The person gave him a long look. Qiu Yunru felt the skin on the back of his neck prickle. This was really a bit uncomfortable. After saving someone on the verge of death, they didn't trust him enough to thank him once...
He sighed internally. He supposed that it made a little sense. Who knew how long this person had been in the Demon Realm? It was natural to become guarded in a place like this...but still...it hurt a little to not hear a "thank you"...
"...Thanks," the man muttered begrudgingly.
Qiu Yunru felt himself perk up, embarrassed at how much a little "thanks" could affect him. He nodded kindly and held out the bowl of Blood Replenishing Tincture once more.
"You should drink the rest of this. You're still not doing well."
"Tell me about it," the man grumbled, taking the bowl and gulping the rest of the mixture down. Qiu Yunru was satisfied; there was some color returning to his face now.
It was a pleasing face. With a heavily masculine jaw, his man's eyebrows and lashes were thick, but there was still a beauty to his features. His eyes were sharp, giving the sense that he was extremely serious. Looking at him as a whole, he had to be just a few years older than Qiu Yunru.
The man handed the bowl back. He looked at Qiu Yunru with narrowed eyes for another long minute. Then, he sighed.
"I suppose it's not impossible. What's your name, cultivator? I can tell we're of a similar level."
"This one is called Wang Zhi. And you?"
The man startled. He looked suddenly pale again, staring at Qiu Yunru with shocked eyes.
"Ah...what is it...?" Qiu Yunru said awkwardly. "Is the name familiar to you...? It's a name I've been using in the Demon Realm to hide my identity. My real name is Qiu Yunru."
The man relaxed. He coughed awkwardly, wincing as the bandages dug into his toned chest. "I see. Are you wanted here?"
Qiu Yunru nodded. "It seems I've offended many demons. I've had to wear this mask and change my name to avoid being hunted down. Thankfully, it's worked quite well. Sir, what about you? What's your name?"
"You can call me Liao Li. I was a cultivating student at the Twelve Inks Sect."
"The Twelve Inks Sect?" Qiu Yunru raised his voice in excitement. He coughed awkwardly, feeling embarrassed once again. He had a great interest in the lore of each world in Spring Blossoms, Autumn Fruits, and thus had done much research on the Baohu Mountain Range sects. However, he hadn't gotten to know too much about the Twelve Inks Sect. It was the artistry peak of the range, producing artists who went on to create legendary artifacts and build wondrous cities.
Liao Li raised an eyebrow. "Are you interested in the Twelve Inks Sect? You don't seem the type to have trained there."
"I'm from the Jade Clouds Sect. It's true that I'm no artist, but it's still amazing what disciples of Twelve Inks have created! I've read a lot about the Scroll of Jade and the Ice Gourd. It's really fascinating that such everyday forms of art can be transformed through magic and craftsmanship into legendary objects. I've heard..."
Qiu Yunru trailed off, suddenly aware that he was babbling. He cleared his throat and let out an awkward laugh. "Well, it's interesting to me for sure."
To his surprise, upon looking up, Liao Li's expression was both sad and amused. His mouth was smiling, but his eyes were heavy. He looked away suddenly upon seeing Qiu Yunru's puzzled expression.
"You remind me of someone I used to know," He mumbled. "It's not important. Anyhow, how long have you been here? I assume you're trying to escape?"
QIu Yunru was puzzled by this. However, Liao Li clearly didn't want to talk about it, so he pretended his curiosity wasn't so piqued. "I've been here just over a week now. Li-ge is correct; I'm trying to find a method of escape. I was hoping you might know a way."
Liao Li sighed, relaxing against a tree trunk. He shook his head. "Unfortunately, I haven't found a way out, either. I've been here for a year."
Qiu Yunru's eyes bulged out of his head. Holy shit...
What a miserable thing to endure!
"A year? Li-ge must be incredibly tired. What have you been doing all this time...?"
"Trying to survive," Liao Li grumbled. "I've almost died a thousand times. Both of my wrists have gotten weaker over the past few years, so it's been difficult to fight. Thankfully, I've managed to make it this far, but I've made no progress in escaping."
"I wonder if it's a form of carpal tunnel. What sort of art do you practice?" Qiu Yunru murmured to himself, eyeing Liao Li's wrists. As an artist, it must be difficult to not eventually injure one's wrists and fingers through overuse. Sculpting, painting, and weaving all could cause weakness.
When he looked up, he was surprised once again to see that Liao Li was staring at him once more. However, this look was much more intense. Qiu Yunru felt as though his own eyes were being bored into by two lasers, or like he was a bug squirming beneath a microsope.
"Ah...what is it...?"
"Did you say carpal tunnel?" Liao Li's eyes were narrowed to slits.
Qiu Yunru frowned.
Indeed, he had said that. However, why should it be strange to this person? Though 'carpal tunnel' wasn't a term in this game and was indeed a word from the modern world, there were thousands of diseases and maladies that existed in Spring Blossoms, Autumn Fruits. Seeing at Liao Li was an artist and not an alchemist or medic, why was he confused? Most people would assume it was simply a term they hadn't heard before...
Yes, that must be it. He must be confused by the name.
"It's a condition, where one's wrists can grow weak and tingly," He explained. "Overuse is a common cause It can be quite common for artists and musicians."
Liao Li's suspicious expression didn't clear. In fact, his eyes seemed to only narrow further, until one could barely see them! He tilted his head, looking Qiu Yunru up and down once more.
"Do you know what instant ramen is?"