"Hmm? I hadn't thought of that!" Red Raven said, puzzled. He hated thinking; it always gave him a headache. But Mowen continued his relentless chatter.
"If I'm not mistaken, most of the people around us are no longer human. They're more like disguised living corpses! Their features are those eerie black buds, flowers, black lines, and various scars on their faces and bodies. It seems they're controlled by some creature.
Some, though, don't seem fully controlled. They still have their own thoughts. When they see those who are heavily controlled and bloodthirsty, they react with fear and run away.
But why do we still look like ordinary people?"
"You know, usually even bandits have no interest in me, but to those mythical demons, I look like a piece of meat. Do you think it's possible that eating my flesh would grant immortality?"
"Hahaha, cough, cough," Red Raven, the monk, laughed out loud at Mowen's sudden comment, then coughed uncontrollably.
"So why would catching me benefit them?"
Red Raven took a gulp from his wine cup, casting a sidelong glance at Mowen, a hint of depth in his eyes."Do you have power? Strength? Money? Without these, what can you do? Knowing so much, what good does it do you?"
Mowen furrowed his brows."Master, who exactly are you? Are you here to protect me?"
Red Raven sighed heavily, his irritation clear."Why so many questions? You're driving me crazy!"
Red Raven's initial intent was to keep Mowen, the person he was supposed to protect, as ignorant as possible. This way, he could easily control the situation and make up anything. He'd learned this trick from city authorities.
Facing a young man whose curiosity was expanding and whose emotions were highly charged after surviving a disaster, Red Raven grew impatient. He sullenly lowered his head to drink, ignoring Mowen's endless questions.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Mowen's eyes twinkled with an idea. He smiled and suggested,"Master, just drinking is no fun. How about we play a game of rock-paper-scissors to spice things up?"
Red Raven's interest piqued immediately."How do we play?"
"It's simple. The usual rock-paper-scissors game. Rock crushes scissors, scissors cut paper, and paper wraps rock. The winner can ask a question, and the loser has to drink a glass of wine. Dare to play?"
"What are you talking about?! Such a childish game, what's there to be afraid of?!"
"But you have to tell the truth, or drink a full glass of wine!"
Red Raven glanced at the one-ounce wine glass provided by the restaurant, snorted, and stretched out his large hand disdainfully."Let's start!"
In the first round, Mowen lost. He chose scissors, while Red Raven had rock.
Mowen shrugged as if he was unlucky and downed a large glass of wine."Do you have a question to ask?"
Having won the first round, Red Raven felt a good omen and was pleased. But seeing Mowen drink while he couldn't, his joy dimmed.
Thinking for a moment, Red Raven pushed aside his chopsticks."Alright, can you tell me who you are?"
"Who am I?" Mowen looked a bit stunned.
Red Raven also feigned profundity and didn't continue.
"Master, don't you want to know who I am, where I come from, or where I'm going?" Mowen asked, puzzled, echoing the three classic philosophical questions.
Red Raven looked confused into Mowen's eyes."So what's your connection to Buddha?"
"Master, you've got it wrong. I'm not a disciple of Buddhism. Of course, I highly respect Buddhist thoughts and the monastic rules."
"Does your family have any Buddhist relics hidden? Or did your father give you something of special significance? Otherwise, why would my master want to protect you?"
Red Raven stared intently into Mowen's eyes, not missing a single reaction.
"Master, there's sleep in your eyes!" Mowen, unnerved by the stare, pointed out.
Red Raven rubbed his eyes."Really none?"
Mowen answered earnestly,"Indeed, there's none! Besides, you've already asked 3-4 questions, which is a bit against the rules."
Red Raven laughed heartily and raised his glass."I'll punish myself with three cups," he said, silently applauding his own cleverness.
But then, Red Raven realized his luck seemed to have run out. He kept losing and had to answer Mowen's questions truthfully.
"Hmm, I have indeed heard about that serpent demon. It's a magic general skilled in devouring and poison mist."
"Master Red Raven, what is a magic general?"
"In history, there were ten great demon kings. Each demon king had numerous magic generals, ranging from dozens to hundreds. The most famous demon king was Chiyou, who was revered as the god of war a thousand years ago.
He was the leader of the Jiuli Tribe and engaged in fierce battles with the Yellow Emperor. It's said that Chiyou had immense power and magic, capable of controlling the weather and creating fog.
Eventually, the Yellow Emperor, with the help of the Flame Emperor, defeated Chiyou and sealed him away.
Under Chiyou, there were a hundred magic generals, always plotting to unseal Chiyou and reclaim their lost lands."
"So, you're saying they're followers of Chiyou?"
"They're just descendants," Red Raven said dismissively, but thinking of how he had struggled with such small fry, he felt a bit dejected.
"Do you know their real purpose for coming here?"