“With great skill and dexterity,” he jokes, even managing the faintest smile before he shifts his posture again, lightly tapping the rod against the ground about half a foot in front of him to make certain he won't run into his new companion while he follows.

“Actually,” Po Xiao pauses briefly to adjust the bag at his side then moves a step or two closer before continuing, “I got this far by doing exactly what I am now: listening to your footsteps.”