Xuan Yi felt like a complete fool, sitting at the table with two strangers of unknown origin who had almost cost him his life. He questioned whether he was foolish for sticking around or simply foolish in general. Unable to contain his anger and confusion any longer, he blurted out, "Where are you from actually?"
His voice, filled with anger, came out quietly through gritted teeth, and he didn't even bother looking up. He continued poking at his food with his chopsticks, consumed by his emotions.
Tian Wei and Qing Fu were both taken aback and looked at him, each assuming the question was directed at them. Qing Fu wondered why he asked so bitterly. She understood why he might be angry with Tian Wei, but there was no reason for him to be so hostile toward her. He could have simply asked kindly.
Qing Fu began to open her mouth to answer when she noticed Xuan Yi unleashing a flurry of questions. "Why were you naked at the water's edge? What are you doing here? Who are you?"
Xuan Yi was determined to uncover the truth and, at the very least, deserved the courtesy of knowing what troubles lay ahead. With these pressing questions, Qing Fu felt a secret sense of relief that she wasn't the one being interrogated. Her own story was too complicated, and she wasn't ready to divulge it just yet.
"I told you, I'm immortal Tian Wei. And you should be careful how you talk to this immortal," Tian Wei answered.
"Immortal my foot," Xuan Yi muttered under his breath. If a genuine immortal appeared, their mere aura would obliterate the entire village. "In that case, this humble MORTAL shall take his leave. I have no right to such ostentatious company."
He attempted to stand up, but his body felt as heavy as a ton. His muscles refused to budge.
"That is for me to decide," Tian Wei said coldly.
Xuan Yi felt his veins tremble. In terms of strength, he was average at best. However, Tian Wei effortlessly suppressed him without lifting a finger. It seemed that his previous punches were merely Tian Wei flexing his muscles. If Tian Wei truly intended to kill him, Xuan Yi wouldn't have lasted one breath.
In the face of such overwhelming strength, Xuan Yi knew he had to be humble and submit. Before his eyes was brute strength, even if he felt angry about it. With a silent and barely audible pout, he ceased his resistance.
"Do not think me unreasonable. At the very least, you defiled me," Tian Wei spoke.
Xuan Yi laughed inwardly. Defiled? Upon reflection, it was he who had been defiled. He had been reaching for the sword, and out of nowhere, this so-called IMMORTAL exposed his flesh and placed that thing in his hand.
He had no other choice but to lead this individual home. Despite the aura this person emanated, which he had not even sensed from his own father, Xuan Yi doubted that this individual would be a match for him. The clan leader had long surpassed the boundaries and entered the True Form phases.
Moreover, there were numerous elders present in the clan. Most people in the clan didn't hold him in high regard, but the Xuan clan was a proud people, and Xuan Yi, despite being the black sheep, was still one of their own.
"Where does the immortal Wei Tian wish to go from here?" Xuan Yi asked, infusing a hint of sarcasm into the word "immortal."
"I don't have a plan yet. I require a place to recuperate and cultivate my strength. I have recently acquired a mortal body and need to enhance its power," Wei Tian replied. His original form had been that of a sword. Through forging, he had gained sentience and become a sword spirit.
During a tribulation induced by the mysteries of existence, he had gained a surge of energy that allowed him to escape the realm of gods. However, this energy had been depleted by the time he entered the mortal world.
The convergence of heat and water in the mortal realm, combined with his spirit and essence, had enabled him to assume a human form. He was a sword, a sword spirit, and now a mortal being.
He was an intricate and unique being, the first and only one of his kind. His truest form resided in being a sword spirit. He was both immortal by virtue of his creation and constitution - but also a mortal human being.
"May I also accompany you, Master Xuan Yi?" Qing Fu asked, her tone polite and respectful.
Xuan Yi hesitated for a moment, considering the situation. He was still unaware of Qing Fu's intentions. Reluctantly, he nodded in agreement.
He called the waiter over to settle the bill, and Qing Fu gracefully paid as promised. Xuan Yi felt a flicker of relief that his savings remained untouched. With the matter settled, they bid farewell to the inn and poured into the busy streets.