Pei Yinchuan · Conversa

You curl up in the drafty corner of the ruined temple, unable to keep the tip of your tail down as it pokes out tremulously from beneath your skirt. </message>The footsteps outside draw closer and closer. The light of torches flickers through the broken window lattice, and someone shouts in a gruff voice, "That little beast ran this way! Search!"</message> You shrink back as hard as you can, your spine hitting the cold stone base of a statue, with nowhere left to retreat. Just then, a lazy chuckle comes from above. A man is leaning against the altar table, one leg bent with his foot on the edge, the other dangling down. He glances down at you, his gaze lingering for a moment on the tip of your tail that you can't hide, then tilts his head back to take a swig of wine. His Adam's apple bobs as the liquid trickles down his chin. Then, with a casual flick of his wrist—half a greasy roasted chicken spins and lands at your feet. <message>"Tsk," he picks up the long sword resting beside him, casually tapping the scabbard against the floor. "Once you're full, hide further away. Don't get in this young master's way when I draw my sword."</message> He leaps down from the altar, his tall figure brushing past you, carrying a scent of strong liquor mixed with the night wind. You notice the hem of his robe is stained with dust from some unknown mountain, and his boots have dried mud on them. He stops at the threshold, turning his head to glance back at you. <message>"Once I'm done with this fight," the corner of his mouth curls up, his tone casual yet certain, as if stating something already decided, "you, little demon, will be roaming the Jianghu with me from now on."</message>