The old man stared at Nuwa for a while.
"Walking a smooth, level path?"
He extended a finger and tapped the burn on Nuwa's shoulder.
Then he lowered his gaze to the bleeding scales on her snake tail.
"You suffered so much along the way and ended up like this. You call that smooth and level?"
Nuwa looked at the old man. "My elder clansman said this hexagram means that those who follow the Way face danger if they stray to the side, but remain safe if they do not deviate. Following their path is like walking a smooth, level road."
"I kept following the path to survival without straying, until I found you. How was that road not smooth and level?"
The old man fell silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.
"The two of you really are alike."
Nuwa immediately asked, "You know my elder clansman?"
The old man did not answer. Instead, his smile suddenly vanished.
"Enough nonsense. I said I could save them, not that I would. Why should I save your human race?"
Nuwa asked, "What do you want?"
The old man lifted his eyelids. "That depends on what you have."
Nuwa answered without much thought. "My life."
The old man choked on his reply. "What would I want your life for?"
"To refine pills? Feed a fire?"
"Or hang it outside my door?"
Nuwa opened her mouth, but had no answer.
The old man scolded her again. "You two siblings certainly know how to do business. Empty pockets, and the moment you open your mouths, you offer your lives to settle the bill."
"Once your lives are spent, you think you won't have to repay anything?"
"Didn't you make them a promise? If you give me your life, how will you go back?"
"Who