Akivili was overcome by drunkenness and only caught half of what was said.
"Doesn't need you?"
His eyes were half-open, his words slurred.
"How could the Xianzhou not need you?"
After saying that, Akivili could no longer hold out. He swayed, then collapsed onto the table, still clutching his wineglass.
Xianyu lowered his eyes, leaving Lan unable to discern his true feelings.
The Aeon had heard every word. Genuinely puzzled, he asked, "Someone like you? What kind of person is that?"
Xianyu did not answer. He casually handed Lan the Jade Abacus.
"Go settle the bill."
He stood, walked over to Akivili, and took the wineglass from the Aeon's hand, setting it on the table.
Then, moving slowly, he draped one of Akivili's arms over his own shoulders.
With an arm around Akivili's shoulders, Xianyu headed outside.
He stood at the tavern entrance, waiting quietly.
Lan followed a little later. When he stepped out of the tavern and saw Xianyu, he froze for a moment, then offered him the Jade Abacus.
Xianyu did not take it. He only said, "Let's find a hotel first."
An Aeon and a human brought the drunkard to Xuling's finest hotel and booked the suite on the top floor.
An attendant gently settled Akivili into one of the bedrooms.
Another attendant quietly asked whether they wanted a late-night meal or drinks.
Lan said nothing and looked at the Marshal.
Xianyu raised a hand and pointed to a bottle of white wine on the rack, then asked a question that seemed to come out of nowhere.
"Do you have a doctor here?"
The attendant said that, should a guest need one, a doctor was available at any hour, day or night.
Xianyu nodded.
"I see. Thank you for your help."
He walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows.