The Light and The Shadow

Chapter 8: misunderstanding

I felt great pain in my chest.

"Hui Ying, are you okay?" Zixuan said.

"I.. I can feel demonic energy surrounding around me.."

"Oh..I think you need some energy of mine. Come and sit." We sat down on my bed. He started forcing his energy out.

"Hui Ying come closer, and close your eyes." What is he trying to do?

I came closer. 

"Come closer." Again? How closer do I have to go? I decided to open my eyes.

"Hui Ying, don't open your eyes!" I was really close at him. And I suddenly felt his lips on mine.

"Don't. Move." He said. Is he giving me energy, or is he kissing me? I...

Then I heard somebody dropping something made of glass. I quickly opened my eyes.

It was Li Jie.

"Li Jie, this is not-"

"I brought you cake..and tea..enjoy your meal!" He slammed the door.

"Li Jie! Zixuan, can I-"

"Yes, yes. Go after him."

I runned behind Li Jie.

"Hui Ying, stop following me! You two were busy right? Aren't you happy I gave you the time? Now stop following me and try to say that it wasn't what I saw. That's a bad excuse."

I was finally close to him and held his hand.

"Li Jie, I-" Then he softly kissed me. And within 5 second, he let go.

"I don't want that he is your first kiss. Why would you kiss him? Hui Ying, you are mine. Only I can have you, only I can kill you, only I can kiss you."

"It's not that Li Jie, I..Zixuan just wanted to give me a little power to get better. You are lucky, you can heal fast. But I can't."

"Heal? When did you get hurt?" Oh yeah forgot. The monk deleted that history..

"Nevermind. And I think that you also forgot that time when you were drunk?"

"I could never forget that. What I said was true. Really." He looked angry and hugged me.

"I thought you liked that Chuntao."

"I knew it. You were jealous. That I was just talking with a girl?"

"Then what did you promise to her?" It was for a moment silent. Still no answer. "Are you hiding something from me Li Jie?"

"No. I promised nothing. She just wanted...to make you jealous. I guess.."

"Oh okay, well.."

"I wanted to ask you something. Devils and demons are attacking the gate of Heavenly Realm. Do you know something of that case?" Does he already know too?

"No." He won't find me suspicious. He won't. He won't.

"Alright. I'll go then." He said.

And I turned around and walked away. "Wait, Hui Ying. I have a gift for you."

I was surprised. A gift?

"Here." He gave me a long, shiny bow. "This bow is especially from my mom. She saw you multiple times. She really likes you. So this is a early gift for your birthday. "And this spear, is especially given by my grandparents that just died. It is very powerfull, and acts with your heart. There is a ceremony next week. If you can win the battle, then I'll have a greater gift."

He's really nice. First a bow, then a spear, and last something great. What could it be? Power?

"Thank you, Li Jie. I.. don't know what I can do for you."

"You'll see at the ceremony."

- At Zixuan -

"Zixuan, look what I got from Li Jie!" I showed him my bow and spear.

"Did Li Jie really gave you that? You are lucky, Hui Ying."

"Oh yeah by the way, can I ask you something about your..family?"

"Yes."

"Li Jie and you have both different surnames. Why?"

"I am the biological brother of Li Jie. My parents also died in the war. The Heavenly emperor was nice enough to adopt me."

"Oh I see.."

"Any other questions?"

"Will you come to the ceremony next week?" I asked. I hope so..

"Ofcourse. I heard that archery was also a part of the ceremony. Do you mind if I teach you a little?" He sounded like a gentleman. Sometimes, I do think Zixuan is nicer than Li Jie. But Zixuan is a good friend, and Li Jie is the one that I like.

"Yeah sure."

"Grab your bow and arrow." And he adjusted my pose. He calmly strained my hair and adjusted my shoulders.

"Put your back higher. You'll gain more strength." I did as he said. "And, shoot!" It was exactly on the middle. I really learned much in a few minutes.

I put my bow away.

"Hm? You thought it was over? No! Continue!" I shooted the red dot 5 times in a row.

"Good, now try to run in a distance and shoot the target." Run? My arms really hurt.

"Zixuan, my arms-"

"Continue!" I tried almost 36 times, but missed. 

"Hui Ying, who do you hate?" What a random question.

"The Devil God."

"Than imagine that that is the Devil God." He pointed to the goal. "Shoot with your whole soul and heart." I did as he said. I runned from a distance, jumped, and shoot. I didn't missed this time. 

"They also want to see some elegance." I gave him my bow. He closed his eyes and fiered his arrow.

"Wow! Zixuan, you are really talented!" I clap for him. 

"Your turn."

"Ha?? Zixuan, I'm really tired."

"I was just joking. You can do this Hui Ying."