Chapter 697: The Weight of Truth
Of course, Adam hadn’t really left. Instead, he wrapped himself in a coat of lusterless mana that reflected light away from him. Although he stood at the same spot, he became invisible to those relying on their eyes—commoners and mages. Cultivators were another story since they could feel his life force, but he doubted he’d meet one in the village anyway.
Hidden, he watched Qing collapse in the mud, crying her heart out and calling his name with her quivering voice. He massaged his throbbing temples, feeling horrible. But it had to be done if he wanted to get to the bottom of this story.
As if to echo the girl’s sadness and his guilt, clouds roiled in the sky. Light dimmed, and soft rain drizzled on their faces.
After a moment that stretched a little too long, Wei gently reminded her about reuniting with her parents. But Adam felt the insincerity in his tone as if those words prickled his throat like thorns and poison melded with his saliva, making the man scrunch his nose and twist his lips against his will.
Though ready to intervene, he watched as Wei’s hand trembled on her slumped shoulder while helping her up. There was a paternal care to his touch, a sense of respect, and a stalwart determination that made little sense, considering he would only guide her to her parents’ new home.
Intrigued, he followed the limping man, who had removed his coarse woollen coat to protect the crying Qing from the rain—a gesture that made him nod.
Soft mud splashed on their way, coating their cloth shoes brown. The rain had chased most pedestrians back to their homes or the nearest tavern. Occasional stragglers rushed past them, shivering in the cold and cursing the bad weather.
However, the citizens’ dishevelled tunics and hurried steps soon turned into colorful robes and relaxed paces. They held the bamboo shafts of rudimentary umbrellas, walking on pavement from which rain rolled into channels that pushed it back to the modest district.
Confused and a little scared, Qing lowered her face, hiding it behind her blond hair. The center of the village only housed merchants and renowned artisans. Wretched people like her and Wei were not welcome.