Chapter 16: Heart As Cold As The Body In His Arms

"Who?!" 

Highly alarmed by the sudden attack the other three men pulled out their weapons while forming a semi-circle facing the entrance of the alley. Sweat ran past their trembling eyes as they swallowed a mouthful of saliva. 

Taking this opportunity when all attention is captured by something else. Xin Yue wordlessly kicked the dead body aside while sitting up from the cold floor.

In curiosity she also raises her head towards the direction of the entrance.

"... …"

In response to the clamor of noises a long shadow began to stretch into view under the only stream of light from the moon overhead. Unable to clearly see the features of that person's face, the three men were hesitant to rush over without plan. 

"Who the fuck are you?!" One of them asked while pointing the sharp steel of his sword towards the newcomer.

Feeling the stableness of having more than one person on his side, another man began to speak with a little more arrogance. "Hurry and scram if you know what's right for you!"

Halting after entering the first few strides into the darkened alleyway, cold pupils narrow with dispassion. Glancing briefly at those hollering pigs its sight then settled at the delicate figure on the ground.

Pale skin with messy strands of hair clinging onto the sides of a tear-stained face. The usual brightness presented in obsidian eyes are as dull as the indigo bruising on her porcelain cheek.

A strand of blood flows from the corner of her colorless lips and drips onto the white beginner's outfit. The area below her neck is riddled with ambiguous red markings of differing sizes. A few being actual bite marks that had drawn blood from the strength of each clamp on tender skin.

Furrowing his brows, Xiao Fanyu lifted his right hand while lightly pressing his middle finger and thumb together.

With one clear snap of those two digits numerous ice spears appear in an immediate fashion. Hovering dangerously over the air these cold killers aimed at its target in wordless anticipation. Freezing drafts coming off of its solid body lowered the temperature to this already chilled space.

Sensing the threatening aura coming off every inch of this stranger, the three men took a step back unconsciously. Although these hooligans have escaped from the first five levels of the tower and do seem to act as though they are professionals.

The truth is far from what they claimed. The four of them are strangers that met and formed a team based on a chance encounter they had when hunting after two young females. From killing to scamming, they did all that could be done in order to survive and enjoy the callings of life. Who would've thought that their dream of continuing their debauched career might be cut short with this unforeseeable meeting.

One glance is all it took to tell that even with their strength combined the possibility of winning is close to zero.

"... …"

Standing with their back to the light coming from the lanterns of the busy street outside. This man is akin to an unspeakable boundary between the commotions of human life and the ending of time.

Like a silent statue he stood blocking the single entrance of the path, preventing any thoughts of escape. Deep pupils similar to the depths of a calm lake peers at them from under the covers of dark lighting while giving out unending pressure. 

Just as one of the men was about to speak up, another impatiently dashed forward out of desperation. Screaming aloud with his saber raised up high, a burning fire immediately formed and wrapped around the blade in support. 

"Aaahh!!"

The brightness of those orange flames lit up the surrounding darkness and caused the shadows of the enclosure to soar. They flicker and dance like monsters awaiting its prey as in the next second, the roaring embers collided with the young man.

Hot flames meeting with the coldness of ice instantly caused the field to be covered in a layer of lukewarm fog. 

The loud explosion temporarily sealed the hearing of those in the space as only a loud drumming seemed to vibrate within their damaged ears. 

Eyesight blinded by the smoke, the three men were unable to see and started to wave their weapons in an attempt to ward off any oncoming attacks. Both sight and hearing impeded by such a simple effect of collisions raised the fear in those men's already cowardly hearts. 

"... …"

Being wrapped in a blanket of fog, Xin Yue sat in quiet contemplation when a dark outline appeared in front.

Without a word, Xiao Fanyu removed his outer jacket before squatting down to look the little girl in the eye.

Xiao Fanyu: "... …"

Messy hair and clothes torn with painted blood that clung to a thin fragile body quivering with light motions. The young lady's facial expression is stiff as if unable to comprehend the change in atmosphere. In comparison to the look of liveliness shown on the stage before, the young woman now emits an aura of desolateness. But a pitiful appearance did nothing to cover up the gleam of viciousness laced around the edges of bright pupils still burning with a faint flame.

Placing the coat around her shoulders one arm slid under her legs while the other curved around her back.

Lifting the figure up in an extremely careful manner, the chiliness and lightness of her body surprises the young man. Bewildered by the condition he unconsciously loosened the grip held on her thin waist and shoulders. Afraid that perhaps a little more power into his grip would cause the young woman to disintegrate into a cluster of shards.

Standing up from the ground the young man first rearranges the slipping clothing to secure it from falling off. Pulling the jacket to cover the young woman's head including the rest of her figure from the sights of others. An inexplicable sense of relief washes over him as the feel of her slim figure rests upon his chest.

"… …"

Noticing the dead body lying next to his feet, a sudden flash of annoyance broke past the calm exterior of Xiao Fanyu's mind. Raising up a leg, his foot viciously stomped on the head of that lifeless corpse.

The slight sound of watermelon splitting apart rang out in the air as the appearing stench of warm iron colors the dirty floor along twitching colors of pink flesh.

Narrowing his eyes in disgust, a thin layer of ice casually froze the approaching blood as well as the droplets staining the soles of his shoes. It cracked and shattered after freezing into many tiny particles that got carried away by the wind.

Xin Yue: "... …"

Encased in the familiar scent of icy pine and warmth, this fragrance drilled into the senses of Xin Yue's dazed mind. Black irises gradually ascend to gaze at the side profile of the same man she met in the level before.

Brows crumpling together as if occupied by many thoughts, the cold expression on his face accentuates with the pressing of thin lips. But no matter how dangerous and indifferent this person might seem, it is undeniable that the arms wrapped around her are gentle with care.

Closing her eyes in this sense of security, Xin Yue rests her head against his chest and submerges her consciousness into the rhythmic beating of his heart. 

 "Fuck!" 

"I can't see!"

The three men pants heavily with their weapons hanging tiredly by the side. Vision cut off from the billowing smoke the group could only fling their weapons around in hopes of landing a hit.

Who would've known that instead of hitting the enemy, it's their own comrades that received the blows instead.

"Shit! Stop attacking!" One of the men who recovered their calm the fastest instantly gave a command to regroup. Swinging the heavy saber around to create a whirl of wind throughout the area, this action dispersed the heavy fog and opened up their vision again.

In the same juncture, revealing the location of that very person they had been trying to confront.

Stepping into their line of view Xiao Fanyu tilted his head at the sorry sight of those three badly wounded men. Seeing how heavy their injuries are, the youth surmised that half the fight has already been won even before making an actual move. Perfect though, as he is currently pressed for time. 

Shifting his arms to hoist the delicate body closer into his embrace, Xiao Fanyu stride forward with a leisurely gait. Each step spreads a thin layer of sleet that expands and connects with the prints in front. Eyes barely leaving the slumbering face of the beauty in his grasp, two slender fingers made a trivial curve upwards.

In the next second, numerous icicles materialized from the ground to pierce through the flesh of the remaining three men.

Skewering them off the ground akin to stringed kites battered by high winds. 

Death came too fast and sudden for them to react in time before falling breathless down on the ground. Bulging eyes stare at the retreating figure in incredulity as if wordlessly asking the reason for their defeat. 

"... …"

Entering back into the liveliness of the busy street, orange lighting provided an illusional warmth and happiness of festivity. Every place he'd pass buzzed with the noise of joyful laughter which had no associations with the two figures striding by.

No matter how jubilant the space around them seems, the frigidness of his heart is as cold as the temperature of the body within his arms.

"Leader!" All of a sudden, the worried voice of Seven penetrated the crowd of passing people and into the ears of the distracted young man.

Raising his head in the direction of that voice, steady steps came to a stop as he waited for his approaching comrades.

"Brother Xiao! Where did you go?" Noticing the bulky object nestling in his leader's arm, Zhitao asked this question while peering curiously in its direction.

Barely anything is seen but a pair of pale legs and a slim wrist wearing a white jade bangle that clinks with each faint collision against the metal clasp of the jacket. However, just this is enough to know that the person in their leader's arm is definitely a woman.

But as to why she's in his arms and how, is something he can't determine currently seeing how tightly wrapped up she is.

Drawing near enough to see, Xiao Mei's bright smile froze on her lips when she sensed the strangeness of the young man's expression.

"Brother Xiao…. who is she..?" The young woman tries to maintain the gentle smile on her stiff face as she walks closer with a hand stretched out. Wanting to see who the person curled up in the embrace of the man she has been in love with for years.

Deliberate claws reach out for the cloth that covers the unknown figure, only to miss when Xiao Fanyu took a light step back.

Evading her touch, the young man commanded the rest of the group to return to their place of residence without further explanation.

_____

Placing the figure down with care, this one movement caused the coat to slip away from the girl's shoulders. 

Red markings along distinctive rows of teeth marks became more prominent under the glow of candle light. Stinging the eyes of the youth as it allowed his vision to examine the conditions of her body with a clear view.

Bruised wrists and swollen cheeks. The stream of blood running down pale lips is caused by the open wound on the tongue. Even now it flows downwards from her lips and onto the sheet covers. Purple bruises can be seen littering the surface of her slender legs which vaguely shows the outline of finger marking on the inner thighs. 

"... …" Retrieving a wet rag from the basin of water beside him, the young man began to wipe the residual evidence of the ordeal off the young woman's body. 

First the face, then arms followed by the pair of legs before covering her under the softness of a warm blanket. Not once did she open her eyes to the constant movement of his gentle actions.

The shock and fright Xin Yue had experienced must have caused the young lady to fall into a deep rest.

Staring deeply at the sleeping figure beside him, Xiao Fanyu lightly pushed back strands of hair stuck on the surface of her face. Profound irises ran through every inch of those startling bruises that weren't covered by fabric prior to leaving the room. 

The door closes with a soft click. 

"... …"

After the passing of a few minutes…

Almond eyes open in a gradual manner as Xin Yue sat up from the comfort of the bed covers to walk towards the window. Staggering steps brought that weakened figure towards the glass framework facing the street. Staring out at the busy night life of this unusual place, instead of feeling the anticipation of a new environment. What is left in her bleak heart are only rampaging emotions of helplessness and anger. 

Lowering her eyes, the young woman took out the mirror given by The Old Man On The Moon. This time, it flashes with a silvery light not seen before even when she tries to awaken it.

With a simple thought of wanting to pick up, the mirror immediately reveals the face of the one person she really wants to exterminate right now.

"My Savior!! Is That You!!?? Are You Okay?!!!" The Old Man On The Moon shouted with all his might. 

Xin Yue: "... …" Shit. I really want to tell him to scram.