Graham had expected something like this to come to pass.
It didn’t mean he had to be satisfied with it. He sat quietly, letting the silence drift between himself and his guest, taking his sweet time to unravel the politics and intentions behind Seoyun’s actions.
The NUM pulling something was to be expected but the lady exorcist’s presence was undoubtedly suspicious. What did a respected member of the Sanlongyan stand to gain in this situation?
Seoyun was not perturbed by her host’s lack of response. She took the time to savor the coffee, enjoy the depths of its flavor with dainty sips. The light that filtered through the windows gave her an ethereal glow, contrasting her somber attire.
“Why are you here?” Graham eventually asked, putting his own cup down to give himself the room to cross his legs and setting his hands over his knees, quietly scrutinizing his guest. Though he was never one that could read other’s expressions well, it did not stop him from interrogating them.
Seoyun was in no rush. She took her time before responding, “There is still time to make preparations. The official summoning will only occur when the rest of the team has dealt with the Black Lily Coven. I came ahead of time in order to give you ample warning. After all, I have much respect for the Immortal of Star Mirror Lake and find that the New United Merriva Sector to be…disrespectful with their treatment towards her legacy.”
Graham maintained a stoic visage even when he inwardly rolled his eyes. Ridiculous. Who was this brat to sprout such nonsense? “You are telling me that a child like yourself has come out all this way merely to honor the legacy of a deceased hero. Ruyan died before your time.”
If it had been anyone else calling Seoyun a child, she may have reacted differently. But under the Saint of Eternity’s criticism, she didn’t so much as flinch. “The Sanlongyan has wishes to honor the Immortal of Star Mirror Lake’s legacy—”
The Saint of Eternity cut her off with a sharp tone, “It is not Sanlongyan, but Duan Beichen who wishes to honor Ruyan’s legacy.”
Seoyun, undaunted, nodded, “And the Sanlongyan will follow the wishes and intentions of Chairman Duan.”
“…” Graham still did not trust her. “I see.”
Again, they fell into a tranquil drawl. Even the tension that simmered between the two funeral-garb-wearing people appeared to be mild at best.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Time trickled by slowly. Graham contemplated chasing her out but there was still something lingering on his mind. A soft clattering sounded between their silence when he put down the delicate china.
“Zr. Abcu,” Xgjtjw’r nblmf rewwbcfv tfg jaafcalbc, tfg rtjgq yijmx fsfr iloalcu ab wffa tlr bkc, “lr atfgf jcs ab yf vbcf jybea atf mbcrmglqalbc? Cr Ljc Ol’r ifuji bqfgjabg, P tlutis vlrmbegjuf Ljc Ol’r lcnbinfwfca lc j ijguf-rmjif vfwbc fzbgmlrw. Rba bcis lr tf ecdejilolfv, yea tf lr cba wfcajiis rbecv obg remt j wlrrlbc. Ktf glrxr tf wluta qbrf bc remt j wlrrlbc jgf yfsbcv atja bo tlwrfio. Lf tjr yffc oliilcu atf Dbjgv’r gfmbwwfcvfv debaj bo ijaf rb P ojli ab ecvfgrajcv kts tlr lcnbinfwfca lc atlr pby lr cfmfrrjgs. Coafg jii, atfgf jgf qifcas bo batfg J-gjcxfv jcv fnfc D-gjcxfv lcvlnlvejir jnjlijyif.”
“…” Seoyun raised a delicately plucked brow.
The tension in the room rose. There were plenty of hidden intentions behind Graham’s words.
For one, neither of them was new to the world of hunting. It was true that operators had some degree of influence over the kind of work their clients partook in and write letters of recommendations or even request to pull their clients out of conscription from time to time.
But both of them already knew that it was futile in Han Li’s case.
Legally, Graham had the grounds to disagree with the Board’s decision and even take a cause to court. But practically speaking, that was hardly convenient. Convenience aside, there was also the issue of going against a decision set into place by the Board with the New United Merriva Sector’s backing, which thus called for an equally powerful sway on the Board to contest the summon. In other words, Graham didn’t have nearly enough political pressure to change the outcome of things at this stage.
Not to mention, Han Li’s registration papers were technically incomplete! Many still waiting on his signature for filing. Of course, Graham wasn’t about to bring up this detail.
Which begged one to ask why he even bothered speaking about such a thing.
And while Seoyun could understand that the situation wasn’t as simple as it seemed on the surface, she was also not privy to Graham’s own goals and priorities.
But did Seoyun even care?
That was another question altogether.
Her expression told of nothing. She was not different from a perfectly sculpted porcelain doll, eyes slightly lidded, relaxed, and unconcerned. “I suggest that you do not waste your time on such pointless affairs. Why not prepare for the mission instead? I’m certain there are plenty of things you’ve to get in order, not only for yourself but also for Han Li.”
“…” He nodded in understanding and confirmed that Seoyun had no personal stakes in the matter. If she did, she concealed it expertly. But then who was it behind her pulling the strings? Who in Sanlongyan stood to gain from this buffoonery?
It seemed that Graham would have to contact Duan Beichen sooner than later, though he suspected that the man had still yet to get over the decades’ long gripe he had against Graham.
In short, it was one mess after another. Graham was more than happy to see Seoyun out after they finished their coffee, displeased by the trouble that she had left him in her wake. And just as suddenly as she appeared, she was gone.
Ah, and Graham didn’t even have time to order a maid.
There were a ton of chores still to get done.
Graham, stone-faced, got down to business right away, wasting not a single minute to power through each and every task that was on his long to-do list.
Cleaning service ordered, wendigo slaughtered, groceries acquired, a few lies written for a report, and then…ah yes, the wine and the candles. He would have to order those in as well, there was no time to stock them up personally. Especially not when he had to make another trip to visit Han Li to deliver the bad news. The day was almost over by then.
Ah, Graham thought with mild annoyance, just when everything had been going smoothly.
His foot came down on the accelerator, swerving past a slew of impatient, honking cars. The slurs and curses that came out of rolled-down windows were at least, in part, amusing.
Too late to pick him up for dinner, Graham surmised. Then he could do nothing more than show up at Han Li’s door. He got into the car straight away.
And though Graham might be a person with little expression and more often than not specialized in earning the ire of those around him, he did not actually enjoy playing the villain. He was trying to think of something that might soothe Han Li’s reaction to the news, but Graham’s mind was coming up blank.
What did Han Li like? The Saint of Graham thought very hard about this. A frown pulled at his lips as a list began to form in his mind. At the hazardous speed he was driving, Graham was due to arrive at his destination quite soon and he had to make a decision quickly if he were to stop somewhere to buy an impromptu gift.
From Graham’s knowledge, he knew that Han Li enjoyed food. All manners of food in fact. But it was a late hour in the evening and there was no telling if Han Li already had dinner or not. It did not seem appropriate to bring food as a forewarned apology gift.
Han Li also liked those Housian animations. But those things were completely lost on Graham. Though he could find himself entertained by the flashy colors, absurd dialog lines, and even stranger proportions and body physics, Graham could never quite understand the plots, characters, or purpose of those shows no matter how much Han Li rambled on about them. That too was out of the question.
What else did Han Li like? Graham was forced to slow his driving. The sky had darkened but the streets still glowed with activity, lights saturating each corner where cars competed for space between the lanes.
Based on Graham’s observations, Han Li had a decided interest in men over women. But the types he gravitates to are of Kevin’s variety; an easy-going and personable type, fundamentally incompatible with Graham’s entire existence.
“…” It seemed that somehow the Saint of Eternity’s thoughts had veered off course and no solutions were procured by the time he reached his destination.
But this wouldn’t do.
Graham did not leave the confines of his car after it was parked and instead folded his arms over his chest and closed his eyes in thought.
It was then that an epiphany suddenly dawned on him, coming in a form of an old memory from an old friend.
And it just so happened that Han Li lived just a block away from a jewelry shop that matched Graham’s aesthetics and demand for quality.
Perfect.
Author: I swear the fun and action will soon begin….S-SOON. But before that, have some pointless exposition and random fluff(to come)??
Random fluff is always accepted! (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧
Thank you for the chapter!!! ❤️❤️
U w U; I swear I write weblit just for the sake of dumb random fluff lololol
thank you for reading smol egg <3
After reading the chapter title I thought we would get Han Li’s perspective (his thoughts always veer off curse when he observes Graham’s butt 😏), but we got Graham’s PoV and it was very amusing. I’m really looking forward to what kind of jewelry Graham will buy for Han Li and how he’s going to break the bad news. Thank you forthe chapter!!!
TO BE FAIR- He has very distracting buttocks, it’s only natural that Han Li’s eyes be wandering- AHEM
I’m glad you were amused by the inner thoughts of this big dumdum.
thanks for the chapter! <3
Someone who can out-Graham Graham????????
B A F F L I N G IM GOING TO TAKE OUT THE S L I P P E R REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Graham is so adorable and so gay in this chapter ^_^