"Cough, cough. Let's go and say goodbye to Senior Tang Chen," Deng Tianxin said, coughing a few times when he noticed Di Qiu'er's look.
Di Qiu'er looked at Xiao Wu, then at Deng Tianxin. Her gaze circled between them twice before finally settling on Deng Tianxin's face.
She asked nothing. She merely gave a soft snort through her nose, then turned and headed deeper into the Inner City.
Xiao Wu felt uncomfortable all over under that look. She lowered her head and twisted the ribbons of her skirt, nearly moving her arms and legs in unison.
Deng Tianxin appeared perfectly calm, though the tips of his ears were also faintly red.
The three crossed the Outer City and arrived once more before the palace where Tang Chen resided.
The Hell Messenger was still waiting there. Seeing the three approach, he asked nothing and simply stepped aside to make way.
Tang Chen had already awakened. He sat atop the platform reconstructed from the pile of shattered bones, with the Clear Sky Hammer leaning casually by his feet.
His eyes were closed, and his aura was far steadier than when they had first met. Though he still wore a dark crimson robe, he no longer carried that savage air of one ready to devour people at any moment.
"You're here," Tang Chen said without opening his eyes.
"Senior, we're leaving." Deng Tianxin bowed. "I will deliver the token to the Clear Sky Sect. As for your message, I'll find a way to bring it to Sea God Island as well."
Only then did Tang Chen slowly open his eyes. He looked at Deng Tianxin, then at Xiao Wu and Di Qiu'er behind him, and finally gave a faint nod. "Be careful on the road. I can still use the thing you left