Somebody in the Mortal World

The Drunkard turned down Ning Que's invitation and said, "Not today."

Ning Que raised his tone and said, "Are you afraid?"

The Drunkard's expression vanished. His hair, white like snow and black as soil, was dancing in the wind. He said, "All that accompanied me in these years were wine and meat. I love wine best because tipsiness eased my pain. It made people angry or relieved, and I chose the latter one, but that doesn't mean I couldn't be the former."

Ning Que stared at his eyes and asked, "But you're still afraid."

The Drunkard said, "You can come out."

Ning Que shook his head and said, "I am quite the coward."

The Drunkard said, "A coward wouldn't dare to wave his cutlass at the Abbey Dean on the street."

Ning Que said, "I got no guts to come out, so I am a coward. What about you? Have you any guts?"

The Drunkard said, "You're spoiling the fun."