Relying on the apparent details, it wasn't difficult to analyze what had just taken place.
The sword-riding cultivator had apprehended Han Xuhan at a speed beyond human response. Carrying Xuhan, he had jumped back on the flying sword. The outcome was now painted on the back of his robe.
He wasn't sure if they had reached whatever destination the cultivator had in mind. The flying sword had crashed in the middle of a spacious mountaintop. Not too far away from where they had landed, a temple-like building was vaguely visible in the ever-present fog.
The atmosphere was quiet and serene, with no hint of the bustle of the flatlands reaching here. The only noise nearby was the cultivator's groans of disgust.
Han Xuhan ignored the man and focused on his own well-being. The arrest hadn't caused any other harm except the nausea induced by flying. A gentle breeze was circulating the mountains with unnatural smoothness, soothing his wrecked nerves.
As he struggled to stand straight, a woman wearing the same red uniform appeared from the direction of the temple. She was rather short, looking to be in her forties by mortal standards, the white streaks in her hair contributing significantly to her stern face.
"Elder Rong! Is that a mortal you've dragged along on your back? How many more times must you be warned? Do you want the sect master to resort to harsher penalties?"
Her roar was so powerful that it left a ringing sensation in Xuhan's ears. His arrester, Elder Rong, looked at her with grieving eyes.
"I had to arrest him by law! And I wasn't even flying that fast! Elder Cai, you know how hard it is to control a 250 kg flying sword. Once this guy started throwing up on me, I lost control of the acceleration. How is it my fault?"
"Looks like you got what you truly deserve, Elder Rong. There are many other ways to bring in a mortal to the mountain peaks. None of them would lead to...this," she retorted, glaring at the mess Han Xuhan had made everywhere.
"But flying is flying; the blue sky is every young man's dream! Have you ever met a mortal who doesn't want to cut through the sky on a great flying sword! I was doing him a favor!" Elder Rong said, getting defensive.
Turning his back on the woman, he winked surreptitiously at Xuhan.
"Hey, you loved it too, right? It was awesome, right? SAY. SOMETHING!"
His intent was clear. He felt neither guilt nor shame in making Xuhan go through the ordeal. He'd even repeat it, given the opportunity. But now, he wanted Han Xuhan's support to avoid being chewed out.
Han Xuhan rose to the occasion by coming to stand by his side, and throwing up another massive load again on his discarded uniform. This one ensured that Elder Rong would need proper cultivation magic to cleanse it properly.
"....Hahaha." Elder Rong's laugh was very stiff.
"I'm sure he's just too excited. I threw up a lot too when Teacher demonstrated greatsword telekinesis techniques to me for the first time. He'll learn to love this feeling, just like we all did!"
Ignoring his antics, the woman approached Xuhan and handed him a colorful scarf.
"Clean up now, come on, young man! You don't want to meet the sect master with a makeup of vegetable soup on your face!"
Han Xuhan took it gratefully, wondering what business the sect master of Crimson Snow Sect could possibly have with him.
Was it about his ancestry? Most likely, yes. But he couldn't figure out what exactly he could expect.
Meanwhile, Elder Cai continued to grill Elder Rong.
"...Are you sure you haven't become a sadistic demon who gets off on destroying children's dreams of flying on a sword?"
"This is called projecting, hmph! You're accusing me of a behavior that you yourself exhibit!" Elder Rong roared, clutching the hilt of his sword.
"What do you mean by that? You better explain yourself, brat!"
"First you explain why I would want to traumatize these young mortals about riding a flying sword! Do you think it's addicting? Do you think it's fun to see them swear off flying for the remainder of their life?"
"It sure looks like you're taking great pleasure in doing it!" Lady Cai growled.
"I am not! I swear on it!"
"Swear by the heavens?!"
"...I swear it on our esteemed sect master's head. If I lie, may a thousand tribulations fall on him when he's flying!"
Thumping his chest to express his honesty, Elder Rong turned towards Han Xuhan, only to find him calmly wiping off the traces of vomit from his face with the unsoiled parts of the discarded uniform.
"She gave you a scarf! What the hell are you doing?!" He yelled with a twisted face, hoisting the greatsword above his head with a mighty heave, as if he wanted to bury Han Xuhan right then and there.
"Her scarf was too small. And your robe is already soiled anyway. What can a few more wipes do?" Xuhan replied fearlessly.
It was his small act of vengeance, however petty and meaningless it might be. Besides, he was almost sure by now that these cultivators didn't intend to kill him right away.
Sure enough, Elder Cai began to snicker audibly, flashing him an approving look.
"Well done, young man. And you, Rong brat, put that damn thing down! Escort him to the sect master like you've been ordered to."
"...." Elder Rong sulkily obeyed, giving Han Xuhan a clearer understanding of their relationship.
Elder Cai seemed to be his senior as an Elder, even though they both looked to be in the same age bracket.
Silently, the man grabbed Han Xuhan's hand and dragged him toward the temple behind her.
Once again, Han Xuhan felt that these cultivators were a bit off from what he had imagined them to be based on the novels he used to read.