In Long Xiao's Room
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After casting one last look at the terrified beasts, Long Xiao made his way back to his room. Lei lay on the floor in his celestial form, wings tucked tightly against his body.
"Welcome back, Master," Lei greeted, raising his head.
Long Xiao ignored the bird. With a clap of his hands, the work robes vanished. They fell onto the bed in a neat fold. Long Xiao couldn't stand another second in those peasant rags they called work attire. Floating from the drawer, his heavenly robes slid back into place.
"That's more like it," Long Xiao muttered, a smile of pure satisfaction on his face.
Lei watched his Master's every move, his lips twitching into a mischievous grin.
"Master, word around the inn is that the innkeeper must have taken a liking to you. I heard the other workers mumbling. They said that Lina had been working here for two years and she wasn't careless. Even though they think her death was unjust, they dare not say it out loud. What kind of person is the innkeeper?" Lei said, stretching his wings across the floor.
Lei's wings were really large. He had to shrink himself every time he wanted to lie down or just move about in the room.
He sat on the bed in a meditative pose, a million thoughts swirling in his mind. He had heard Lei's words, but he didn't comment. He couldn't spare a minute; he had to activate the Divine Rant. After all, a lot had happened in just one day.
In Long Xiao's Mind
---
The throne room was completely silent, the facets exchanging unreadable glances.
"I'm still shocked," the Original Long Xiao murmured, his voice carrying from his seat on the central throne to the others.
"What happened today was unexpected," the Pragmatic facet added, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"Did you see the workers? They looked like they'd seen that dance countless times," the Anxious facet whispered, nervously shifting his weight.
"The Art of Insanity is truly terrifying," the Cautious facet muttered, crossing his arms.
"That mortal Xu Lianhua…" the Original Long Xiao trailed off.
"No. She doesn't even deserve to be called human," the Prideful facet spat, his eyes flashing with indignation. "That demon Xu Lianhua, taking a life just because she wants me to pay three times the original price!"
"Tch!" the Cynical facet scoffed.
"As a god, I'm tasked with eliminating all despicable beings," the Prideful facet declared, puffing out his chest with celestial righteousness. "If this is truly the Art of Insanity, does this mean we have an entire realm to annihilate?"
"Woah! That's going to be tedious," the Lazy facet groaned, slumping back against a pillar.
"Why do I feel that she didn't just kill her to salvage the tea incident?" the Thoughtful facet mused, narrowing his eyes.
"Indeed. That worker, Lina, looked like she was about to say something important," the Cautious facet agreed, pointing a finger upward.
"And Xiao Hua? How do we find that little devil? We still have no leads," the Doubtful facet grumbled, crossing his arms.
"You're right. We'll have to start gathering clues tomorrow," the Original Long Xiao concluded firmly.
The facets nodded in unison, their knowing gazes returning to the original Long Xiao.
---
Long Xiao deactivated the Divine Rant, opening his eyes.
"Lei," Long Xiao called. "You left without my permission. Again."
"I'm sorry, Master. I thought your discussion with the innkeeper would be... important." Lei bowed his head teasingly.
"Don't talk about her." Long Xiao's jaw tightened.
"Master, you look disturbed. Do you want a massage? And maybe you could tell me what's wrong if you want." Lei suggested, his eyes sparkling with eagerness as he transformed from his celestial form into human form.
"Don't bother." Long Xiao waved his hand dismissively.
"However, I can tell you what's bothering me." Long Xiao sighed.
Lei's eyes gleamed with happiness and satisfaction, reaching for a chair. He eagerly sat across from his master. Long Xiao leaned forward, his lips parting lightly.
"Lei, my unfaithful mount. Too bad you missed today's astonishing event unfold. You should have been present to witness something that… something that," Long Xiao paused, searching for the right word.
"Great!" Long Xiao exclaimed.
"What, Master? Please don't leave me in suspense again." Lei leaned forward with pleading eyes.
"Come closer." Long Xiao grinned.
Lei nodded, shifting himself closer to the bed.
"Go to sleep, nosy bird." He knocked Lei's head.
"Ouch, Master." Lei flinched.
"That's your punishment for leaving the inn without my permission." Long Xiao laughed as he lay on the bed.
Long Xiao stared at the ceiling, imagining how the next day would be. He also thought of the Heavenly Realm, his friends, Goddess Ling Xing, and the patients.
"They won't be able to survive without me." He muttered, a chuckle escaping his lips as he closed his eyes.