The servant took the Gold Coins and scurried off to order the food.
Once he had left, Anthony sat across from Chen Cheng, looked him in the eye, and asked:
"Why did you stop?"
Chen Cheng drew his gaze away from the view outside and pointed through the window.
"Isn't the scenery beautiful?"
Though it was already deep winter, the Kingdom of Como's climate kept it as warm as spring all year round. Even now, flowers bloomed across the mountains.
Anthony glanced outside, then replied:
"Those are Star-Moon Season flowers. Of course they're beautiful."
"If they're so beautiful, why are you in such a hurry to die? Can none of the beauty in this world hold your heart here anymore?"
Chen Cheng's words were graceful, touched with a peculiar, mournful beauty. But a chill ran down Anthony's spine.
Clearly, Chen Cheng had no intention of letting him live. He was only a living map. Once they reached their destination, his time would be up.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. The servant from earlier came in carrying wine and food.
"One pot of fine Jie Qianchou and a few stir-fried Demonic Beast meat dishes. Enjoy, gentlemen."
After setting everything down, the servant withdrew.
By then, Anthony had regained his composure. He picked up the wine pot, poured himself a cup, and said:
"I'll say it again. The sooner we—"
Before he could finish, a chopstick shot from Chen Cheng's hand with a whoosh, skimming past his ear. A muffled groan came from the next room.
Chen Cheng reached over and snatched the cup from his hand.
"Drag him over here."
With that, Chen Cheng drained the cup in one gulp.
Anthony looked at the cup in Chen Cheng's hand. The words he wanted to say stuck in his throat.