Chapter 337 - Quack-Ception (1/2)

The Emperor's host glared at the old man, Doctor Lou spared him a glance and then sighed and said, ”But... Since it's rare that the student confounds the teacher, given this monumental occasion, if you tell me how exactly you're doing this... Then I may feel inclined to forget certain words you may or may not have said...” He finished, throwing the blade of grass in the Emperor's direction, and somehow, the blade of grass sailed through the air and landed right in front of the Emperor's - Well, his host's feet.

The Emperor's host hesitated for a moment, before sighing and begrudgingly saying, ”It's the bracelets, I don't know how...”

Doctor Lou stroked his beard, ”Hmmm, can I -”

”No.” The Emperor's host cut in, ”Now, you tell me.”

”Tch, no fun.” Doctor Lou said, pulling at his beard, ”Since you won't let me examine it and that stubborn Xing Xing won't give it either...Then answer my questions or my memory might just fail me~... How does it work?”

”I don't -” The Emperor's host let out an exasperated sigh, ”...It happened that day she got hurt, I didn't know where she was and I was desperate and...it brought me to her, like this, for a single moment. It was how I knew she was here.”

”I see...” Doctor Lou said stroking his beard and nodding, ”...and?”

”... And I refined the skill - I'm just looking after her welfare.” The Emperor's host indignantly said.

Doctor Luo pouted and pulled at his long beard, ”You never come to look after my welfare...”

”Now tell me about the incident.” The Emperor's host dismissively said, not at all bothered by the old man's pouting.

Doctor Lou glared at him and then sighed, ”...I don't really know the details myself, but it seems Xing Xing and her parents went to some lantern festival somewhere...and then apparently, those irresponsible airheads forgot they took her and left without her. Somehow Xing Xing ran into Shan and his friends and they brought her back, then I ran into them on their return and took her home...The end. Isn't it such a wonderful beginning to a beautiful...something?” He finished, leaning forward with a sly smile as he wiggled his eyebrows at the Emperor.

The Emperor's host glared at him and then Doctor Lou chuckled and smugly straightened up, stroking his long beard with both hands, eyes closed with a satisfactory smile on his face, ”You know, it's still not too late to ask for my help -”

”Mind your own business and if you tell anyone about this, I'll dig up all your treasures and disintegrate them.” The Emperor's host speedily cut in.

”Tch...ungrateful brat.” Doctor Lou said with a pout, he then sighed, ”Always so quick to run - who are you?” He suddenly derailed when he opened his eyes, suddenly looking at the Emperor with a confused frown.

The Emperor knit his brows, very confused at what was happening now. No one else had entered the cave and the old man was still looking in his direction, the direction he had been facing the entire time, so...

{...Did he suddenly forget who he was talking to?... No, he said he couldn't see him so perhaps someone else is here?...}

”You better start talking while I'm still asking nicely...” Doctor Lou asked with a frown, suddenly jumping to his feet at a surprising speed, his eyes never shifting.

The Emperor glanced behind him, checking to see if someone was standing there. Doctor Lou promptly said, ”I'm talking to you. We're the only two people here, the brat's gone... better start talking while I'm still asking.” He warned with a serious expression that was unbecoming of the old man's usual jovial manner.

Realizing the old man was talking to him, the Emperor faced forward and promptly raised his arms to show that he meant no harm, but then he looked at his arms with surprise. He could move again!

”Ah.” The Emperor tested and then let out a short laugh, ”I can talk!” As he dropped his arms and flexed his wrists. and laughed a little again, fascinated by these little things.

”Hey! Don't ignore me!” Doctor Lou said with a frown as he studied this intruder, ”How did you get in here without me noticing?” He said more to himself than to the ”intruder”.

The Emperor finally blinked out of his stupor and faced the old man with knit eyebrows, ”I've been here the entire time...Well, I think so, I think I was somehow attached to the person you were talking to just now...and now they're gone, right?” The Emperor asked, glancing behind him as if unsure, ”... This is a truly odd dream.” He said turning back to Doctor Lou.

”A dream?” Doctor Lou asked with a raised eyebrow.