"Damn, death battle instead of expedition!" Liu complained while stretching, his joints popping audibly as he worked out the stiffness from unconsciousness and battle fatigue. "And we couldn't even enjoy the journey... I was looking forward to bragging about having seen way farther than any of my classmates before."
"At least you didn't have to cover yourself in Giant Cat Bear waste," Taro laughed, remembering the task Ren had mentioned as necessary for hiding among the Golden Noses.
Liu visibly shuddered, his entire body recoiling from the mental image. "You're right. I think I prefer combat to that particular humiliation. At least battle wounds heal fast with Min near… that kind of stench would probably follow us for months."
Zhao approached with measured steps.
