Freedom Isn't One Of The Choices

"How?--" He asked while still processing what he'd heard, and the maiden answered.

"Your clothes are nothing out of the ordinary, and I thought you were just a cultivator with an emo partner by your side, but then a cultivator wouldn't wear a garment of a Deity."

"If that was the case, how come no one bat an eyelid when I was on the streets.."

So Eun genuinely inquired, earning a raised eyebrow from the maiden before scanning her fingernails.

Wearing her impassive expression, she appeared as if she'd heard these questions now and then, and her reply was quite the surprise too.

"They do notice, yet they simply don't care." She also shoots a glance at Han Min before crossing her arms. And focused on leaning her weight on the table full of incense tablets.

"Besides, Deities who wandered in the same realm as mortals are nothing but a holy guardian to the common folks."

"They have lived and traveled with them for a hundred years now, at this point, cultivators alongside Deities had always been the main topic of discourse. Each folk has their fair share of beliefs on which one of the two could purge the evil efficiently."

Li Hua spoke like a fluent scholar in her twenties, like she'd seen enough of this world's business and grew tired of telling it.

She spoke apathetically with a dull tone of her voice as if everything she was saying was just another day for her.

"But in my opinion, they are just the same. The only difference is that cultivators don't owe their life to anyone, and so they freely wander this world with confidence and exorcise evils with their own choices. The Deities, on the other hand, were dogs from the Heavenly Gods. Freedom isn't one of their choices."

She suddenly flicked her slender fingers and turned to So Eun. Her rings and bangles tuned a noise at her sudden movement.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to offend. Haha." She adds on. All while clearing her throat after.

"The high-esteemed lords who have the greatest reputation are, of course, the Gods from the Heavens. The Leader of all is Emperor Yang Shen."

Li Hua clarified, adjusting her wrist bracelets. So Eun then unwittingly put his chin on his hand.

"It must be tiring to rule the whole mortal world."

He whispered, but Li Hua no doubt heard him, and wordlessly nodded her head.

Then without being aware of himself, So Eun swept his look at Han Min, wondering how Gods and Demons alike do their jobs as a Lord of their realm.

Especially for a Demon King.

That he acknowledged, that those were the things a Deity like him shouldn't even ponder.

Heaven and Nether Realm was above and below, same as such beings like a Deity and a Demon.

But presently, the two of them had watched a show together and conversed with the people on a busy day like a typical mortal would do.

So Eun looked away when Han Min returned his gaze, a flash of scandalous events went through his mind when he imagined one ordinary person recognized them escaping Palace Guards.

What chaos he would have brought to Han Min if that happens. Which will happen sooner if they didn't move faster.

So Eun then decided to cut it here and turned to the maiden,

"Li Hua, about the matters I have to do, I meant to do that first," He smiled lightly, glancing at Han Min.

Li Hua appeared to be less bothered, and smiled at him in return, causing her eyes to squint.

"Go, I have matters to do as well. I'm just glad to procrastinate by storytelling for a minute."

Then So Eun finally found the courage to gaze Han Min in the eye.

"We'll go then." He enunciated, nodding at him and bidding the maiden his last formalities.

So Eun went for the entrance again, noting the other's faint footsteps following him behind.

But within seconds of their steps, a thin voice screeched out and Li Hua was beside them,

"I forgot to mention if you guys are looking for an Inn to stay the night. My old man's friend is the owner of the Happy Luck Inn beside the Glazed Lake Manor."

She uttered, giggling in between when So Eun confusingly receive a pass card she offered.

He looked up to awkwardly refuse, but Li Hua is not having it.

"Ah, I know what you'll say, why don't you just go to the Glazed Lake Inn? Do not. Their rooms are too crummy for a Deity, and I heard that that establishment was once a place for a cemetery. Therefore, the wisest decision is to go to Happy Luck Inn."

She looked proud of herself which leaves So Eun speechless, but the truth was, he just didn't know what to say.

And so Han Min suddenly joined in, "We understand. Thank you."

He sends another bow that successfully earns a satisfied grin from her.

Crossing the threshold of the entrance, Li Hua waved at them until they were out of sight.

Leaving So Eun and Han Min with a new pass card up to his sleeve.