Ling inhaled from the pipe to steady his nerves before replying "Xi'an is a nation of customs of unfathomable antiquity. You have no need to be self conscious of your traditions."

He reached out his arms to offer the king a chance to also use the pipe, though he was unsure if he even had lungs.

"May I suggest taking a hit? It's become quite fashionable to smoke in the past few decades."