The cold wind and wild mocking laughter killed his desire.
Rage flared within him.
With a sharp glance Calyx Poison sprang into the air.
It shot toward Fan Moxi like a falling star.
Fan Moxi moved quickly aside.
The blade struck the wooden pillar behind him with crushing force.
It pierced clean through.
Xie Lin had struck to kill.
Yet with an audience and Ji Youyou having spoken Yu Xuanhe’s name he felt shame rise again.
He did not want to betray Xuanhe in body.
He wanted to leave.
He wanted silence.
Ji Youyou saw him pause.
She strained to lift her knee.
She aimed a blow at him.
Whether he sensed it or chose that moment to pull away Xie Lin turned aside.
Her strike missed.
He stood fully clothed.
His face was dark and ugly with anger.
Yet even so he possessed a dangerous beauty.
Like a flowering thorn lovely and poisonous.
Fan Moxi glanced at him with disdain.
To him all were equally base and ugly.
Xie Lin was nothing special.
He looked softer than a man should be.
Fan Moxi scorned him in his heart.
A pretty thing playing the man.
In truth they shared a certain kind of beauty.
Xie Lin was fair and delicate yet still held a trace of masculine strength.
Fan Moxi was radiant.
He was beautiful beyond any heavenly maiden.
Do not think I dare not kill you.
Xie Lin spoke low and dangerous.
You cannot.
Fan Moxi replied unimpressed.
If any fool could slay me heaven would not have troubled to seal me here.
Xie Lin said nothing.
He gave a cold snort.
He offered no explanation for what he had meant to do.
He recalled his sword and departed from the tower like a restless ghost.
Ji Youyou remained trembling where she lay.
Fan Moxi watched her and laughed.
I have been here centuries and seen nothing.
You arrive and I am treated to such spectacles.
My eyes have truly been opened.
Ji Youyou found no humor in it.
Is it funny?
It is indeed.
He laughed again.
A deep weariness came over her.
She curled in the corner drawing her knees close.
She hated being so helpless.
Fan Moxi studied her.
She was unlike any woman he had known.
He had been a king once.
He had seen countless beauties offered to him.
He had never cared for women.
He had given them to his generals instead.
He had often watched and taken pleasure in their distress.
But this one was different.
She seemed less concerned with honor than with survival.
Have you no shame?
Ji Youyou looked at him.
What do you mean?
You were assaulted.
Do you not feel you should die rather than suffer such disgrace?
To Ji Youyou his words sounded ancient and rotten.
She did not wish to answer.
But anger at what she had endured broke through.
So I should weep and rend my garments?
Should I seek death?
Will that restore what was taken?
Honor is a chain men have forged to bind women.
I am the victim.
Why should I punish myself?
I will love myself.
And if I can I will kill the one who did this.
Fan Moxi stared astonished.
He had never heard such words.
Her reasoning unsettled him.
She seemed stronger than he.
You are…
He paused.
He had always thought women frail and soft.
She was nothing like that.
You are most interesting.
Is there anything else?
May I have some peace?
I am very tired.
You interest me.
That is most unfortunate.
Fan Moxi frowned.
You dare answer me so?
He grew serious and stepped closer.
I will ask you one thing.
Do you want to leave this place?
Ji Youyou saw the flaw at once.
If you knew a way you would have gone long ago.
Why ask me?
Do you think I will praise your cleverness?
Fan Moxi smiled faintly.
Sometimes a genuine offer is lost through too much suspicion.
She softened toward him.
He had intervened for her.
Thank you.
Yes.
I would leave if I could.
I do not wish to be at the mercy of others.
Fan Moxi stroked his chin.
Good.
At last you speak politely.
She said nothing more drawing her knees tighter.
After a silence Fan Moxi spoke.
We will speak of leaving later.
I have something to show you.
What is it?
Follow me.
They descended two more levels.
The space was dim and narrow.
A great pool of water filled the chamber.
It glowed deep crimson.
Bubbles rose steadily.
Steam curled upward.
The heat was intense.
Ji Youyou was bathed in sweat.
What is this place?
She stepped carefully peering into the depths.
Fan Moxi crouched by the water.
He held his hand over the surface.
He made a soft calling sound.
A ripple spread.
A pale pink head broke the surface.
It was a dragon scarcely larger than a snake.
It leaped onto his palm.
Fan Moxi stood and showed it to her.
Look.
Its skin was gone.
Raw flesh showed everywhere.
Veins and wounds were visible.
Fluid seeped continuously.
It was pitiful and grotesque.
Is it a snake?
Ji Youyou drew back.
Do not fear.
It will not harm you.
It is an ancient dragon.
It has been sealed here for millennia.
It speaks in its delirium.
It calls one Master.
And one Aobanyi.
I believe that is its name.
And what of it?
It should have dissolved into dark spirit long ago.
It clings to existence out of devotion to its master.
That is touching.
I have a plan.
You may use it to escape.