Slowly.
Dan Heng, who had been held in Luka's arms, stirred, moved Luka's hand aside, and slowly climbed to his feet.
He lowered his head slowly, his melancholy, weathered eyes gazing at Luka beside him.
"..."
After a long silence, Dan Heng spoke.
"You're back."
"I was just... looking for somewhere to lie low. Please forgive the intrusion."
"Huh? Ah? What?!"
Luka sprang up from the bed, his mind racing.
"Wait, wait, wait... You—you're really Mr. Dan Heng?"
"Yes."
"Could someone on the Xianzhou be impersonating me...?"
"No, that's not what I meant."
Luka waved his hands frantically, utterly flustered.
He began looking all around. "If you were lying here, Mr. Dan Heng... then where is he?!"
"He?"
"Yeah, that uncle, macho man, goblin, Pikachu, zombie, Nezha, Thanos..."
"What are you talking about?"
Dan Heng stood up, slowly got out of bed, and put on his shoes.
"I heard March had a match today, so they forced me back to the Xianzhou again."
"March's lounge was too noisy, so I came here to take refuge."
"Then, Mr. Dan Heng, when you came in, didn't you see anything strange?" Luka asked nervously, gesturing with his hands.
That dream tapir was the pet of the best doctor in the Alchemy Commission. Losing it would be a huge problem.
Besides... Doctor Ling Sha had only lent it to him. He would have to return it later.
"Something strange?"
Dan Heng thought for a moment before answering, "I didn't notice."
"No... When I opened the door, I think something pink ran out."
"At the time, I thought March and the others were trying to prank me again, so I shut the door immediately."
"It ran out?!" Luka was horrified.
"I'm done for... How am I supposed to explain this to Doctor Ling Sha?!"