Never could he have imagined that Lan’er’s blood was the key to releasing his seal. They seemed to share an extraordinary connection.
No matter what, the seal had been broken. Si Mobai now possessed a spiritual force more magnificent than ever, which meant more strength for protecting Feng Tianlan!
However, graver dangers would also soon be on their way!
No matter how grim the situation became, he swore to keep her safe. No matter what.
*
Feng Tianlan managed to open her eyes after much struggle. To her horror, all she saw was red! Everything was red!
Blood flooded the ground so that it turned a deep crimson. Even the lake looked bloody with corpses piled on top of each other.
As the red from earth met the deep orange from the fiery sunset, the horizon’s boundaries blurred.
She tried moving, but someone had locked her in their embrace. She was in someone’s arms. She felt déjà vu. Could it be another dream?
She held her breath, listening for anything that might be said, but all she heard was silence. Suddenly, she felt droplets on her face. It was cold out, and she knew that they were tears.
The whole world fell silent.
For a long, long time, she stayed in those arms. For how long, she could not tell. Even so, she laid there, safe, snug, and satisfied. Unwilling to leave, all she felt was a peaceful bliss.
Then, the man holding her moved. She didn’t know what he wanted to do, which frightened her. She tried to scream but could make no sounds.
She saw the man disappear. He just disintegrated like dust on the wind. She tried grabbing onto him only for her hands to fall through his silhouette. She let out a horrified cry, “Mobai!”
“I’m right here.” Mobai, who’d heard her shout, tightened his grip on her hand. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
Feng Tianlan’s eyes bolted open. Fear and paranoia lingered as her breathing hastened. Suddenly, she felt a cold pressure on her forehead. It was tickling her, making her very uncomfortable.
“Si Mobai.” Feng Tianlan was grasping the air as she reached out for him frantically.
Si Mobai let out a low grunt, “Lan’er, I’m here. I’m right here.” He pressed his lips to hers before she could reply. He pushed into her mouth with authority and wrapped his tongue around hers…
“Ugh!” she exclaimed. The sudden kiss had caught Feng Tianlan off guard. The fuzz under his chin scraped her face, tickling her.
His kiss was overbearing. It was if he wanted the air from inside her. Did he intend not to let her breathe?
When she ran out of breath, she was yanked back to reality. Yes, this is not a dream, she thought. Si Mobai is still here. He has not disappeared.
The two of them kissed until they were both out of breath. Si Mobai pressed his forehead to hers and called out softly, “Lan’er!”
She’s awake. She’s finally awake!
Feng Tianlan could still feel the prickly sensation against her face. Slowly, she opened her eyes. Si Mobai looked like a mess. His chin was stained green with fuzz, and his beard and hair were no longer pristine. He was wearing the same set of clothes, stained with patches of dried blood.
Looking at him now, he was no banished immortal, nor was he a demon. He was just a man, an ordinary man who cared deeply for her. A man who stood guard by her side.
“Mobai, you have a beard!” Feng Tianlan reached for his chin. He had always been particular about personal grooming, and now his eyes were sunken in their sockets. How long had he been waiting for her to come around?
Si Mobai took her hands and placed her soft palms on his face. He said, “Let me examine you. Once I make sure you are fine, I will go and wash up. Then, I’ll return to you an attractive and clean-shaven man.”
“An attractive and clean-shaven man? Doesn’t that make you a gigolo?” Feng Tianlan joked.
As she stared at his handsome face, she refused to move her eyes away even for a second. She feared that, once she lost sight of him, this moment would crumble into nothing but another dream.
