The RV set out the next morning.
As usual, it followed a rough track across the wilds.
Lu Mingxuan remained tightly bound on the sofa.
No one had spoken to him since the previous night's conversation.
The long, exhausting pursuit, his experience with the melon seeds, and the strain on his nerves had worn him down.
Once he'd relaxed in the second half of the night, he could no longer stay awake and had fallen fast asleep.
Soft snores sounded through the living area.
Yunlian was alone in the bedroom. Su Jin drove, with Du Wenyan beside him.
They watched the road in silence.
At last Du Wenyan asked, "Brother Wu, how did your talk with him go?"
"Well enough. I put some pressure on him. Winning him over will take time. I have to wear down his resistance, then rebuild his trust. Once he knows us a little and calms down, I'll tell him everything."
"I still think it's too dangerous."
"There's some danger, but not so much while he's tied up. He's easy enough to handle. He may not fear death, but he does fear dying without dignity."
Su Jin reassured her. "Wenyan, you need to set aside your prejudice. Shen Yufeng commands part of the Xuanjia Army, which helps the court hunt Suzai. Are we going to refuse to work with him too?"
Du Wenyan sighed. "As long as Yunlian is safe, I'll leave it to you."
"I won't hurt either of you. When Lu Mingxuan wakes up, don't speak to him. Just watch what he does. Otherwise, you and Yunlian can go about your day."
Su Jin handed her his silver gun. "Hold this to keep him in line. He won't dare move at such close range."
"The immortal gave it to you. How could I use it?" Du Wenyan declined.
"You can't fire it. Only I can. Just hold it so he thinks you could."
At that, Du Wenyan accepted the gun.
....
Lu Mingxuan woke around noon.
He opened his eyes to the strange room and the green trees passing outside the window.
Despair washed over him.
He lowered his eyelids, rested his head near the window, and stared out blankly.
What a terrible day. If only it had all been a dream.
But the strange room and the burning pain in his backside reminded him it was real.
Su Jin was preparing food at the induction stove. Du Wenyan and Yunlian sat opposite Lu Mingxuan.
Before long, he heated up two packets of prepared dishes.
Braised pork with preserved vegetables, kung pao chicken, and rice.
Their rich aroma filled the RV.
Lu Mingxuan looked down as his stomach growled loudly. He felt even worse.
Damn it.
There was so much oil in those dishes, and even the rice smelled good.
He was Tanyu Temple's foremost disciple, yet he ate dry rations on the road while these three fugitives feasted.
They had a comfortable house and delicious food.
Hungry and surrounded by the smell, Lu Mingxuan tried to distract himself.
He looked around the room.
Its furnishings were odd but comfortable. Many devices bore writing he couldn't read, and he had no idea what they did.
The long strip overhead seemed to be a lamp. It gave off a soft white light.
What sort of flame shone white? He'd seen yellow light the night before. How did that work?
There were two seats at the front. Su Jin must sit there to pull the vehicle.
The space below must be empty; otherwise, where would he find room to exert himself?
The sisters picked up their bowls and began eating happily.
Su Jin opened a tin for himself. "We'll make do with this simple food. Brother Lu is a great master of Tanyu Temple. He wouldn't want any."
"Tanyu Temple's masters live on wind and dew," Du Wenyan said drily. "Ordinary food might sully their immortal bodies."
She picked up a trembling slice of braised pork, both lean and fat.
Its rich aroma drifted toward Lu Mingxuan.
Du Wenyan laid the glossy meat over her rice, letting its red sauce soak the grains.
Then she took a mouthful of pork and hot rice and chewed with obvious pleasure.
Lu Mingxuan swallowed. He could almost imagine its rich flavor and texture.
At last he spoke. "Du Wenyan, you have money and friends. Only for your sister did you join these criminals. Can you face your parents after that?"
Du Wenyan stopped eating, her chopsticks gripped tightly.
Su Jin looked at her, tapped the table twice, and turned to Lu Mingxuan.
"You've got nerve, trying to turn Du Wenyan against me right in front of me."
"What does it matter? I'm starving," Lu Mingxuan said, swallowing.
"If you want food, say so. Don't make a speech about it!"
"What do you want from me?" Lu Mingxuan demanded. "You leave me here, and I don't even know your name!"
"Wu Zihao. You can call me Brother Hao."
"Hmph. Brother Hao..."
"Do you want to eat or not?"
Lu Mingxuan closed his mouth.
Su Jin picked up a bowl of prepared dry-mixed noodles by the stove, stirred in the seasonings, and offered him a bite.
Lu Mingxuan accepted it. The aroma alone was almost more than he could bear.
He had been terribly hungry for a long time.
One big mouthful, and the noodles' unfamiliar flavor filled his mouth.
His eyes widened. He drew a long breath, as if he wanted to inhale the noodles through his nose.
Then the corners of his mouth began to twitch. He wanted to smile from sheer pleasure.
He was a prisoner. Smiling over a mouthful of noodles before his captor would be humiliating. He must only feel this way because he was hungry.
Yet the strong flavor and chewy noodles made him want another bite.
"Good?" Su Jin asked.
Good? They were so good he wanted to shake with delight.
"They're all right," Lu Mingxuan said coolly. Then he added quickly, "Barely edible."
"Then never mind. I'll find something better for you."
Slurp!
Su Jin ate the rest of the noodles in one go, then opened another tin.
Shit!
Lu Mingxuan stared at the empty bowl, miserable.
My noodles!
He cleared his throat and kept his face still. "Actually, they weren't bad. What better food would you find in the wilderness? I'm your prisoner; I can't be picky. I can eat noodles."
I can eat noodles~
The sisters both rolled their eyes without letting him see.
"You should have said so. That was the only bowl. It's gone."
"???"
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