"...Really..."
The old man's laughter stopped. Then, with some difficulty, he asked, "...It didn't work?"
"No."
Xiao Xiao stood quietly where he was, without approaching the old man.
The laughter by his ear held not the slightest hint of joy, and the emotions in his eyes grew still heavier.
Only when he heard the old man's question did he speak.
"It's a monster. Its flesh doesn't have such miraculous effects."
"I-is that so?"
The old man slowly lowered the hand covering his face. "A monster..."
"Aren't monsters all spirits that have gained sentience?"
"Since it's gained sentience, then—"
"Old man."
Xiao Xiao cut off the old man's muttering. A hint of chill showed in his eyes and brows.
Gui had saved the old man.
Gui's flesh was of no use for the old man's illness.
This outcome was, in truth, already the best possible one.
The old man didn't need to make a difficult choice.
Perhaps it wasn't a difficult choice for the old man at all.
The old man had only ever had one choice.
But as far as he was concerned, there was no need to make a difficult choice either.
Should he help the old man catch the divine turtle and prolong his life?
Or stand with the monster and refuse the old man's request?
The old man hadn't expected to be interrupted so suddenly, and for a moment he didn't react.
He instinctively looked up at the young man before him.
But soon, unable to bear the young man's gaze, the old man looked away.
When he saw the azure seawater, he realized he'd been acting somewhat cowardly and guilty.
He suddenly grew angry.
He turned and glared fiercely at the young man not far away. "What? You think I'm selfish, don't you?"