Back to You - Dan Heng IL, Blade

24. A Caress for this Lone Wolf

"Your Highness!" Ryu exclaimed behind the bars of the prison, while Toyo was bowing before Blade, who looked at the man. Those green eyes were filled with fear "Where is Dan Heng? How is he? Is he alright? I beg you, do not harm him" he said, gnashing his teeth "Punish me, but do not touch the Imbibitor, he's... He can be chaotic and disrespectful but he's a pure heart, I swear!"

"Stop talking. You don't need to be ridiculus to show me how much you two care for the other" Blade crossed his arms "Pretty lovely if you ask me" he said ironically "The Imbibitor got his punishment." 

Ryu opened up his eyes to then look at Blade, having a neutral stare. He didn't look at all satisfied from those words, it looked like he was spitting them because he had to say it.

"Where is he..." Ryu got on his knees "Please... I am... sorry" 

"I am not here to hear you cry. I am done with people crying today, Ryu." those words made him even more hurt, because he connected fast that Dan Heng probably did cry as he got punished for covering up for him.

Toyo looked surprised, he didn't really expect his Master to punish the Imbibitor at the Imperial Palace. It was forbidden to touch him, but apparently he was just too mad to even care.

"Tomorrow we're going back to my lands, you won't be his servant anymore as I got told you're not willing to become an eunuch. I won't kill you as Dan Heng decided to... take the blame like a good master, but this is going to be last time."

Ryu opened up his eyes "Am I... going to be executed?" he asked and Blade rolled his eyes

"Do you think I can when for your life, Dan Heng got hit?!" he shouted annoyed "I can't kill you. Your master has paid off your mistakes, but your life is still mine. So..." he tilted his head "Do you really think your relation with the Imbibitor is that loyal?"

Ryu nodded "Yes... I... I'd follow him anywhere... He's my best friend"

Blade smiled evilly to then look at Toyo "It seems we have a new recruit then."

Ryu opened up his eyes and Blade looked at him "If you wish to become his guardian, keep being by his side. You won't be anymore his servant but I will give you the chance to become a shinobi. The training will be hard and you might die, but if you manage, maybe, you will become worthy enough to stand by his side."

Ryu felt like trembling. In his whole life he would have never thought to become a shinobi.

"Or... You will just go back to the Holy Lands. It's your choice. Now that the imperial family knows about you without any contract. I can't let you serve the Imbibitor unless you accept my deal."

"I will... train hard." Ryu bowed, making Blade and Toyo surprised "I owe him my life... again. He protected me so much even though he didn't know me... Truthfully, he lied when he told you he knew me, remember me, because you would have killed me otherwise... Dan Heng, the Imbibitor... Has always protected me, I am thankful for this offer. I will work hard, your Highness" Ryu bowed and touched the ground, under Blade's serious stare.

"Good, don't make me regret. If you lie another time and you... pull Dan Heng into that again, I will make sure to haunt you and your family." Blade looked at him and Ryu nodded frenetically "Great, Toyo, make sure you will report to me anything of his doing inside the dojo from now on... As soon as we get back to our lands."

With that, Blade opened the cell under Toyo's suprised stare. The Prince looked at Ryu who stand up "Do not make me regret this." with that he left, leaving the two.

***

"Wow!" Fumio exclaimed happily as Dan Heng was showing some of his healing power, by making some little strings of mana flying around his own hands "So this is the so called holy light"