Veiled Sunfolds II

Noah didn't blink.

He simply stared at Master Shen, the white-gold brilliance reflecting off the hard line of his jaw.

"I'd be fearless even if I could die," he said flatly, his voice quiet, layered in something colder than defiance. "Besides…aren't I some sort of prize now? Being escorted like fragile loot?"

His gaze remained unreadable as he added, "Why should I fear anything at all?"

...!

Master Shen stilled.

Then, he laughed.

Not the wild, drunken belly-laugh from before, but a smoother, deeper chuckle that curled at the edges with something like…approval.

"Well," he said, "looks like you've got self-confidence." He tapped his gourd with one knuckle, the Infinite Gourd chiming like a bell that didn't belong in this layer of existence.