A muffled thud rang out!
In the instant Shen Luo hesitated, the incense burner in Zhanguo's hand had already come crashing down toward Chan'er's head.
But his body was trembling and his hand was unsteady. The blow did not strike Chan'er squarely on the skull, but grazed the corner of his brow and smashed into the floor behind him, bouncing sharply before falling to one side.
A cut opened at the corner of Chan'er's brow, and blood mingled with incense ash smeared half his face.
Shen Luo's heart clenched. Yet when he saw that Chan'er had not so much as furrowed his brow throughout the ordeal, he felt a little reassured and suppressed the urge to push open the door and rush inside.
After hurling the incense burner, Zhanguo began smashing things around the room like a madman. He overturned every furnishing and tore down all the bed curtains, ripping them to shreds.
Once he had reduced the room to utter chaos, he rushed back and rained punches and kicks on Chan'er. Only after a long while, when he had exhausted himself, did he collapse onto the meditation cushion opposite Chan'er and gradually quiet down.
By then, Chan'er's face and body were covered in bruises, and half his face was obscured by blood. One half was clean, the other filthy; one half pale, the other blackened. He looked like a man divided between yin and yang.
Once Zhanguo finally settled down, Chan'er slowly opened his eyes. A faint light glimmered in them, and they were utterly peaceful, without the slightest trace of blame or anger.
He nodded to Shen Luo to indicate that he was unharmed, then slowly closed his eyes again and continued reciting the scriptures.
Shen Luo watched for a while. Only when he was certain Zhanguo would