"Which one is it? Which one of you is going to make my heart race?!" Xue Meng looked left and right while taking shorter and shorter breaths.
Jin Wang and Ceni both pulled back in unison, exchanging knowing glances with one another.
Ceni contacted Jin Wang through spiritual sense while calling out her Living weapon which was a red chain. It wrapped itself around Ceni's left arm.
"I still have his scent, we're not too far behind. Let's take care of this pervert and go after him quickly."
Jin Wang naturally nodded in agreement. He pulled up his sleeves and walked a few steps closer to Xue Meng whose chest was heaving up and down like a dog in heat. His eyes were blood red and his left hand was already placed on the old saber's hilt.
"Is it you?" Xue Meng asked, tilting his head to the side. A faint pressure fell on both Jin Wang and Ceni.
Jin Wang squinted, staring into Xue Meng's eyes for a few seconds with a thoughtful expression before vehemently shaking his head with a sheepish smile.
"I'm sorry I already have a lover but you're most welcome to have her," he pointed at Ceni with both hands, much like a cheap salesman.
"Now if you'll excuse me..." he quickly bowed towards Xue Meng and walked past him, leaving only the speechless Princess behind.
"Yo-You bastard!" Ceni shouted a moment later, realizing what Jin Wang had just done. The chain unwrapped itself from around her arm and coiled in front of her, aiming at Jin Wang's back but before she could attack, Xue Meng had made a move.
"No one leaves until I am satisfied!" he mumbled under his breath.
Jin Wang who was casually walking away with a fulfilling smile froze midstride. Without turning around he swiftly moved his upper body to the left at a strange angle but as soon as he did, the air shifted around him.
Jin Wang turned around with a raised eyebrow, "Be careful where you aim that thing, man!"
Xue Meng was standing with his back towards him, yet Jin Wang could somehow 'feel' a smile blooming on his face without even seeing it.
"You are good. Much better than those spoiled brats that have golden spoons in their mouths but nothing to show for it. Show me MORE! Show me you are worthy of a being to make my heart race!"
Jin Wang's pupils shrunk to the size of pinholes. This time he jumped to the side as an invisible slash cut the ground he was standing on in half.
"Oi! What do I have to do to make you understand?!" Jin Wang shouted in anger, "I'm not interested in guys, okay? I appreciate the offer but you are really not my type!"
Xue Meng turned around, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at the ground. His strike had been completely dodged not once but twice!
"Seems I have underestimated you. So be it!" he mumbled and finally unsheathed the saber.
Above ground in the night sky, the unending sea of clouds that had been covering the area for days suddenly separated into two. Not just that, even the raindrops that were in the air were cut cleanly in half.
Jin Wang who was making jokes until a second ago suddenly became serious. His eyes were glued to the saber.
A heavy pressure fell on their shoulders. The ground under Jin Wang's feet cracked and his legs sunk in as if it was quicksand, stopping only when the ground came up to his knees.
Ceni was instantly forced down to her knees and was only able to stand back up when the red chain lept back towards her and coiled around her body, releasing a weak hum.
"Young master, from where did you get such a fine weapon?" Jin Wang asked in a solemn tone.
Xue Meng whose eyes resembled shimmering rubies at this point grinned while raising the saber towards the ceiling, "He came to me when I was born. Why, do you recognize him?"
Jin Wang shook his head, "I do not, there is no need for that. I can feel his 'bloodlust' even though he is still sleeping."
Xue Meng's grin widened until it covered the majority of his lower face.
"How fortunate I am. No one from this generation has ever been able to stand in his presence, yet you not only keep standing but still have the strength to keep talking. How utterly marvelous this visit has been!"
***
A hundred meters or so down the dark and empty tunnel, the only sound that was coming was from Hao Xuan's breath.
He stared at the rubble blocking his way back.
"What the hell happened? Why did it suddenly collapse??"
***
Authors Notes:
Internet finally seems to be working normally (fingers crossed), so returning to normal schedule