like women? Then who?

A young girl flew toward the two women. Stop!

Ai Tuzi and Fei Guren turned. A white-haired girl with pink eyes, pale pink skin, and upright white rabbits ears ran toward them. You cant. Please

Fei Gurens eyes shone. Her hand twisted in a mysterious way.

Ai Lingling! Stay back! Ai Tuzi shouted, her eyes wide with fear. She sprinted toward the white rabbit girl.

A gleam burst out under Ai Linglings feet. The fanged mouth of a vicious creature opened wide beneath her. She stared down, her big pink eyes wide.

No! Ai Tuzi screamed

The mouth slammed shut. Blood and fur flew. Ai Lingling vanished.

Screaming wildly, Ai Tuzi threw herself at Fei Guren. Her muscles bulged, and fur burst out over her body. Blunt claws appeared at her fingertips, as her fingertips became armored with pads. Halfway between rabbit demon and human, she burst toward Fei Guren.

Fei Guren grinned a small smile and rushed forward to meet Ai Tuzi. Typical of a demon, allowing your emotions to get the better of you!

Lets go, the reaper said, passing the girls by.

Hui looked at the girls, then followed the reaper. So its Ai Lingling who were here to reap? But why?

Ai Lingling bore a message that could have changed the course of the war. Because of that, she retains a strong desire to remain in this world. If she is allowed to remain, things will not turn out as they should. The worlds order will collapse, and everything will fall into chaos.

All because of Ai Lingling? Hui asked skeptically.

The reaper shook her head. Dont think of her as an individual. She is the first step in a great chain of karma that must not come to pass.

Like me reviving my sect? Hui asked, tilting his head cheekily.

The reaper glared at him. Yes.

Hui frowned. Elder Sister, correct me if Im wrong, but Isnt that the Heavenly Dao that youre trying to protect? The Heavenly Daos karma?

She drew her sword. Onward. Its time to collect Ai Linglings soul.

Following her, Hui tucked his hands behind his back. But the Heavenly Dao isnt asserting itself. So why is the Underworld

Someone must maintain the worlds karma, the reaper snapped. She wrinkled her nose and shook her head.

But what happens if it isnt maintained? Hui asked, tilting his head.

That isnt for you to ponder. Zhu Diyu has decided that we will protect the worlds karma, so we will, the reaper replied.

A shivering, pale version of Ai Lingling appeared from the maw of the beast. She looked at her translucent hands, then caught sight of Hui and the reaper and startled. Who are you?

Hui stepped forward. Elder Sister, dont be afraid. This is Elder Sister Reaper, and Im

His voice stuck in his throat. He touched his neck, then looked at the reaper.

Were merely reapers, now. We have no need of names. The reaper raised her sword. Ai Lingling, you are dead. Will you come peacefully?

Ai Lingling swallowed. She looked at Ai Tuzi and Fei Guren, then at the reapers before her. But I I could end this war. No one would have to suffer anymore.

Youre dead. Your time here has ended, the reaper stated. She raised her sword.

Ai Lingling tensed.

Hui jumped forward, blocking her way. Elder Sister, why do we have to protect the worlds karma? If it isnt protecting itself, then

The reaper scowled. She pushed Hui out of the way. You dont understand. If we dont do it, the world could fall apart.

The world fall apart? Ai Linglings pink eyes widened. Her nose trembled, much like a rabbits. She looked at her transparent hands again, then stepped forward. I dont want to destroy the world. Ill let myself be reincarnated. Maybe then Ill meet my sister again, and we can

Before she finished the sentence, the reaper sliced through her. Ai Linglings body faded away.

Hui frowned. He pressed his lips together disapprovingly.

If you have something to say, say it, the reaper said, sheathing her sword.

Hui shook his head. I have nothing to say, Elder Sister. Shall we go?

She looked at him, then nodded. Well return now.

The reaper whipped around and marched off. Hui waited until she drew a little distance away from him, then reached out and circulated a little bit of death qi in his palm. A black seed materialized, as full of death qi as his usual lotus seeds were full of life qi. He caught it in his hand, then released it, letting the seed fall to the ground.

What are you doing? Hurry up, the reaper said, looking over her shoulder.

Coming, coming, Hui said. He rushed to her side, not looking at the seed hed dropped. Lets see if I can make this work!

Im not staying in the Underworld. Im not staying dead! This wont bring me back to life, but its a step in the right direction. And more importantly, its a step toward me meeting up with my families!