"The most powerful rule." He shrugs a little. Democracy isn't exactly a xianxia staple. Imagine if Luo Binghe had had to be elected as the Demon Emperor. Ridiculous.

Shang Beida is sturdy enough to be grabbed onto, even if it is awkward. Maybe it would have been less weird to just pick the guy up. "Ah, it's-- easier for cultivators, I can channel spiritual energy through my feet and sort of... stick to it. But I don't think you have that advantage." Should he offer to just pick him up? The guy is several inches taller than him and way more muscular, that would definitely look bizarre. But it's not like anyone else is around. It does seem vaguely weird to pick up a man who isn't his boyfriend, but it's a purely utilitarian thing, it's fine.

The other man being flustered makes him notably easier to relate to, because Shang Beida too is flustered a large proportion of the time. "Sorry, I know it's not the most... convenient. Hopefully it'll level out soon."