The Human Tree (33)
"How much do you know about the Larrea Royal Court, Mr. Anko?"
It turned out that art was by no means useless, especially the art of communication.
The brief interlude had done nothing to ease the dire situation. At Fu Qian's theatrical suggestion, the group was soon back on the road.
They had gone barely a hundred meters through this lifeless land when Old Master Li, who had been bringing up the rear, quickened his pace and came alongside them.
"Very little. At the time, I had no clear sense of self, and I wasn't close to them."
Seeing how the art of communication had turned what had been a warily suspicious exchange into an academic discussion—and with the guest even taking the initiative—Fu Qian was quite pleased. He answered readily.
So it really was the revival of some ancient will?
Old Master Li's voice wasn't loud, but it wasn't a whisper, either.
In such silence, everyone was listening intently to their surroundings. Naturally, they heard the entire conversation.
Though it was only a question and an answer, Fu Qian's claim was undeniably shocking.
The Blood Clan had always been long-lived, and so they often viewed time from a different perspective.
That difference seemed faintly apparent in this "Anko's" answer.
For most people, the surname Larrea carried the weight of history. When speaking of it, they would hardly start from the perspective of "what I was doing back then."
Besides, he had said that he lacked a clear sense of self at the time.
Combined with Old Master Li's earlier certainty that he was unlike any Blood Clan currently known, it was easy to imagine what might have happened, even if the person in question remained tight-lipped.
Perhaps, after an age-long slumber, this ancient member of