=Putting the matter of installing a hot springs in the library to the side for now though, how much are you going to tell Zhen Xun Tian?=
’How much she knows, or rather, how much she is willing to explain what she knows.’
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An awkwardly tense silence floated above the hot springs, adding on to the stuffy discomfort that comes with the existence of hot water, as Zhen Liu tried his best to come up with an answer that was satisfactory for the old gangster woman that was his ancestor. Unfortunately, he was coming up short.
Unlike previous times when Zhen Liu was forced into these enclosed one-on-one conversations, Zhen Liu could not rely on using flash, misdirection and an elaborate costume to spin a tale of bullshit and dumb. Instead, he was quite naked and had to bear the naked truth...more or less. It was strangely poetic in a way.
Eventually though, he figured out a way to start this conversation.
<<[Chaos]...I quite like the sound of that name. Has a nice ring to it, weight too,>> Zhen Xun Tian praised the term as she drank more rice wine. As she did, an inky tentacle manifested from her back and slithered towards the pile of aether medicines.
As Zhen Xun Tian talked on, her inky tentacles began to rummage through the pile of aether medicines, until finally settling on what appeared to be an earthenware jar full of pickles. Granted, they weren’t just any ordinary pickles, as evident by the snowy mist emanating from the jar like the magical entrance to a winter wonderland.
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’Aside from being a mouthful, the fact that you’re making an observation suggests I should also be reacting...why?’
=The price of even one of those radishes is enough to fulfill the requirement of making at least three kaijin.=
=I’m going to guess...a Basilisk’s Liver.=
’That’s...very specific. Why?’
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The tentacle then began to retract, placing the jar of pickles close to Zhen Xun Tian’s normal hands before turning back into a two dimensional tattoo once more.
Once the jar of pickles was in reach, Zhen Xun Tian proceeded to manipulate a bit of aether to grab herself some thick slices of pickles straight from the jar. Instead of producing a plate to rest them in though, she continued to use her aether to keep the slices floating midair.
Maintaining her image as a gracious host though, she at least floated a pickle slice towards Zhen Liu.
<> Zhen Xun Tian continued after munching on a piece of pickled radish, <>
<> Zhen Liu answered with a hesitant voice and after eating the offered pickle slice. He couldn’t exactly enjoy the refreshing flavor of the pickled [Pure Snow Jade Raddish] though, as his mind was focused on trying to find the words to explain [Chaos].
Technically speaking, Zhen Liu wasn’t lying about [Chaos] being an incredibly esoteric concept, but he was lying about being able to explain it to Zhen Xun Tian. Hell, most days, he even barely understood how it worked despite cultivating the stuff.
Thankfully though, he had a direct line to the subject matter experts themselves.
=I think its dependent on how she responds to our lord’s statement.=
<> Zhen Xun Tian dismissed with a wave of her hand and a roll of her eyes. <>
=Long version it is.=
’Wait a minute, I just want to check something real fast.’
Zhen Liu directed his focus and gaze at his tattoo covered ancestor, so that he could finally ask her a question that had been bugging him for the better of two days now.
Evidently, Zhen Liu’s question came so out of nowhere, that Zhen Xun Tian couldn’t help but do a small spit take of rice wine before answering. Once she had swallowed the drink though, she began to laugh.
Out of either amusement, frustration, or both, Zhen Xun Tian let out a puff of air before answering Zhen Liu.
<> Zhen Liu exclaimed in surprise. He recalled that when a cultivator reaches a certain level of power, they’re able to essentially "lock" their looks at whatever age they reached that level. It was actually based on this fact that there was a ludicrous market in regards to cosmetics and medicines that could restore one’s youthful vigor.
Not only that, but it was common sense to associate genius and talent to youthful looking, high tiered warriors.
Zhen Liu had no idea if Zhen Xun Tian was talented or lucky, but he did know that it would be wise to be respectful of her as much as possible.
Correction, Zhen Liu could be respectful after seeing if her head spins from him trying to convey the meaning of [Chaos] to her.
<=Alright, milord. Repeat after us.=>
<=’The thing about [Chaos] is...’=>
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The following scene has been removed by the author because he deemed that a long winded explanation of what [Chaos] was, would be incredibly boring and sound like something straight out of a philosophy textbook and not in a fantasy, comedy adventure thing.
But for those who are curious a truncated summary will be provided at the beginning of the .
Really? Just...really?
|Yes, I am. You really think anybody would find an essay of what [Chaos] is both philosophically and literally, interesting? World building may be fun, but even I know there should be limits.|
Says the guy with side chapters for that exact purpose...
|That’s...a good point...hmmm....|