Chapter 228 - This Means War

Guozhi and Ted help Ren up and carry him away as Bai Lei tells one of his servants to send a healer to Ren. My mom comes over and gives me a large hug while saying "You did so well! I'm so glad you're okay... You're okay, right?" She asks leaning back to look me over.

I giggle and love the feeling of warmth that washes over me from her genuine concern and love. I gently grab her arms with a smile and say "Yes, I'm okay." Zhen stays close to my mother from behind and I can't help but smirk at the two. 

They aren't necessarily making it obvious but it couldn't be more obvious. Zhen looks to Bai Lei with a grave look and asks "Are you two going after him?" Ai steps up and asks "Going after who? Is it the one who hurt the Shadow Guard?" 

Bai Lei looks over to Ai but doesn't say anything to her so I gently squeeze my mother's arms before releasing her and walking over to Ai. Little Bun jumps to my mother's shoulder as I smile at Ai and say "Let's go for a walk and I'll fill you in." Ai beams at me but I can feel Bai Lei's gaze on my back so I turn and give him a smile. 

His dark red eyes flash bright red for a split second, letting me know he still doesn't trust her. I give him a wink and turn, linking my arm with Ai's as we walk away from the others. At first, no one says anything as we walk into the large garden but after finding a good spot to sit, I begin telling her my story.

Not all of it, but enough for her to understand what's happening. Her tightly clenched fists shake with anger as she grinds her teeth. "I will kill this bastard myself! I'll rip him apart!" She says through her clenched teeth. I smile warmly at her and say "You know, I'm truly grateful to everyone around me. You're all willing to kill Eli without a second thought... I'm truly blessed."

Ai turns to look at me with confusion but her fists remain clenched in her anger. I smile at her warmly and reach over to her fists. I gently hold them and look up to her dark eyes as I say "I'm grateful you want to kill him but this is something I must do. I HAVE to kill him in order to be free. In order to be happy and in order to move on."

Her clenched fists slowly loosen as she looked into my eyes with slow understanding. Leaves from the surrounding trees slowly flutter down around us as I say "I will find him and I will put an end to him, once and for all."

Her delicate eyebrows draw together with worry and conflict as she says "I want to help you and help keep you safe. I don't want you to get hurt like I did..." My smile grows as I say "Thank you. You're a good person er... demon." 

We both lightly chuckle as I pull my hands back saying "When all this crazy mess is over, maybe you and I can be friends. What do you think?" Her eyes light up as she smiles and nods her head saying "Best friends! I promise I won't touch him but I want to come with you... I would feel better if I could be there and watch your back." 

I think about it silently for a moment before turning to look at her with a quizzical look as I say "You can come but only if you promise to get along with Bai lei. I know he's a Deity and it makes you uneasy but he and I love each other. He'd never do anything to hurt me.". 

She gives me a sheepish look and sighs before saying "I didn't want to admit it but I can tell he really loves you. It's nothing like what I had with my... Nevermind. I understand and I won't cause any problems. I give you my word." 

I give her a large smile and nod my head as I stand up and brush my dress off. She does the same and when we turn around to head back, we find Bai Lei standing several feet away. Watches us both from a distance as he leans against a large tree. 

Ai sighs and says "He really does love and care about you. He doesn't trust me so he came to keep an eye on us." I glance over to her and see her giving Bai Lei a defeated smile. Bai Lei slowly nods at her but otherwise keeps a straight face before his red eyes lock on me. 

I smirk when I think about these two... hopefully this isn't the beginning of a love-hate relationship between these two. Ai says her goodbyes and walks off as I walk over to Bai Lei. He remains leaning against a tree as his dark red eyes watch my every move.  

"She's not that bad," I say with a smirk. He arches a dark brow at me but the corner of his mouth is turned up, showing his amusement. I slip my hand into his and lean up on my tiptoes, gently brushing my lips over his before asking "Are you ready for this? If we wait any longer, I'm afraid the number of victims will grow."  

His amusement quickly fades as his eyes begin to glow again. His red glowing eyes search mine for a few seconds before asking "Are you sure? I don't mind killing him myself if you can't." I squeeze his hand and pull him away from the tree as I say "I'm terrified but I want to do this."

"If for some reason I can't... can't face him, I'll have you and Ai on my back." His eyes lock onto mine as he watches me closely. "And me," Zhen says stepping into the garden behind Bai Lei. Guozhi steps up next to Zhen and says "I'll stay here with Ted and Ren and watch over everyone here. You won't have to worry about anything here."