"...Heh heh." Laigushi smiled faintly.
"Is the answer you found... still the so-called will of the Paths?"
"I've never believed in any Path." Yan Huan shrugged, his tone casual.
"People can never be defined. Otherwise, tell me—does Dan Heng count as [Permanence], or [Trailblaze]?"
Laigushi seemed to genuinely consider it.
"I acknowledge your praise for them."
"Since that is so, in the name of the Divine Audience that has witnessed every fate in this world, allow me to join this final mourning and bid farewell to these heroes sleeping here..."
"Then let us contend face-to-face and decide whose will and flame this newly rising sun should bear."
Yan Huan stood where he was and casually searched himself, but found no honey brew suitable for the occasion. He did, however, still have half a bottle of cola left.
So, following Hysilens's request, he used cola in place of wine and slowly poured out an offering before the enormous tombstone.
The dark brown liquid seeped into the dry earth, its carbonation releasing a faint, dense fizz that sounded especially clear in that deathly silent space.
As though suddenly recalling certain grave-sweeping customs, Yan Huan rummaged through his pockets again and pulled out two slightly shriveled oranges, placing them side by side before the tombstone.
"These are the last two. Split them yourselves... Don't fight over them. Once this is over, come collect more from me. I'll have Dan Heng give each of you two pounds."
The Chrysos Heirs: "..."
"My lord is quite confident in the story's ending?" Laigushi looked at Yan Huan curiously.
"Perhaps you will soon be buried by my own hand... along with the wills of these heroes."
"Is that so?" Yan Huan casually dusted off his hands. "Then go ahead and pop the champagne early."
With that, he