"So, young man… how's the family doing these days?"
His voice was raspy, worn by time.
"Well, Elder. I wanted to speak with you about—"
"Ah… you can believe it, kid…"
I froze.
" …? "
"I never really wanted to become Patriarch. Even though I was the heir, all I cared about was cultivation… and smoking the best herbs. Spending eternity inhaling the smoke of exotic hallucinogens…"
I stared at him, incredulous.
*'Why is he telling me his life story?'*
He sighed, his gaze lost in the void.
"Ancestor, I'm in a hurry—"
"Such was my disappointment when I reached the immortal stage…"
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
"No substance, no herb could give me pleasure anymore. I was completely immune…"
"Ancestor, I need you to stop the current Matriarch before she starts a war that will involve the entire Upper Realm."
He looked at me for a moment, then resumed in a monotone voice.
