Chapter 212 — Return
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 6 of 6
Ming Li nodded and said no more. He cast one last glance at Bi Li, and for some reason a trace of guilt flitted through his eyes; then he turned and walked out. Ming Wang followed behind him, and as they passed through the stone door, the heavy slab descended slowly, sealing the stillness in once again. In the vast chamber of cold ice, only the faint glow of the Hehuan Bell remained, drifting and turning in the emptiness.
The two men walked shoulder to shoulder through the broad corridor. Along the way, disciples of the Demonic Sect whom they met fell back to either side, bowing their heads in salute; their footsteps echoed softly, gently reverberating.
After several turns, the two came to the quarters where Ming Li lodged. Ming Wang glanced at Ming Li, as though sensing something. Ming Li's brow furrowed slightly, but he did not look at Ming Wang; after a brief hesitation, he reached out and opened the door.
The two walked in.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak. Squeak, squeak."
"Roar."
Amid the familiar cries of the little gray monkey, there came a few strange roars as well. Taotie, once the strange beast that followed at the Beast Sovereign's side, now lay upon the floor of Ming Li's room; yet it seemed utterly listless and dispirited, sprawled there lazily, its bell-sized eyes closed, motionless upon the ground.
The little gray monkey, by contrast, was as lively as ever, hopping to and fro around Taotie, patting him here and swatting him there, now tugging at his tail, now slapping his head; bolder still, it would occasionally thrust its hand up to Taotie's vast bloody maw and pry his jaws apart, peering inside with no small curiosity.
From the look of Little Gray, it seemed to want to rouse Taotie to his feet for a game together, though plainly this had no effect on Taotie at all.
When Ming Wang and Ming Li entered, Taotie paid them no heed, still lying lazily upon the ground. The little gray monkey gave a joyful cry and bounded up onto Ming Li in a few quick leaps, settling upon its master's shoulder.
Ming Li stroked Little Gray's head and said mildly to Ming Wang, "This is the one."
Ming Wang did not speak, only fixed his eyes upon Taotie where he lay upon the ground. At the corner of his mouth there slowly surfaced a faint smile—though within that smile lurked a touch of something unfathomable.