Chapter 13 A Different Way to Protect
He shoved me back hard. I slammed into the doorframe of the meditation chamber.
I watched helplessly as the blinding light swallowed everything. The roar shook me to the core.
When the light finally faded.
The small courtyard lay in ruins. The fence was shattered, deep cracks scoring the ground.
Fa Hai stood in place, kasaya torn, a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth. Yet he stood tall and steady.
In mid-air the heavenly general's silhouette had dimmed. His face twisted with shock, fury, and disbelief.
You... you actually damaged your Buddhist foundation for a mere demon and defied heavenly might?!
Fa Hai wiped the blood from his lips. His eyes were cold as eternal ice. Get lost.
The heavenly general's silhouette flickered violently a few times. He seemed to want to say more, but finally just glared at us and spat, You two had better watch yourselves! before vanishing completely into the air.
The oppressive pressure lifted. Silence returned to the world.
Only the wrecked courtyard proved what had just happened.
Fa Hai's body swayed.
I rushed over and caught him. Are you okay?!
He looked down at me. The mad killing intent and coldness in his eyes slowly faded, returning to the calm I knew. But his face was frighteningly pale.
I am fine, he said, voice hoarse. His gaze scanned my face, confirming I was unharmed, before he breathed a slow sigh of relief.
He lifted a hand, as if to touch my cheek, but saw the blood on his fingers and lowered it again.
Scared you? he asked.
I stared at his pale face, the blood at his mouth, the torn kasaya. Remembering his words about stepping over his corpse, my nose stung.
Who is scared! My voice came out with a sob. I clumsily wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with my sleeve. Have you gone mad? Fighting him head-on like that! If you cannot win, why not run? Weren't you always the best at chasing me down?
He let me wipe awkwardly, his deep gaze fixed on me. His eyes shifted, the hardness shattering before softening into something soft and clear.
I cannot run, he murmured, a faint, almost imperceptible smile in his tone. If I ran, what would happen to you.
My tears fell then.
Why are you crying? His rough thumb finally brushed gently across the corner of my eye, wiping away the wetness. You little demon.
He paused, looking straight into my eyes. His voice was low and husky yet perfectly clear.
From now on, he said, I will protect you in a different way.