What You Could Have Done

A chance to kill? A free ticket?

Lai Mingjie was so agitated at the thought that he was allowed to spill blood after years of being punished from his killings as a demon and even as a human. When was the last time he had made someone else bathe in their own blood? When was the last time he heard someone scream for mercy with a blade next to them?

He was a demon. Killing people, squashing flesh, and spilling blood were their hobbies. He had long dreamed of touching the warmth of blood oozing from the guts of another. His heart raced a little as he got excited. However, a slight warning signal from the deepest part of his soul told him not to say 'yes'. He then frowned and shook his head.

"There's no way that comes without any trouble. Or else, he wouldn't need my help." Emodao gritted his teeth and waved his hand. "Why would he need my help?"

"Simple. You lived here longer, and he came to you." Nuwa chuckled and turned away again. "It's funny how he struggled to mix with the humans for a while before coming to Crimson City, only to run into you on his first day. You're the only person he knew who knew him." Her smiling face continued to ooze with coldness. "Also, I believed you have a favor to return."

"Are you asking for me to kill that bastard?" Emodao huffed.

"Killing him would be your capability, Emodao. I trust you figured he'll kill you the moment he remembers." She paused for a little while. "I know he had troubled you for so long, but Xu Rouguang is nothing but a child. He was unlike all the other generals or warriors that I had. His power, his abilities... his drive. Nonetheless, I needed him to clear his mind and serve me well. Who knows...? I might reward you further in your next life."

"Death," Emodao whispered. "If you grant me death instead of another reincarnation, I might reconsider." He turned away as well, staring off at the same horizon Nuwa was looking at. It made him feel like her equal for a few seconds. "Right now, I'd rather pass than take up the offer. Even if I get my ticket, I have no power to kill him."

Nuwa kept her silence. She then closed her eyes and dimmed her smile. "Emodao, you had indeed outgrown the old you. Perhaps sending Xu Rouguang to the Crimson City would be for the best. Just like you, a lot of immortals would be after him as well. Though unlike you, he hadn't lost all of his abilities. Aren't you going to take advantage of that?"

Emodao then chuckled before laughing out loud. He then slammed his fist repeatedly against the railing in front of them. He didn't yell or even roar. He just glared at the horizon, noticing that the sky was growing dark. Was she summoning the rain just to add salt to Emodao's tears? "You... you certainly are cruel. You want me to make me feel like I want to do this? Really?"

"You've seen him, haven't you?" Nuwa looked up and held up a hand to heaven, summoning the dark clouds a lot faster than normal. "Don't you ever wonder what you could have done to such a sweet, innocent child?"

"I could have done?"

"You thought he was chasing you all those years... all for the fun of it?" Nuwa chuckled before bringing her hand down. "Emodao, I'll grant you a free ticket if you helped Xu Rouguang regain his memories. I'll grant you death when you realized why he was after you for so long and with bloodshot eyes. Perhaps... soon enough, his maniacal laughter would make sense."

Without another word, she disintegrated just like how she was formed. Lai Mingjie didn't even get the chance to ask about getting healed. However, he did hear that Xu Rouguang had his powers intact. Did that mean that his deathless state was because of his healing abilities? Even the greatest immortals couldn't heal as fast as he could, right?

"Director Lai!"

"He's here?" Lai Mingjie twitched as he heard the familiar voice of Xu Rouguang. He slowly turned and spotted the man running towards him. However, there was coldness in his eyes as soon as he slowed down. The director stared at his face directly... he created a monster from this fragile soul?

"Director Lai, are you alright?" Xu Rouguang gazed at him coldly before examining everything else around him. There was no one else but Lai Mingjie. He then looked at him again. Right now, his eyes mellowed as he took steps and held Lai Mingjie's shoulders gently. "Director Lai, why are you covered in blood again? Did someone hurt you? Where is he?"

"Nah, it's fine. It's going to rain soon. We should head home. I'll just see you again on Monday." He only waved his hand to dismiss Xu Rouguang's distress. Lai Mingjie sighed inside as his heart sank; he must have gone really soft after all these human lives he lived.

However, before he could speak again, he noticed Xu Rouguang removing his jacket and handing it to him. "D-Director Lai... your clothes..."

"H-Hang on. I'll just ask someone to pick me up so I wouldn't have to walk around like this." The man only shook his head. He had completely forgotten how much shredded his clothes were and how cold it was. Nuwa must have adjusted the temperature earlier when she was standing right there. However, Xu Rouguang still reached his jacket out, with his eyes sliding to the side. Lai Mingjie didn't miss how red the general's cheeks had flared.

"Please, still wear this, director. I can see too much..."

"...What? Are you a princess?" The director snatched the jacket and tied it around his waist, hoping it could help cover some skin. "Never seen someone else's thighs before?"

"Doesn't matter... also, have this." Xu Rouguang handed another scarf to him which was white. It gave off the same 'heat spell' so Lai Mingjie didn't refuse it. However, he turned it into a blanket to cover his back and arms instead.

The man then fished his pocket, only to recover a broken phone. Lai Mingjie glared at the screen and sighed, pocketing it again. "Heh, can you just call a cab? I'm not leaving this place like this." Xu Rouguang brought his phone out and frowned at it. He was moving his fingers too slow for someone who had a smartphone for a long time. "Tell me you know how to call a cab..."

Xu Rouguang didn't lift his gaze off of the phone, but a faint blush added to his already red face. "D-Don't worry, director. I-I know to browse for answers..."

"Just give me your phone."

After an hour, the rain had fallen all over the city. The people scrammed from the streets and scurried to overhangs and roofs, avoiding the rain like plague. The weather had become a lot colder while the crowd grew thin. Lai Mingjie was sitting quietly at the backseat, hoping he wouldn't be disturbed. Xu Rouguang had his eyes at the passing sights and was making mental notes of the places. Director Cheng, who ended up being called, had to take them back to Lai Mingjie's place. He had no idea what happened, but it seemed it would be one hell of a story when they get home.

Lai Mingjie's closed eyes finally opened a little as he stared at his feet. Then, his gaze drifted to Xu Rouguang's profile. A child—he recalled Nuwa saying—what did he do to this child?