She swung the blade and slit the Snow-Mane Lion's throat. Blood gushed, steaming, into Mu Bai's mouth. Only then did Hu Meier feed Mu Bai the medicinal pills. She staggered and sank down beside him, panting, her chest rising and falling as she stared at him, at his face, which looked as though he were sleeping peacefully.
"Why must there be a father's murder between us..."
"Why did you save me?"
"Why!"
As she stared, pain crossed Hu Meier's face. She pressed a hand to her chest and could not help coughing up a mouthful of blood. Wiping away the blood, she gave a helpless, poignantly beautiful smile.
She reached out and gently stroked Mu Bai's face, his eyes, the bridge of his nose, his lips.
"The most painful thing in this world is regret..."
She studied him closely without moving until night fell, and the moon, round as a jade disc, climbed to the mountainside and hung just outside the cave abode. Hu Meier's smile faded. She rose and caught another beast, then set up a roasting rack beneath the moon, her thoughts still drifting farther and farther with the aroma of roasting tiger meat.
The campfire danced, crackling as fat dripped onto it, making Hu Meier feel that a night like this was warm.
"Miss, you're quite a cook."
Hu Meier abruptly snapped out of her reverie and turned to see Mu Bai walking over.
"This humble scholar is truly famished. Might you grant me a piece or two of cooked meat?"
Seeing Mu Bai awake, Hu Meier burst into a giggle, a playful look appearing on her face.
"Will you pledge yourself to me in repayment for my gift of meat?"
"Well... isn't that a bit much..."
"Flesh for flesh. Isn't that only right and proper?"
Without