“Nothing?
Not even the tiniest hint?” His hands deftly wove through my fur.
I laughed.
“Nope.
My Dao is a secret.
I’m never going to tell you.”
“I’m your husband.
I should know my own wife’s Dao.” He grumbled.
“Never going to tell you.
Never.” I felt his hand pause as he found a bug.
He stuck it in the pot where it fell into the acid and dissolved.
He refused to eat bugs.
Even though they were tasty little morsels.
“Must be embarrassing then.” He gave me a cocky grin, leaning forward so I could see his face.
“I’ll figure it out eventually.
You can’t hide it forever.”
“If you couldn’t figure out Xaoge’s there’s no way in hell you’re ever going to figure out mine.” He leaned back, finishing up at the base of my tail
“Ugh.
Whatever.” He pushed up from the ground.
“I’m done grooming you.
Let’s get dressed and we can head out.”
Right.
It was time for us to say goodbye to Bing and Dong.
It’s been fifteen years since they’ve had their big fight.
And about ten since they’ve made up after five years of groveling from Bing.
Since then, Bing has taken her duties seriously.
Instead of throwing a fit every time the elder asked her something, she’s accepted and got it done.
She asked for advice and help when she needed it.
And she’s been much happier, with more cordial relationships with the clan overall.
Her collar came off three weeks after the fight, telling me she had no intention of leaving the clan while she was fighting with Dong.
And she learned more about leather working from her mother with me to make money while on the road.
She was still Bing.
She was irreverent, crazy, and bold.
But she had also grown up.
Even if she didn’t want to be the next leader, she accepted her role.
And fulfilled it faithfully.
She even seemed to enjoy it now that she was letting herself.
She had a way with people, and a surprisingly adept mind for planning ahead once she stopped and thought for more than two seconds.
Now, the elder and her parents have given their blessing for her to start her Dao journey.
And Dong was going with her, for his own journey.
They decided to head to Dumincheng first at our suggestion.
Once we were dressed, we headed out, facing the summer tundra in the cool morning air.
The sun was circling above the horizon, and we went to the southern side of camp.
It was the height of summer, and the temperature rarely made it above fifty degrees.
There was already a small crowd there.
Bing and Dong were in the center of the crowd, accepting well-wishes and goodbyes.
They had heavy packs loaded with skins and special plants to sell when they made it to civilization.
Bing waved when she saw us.
We made our way through the crowd to them.
“Ming, Zhi!
Um… thanks.
To both of you.
You guys have helped me a lot.
Ming, thanks for always being my friend.
Especially back when you guys first came.”
I smiled.
“Of course.
I’ll always be your friend Bing.
Here.” I summoned a flute I made from bone.
“I made this for you.
It’s a treasure, if you use your ice chi in it, it’ll plunge the immediate area into below-zero temperatures.”
She took the delicate flute with a smile.
“So, no brazier can stop me now huh?
Thanks.
This will be a huge help if we run into trouble somewhere warm.
I have something for you too.”
She reached into her pack and pulled out a beast core.
Wait, that wasn’t a beast core… I looked up at her in amazement.
“Where did you even find a demon?” I took the demon core gingerly.
It was… low Core Formation.
That was impressive for both of our levels.
“It was from a bird out here on the tundra.
Just barely felt it and then found it was killing off as much plant life as possible with ice.
Dong helped me kill it, and we’re keeping the rest of the materials, but this is from him too.
As thanks for bringing me home when I was being an idiot.”
He gave me a nod and I smiled at both of them.
“Thank you.
Really.
I’ll be able to make an incredible treasure or pills with this.
I hope the two of you make it far in your cultivation.”
Bing nodded and turned to Zhi.
“Thanks for pushing me and not taking any of my shit.
Even when I interrupted you and Ming that one night—”
Zhi stiffened up and interrupted her.
“Okay!
I think it’s time for the two of you to head out.
For as annoying as you are Bing, I’ll miss you.”
She smiled and turned.
“Once you reestablish the Liu family, I’ll challenge you to a duel!
You better be ready for me!”
“Oh, I will be!
Goodbye Bing.
I know you’ll make it to Golden Core.” I felt my eyes mist over, thinking about the difference between the Bing who held her guandao at us when we first met, and the Bing now.
She would probably still try to rob us.
But it would be for fun now.
With a few more goodbyes and some tears from her parents and some wise words about ice from the elder, the two started off, trekking southbound into the tundra.
Through the fields of grass and wildflowers, the perpetual sun seeing them off.
Ah.
I flashed the demon core into my storage.
I was going to miss our mornings together.
Giving her advice, blowing off steam, and just chatting.
But the next time we would see her, she’ll be worldly.
Well-traveled and grown.
I’m sure we would have a lot to catch up on.
The two vanished into the distance and the crowd dispersed.
Once everyone had gone back to camp, Zhi pecked my cheek.
“In another few years, that’ll be us, heading east and sailing to the eastern continent to meet the Green Roots Clan.
Soon I’ll have mastered water chi.”
He took a step towards camp, and I followed him.
“How many techniques do you have left to learn?”
“Only two, but they’re the two most difficult.
They’re called Pressure Slice and Tidal Force.
But I’ve already got the basics down.
It’s just a matter of practice at this point.” He grinned again as we made it to the center of camp.
“I’m heading to the training ground.
What are you going to do now that Bing is gone?”
“Well, I have a demon core now.
Maybe I’ll brainstorm ideas of what I can make with it.
Maybe a defensive treasure for you?” Hmm…
“Meh, a good defense is a good offense.
Maybe you should save that core for another sword for me.”
“You already have Bonecarver.
That’s a water-based treasure sword.
You don’t need a second one.
And I have a good idea, but it’ll take a while to do.”
He shrugged.
“It’s your gift.
You should use it however you’d like.
Maybe you should make something for yourself for once.”
Maybe… or maybe not.
With a see you later we parted.
Demon cores were more valuable than beast cores because there was demonic chi inside.
Known for it’s chi-boosting abilities and incredible offensive power., demon cores were favored for weapons and offensive treasures.
But… Demonic chi was useful for defending against the very same chi.
If I got more cores… extracted the demonic chi…
It would take a more than the single core I had now.
A lot more.
Especially to defend against a Nascent Soul or higher-level demon.
But a treasure that could turn away demonic chi could save Zhi’s life when the time came to finally confront Xaoge.
I would buy every demon core in the world if that was what it took.
Zhi’s life was too precious to leave up to chance.
So, my first step would be to extract the demonic chi, leaving only the ice chi which I could channel into an elixir…
I planned for the future, unaware it was catching up to us far faster than I thought.
Shouts through the camp jolted me awake.
Ugh, what was… Zhi stirred too and sat up blearily.
“Whuz going on?”
“Emergency!
Emergency!
Everyone to the center of the camp for an emergency meeting!” The crier’s voice faded in and out as he ran outside the tent.
I shook myself awake.
Something was going down.
“Zhi, we need to hurry.”
“Ugh, grab our rings.” He reached over and tossed my ring to me.
I slipped it on my finger and flashed my clothes on he did his.
Another minute later, we were out of our warm tent and in the sunny night air of the tundra.
A crowd had gathered in the center of the camp, and as we got closer, we saw the elder with… Bing and Dong!?
But they left yesterday?
Why…
The elder held up his hand.
“Silence!
Please, silence!
Bing and Dong have returned to camp, and I fear they have some bad news to share.
Now, tell them what’s going on.”
Bing stepped forward.
“We weren’t even a day away from our camp when we saw an expedition force of cultivators!
More warriors than our entire tribe has!
Made up of two sects, the Frozen Glaive Sect, and the Soaring Skies Sect!”
My blood ran cold.
Gasps and cries ran through the crowd.
Parents reached for their children, and warriors for their weapons.
I felt a hand take mine.
I glanced up at Zhi to see a dark expression on his face as he watched Bing.
The elder took control of the situation.
“Enough!
Silence, everyone!
We cannot lose our composure!
This is not the first time our tribe has been targeted, and I doubt it’ll be the last!
Begin packing up your tents!
We will be retreating onto the ice floes.
It would be foolhardy for any cultivators to challenge the Ice Blades tribe there!”
The crowd rapidly dispersed and people began to pack up everything they could carry.
I turned to go, but Zhi stayed rooted in place.
“Zhi?”
“Hold on.
I want to talk to Bing and the elder first.” Okay then.
I followed him up to where they were standing.
The elder sighed.
“You two.
Please, follow me.
Bing, come along.”
“Yes sir.” She parted from Dong, who joined the warrior’s, accepting a spear in preparation for the coming battle.
The three of us went to the elder’s tent, where he turned back to us now that we had privacy.
“While I can understand being targeted by the Frozen Glaive Sect, we all know the Soaring Skies Sect isn’t here for us.”
Zhi nodded.
“I understand.
Ming and I will head east.
Away from the tribe.”
Damn.
“What about your training?”
“I have the basics of the last two techniques.
The elder sighed.
“It’s a shame your training must end like this.
After you successfully complete your training with the Steel Forge Clan, come back here so I can formally assess you.
You should be more than powerful enough to pass the final test by then, but still.
It’s tradition.”
“We will.
I swear.
As soon as we grab the rest of our things from our tent, we’ll head out.” Zhi held determination in his eyes.
This was really it.
Damn it.
Perhaps we were pushing our luck trying to stay in one place for so long.
While a three thousand li radius encompassed most of the northern half of the empire, if searched long enough they were bound to find where I was eventually.
That coupled with the fact the Frozen Glaive Sect came too meant they had likely heard about our escape and how two monkeys had made trouble there with a fugitive from the Ice Blades Tribe.
This… was inevitable.
In fact, it was more incredible that it had taken this long.
This really was goodbye.
I looked up at Bing.
“We’ll send you an invitation to the party after we finally defeat Xaoge.
See you later.”
Bing hesitated before nodding.
“I have to stay with the tribe and prepare for the attack.
But be careful.
I didn’t get too close a look but… I think I saw an elder from the Soaring Skies Sect directing the attack.”
An elder.
Xiaobao?
Whoever it was, it was time to go.
“Thank you, Bing.
Goodbye.”
With that, Zhi and I left to grab the rest of our things in our tent.
It was just a few furs and the brazier to keep the tent warm.
We broke down our tent, and took it to Bing’s parents, who also gave their goodbyes.
Then we took off, heading east across the tundra.
I turned back to look at the tribe hastily breaking down camp one last time.
I’d never forget the northern lights here, or the people we shared them with.
Even if it was a little too cold for my liking.
“Ming?
Is something wrong?”
I turned back to Zhi.
“When we come back, I should bring a few more braziers.
Then we can give them to the tribe to thank them for everything.”
He chuckled.
“They’re ice cultivators.
The cold is like a warm blanket to them.
You just like giving gifts.”
Urk.
We started off again, walking away from the clan, finding our footing through the tall grassy meadows the tundra had become.
“W-Well I can make something that makes it colder then!”
“Colder than this place can be?”
Ugh.
“You’re such a smug bastard.”
“Don’t act like you’re not sweetheart.”
“Never call me that again.”
His eyes lit up.
Oh no.
I should have pretended to not care.
“Oh?
You don’t like that adorable nickname then.
Sweeeeetheaaart.”
“Babygirl.”
“Oof.
Well, at least you have an embarrassing nickname now.
But sweetheart, really?
That isn’t nearly as bad as babygirl.”
“Sweetheart is bad enough.
It’s just so… cheesy.
And unoriginal.”
“But it encompasses all my feelings for you.
My sweet heart.”
“Uuuugh.
No!”
We kept moving even as we argued and teased each other throughout the night.
We didn’t stop for the next three days, constantly moving forward, eating on the road, but I ran into our first problem.
While we stayed with the Ice Blades tribe, my stock of food had run low and I only had about a month stored away.
We needed to stop and get provisions before we set sail.
The second was that shortly after discovering this, we both felt someone’s chi senses sweep over us.
We both froze.
We shared a look as the chi senses burned on us.
Then we started hauling ass, southeast.
The chi senses eventually faded, but the damage was done.
They knew where we are now.
But we could move quickly, especially when Zhi picked me up and started using the Tidal Force movement technique to fly us through the air.
We could outstrip any Core Formation cultivators on our tail.
But it wasn’t the Core Formations I was worried about.
I was worried about that elder Bing saw.
Just in case, I prepped something left behind by the immortal.
A powerful treasure, but it was single use only.
I would only use it in an emergency.
But that emergency did catch up to us.
“Shit.” Zhi threw a look over his shoulder.
“There’s someone back there.
And they’re gaining.”
Fuck.
I scanned the landscape.
“Could we try to lose them in the trees?” We were close to the treeline of the tundra, but they were still sparse and small.
“We don’t have any better options.
Let’s find a hidden spot and get ready for a fight.”
This cultivator was at least in Golden Core.
Likely higher.
We stood no chance if it was Xiaobao.
I swallowed and gripped the treasure, trying to even out my breathing.
“Zhi, if something happens, leave me behind.”
“Hell no.”
“Zhi—”
His voice was firm.
“No means no Ming.
If they want to take you from me, they’ll have to rip you out of my arms.”
“But they probably only want me.
And they probably need me alive.
You can come and rescue me when you get stronger.”
“And just let them do whatever they want with you in the meantime?
Ming, no.
Don’t write yourself off so quickly.
We still have your trump card.”
I swallowed, my nerves worsening as the figure in the distance steadily drew closer.
Zhi landed where the trees began to get a little thicker.
There were even a few bushes I could hide in.
He set me down.
“Go hide.
Prepare your surprise.
I have a feeling we’re going to have to use it.”
I swallowed thickly.
“Okay.
But let me make you something first.”
I grabbed a branch and started drawing a large formation into the ground, working around trees.
Once it was complete, I pulled a defensive treasure I made out of a water beast core and handed it to Zhi.
It was a necklace, made of bone.
“Okay, this formation will steal your opponent’s chi while boosting yours.
It should help level the playing field.
And this defensive treasure will make it so their Dao-empowered attacks aren’t as strong.” I strung it around his neck and stood on tip toe to press a kiss to his lips.
I softly caressed his cheek, fear making a tight little ball in my stomach.
“Zhi, no matter what just survive.
Once I see an opportunity, I’ll use the treasure.”
He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply before letting it out, pushing it through his nose.
He leaned into my hand, reopening his eyes, which were filled with conviction.
Certainty.
“I’ll make you that opportunity.
I swear it, Ming.
I won’t leave you behind.”
Good.
I reluctantly backed up.
And cast myself in an illusion, activating my hidey ring.
I went to some nearby brush, ducking underneath.
Now Zhi didn’t know where I was so he couldn’t accidentally give away my position.
I cast a defensive barrier over myself just in case any stray attacks came my way.
And waited.
It didn’t take long.
An unfamiliar cultivator.
He had long black hair and icy blue eyes, like Zhi, but also not like Zhi.
The way he moved was uncannily graceful.
Like I wasn’t looking at a person, but something masquerading as human.
Moreover, he looked like a young man, but wore the robes of an elder.
No.
It couldn’t be.
“Li Xaoge.” Zhi drew his sword, and it slipped out of its sheath without a sound.
Pure white, made from the horn of the porpoise, water-aligned, but it could channel other types of chi efficiently as well.
Its name?
Bonecarver.
Xaoge looked over Zhi with disinterest.
A haughty expression, and his eyes stayed cold.
“I know Xiaobao told me it was you, but I still find it hard to believe.
Liu Zhihao.
You survived.”
Zhi’s eyes glowed with fury, and began to circle Xaoge, who matched his steps.
The two bitter enemies circled around the small clearing, ready to act when one of them made the first move.
“I did.
And no matter how many times I have to be reborn, I will have my revenge.”
Xaoge scoffed.
“Revenge?
You do not know the meaning of the word.” A fierce aura blasted off him, making my barrier wobble.
Zhi gritted his teeth and stood his ground, lowering his stance to withstand the impact.
He shouted in fury, defiant of the deathly aura.
“You killed everyone I cared about!
My parents, my aunts and uncles, my cousins!
All because your parents were on the wrong side of a war.
And now you seek the only person I have left.
Well, fuck you!
She’s my wife!
And you will never have her!”
Xaoge drew his own sword, a wickedly sharp steel blade with a gilded handle.
“She was never meant to be yours in the first place.
She was brought here for me.
I don’t know how you interfered with the reincarnation process, but I know you did.
I am just taking back what was supposed to be mine in the first place.
Where is she?”
Zhi paused in his steps, before falteringly resuming his pace.
“Uh… S-She’s somewhere you’ll never find her!
Safe and sound!”
Yeah, what the fuck was that?!
I was brought here for him?
He knew I was reincarnated!?
The only person I ever told was Zhi!
And it sounded like something went wrong during the reincarnation process.
Nausea swirled around my stomach.
He said I was supposed to be his.
Like I was some possession Zhi had stolen from him.
“Does she know you stole her from me?
That she was always meant to be with me instead?
Does she know about all of your lies?” Xaoge spat the words out with venom.
Zhi snorted, unimpressed by Xaoge’s anger.
“Oh, she can sniff out bullshit from ten li away.
She loves me.
Not you.
I didn’t steal her from you.
I’m defending her from you.
And even if you did manage to take her, she will never love you.”
“We shall see.” Xaoge stopped walking and rushed forward.
Zhi met Xaoge’s sword with his.
Chi clashed as he used Pressure Slice, a shockwave emanating out from their swords.
Zhi’s a brilliantly blue while Xaoge’s glowed a demonic red.
Xaoge’s eyes widened, and he leapt back, finally taking note of his surroundings.
“A formation?
And that sword… it’s Golden Core.
But you didn’t know any support skills the last time I saw you.”
Zhi rushed at him, and they flew into another series of fierce clashes.
Flashes of light I had to shield my eyes from and desperately look after to see if Zhi was okay.
Bone matched against steel in loud rattles that seemed to reverberate through my bones.
I just pushed my chi through my formation, siphoning what chi I could away from Xaoge and giving my all to Zhi, praying it would be enough.
And despite everything, it seemed like it was.
Xaoge held his ground, but it was clear he had to defend himself.
They were evenly matched despite the massive cultivation difference.
“It’s been a long time Xaoge!
I’ve picked up a few tricks!” He leapt back and unleashed another Pressure Slice.
It flew through the air and Xaoge grunted as he was forced another step back.
Now?
No.
Xaoge wasn’t off-guard yet.
He jumped up, and released an attack, his eyes turning red and a red chi rushing through the air.
Zhi used Tidal Force to dodge it.
Zhi growled.
“Hah!
I see it now.
You are a demonic cultivator.”
Xaoge scoffed.
“Your swordplay has improved.
And this chi… this isn’t your chi running this formation it’s… blank chi.
She’s nearby, isn’t she?”
Zhi didn’t answer.
He stomped onto the ground, sending out an earth shockwave, forcing Xaoge into the air, and he leapt up after him.
No!
My formation could only help if they were on the ground!
Zhi!
I balled my hands into fists in frustration and watched their battle resume.
They were closely matched.
I was forced to wait patiently, for my moment to strike, as Zhi began to falter, but still managed to defend himself from Xaoge’s Dao-empowered strikes.
Xaoge should be stronger than this.
What was he doing?
Wait.
His Dao.
The Dao of Revenge.
He’s already gotten revenge on Zhi, and the scales of karma were now tipped in Zhi’s favor.
Unless Zhi did something bad to Xaoge, he won’t be able to use his full power.
But it was still more than enough to put Zhi on the back foot.
He went into a huge overhead slash, and Zhi was forced to block it, but couldn’t get enough friction with his Tidal Force technique.
The two came crashing back onto the ground, Zhi cratering into the ground under Xaoge’s sword, barely keeping it at bay.
Fuck!
My formation was totaled.
It flickered out.
Xaoge smirked.
His chi grew in strength and began pushing Zhi back, farther and farther, as sparks flew along their blades.
There was only so much he could do fighting someone two cultivation stages above him.
Without that formation, Zhi was toast.
Come on, just one opening.
Please Zhi, you can do this.
Zhi gritted his teeth, holding Bonecarver steady.
He glared at Xaoge, a strange sort of peace stealing over his eyes.
“I’ll never yield.
Not to you.
Not ever.
You’re a demonic cultivator.
As soon as everyone knows the truth, you’re finished.
You’ve fallen far Li Xaoge.
You’ve sacrificed everything in the name of revenge.”
Xaoge laughed, mirthless.
“I’ve fallen far?
You were reincarnated as a monkey.
Such a ridiculous body suits you Zhihao.
I wonder if you’ll come back as a worm next time.
Besides, the cure for my demonic tendencies is close at hand.” Demonic chi was added onto Xaoge’s aura, and his chi was boosted.
Zhi was forced onto his knees.
No.
Nononononono.
I was about to jump out but paused when I saw Zhi smile.
Xaoge did as well, confused.
“Yeah, I wasn’t very happy about it at first either.
But there are definite benefits to this form.
For example.” Zhi’s tail whipped around and grabbed Xaoge’s ankle.
It ripped him off balance.
An opportunity.
I sprang out of hiding and raised the talisman high into the air, covering the distance in a blink.
Xaoge’s eyes widened as I slammed the talisman into him and overrode his chi with mine.
He vanished.
Zhi collapsed, exhausted and breathing heavy.
His chi slowly wound down, flickering off of Bonecarver and I slid next to him, checking him all over for injuries.
“Zhi!
Zhi, are you okay?!”
He was clearly exhausted, but grinned.
“We won.
We actually won against that bastard.”
I mean, it’s not like we killed him.
I just teleported him back to Mount Taiga using the immortal’s final talisman.
But… we did manage to escape.
Against a Nascent Soul.
That was plenty for a victory.
I leaned back, giving Zhi a well-earned grin.
“We did.
We won.”
“Hahahaha!
Not so smug now are you Xaoge!
You were bested by two Core Formations!
Oh, I’d love to see his face right now.” He sat up, still grinning like a lunatic, and pulled me into a hug.
I smiled and hugged him back.
And didn’t mention the fact that my divine chi made formations and treasures more powerful than average chi, that it was two against one, and we had to use a powerful immortal treasure.
But we were still in Core Formation.
There was no denying that.
Besides, he deserved to have a win over Xaoge, after everything he’s gone through.
All his training wasn’t for nothing.
He held his own against a Nascent Soul when it came to pure skill.
He rubbed his face into my shoulder.
“I did it.
I defended you.”
I patted the back of his head, embracing him.
“You did.
No kidnapping today.
Although, from the sounds of it I’m guessing he’s not going to give up anytime soon.”
“You’re right.” He pulled out of the hug, pushing up from the ground.
“What was all that about him bringing you here?
And your reincarnation being messed up?”
I shrugged.
“I don’t know.
Well… maybe I have an idea.
You remember what he said near the end?”
“Uh, about me being a monkey?
And being reincarnated as a worm next time?
Not that I’m worried about something like that.” He laughed nervously, offering me a hand and pulling me up too.
Oh, he was definitely worried about that.
“Not that.
What he said about his cure being close.
He probably meant me, right?”
Zhi paused, thinking about it as I went back to the bush and grabbed our bags.
“That doesn’t make any sense though.
There is no ‘cure’ for inviting a demon into your soul.
Not even divine chi can help him.”
That was my understanding too.
But his cure for his demonic nature had something to do with me.
I was sure of it.
“He also had something to do with my reincarnation on this world.
He said it got messed up somehow.”
“I don’t know why he wants to blame me for that.
Interfering with the wheel of reincarnation is just a little beyond what I’m capable of.
You’d have to be a god to do something like that.”
A god.
Right.
A god was working with Xaoge.
Did that mean there was also a god working against him?
“Let’s get moving.
Xaoge may be far in the west now, but he’ll be making a beeline for here.
Let’s get to a city before that happens.”
He nodded, his victory grin returning.
He accepted his bag, slinging it over his shoulder.
“Right.
Next stop is the eastern continent.
Let’s see Xaoge follow us there!” He smirked and flashed Bonecarver back into his storage ring.
We started off again, heading southeast.
But as we walked, my mind kept going over what Xaoge said.
I was brought here to be his.
That… was a scary thought.
Like, absolute creep levels of stalker and crazy.
He must be the one on the other end of my red string.
I didn’t like that thought.
Not at all.
I grabbed Zhi’s arm and walked a little closer to him.
He turned towards me.
“Ming?
Is something wrong.”
“Nothing just… you’re right.
I shouldn’t give myself up.
Xaoge’s unstable.
Who knows what he could do to me if I refused him.”
Zhi was quiet for a moment before wrapping his tail around mine, and reaching for my hand.
“You’ll never have to.
Just stay close to me.
I’ll protect you.”
The warmth from his rough, callused hand felt comforting in mine.
Xaoge… scared me.
He was stronger than us.
And after me.
With a god on his side, could he force me to fall in love with him?
Worse?
Not to mention I was a monkey.
He didn’t sound too fond of monkeys earlier.
Did he have a way to force me to become human?
I leaned into Zhi, shaking a little.
Now it was hitting me.
Just how much danger we were in.
How much danger I was possibly in.
Being kidnapped by a man who won’t take no for an answer.
Who could force me to be whatever he wants.
I didn’t let go of Zhi for a long time.