As he already took notes about Yue's fragile personality, Noire proceeded to introduce himself under the alias of 'Siyu Noire', then followed a long session of explaining the situation about Becca's annual corps plan and the truth about Yue's childhood village.
God knows how long it took for Yue to eventually accept reality. She sat in a corner of the cave hugging her trembling knees o her chest. Her eyes were as dim as the bottom of a pot, her hair descended to caress her forehead and grim face whilst she spent the rest of her sleepless night in contemplation.
By dawn, she glanced at Noire with complicated feelings in her eyes. From one aspect she was grateful that he saved her life twice in a single night; from the bandits, and from the so-called harvest that awaited her in the distant future. On another aspect, she hated the fact that he bestowed the truth on her, she now felt horrible because, deep down, she's glad she will live regardless of acknowledging the doom of everyone she knew.
'Sigh...' Yue sighed deeply before she spoke in a tone matching that of a mosquito. "You mean that my body is also suitable for cultivation?"
"Yes," Noire nodded in approval.
"And although you're strong enough to eradicate the royal family, you won't, because you want to improve your human practice?"
"Exactly,"
"If I follow you, will I be strong enough to avenge my family in the future?"
"..." Noire didn't know whether he should answer or not. He's not an expert in regards to human practice, he doesn't even know the stages of the so-called cultivation because these complicated stages are something only humans can bother to fabricate. The extension of his knowledge is creating a dantian to accommodate world energy. Sigh.
"Although you can start to cultivate, that's the extension of what I can promise. I don't even know if you have the talent to rival mediocre cultivators let alone royal vampires. If you want my advice, stop being foolish and know your place. Today you escaped misfortune, don't work hard with whatever life you gained only to return to this dumpster."
Noire heard a lot of stories back in his days about how humans make rash and improper decisions. The fact is that her family had the misfortune to live in such a gray area, but the vampires had to survive one way or another. It's not an abuse of power, it's simply the ecosystem. Humans are truly foolish, Noire thought inwardly after he gave his answer.
Yue was lost in thoughts for a good minute before she gave a dejected sigh. She knew she was reaching beyond her reach, but deep down she wanted some excuse to convince herself she wasn't so heartless to enjoy her life and ignore the misfortune of her family. Noire seemed to read her thoughts and he spoke out loud.
"You're not heartless, you're helpless. Your family now believes you're dead, and they will live on without batting an eye. Why can't you do the same?"
- - - -
It took a while until Noire managed to clear any signs of hesitation in Yue's heart. He eventually convinced her by saying that it could take decades or even a century for her to reach anything remotely close to decent cultivation in comparison to royal bloodline. By then, not one person would remember her let alone appreciate her fighting the vampires, let alone support her. Her life is no longer that of a poor girl, but the subordinate of a cultivator aiming towards Godhood. Death happens, they concluded their debate with that.
Currently, Noire and Yue were inside a fashion store in a fairly crowded city at the outskirts of the mountain range. The city was called Steep Snake City after the renowned Viper Mist sect that governs it. Yue had to wear Noire's white robes temporarily whilst Noire equipped himself with black robes and a black mask. He had to conceal his eyes and face for obvious reasons.
Although he could reshape his pupils from vertical to circular ones, the radiance of his gaze was still a pending issue that needs a solution. Once he gathers enough money, he would buy modified contact lenses. On the other hand, Yue was embracing the robes as if they're already her priceless treasure.
"Welcome kind sir! What can I help you with?" The shopkeeper asked enthusiastically.
Noire merely glanced at Yue who took a step forward with a bashful smile as she spoke...
"I need clothing, a full set, please... And a bath..." She surely didn't want Noire to spoil her, but alas, she lost the argument as always. Noire convinced her by saying he already got enough money from Becca for travel expenses and whatnot, and she can't always walk around in male clothing.
After listing the order, a female attendant escorted Yue towards the rear of the shop whilst Noire stood by the reception desk. He was asked multiple times to make himself comfortable on a sofa nearby yet he proceeded to decline. It took about half an hour until Yue returned as a stunning beauty with an aromatic rosy fragrance. She wore a blood-red long dress that wasn't that revealing. Only her slender arms, neck, and facial features were at exposure.
The pure and innocent attire along with her petite body, shy smile, and tan skin... It was a merciless combo that attracted mass attention from people nearby. Yue blushed at the gawking expressions that greeted her before she dashed to glue herself onto Noire's back to conceal her embarrassment. She never felt so clean and elegant that she almost failed to identify herself anymore.
"L-let's go..." She whispered, if it wasn't for Noire's unusual origin, even he wouldn't hear her even though she was practically glued to him, let alone the gentlemen in the hall.
Noire knew idling by would attract unwanted attention so he made a decisive call to pay for the treatment and leave the shop as fast as possible. The last thing he needs is to launch a massacre in broad daylight using prowess belonging to his native land.
- - - -
Yue eventually equipped herself with a black veil matching Noire's mask. She felt closer to her benefactor like this, and now she couldn't help but look forward to her life as a cultivator. On the other hand, Noire was lost in thoughts processing the information gained from Becca regarding the power balance in this 'world', and how to plan his successful migration.
No family, no background, no connections... Sigh, it'll be a while.