After the meeting, the leaders of the various tribes left in twos and threes. Some looked grave, some had relaxed brows, and some discussed matters with those beside them as they walked.
The Strong Man reached the entrance, suddenly stopped, and looked back at Suiren Clan.
Suiren Clan was still seated in the chair of honor, staring blankly at the table.
Only Ziyi Clan had not left.
She sat to Suiren Clan's right, lifted her teacup, and took a sip. The tea had already gone cold, but she did not mind.
"You're under a lot of pressure."
Suiren Clan did not respond.
"The burden of the Human Race is all on your shoulders."
Ziyi Clan set down her teacup and looked at him.
"Can't you share some of it with someone else?"
"Share it with whom?"
Suiren Clan finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse.
"You? Or that big guy from earlier who only knows how to shout about fighting and killing?"
Ziyi Clan fell silent.
"It's not that I don't want to share it. I can't.
Some decisions can only be made by me.
If I make the right choice, everyone lives.
If I make the wrong one, I bear it alone."
Ziyi Clan looked at him with heartache.
"When the Saint Master entrusted us to you, it wasn't so you could bear everything alone."
Suiren Clan finally raised his head and glanced at Ziyi Clan.
"What the Saint Master entrusted to me back then was all of us. But in the end, I'm the one sitting in this position."
Ziyi Clan said nothing more. She stood, patted his shoulder, and turned to leave.
When she reached the entrance, she softly instructed the young Clan Member standing guard outside the tent,
"Make the Clan Leader another cup of hot tea.