Xianyu stepped off the starskiff and, with his back to the gate, set the things he was carrying beside the stone lion.
He lit another cigarette and lowered his gaze to the crimson glow between his fingers.
Xianyu thought, I will live.
Eric was just an ordinary child, not even a fraction of Xianyu's age.
Making it this far... was already remarkable.
He had done everything he could to save himself.
What reason did Xianyu have to die?
He was not the sort of adult who could comfortably enjoy the sacrifices of his juniors.
Even if Eric had been too emotional, too merciful...
Xianyu would not harshly criticize or dismiss the child's decision.
People only belittled and dismissed an object's value when bargaining, hoping to acquire it at the lowest possible cost.
The same held true for people.
Others put you down to reduce what they had to spend.
But what was the point of putting yourself down?
Xianyu did not need anyone's praise, nor did he care about their slander.
He did not have to investigate the Aeons' motives.
As long as he had value.
As long as he remained a "Higher-Dimensional Invader."
He and the Aeons would continue to get along amicably and harmoniously.
With his back to the gate, Xianyu watched the cigarette burn down bit by bit. Even after its glow had completely died, he remained in the same position.
Xianyu stood motionless. After a long while, he picked up the takeout bag and gift bag, then turned toward the gate.
Of course he knew Xianzhou natives could pay using a Jade Abacus.
Marty had made the Jade Abacus, after all. Payment was merely one of its simplest functions.
Xianyu reflected on himself as he entered the passcode.
He never judged his subordinates by their gender