Pass the hours of ten, back at the Lan Si Restaurant—
"Ai, recalling those old memories… Makes me feel quite old…"
"I see. Well, age to us hardly matters at this point."
Seated together side by side are the Tai Xuan Emperor and Wu Xiao.
Since Long Hua had forgotten about his calabash, the two had cleared away most of the vessel's contents.
"In any case, I can say with confidence that I'm definitely one of the most important individuals in the Earthborn Elementals' Realm—due to all the contributions that I've made."
Saying this, the Tai Xuan Emperor downs an entire cup of cherry blossom wine, whereas Wu Xiao remarks—
"To have the face to say something like that aloud… Assuming you're still sober, then… Who—in your opinion, was the most important individual in your homeland?"
"…"
In response to this question, the Tai Xuan Emperor refills her cup with a frown. And gradually, her expression turns into one of solemness and nostalgia, as she sips away at the contents of her cup.
"The most important person in my homeland… She…- Everyone would unanimously agree that she was the most important individual of my homeland—for it was because of her that the star region managed to regain its vitality."
"…"
Narrowing her eyes, Wu Xiao asks—
"…This person, what sort of relationship did you have with her?"
"…"
Glancing at Wu Xiao, and ignoring the question, the Tai Xuan Emperor says—
"Surnamed Mo, I've gone and revealed much of my personal history to you. Why don't you tell me—why you decided to marry that surnamed *?"
"Hmm."
Emptying her vessel, Wu Xiao contemplates the question, as she refills her cup.
"The flute is the second reason, as for the main reason…"
Tilting her head, Wu Xiao finds it difficult to answer, to which, the Tai Xuan Emperor remarks—
"Don't tell me, you actually love him? The interaction between you two—it's quite far from what I'd expect of a married couple."
"Maybe, it was just a whim. But I don't think I've made a mistake."
Constricting her eyes, the Tai Xuan Emperor opens her storage pouch, and—
"Well, if you're so set on him, you can have this."
"…What is this exactly?"
Placed onto the table is a black cube, the size of a basketball.
"A combat body."
"The same thing you're using?"
"Indeed."
The battle with the Ling Yuan family had resulted in Long Hua obtaining a vast amount of pull currency, and with it, the number of combat bodies that he has at his disposal has increased greatly.
Giving one away at this point wouldn't mean much—especially so when it's one of the lesser graded units.
"…"
Out of curiosity, Wu Xiao decides to take the combat body, as she stores it away into her storage pouch.
Throwing Wu Xiao an odd look, the Tai Xuan Emperor asks—
"You're not going to ask—what my relationship with him is?"
Blinking her eyes, Wu Xiao picks up her cup for a sip, prior to asking—
"Would you be honest about it if I asked? Something that I've learned—when he fought that surnamed Xia is, that I'd only make myself look stupid if I worry about him."
"Oh? So, you feel confident that he'd be able to deal with me if I tried anything?"
"I suppose time will tell. Besides, the matter between you two—an outsider like me, I have no rights to interfere. That's also to say, I won't help him, nor would I help you."
"…"
Picking up her cup for a sip as well, the Tai Xuan Emperor replies—
"How honorable. A person like you is truly wasted on that surnamed *. Why don't you become mine instead?"
Towards the Tai Xuan Emperor's words, Wu Xiao replies—
"That combat body of yours must be quite a convenient a thing, since it allows you say words like that with a straight face."
Just as Wu Xiao is about to lift her cup for another sip, the Tai Xuan Emperor replies—
"How rude. I'm being quite sincere on my end. You and your siblings, most of you aren't actually here in this world—as your true selves, correct?"
"…"
As soon as Wu Xiao pauses the movement of her cup lifting hand, the Tai Xuan Emperor smiles.
"How did you-?"
"Denizens of the Earthborn Elementals' Realm cultivate the soul and divine senses primarily, it's all too easy for me to tell."
"…"
As Wu Xiao turns silent, the Tai Xuan Emperor continues to say—
"There's four of you, right? Each of you are responsible for upholding the laws of this world together; hence, you four cannot ever leave this world."
"Your point?"
"Did your true self encounter any sort of trouble that might require a bit of assistance? If you scratch my back, I don't mind scratching yours as well."
"…"
To a certain degree, the Tai Xuan Emperor's offer is tempting; however—
"Not possible."
"But-"
"Even if my true self is to be freed, I wouldn't have anywhere to go. I…- I don't have a home to go back to at this point."
"…"
Blinking her eyes, the Tai Xuan Emperor heaves a sigh. In a way, she can understand Wu Xiao's feelings on this matter—of not having a home to return to.
"…Ai, not having a home to return to. I wonder, if I can still call the Earthborn Elementals' Realm my home at this point?"
"Weren't you originally the ruler of that planet?"
"With me gone, that little sister of mine must have taken over the throne. Kicking her off the throne, then heading off to slap a few faces… Hmm, that's as far as I've thought about my future. Beyond that, I haven't come up with anything else. Do I stay in the Earthborn Elementals' Realm after that—where I must always sleep with one eye open, or do I leave it behind for new ventures?"
"Well, good luck with trying to figure that stuff out."
Following this conversation, the mood between the two seems rather peaceful on the surface. However—
(If this surnamed Mo really did fall in love with surnamed *, maybe I can use her to my advantage? Well, it will depend on how circumstances play out.)
(I wasn't expecting my guess to actually be on the mark. Well then, I suppose I have every right now—to get payback for that bullet of hers. Having killed me once, it's only fair that I do the same, right?)
Hiding their schemes against the other well, there is not a hint of gunpowder to be detected in the air between them, as they sipped their drinks.