"If I may," I asked, trying to maintain some semblance of control, "would you please tell us where we're going?"
"Of course I'll tell you. We've got a long journey ahead of us." Longwei replied easily. "Although, I do have a question. Why take two earth cultivators? Isn't one enough? You know, maybe just Jian?"
"That's-"
"Hold on," Liangyu interrupted, his pride wounded. "Why did you say Jian's name? How did you know he was the best from the two of us?"
"So you agree that I'm the best from the two of us?" Jian felt kind of satisfied, a smug look crossing his face.
"No, shut up. I'm asking Master Longwei."
"Ugh, just Longwei is fine," Longwei said with a dismissive wave. "The same reason how I knew he was tall, handsome, and had emerald eyes. Ziyang spoke very highly of your friend here."
Liangyu shot me a look that could kill.
I avoided his gaze deliberately. "Look, that isn't the point. Let's not divert from the topic at hand. Can we just talk about our future here?"
"Of course we can, Ziyang," Longwei replied smoothly. "But I still think it's redundant to have two earth cultivators in our cult."
God, that stung. He didn't have to refer to us as a "cult" so damn quick. The word felt like poison on my tongue.
"Um, Master Longwei," Liangyu said, slightly raising his hand like a student in class. "I'm sorry, I'm just gonna call you Master, I just can't function without it. Anyway, um, honestly speaking, this cunt here is only first at anything because he cheats. And I really think you should consider giving me a chance to prove my worth."
"Oh yeah?" Jian raised his eyebrow and turned towards Longwei. "Ask him to cultivate wind."
"Shut up! Is that the only argument you can come up with?! Besides, just because I'm still learning doesn't mean I'm useless!"
"Oh yeah? I didn't know you were still twelve years old!"
"Alright, kids! Calm down." Longwei said, clearly entertained by the bickering. "What, did you think I'd toss you into the ocean the moment I said just one was enough? Chill. Two of you ain't bad. The more the merrier. Cool?" He turned towards me. "Now, where was I?"
"Our future? Why you decided to tag us along on your journey?" I replied, refocusing the conversation.
"Yup. You wanna take a guess? You're pretty smart, aren't you? I kind of knew that the moment you got hold of the Spirit Pearl. Really good work, by the way."
"He didn't do it alone though," Liangyu murmured under his breath.
"Yeah, Liangyu. I know. Good job to you too," Longwei casually applauded him, just for the sake of it.
I took a steadying breath and looked Longwei directly in the eye, stripping away the pretense. "You have the map to the Primordial Core. Why a man who has been the most powerful entity on this planet for centuries wants more power, I can't say. But I can guess why I'm here. You want my body."
Longwei let out a low chuckle. "Ooh, Ziyang. Buy a man a drink first."
"Very funny," I said, squinting my eyes in irritation. "You want my empty body. As the perfect vessel. From the stories and legends I've heard, Bai Xu was on a whole other level. A body already infused with tons of qi like yours or any other cultivator would probably explode if you tried to absorb the Primordial Core. But with a body like mine, there's a chance at success. You most likely want to transfer your consciousness into mine. Now, how and when you'll do that is something I simply do not know, but for which I'll most definitely prepare. As for my friends... well, I can't think of a reason why you'd let them accompany me on this journey, but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough. Am I right so far?"
"Bravo!" Longwei applauded me enthusiastically. "Truly, a masterclass in deduction. But don't let the existential dread ruin the scenery. For now, let's focus on the 'teamwork' phase of our budding relationship. We're going to bond, share stories, and become one big, happy family. You folks got any questions for me?"
Each of my friends began darting questions at him.
"Are you going to kick me out?" asked Liangyu nervously.
"Can you please kick him out?" asked Jian hopefully.
"When can I meet my grandfather again?" asked Mei, her voice cracking slightly.
"Do you bleed?" asked Qinyue menacingly.
"No. No. I just told you. Maybe you'll know someday, maybe you won't," answered Longwei as he looked at each one in turn. Then he turned towards me expectantly, "What about the leader? He's got no questions?"
"Oh, I've got a million of them. But I know you're gonna answer none of them truthfully," I replied flatly.
"Spot on. I like you more and more, Ziyang."
"Hmm. But I guess you'll at least tell us where we're going? At least let us know which village you'll make us set on fire, which people you're gonna make us murder?"
Longwei put a hand to his chest, looking wounded. "Wow, that's just horrible, Ziyang. Why would you even think that I'd make you do such things? What, just because I'm a 'villain'? And I'm not even a villain, I'm just misunderstood!"
"Ugh," I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt.
"What we're going to do," he continued, his tone shifting to something more serious, "isn't anything remotely immoral. Matter of fact, it's something noble! We, my beloved Zenith Cult, are going on a rescue mission!"
"Whom are we rescuing? Your favorite assassin?"
"There you go, judging me again. I don't even know the guy! From what I've heard, he's a very good man, who has been wrongfully imprisoned at the Vortex Bastille in Linhai Nation. We're going to extract him from that god-awful place and persuade him to join our cult."
"Uhuh? Alright. One, you just said it wasn't going to be immoral, and now you're talking about a prison break. An extremely secure prison, no less. And two, can you please stop referring to us as the cult? It stings."
"One, I told you he was a good man, so by saving him, we're doing a great service to the world. And two, you're just gonna have to get used to it, Ziyang."
"If I may," Liangyu raised his hand eagerly, "I personally think it's a really good deed. I'm alright with this mission, and I'm ready to give my best, Master Longwei."
I turned lovingly towards him, dripping with warmth, "Dear Liangyu. You really trust whatever he says? You ass-kissing fuck!"
"Dear Ziyang," he replied in the same tone, "you got another choice? You smart fuck?"
He was right. Longwei was the leader now. Even if he was lying, his words were orders. We just had to follow them. I just looked up at the sky, taking in the first task thrust upon us by the mighty Longwei, feeling the weight of our new reality settling on my shoulders.