Red Boy knelt on both knees, his back ramrod straight.
Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled down at him, in no hurry to speak.
Only after studying him for a while did she ask:
"Are you willing to receive the precepts?"
Red Boy raised his head to meet her gaze. His eyes were as clear as the sky after rain.
"This disciple is willing."
"Will you regret it?"
He clenched the little fists at his sides, thought for a moment, then spoke again. His voice was quiet, but every word landed firmly:
"In my earlier years, I was unruly and quarrelsome, eager to kill and fight."
"I always thought that only by causing an earth-shattering uproar could I make my parents notice me and love me."
Red Boy drew a deep breath, his gaze passing over Princess Iron Fan and Hariti Heaven.
"After enduring this ordeal, I have learned about my former life and seen myself clearly."
"I no longer want to live for anyone else, nor do I want to be anyone's replacement."
He turned to glance at Little White Dragon.
"Here and now, I want to live for myself for once."
"I want to learn from Ao WujI! To walk a path of my own. I think having a master and fellow disciples, as he does, might be rather nice."
At those words, the corners of Little White Dragon's mouth lifted slightly, and he returned a faint but deeply warm smile.
Guanyin Bodhisattva listened, then nodded with a smile.
"Excellent."
She inclined her head and took a golden razor from her sleeve.
The Bodhisattva walked slowly up to Red Boy.
"Then I shall bless your crown and administer the precepts."
With a gentle sweep of the blade,
his thick black hair drifted down.
The Bodhisattva's movements were gentle but swift. A