The Unresponsive Duo

Zi Qian paced restlessly within the confines of the assigned room. The dim illumination cast a shadowy ambiance, and despite the absence of external light, a subtle glow emanated from a scattering of candles nestled in the corners, offering the only source of luminance.

The room lacked opulence, featuring only a modest bed and a simple table adorned with a lone teapot. A small shelf cradled a handful of books, creating an unassuming library. In this moment, Zi Qian's primary concern rested not on the room's simplicity but on escaping the unknown confines. His mind fixated on the urgency of rescuing the fox, the key to locating Xing Xing. Drawn to a glimmer of hope, Zi Qian's gaze fell upon a window in the room. A sly smile played on his lips as he approached it, contemplating a potential exit strategy.

"I suppose they were rather foolish to place a window here," Zi Qian mused, his smirk betraying a hint of confidence. However, as anticipation heightened and he pushed the window open, his triumph morphed into surprise. The once-promising aperture revealed itself to be fortified with bars, reminiscent of a jail cell. The irony of his predicament echoed through the room, punctuating the realization that escape wouldn't be as straightforward as he had initially hoped.

Zi Qian's fingers trailed along the unyielding bars, a desperate attempt to find a chink in their armor. His grip tightened as he seized the cold metal, determination etched across his features. With a surge of strength, he pulled with all his might, sinews straining in the effort. However, the bars remained steadfast, resisting his persistent endeavors.Defeated, Zi Qian abandoned his futile attempts, settling into a seated position beneath the window. His legs crossed in a contemplative posture, hands supporting his chin as he pondered, a whirlwind of thoughts racing through his mind. With an ominous creak, the heavy door swung open, revealing the arrival of two masked guards. Zi Qian's puzzled gaze locked onto the intruders as they gestured for him to rise. As he stood, confusion etched across his face, the two guards positioned themselves—one on his left, the other on his right. In a synchronized movement, they interlinked their arms with Zi Qian's, forming an eerie trio that moved with measured steps. "Hey, excuse me, sir. I promise I won't pull a disappearing act. No need for this arm-in-arm stroll, trust me," Zi Qian quipped, a playful chuckle escaping his lips. Despite his attempt at levity, the guards maintained an unwavering silence, their stoic expressions undisturbed by his jest.

"By the heavens, have the guardians taken a sacred oath of silence? It's like conversing with shadows—none of them ever utters a word," Zi Qian mused, adopting a playful pout. "And pray, esteemed sirs, why dwell in perpetual darkness? Has someone failed to appease the spirits of illumination? A bit of radiance could truly enhance this abode," he remarked, subtly shaking their entwined arms in a whimsical attempt to dispel the somber atmosphere.

Frustration simmered within Zi Qian as his attempts at lightening the mood fell flat. Despite his usual outgoing nature, anger welled up, a rare occurrence. The first instance had been with Jiahao, and now, this marked the second. Deathly glares fixated on the two unresponsive guards, Zi Qian abruptly yanked his arm away from their grasp. Placing a hand defiantly on his hip, he stood, fixing an intense gaze upon the guards. "EXCUSE ME, SIR! WHEN SOMEONE SPEAKS TO YOU, A REPLY WOULDN'T HURT!" His words dripped with anger as he forcefully poked their foreheads with two fingers, demanding acknowledgment. Yet, the guards remained stoic, their unmoving figures concealed behind inscrutable masks. Zi Qian let out a resigned sigh, muttering to himself, "Hey! Hey! Hey!" Waving his hands theatrically in front of the unresponsive guards, he hoped for any reaction. To no avail. Undeterred, Zi Qian resorted to comical antics, contorting his face into exaggerated expressions—fake crying, sticking his tongue out, all in an attempt to break the silent facade. But, once again, the guards stood unwavering. Zi Qian, now wearing a mischievous smirk, entertained a peculiar notion. "Why not hit them?" he pondered, a whimsical glint in his eyes as he contemplated the absurdity of the situation. Undeterred by the lack of response, Zi Qian extended his hand, delivering a series of experimental hits to the guards. First, a slight tap on their shoulders, hoping for any acknowledgment. No response. Unfazed, he escalated his efforts, delivering more forceful punches to their stomachs, yet the guards remained immovable. It was as if they were as hard as unyielding walls, impervious to any sensation of pain. Even the most powerful of punches failed to elicit a reaction, leaving the guards steadfast in their unwavering positions. Zi Qian, growing more perplexed by the guards' unyielding nature, couldn't help but mumble to himself, "Pff, are they even human? Or perhaps they're puppets being controlled by a demon?" He chuckled at the absurdity of the situation and also at his horrible fate for being stuck with them. Zi Qian, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, contemplated the motionless guards. "Let's see what can be done with you guys," he mused, stroking his chin in mock seriousness. His hand ascended gracefully, tracing an invisible pattern in the air. Lo and behold, a whimsical talisman materialized, hovering before him. Zi Qian plucked it from the air with a flourish.

"Since you won't move a muscle or utter a word, let's test the effects of this special talisman," he declared, brandishing the ethereal charm. In a theatrical move, he conjured two more talismans, resembling intricately inscribed pieces of paper. With a sly chuckle, he strategically affixed both talismans to the impassive foreheads of the guards, as if initiating them into an otherworldly ritual.

"Ah, the mystical wonders of enchanted paperwork! Let's hope it awakens the dormant chatterbox in you," Zi Qian quipped, suppressing laughter as he awaited the absurd outcome. In a delightful twist of farce, Zi Qian, buoyed by the whimsy of the moment, exclaimed, "No response again! Time for my grand escape!" With the self-assuredness of a runaway hero, he turned on his heels, ready to embark on his daring dash to freedom. However, in a turn of events that could only be described as hilariously anticlimactic, the talisman, seemingly unimpressed by Zi Qian's bravado, casually detached itself from the guard's forehead, pirouetted through the air, and descended gracefully to the ground.

Before Zi Qian could revel in his anticipated getaway, the unyielding guards swiftly seized his two ears, yanking him back with a surprising force. "AHHH! WHAT THE HELL! THAT HURTS! LEAVE ME, SCUMBAGS!" Zi Qian howled in pain, futilely attempting to swat away their grip. His envisioned escape transformed into an unintended scene of agony as the guards maintained their firm hold on his ears.As the guards propelled him forward at an unexpectedly brisk pace, poor Zi Qian found himself caught in a whirlwind of ear-related distress. His ears, now resembling two scarlet beacons of agony, elicited sympathetic winces from any onlookers. The pain etched on his face transformed his would-be escape into a comedic spectacle, and he couldn't help but emit occasional yelps that harmonized awkwardly with each step.