"Damn!"
The wandering poet fled in panic once again, ducking into yet another nook and cranny.
Bang!
A falling rock came crashing down from above, nearly smashing him to death, only to be caught by a sudden hand as warm and smooth as jade.
"Careful."
That warm, magnetic voice sent his heart into disarray.
The wandering poet looked up and, to his astonishment, saw that a man had appeared before him at some unknown time. He wore a jade crown and white robes, dressed like a wealthy scholar, looking to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight.
The man had a fair, pristine face, a broad and full forehead, eyes bright as stars, a high nose, jade-like lips, and handsome, refined features. His temperament stood apart from the mundane.
"Th-thank you for saving my life."
The wandering poet stared blankly. A man with such extraordinary bearing had to possess an extraordinary background.
With nothing else to offer in return, he could only pull a filthy apple from his robes and hold it out.
"W-want one?"
"What is this?" Starlight gleamed in the scholar's eyes as he looked over with a smile.
"An-a-an apple. It's something that only exists in the mundane world. In the Spirit Refining Realm, it's n-not something you can easily eat..." The wandering poet stammered.
The scholar discreetly glanced at the black grime on the apple, smiling as he politely declined. Looking toward the long street, he said meaningfully, "Your words show remarkable knowledge. How did you end up in such straits?"
"Heavens!" The wandering poet tore at the vegetable leaves on his head, weeping tears of gratitude. "Has someone finally understood me? You believe that everything I said is true?"
"Mm." The scholar nodded faintly.
With a wail, the wandering poet began crying again. He hugged the scholar's