Underneath The Moonlit Night

Chapter 4 - Boundaries and Tradition

As Qing Yi continued to scrutinize the stranger, he sensed that he had made the person profoundly uncomfortable. Tentatively, he asked, "Are you...in pain?" It was the first thought that crossed his mind. Whenever he sensed something amiss in someone, he instinctively considered the possibility of illness.

The stranger chuckled, replying, "I stopped feeling pain years ago."

Bewildered by this cryptic response, Qing Yi maintained an unwavering gaze, hardly blinking. "Are you, perhaps..."

The stranger's expression shifted to one of concern, as if on the verge of explaining something. However, before he could speak, Qing Yi voiced his hypothesis, "A vampire?"

An awkward silence hung between them, broken only by the stranger's laughter. "Umm...well," the stranger began, searching for the right words, "oh boy, how should I explain this without making it sound strange..."

Qing Yi offered a wry side-glance. "It's okay; you can tell me. I mean, honestly, everything about you is far from ordinary. For instance, your superhuman strength and inhuman speed are enough to give you away."

The stranger applauded Qing Yi's straightforwardness. Blushing, Qing Yi apologized, prompting a warm response from the stranger.

"No need to apologize. Alright then, I'll just tell you. I'm not a vampire, so your blood is safe from me. But I am undead," the stranger revealed.

"Undead?" Qing Yi echoed.

The stranger nodded. "I was resurrected by..." He paused for a moment, searching for the right words. "Uh...by someone very dear to me."

Qing Yi regarded him with a hint of suspicion. "Resurrected, you say? How does one resurrect a dead body?" Qing Yi's realization of his recent encounter with zombies made the question even more pertinent.

"Those...creatures," the stranger began, "they're also undead, but they're not like me. The person who brought me back put a great deal of work, time, and effort into making me...like this," he continued.

Silence hung in the air as Qing Yi scrutinized the stranger, who remained wordless.

"A powerful corpse. You're special," Qing Yi concluded, studying the stranger intently.

"Ah, forgive me," Qing Yi acknowledged his forwardness and took a few steps back. He contemplated, I mean, does he even feel uncomfortable? He's a corpse, right? Yet, he behaves like a normal human being. I'd love to learn about the magic used to resurrect him.

"How rude of me; we've talked for a while, and I haven't asked for your name," Qing Yi said.

The Stranger smiled warmly, replying, "Call me Wen Ning."

Qing Yi nodded, extending a hand for a handshake. "I'm Qing Yi. It's a pleasure to meet you, Wen Ning."

Wen Ning shook Qing Yi's hand with a friendly smile.

"It's getting quite late. Shouldn't you be heading home?" Wen Ning inquired.

Shaking his head, Qing Yi responded, "No, to be honest, I was just visiting, so I don't technically have a home to return to."

"Oh? Do you have relatives who live in Gusu?" Wen Ning asked.

"Not relatives. Future landlords," Qing Yi explained.

"Pardon me?" Wen Ning looked puzzled.

"Ah, I mean...the Gusu Lan Sect. I came here to negotiate the relocation of my tribe to settle in their forest."

"The Gusu Lan Sect will be your future landlords?" Wen Ning asked, his surprise evident.

"Yes...? Is there a problem?" Qing Yi was confused.