Chapter 18 #4
He shook his head, tuning back in to the conversation once more.
Lao Tie was showing a certain military competency, positioning Tang and Wu Xien at the front, with Alex flanking them just a few feet forward and to their left, and Kuaisu, speedster that she was, taking the rear where her quick reflexes would allow her to hopefully cover all three sides and prevent them from getting flanked, calling out for help as needed, while the heavy hitters among them faced various threats head-on.
Lao Tie turned to Ya Ling. “Forgive me, fellow cultivator, I’m uncertain of your path… and you must be warned, Waste Qi will quickly accumulate when we dare the depths we’re planning, even with the harsh winter gusts blowing so much foulness away.”
Ya Ling smirked. “Well then, I guess it’s good that both speed and Wind are my forte, so no need to fear on my account. I’ll serve as a fellow flanker, light and quick.”
Their leader gave an approving nod. “And if I’m not mistaken, you’re wearing enhanced beast scales under your silk robe.
A wise choice for defense, but unless you have strong runes for the desert cold…
” He then pulled several fur-lined jackets and caps from the packs they had been provided, before handing out the attire to those who requested it while placing the packs in what Alex was certain was a priceless storage pouch. “Just in case it’s needed.”
All the girls took the finely made winter attire with smiles of genuine appreciation. Linnea and Rachel both found reason to spin around in front of Alex, showing off their wares, and for just a second, he saw them measuring each other far less as partners and far more as competition.
“He’s mine.”
“Of course, honored battle sister. You will be a worthy first wife.”
“Ya Ling will be second.”
This earned a deferential dip of Rachel’s head even as Alex and Ya Ling both shared a blush and awkward smile, pretending they hadn’t heard a thing.
Yet Lao Tie was still frowning, gazing Alex’s way with obvious concern. “For all that I was both awed by your proficiency and inspired by your enthusiasm, I can’t help but notice that you, who have declared yourself a frontline fighter, appear to lack both armor and…”
His words trailed off when Alex smiled, held up a finger, went over to Linnea’s too-light backpack, and proceeded to pull free a fine mail hauberk of steel that had most recently been worn by one of Dongfang Hong’s hidden elites that he had taken care of earlier, with an emphasis on speed.
The advantage with steel mail, Alex thought, in addition to it being extremely flexible and light enough for even a mortal to comfortably wear for days on end, was that straps and ties were commonly used to ensure a snug fit, which Ya Ling helped tie off for him.
Which also meant that most mail hauberks were made on the larger side, so they could fit most men with few deviations needed.
One additional advantage of Alex’s six-foot-two frame, looking as fit as any well-rounded Bronze without being absurdly oversized like the near seven-foot-tall Wu Xien, was that he could fit pretty much any armor made for serious Bronze soldiers.
Alex gave a satisfied smile when a beaming Ya Ling secured a final tie, saving him a few precious seconds as he confronted Lao Tie’s curious look.
“Quite remarkable. To find a Ruidian carrying so much steel so comfortably.”
“Isn’t it? And is it safe to assume that delver’s courtesy is in effect?”
This earned a polite eyebrow. “Delver’s courtesy?”
“What happens in a delve stays in that delve. From this moment on, whatever talents or tricks we reveal for the good of our fellows will be revealed to no one else without our consent.”
Kuaisu chuckled. “A Ruidian with secrets. Who would have thought?”
“I have no problem with that,” Lao Tie assured with a smile. Not so surprising, Alex thought, considering that a wujen was far more likely to have secret and varied techniques than the average pure body cultivator.
“Good,” Alex said, as he then proceeded to pull a fine steel open-faced helm from a grinning Linnea’s back pouch, earning a scowl from Tang.
“Wait, there’s no way that backpack was holding…” His eyes widened with surprise when Alex then mimed pulling free one of his razor-sharp and nearly unbreakable fangtian ji. “By WiFu’s whiskers! That fangtian ji’s six feet long! Just how potent a storage device does his wife carry?”
“Shall we?” Alex said, casually gesturing toward the entrance they even now approached, a swirling mix of brilliant color flashing like the starry heavens… and the utter darkness of the void.
Kuaisu chuckled. “You really are full of secrets, aren’t you, Ruidian boy?”
“To the extent I’m actually Ruidian, sure.”
Wu Xien and Tang exchanged an oddly intent look, before turning to their leader.
“Lord Tie…”
“It’s fine,” their party header declared, cutting the air with a quick hand gesture, earning several deferential nods in turn.
Lao Tie then smiled warmly at them all. “Come, my friends. Let’s link arms and get ready to enter as one.
Should any of us break up, no need to panic.
The greeting room is a singular phenomenon, so we should still appear right next to one another.
Still, this is good practice for when we jump through to Winter.
Now is everyone linked up? Good. On my mark… through the gate!”