The search party for Young Master Hustace, ostensibly "led" by Qi Liu, traveled through the night. The intensity of this mountain ascent led to a flurry of complaints from this eccentric group.
The hunched Great Witch wasn't holding the party back; even she was somewhat surprised by this. But despite her astonishment, she didn't forget to grumble about the myriad inconveniences of traveling at night.
Axia complained because Qi Liu had unknowingly usurped his role as leader. As an Alchemist in the party, and potentially the future Wizard of the Alchemy Workshop, he felt it was a profound humiliation to be ordered around so unexpectedly. To wash away this humiliation, he constantly taunted and ridiculed Qi Liu. He believed this ridicule could change the status quo. His mocking was like a soothing balm to his wounded pride and, at the same time, a sharp blade stabbing deep into the sensitive core of the other's heart.
