Thud!
''Waiter, a big one for my little friend here.''
The drunken man calls out to the waiter, who promptly drops whatever he was doing to fulfill the man's order as quickly as possible.
''You've...Hic... Been staring at me for quite some time. Come sit.''
Tap tap...
The man taps his fingers on the table in front of him, His tone is neither commanding nor gentle. He clearly expects me to do as told.
''My apologies. I felt unusual energy from you.''
I say, my smile polite as I make my way towards his table.
Creak.
I sit on the chair on front of him, he brown eyes looking over my entire person. The more he looks at me, the more confused he seems to get.
''Are you hiding ...hic...your cultivation?''
He asks, curiosity seemingly getting better of him. He grabs his glass and gulps down the beer in one go.
Thud!
''You know...hic...I'm somewhat of a cultivator myself, and it's not easy to hide cultivation from me...''
He wipes the foam off of his lips, his eyes regaining their clarity as if all the alcohol within his body dispersed. He continues, his voice firm and gaze unwavering,
''So tell me, why were you watching me, and why are you hiding your cultivation?''
Thud!
The waiter places the beer in front of me. I take a hold of it and take a few large gulps before placing the beer back down.
''Truth be told, I felt an unusual Qi when I passed by, and curiosity got the better of me.''
It's not a lie. This is the first person whose cultivation I can't read. Considering the enemy I will soon face, I wanted to see what the golden core or above cultivators are like.
''I'm Xu Cheng. I hope you can forgive me for my rudeness.''
I raise my glass and bring it forward, offering a silent toast as a gesture of good will.
The man stares at me for a moment before following suit, his eyes never leave mine, but the hostility is no longer present in them.
Clank!
''Name's Tan Wei.''
As he says his name, he begins to study my reaction.
With a polite smile, I bring the glass closer to my mouth and drink the rest of the beer in one go, exhaling in satisfaction as the last drop trickles in my throat.
Haaah...
''Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Tan. I hope I haven't disturbed you.''
He shakes his head in denial as he finishes the beer, as if to follow my lead.
''It's alright. I was bored anyways. Not many people dare talk to me nowadays.''
Sigh...
Giving a tired sigh, he closes his eyes in resignation. His earlier wariness gone, as if all that's left is just a tired middle aged man.
Looking at his features, I can see why people don't dare talk to him. A scar running through his left eye, muscular build that resembles that of a body cultivator, eyes sharp like a hawk...
Considering his attitude, the best way forward is...
''You do look intimidating, Mr. Tan. I hope you can forgive my bluntness.''
The polite smile ever present on my face as I tease the man, hoping to break the ice with a lighthearted joke.
''Hahaha!"
Thud! Thud!
His laughter echoes through the inn, followed by a rhythmic pounding of his palm against the table, the sturdy wood quivering under the weight of his strength.
''You sure are bold, young friend. You not only dare talk to me, you dare make fun of me!''
Hooo...
''But that might just be what I needed.''
His laugher quickly fades into a solemn exclamation, some obviously weighting him down.
''It's all my damn disciples fault. They make trouble wherever they go...''
He signals to the waiter, raising two fingers to order drinks for both of us.
''Your disciples? May I ask, what sect are you from, Mr. Tan?''
The man looks at me, his brown eyes quivering slightly as he continues,
''If I tell you, I'll just end up drinking alone.''
A heavy silence falls over the table, his words weighed down with a bitterness.
''Rest assured, Mr. Tan. I'm not a local, so whoever you are, I wouldn't know you.''
The waiter returns with the drinks. I take both, sliding one toward him before raising my own, as if to cheer on an unspoken vow.
He slowly picks up the glass, his scarred eye relaxing as our rims clank together.
Clank!
With one fluid motion, he drains the beer in an instant before setting the empty cup down on the table.
''Tan Wei, Sect Master of Tiger Peak Sect.''
.
.
.
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Late Stage ▸ Qi Condensation - Early Stage]
[Fear Points: 3 691]
[Trauma: +523/day]
[Infamy: +24/day]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 6 000]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing, Crow Shroud Technique]