"That's better. I like talking to people civilly." Su Jin shrugged and sat down again.
Lu Mingxuan's eyes darted about. He didn't dare look Su Jin in the face.
The man was a devil. Lu Mingxuan was his prisoner and couldn't fight back.
For now he could only pretend to cooperate and look for a chance later. Du Wenyan might offer an opening.
"First question." Su Jin took out a pen and notebook. "Why has Suyuan issued its highest-level warrant for me?"
"When you escaped the city, did you leave behind a little box that sang?"
"Yes."
"The Xuanjia Army and Tanyu Temple are curious about you. A mysterious expert making trouble in the royal capital would be wanted in any case. But the main reason is Du Wenyan. He knows many nobles, and the two of you broke out and rescued a Suzai. The court suspects a rebel group made up of Suzai."
"The country has always taken Suzai seriously. Its highest-level warrant is no surprise."
"What does that level mean?" Su Jin asked.
"Your notices will be posted in towns and cities across the country. Major towns will inspect everyone entering or leaving, and search parties will work outward from them. The news may reach the entire country before long."
"Hmm..." Su Jin pressed a hand to his brow, frustrated.
He hadn't imagined one small mistake would come to this.
He had never meant to work with the rulers of this other world, but he hadn't meant to make enemies of them either.
Now that he'd found Yunlian, someone who might be the key to surviving the apocalypse, he wouldn't abandon her.
His best chance was to find Shen Yufeng and use his authority to change their identities.
"Next: how did you find us?"
"Simple," Lu Mingxuan said wearily. "A little reasoning was enough. You're going to Jiuzhao City, aren't you?"
Su Jin's guard went up. This man looked careless, but his reasoning seemed sharp.
For an instant, Su Jin even considered killing him.
Someone that quick-witted would be dangerous to handle.
"Oh? I didn't know you had a talent for deduction. Tell me how you worked it out."
"It wasn't hard. Du Wenyan, in the royal capital..." Lu Mingxuan gave his explanation.
By the end, Su Jin's face was long with dismay.
...What an idiot.
Lu Mingxuan had made the story fit together, but every part of his analysis was wrong.
How had he reached the right answer anyway?
In an instant, Su Jin became much more inclined to let him live.
"Now, with this highest-level warrant, can I use your identity to travel freely?"
"Impossible. Everyone will be inspected, even officials. I brought no papers when I left, and plenty of people don't recognize me. Why would they let you through on my word?"
"Could we bribe the city guards?"
"I wouldn't risk it."
"Huh." Su Jin folded his arms and gave him an amused look. "You're being surprisingly honest. You've even started looking out for me."
"Do I look stupid?" Lu Mingxuan sighed. "If the guards expose you, they won't be able to hold you for long. Even if stronger fighters come after you, you'll run. I'll be the one left to suffer."
"You've thought it through." Su Jin smiled. "Why does Tanyu Temple capture Suzai? What use are they to you?"
"Everyone knows that. They're sacrificed to heaven to suppress the Demon Spring."
"What everyone knows isn't necessarily the whole story, is it?"
"If the sacrifices worked, why offer only one person each year? Do I look ignorant? Even ordinary people know Suzai used to be called Spirit Girls. You can't fool me with that."
Lu Mingxuan opened his mouth, then sighed. "That's what I was taught all my life: Suzai bring disaster. You're a man and a strong fighter. What have they got to do with you? Why involve yourself?"
"If you won't say more, forget it. It's not the question that matters now." Su Jin grew stern. "You may not be of much use to me. If you want to live with some dignity, show me your value. I don't keep people who contribute nothing."
"You're an expert in the mystic arts. I want you to teach me."
"Impossible!" Lu Mingxuan grew alarmed. "You're too old to start. Besides, you're a martial artist already. Why divide your efforts?"
Su Jin ignored the rest. "Why am I too old?"
"Both martial and mystic arts are learned from childhood. You choose one path. Your abilities are already set, and you don't have the talent for another. Isn't that common knowledge?"
"I don't care. I want to learn. Will you teach me?"
"No!" Lu Mingxuan said anxiously. "The mystic arts are Tanyu Temple's secret teachings. If I teach you, I'll be a traitor. They'll kill me sooner or later!"
"If you refuse, you'll die without much dignity right now," Su Jin said with a teasing smile.
"You... Ask anything else of me!" Lu Mingxuan said through his teeth.
"Fine. Tomorrow I'll find a pack of wild dogs to have their way with you. Shout how much you enjoy it, and I won't ask about the arts."
"Are you trying to drive me to my death?" Lu Mingxuan struggled against his bonds. "Even if I taught you, would you dare learn?"
"If you dare teach, I dare learn. I'll decide whether what you tell me is right. No need to worry."
Sweat ran down Lu Mingxuan's face. After a long struggle, he closed his eyes and nodded.
"I'll teach you. What you manage to learn is your affair."
He had no choice at all.
The bastard before him was capable of tormenting him to death.
He would have to find a chance to escape and kill him later.
"Very good!" Su Jin gave him a thumbs-up. "Brother Lu, I admire you, even if you did kick me twice."
"You've said that twice now... This isn't all because I kicked you twice, is it?" Lu Mingxuan asked miserably.
"Of course not. I'm not that petty." Su Jin smiled. "I think we can talk now. We'll take the rest slowly."
"I really am a good man, and I care about the world. You'll come to know me. I won't press you these next few days. Rest and travel with us for a while. Once I'm sure it's safe, I'll untie you."