So I'm running my mouth, is that it? [ How has he not depleted his private arsenal of peanuts? Where do they keep coming from? Why is his archery so often overlooked, yet his marksmanship on this occasion thrives? ]

And it's inconveniencing you? [ The vein on his forehead threatens to bulge, pop and erupt with volcanic fervor. ] How does it feel?

[ Have a last peanut, tossed for show. Enjoy, while Xue Meng finally coaxes back enough of his bearings to his pocket to tame the slow tremulations of his shoulders, the feverish quality of his cheek.

Then, softer: ] ...where are we? No. I've been told. I've heard the — [ Nonsense. ] Where's shizun?