Akivili stared, dumbfounded.
The scene before him was like a drama full of twists and turns.
One moment, he heard his best friend tell Lan, "Kill me." The next, he saw a Xianzhou native break the mood completely by calling for outside help.
This utterly unremarkable bystander had single-handedly turned a bitter falling-out between loved ones into an absurd comedy that left him unsure whether to laugh or cry.
Cloud Knights entered the teahouse in twos and threes.
Akivili instinctively looked at his best friend.
What came next? Revealing his true identity? Leaving everyone present gasping in amazement? Then swaggering off, leaving a story for the ages?
Akivili waited.
But when the Cloud Knights asked about his best friend's relationship with Lan, all he got was one sentence.
Xianyu said expressionlessly, "I don't know him."
Akivili: "..."
The Cloud Knights turned their attention to Akivili.
The Aeon had spoken up for Lan in front of everyone earlier, so he couldn't copy Xianyu's answer. He could only smile awkwardly.
As they stood at an impasse, Xianyu took the initiative to hand over his and Akivili's identification documents.
One of the Cloud Knights examined the documents, then handed them back.
Xianyu put them away and asked whether they could leave.
The Cloud Knight let them go without fuss.
Xianyu said sincerely, "Thank you for your hard work."
The man paused.
"We're just doing our duty."
He recalled the name on the documents of the man before him. For some reason, his voice instinctively softened, and he offered a wish of his own.
"I hope you enjoy your stay on the Xuling, Mr. Eric."
Xianyu gave a slight nod and pulled Akivili out of the teahouse.
The man and the god walked back the way they had come.
The Aeon had plenty of