GODLY AUDIENCE - SHANG QINGHUA

[divus]

Comments

[divus]

[it'll make sense if her mask comes off i promise]

Oh, that? There are plenty of ways you could use it. You could show them something they really want and use it to get them to join us. If you're in danger because someone's decided to try and off you, you could distract them with it so you can get away. It just depends on how smart you are about using it.

[nosediving]

. . . Can I use it on myself?

[divus]

...I mean, sure, if you really wanted to. But what's the point?

[nosediving]

If I want to be smart about using a power like this, I should intimately understand how it works first. Just throwing it around everywhere won't help anyone and might even be detrimental in the long run. Don't you agree, Great Ambition? Ah, I guess I'm a little curious to see how it unfolds, too . . .

[If it hurts, he'll sue.]

[divus]

...well, I guess that's fine, then. It's good that you're thinking about it that way.

[It shows he's sticking around for the long haul.]

So, sure, use it on yourself. That won't be totally useless.

[nosediving]

[He fears what she might do to him if he were to bow out before he's done his part. Maybe he'll be stuck in this faction forever. Why can't he have normal employers for once? His heart can only take so much. One of these days, he's going to keel over from the stress.]

I am curious, though, about one of its applications that you mentioned. If I were to use it on a participant who's after me, would I really be able to use it and get away? What if the timing doesn't work?

[divus]

Then throw a brick at whoever it is and run.

[ c: ]

[nosediving]

[Is she talking about the stone he's been carrying around religiously?]

Great Ambition, I hate to tell you this, but . . . there is no brick in my possession. I understand what you mean, though. I shouldn't rely on things like chance so much. In order to serve you better, I will strengthen myself accordingly.

[From this day onward, he'll work out so that he can run even faster than before. Cultivate his combat skills? Who's got time for that!]

[divus]

[she gives a heavy sigh]

And what's your plan for that, exactly?

[nosediving]

I come from An Ding Peak, where hard work is valued above all else. It's a quality that perfectly suits ambition, don't you think? I'll figure something out. I always do.

[If he can be relied upon for anything, it's how he miraculously survives all kinds of disasters. At the ripe age of seventeen, he was the sole survivor of a demon attack, and it wasn't just luck that saved him! If he can jot that down on his resume, he would. Please believe him.]

[divus]

[S I G H S.]

We'll work out together. I haven't been doing that enough lately anyway.

[nosediving]

[She's not smacking him, so he considers this a smashing success without the smashing.]

Uh . . . work out?

[Not work it out, but work out? Does she want to hit the gym with him? That's not dignified!]

[divus]

How else are you going to strengthen yourself? We'll borrow Cunning's arena in the armory. It'll be fine.

Unless you're afraid?

[nosediving]

[No! Ambition is taking this too literally. If there's one thing that should be taken in a literal sense, it's this: An Ding Peak means Peaceful Peak!]

N-no, of course not. Great Ambition, I am henceforth yours to do with as you please . . .

[divus]

Then you'll meet me in the arena every afternoon.

[yikes.]

[nosediving]

[He wants nothing more than to find a bed and die in it.]

. . . I understand.

[divus]

[not allowed]

Good. Was there anything else?

[nosediving]

No, Great Ambition. I won't waste any more of your time.

[Please go, so he can have a moment to cry alone.]

[divus]

See you tomorrow.

[since joining ambition's team qinghua has not known a moment's peace




and he will never know it again]