41 For he was cruel (1/2)

Flame licked at Liu Sumeng sleeves and in the dead of winter, the heat became overbearing. He didn't dare to take off his jacket, for it was the only reason why his entire body hadn't yet been singed to an ugly crisp.

”Brazen fools who tread upon my lands in seek of my power deserve nothing more than to be turned into a pile of ash!” The phoenix screeched. ”And what have I done to deserve this treatment? I, who had done nothing but offered my kindness, my guidance, and my patience!”

Fire rained down upon him in endless waves. Liu Sumeng couldn't afford to grip his sword with both hands, too busy forming seals for that extra bit of protection from his barriers. It was the only thing he could do in the situation.

With his patience finally widdled away, Yuan Xuelan cursed and activated the spell. A purple glow encapsulated the entire area. A sharp cry, pained and angered echoed in the woods. The spell assaulted the phoenix's already volatile spiritual energy. It flared, leaking out like an uncontrollable whirlwind. Fire raged and even the earth trembled at the terrifying outpour.

Liu Sumeng raised his sword to deflect another wave of flames before ducking behind a rock that was barely big enough to protect him. He concentrated on erecting a barrier around him even as the very earth was being devoured by phoenix fire. Not even stone stood a chance. Sweat beaded at his brow and he was reminded of a sea of fire of ice from a previous life. Except now he had no desire to face death, no desire to leave behind an ocean of haunting regrets.

When the worst of the waves dissipate, the phoenix was left collapse upon a large barren land. Where there was once frozen grass, branches and trees lay nothing but scorched earth. Flicker of flame still licked the ground, refusing to relinquish their embers. The phoenix, though exhausted, was still dangerous. With a single swipe of its clawed toes of a peck of that sharp beak could easily end a man's life.

Yuan Xuelan drew his sword and leaped off the cliff. Though the divine bird was tired its instincts were still sharp and felt the young cultivator's presence and killing intent. It lifted its large head and was able to meet the sword edge with a hardened beak.

”It's a thousand years too early for you yet, stupid boy,” it sneered with false bravado and immense pride. It dragged itself back onto its feet and fanned out those red wings. Although there was no more divine fire pouring out in devastating surges, the bird alone was still a fearsome beast.

Liu Sumeng stepped forward as well, his sword pointed forth and countenance unafraid. He was undeterred even if his spiritual energy was low and even as his skin pricked with the sharp sting of third-degree burns.

Yuan Xuelan moved first and rushed in to draw the phoenix's attention. But who knew a bird could be skilled at martial arts? The phoenix met him with its talons and could twist and maneuver in the air like a seasoned master. Perhaps it should have been weird to watch a bird fight with its talons and wings like arms and legs but the phoenix was a creature of refined grace. A large wing knocked Yuan Xuelan off his feet and he decided he was never again going to underestimate the force of a bird's punch.

But Liu Sumeng was there to break his fall and catch him in those strong, steady arms. ”Leave this to me.” He seemed to smile in the midst of this dire situation.

”As if!” Yuan Xuelan scoffed as he jolted back up. This time the two cultivators charged at the phoenix together, parrying the attacks of beak and talons as well as the powerful swipes of a well-defined wing.

With a brash forward leap, Liu Sumeng was able to get in close and left a large slash on its left wing. Blood poured out and stained his sword. Where normally a phoenix's wound would heal instantly, the cut remained open and bleeding. The phoenix reared its head in fury, and kicked its leg at him. It grazed Liu Sumeng's shoulder as he twisted around to counter again.

The bird, sensing danger flapped its wings to take to the air. But it was wounded and struggled to remain airborne. With strength fast slipping, those red eyes faded to golden stripped of the embers of its powerful spiritual energy. Liu Sumeng was struck with pity and the memories of the victims of all their bloodlust from a previous life. For this bird, like many of them, was also innocent.

Yuan Xuelan, seeing his chance, reached into his robes and cast out a golden net. The phoenix saw this coming but with its strength drained didn't have the energy to disentangled from its prison. The divine bird crashed into earth.

Even now, caught and bound with all its powers exhausted, there was something beautiful about the creature. Though its feathers were ruffled they did not lose their mystical shine. The eyes that looked up at them was neither sad nor fearful. Instead, there was pity.

”You will regret this,” it told them, a soft sheen of gold covered its body until its size began to shrink, to reform. And in the place of a towering divine bird was a woman dressed in gold and red. Her skin was too supple to tell of age, but she held a gaze too wise and knowing to tell of youth.

”I-is it over?” Peng Jipei stepped out of his hiding spot and crept over, looking upon the woman caught under the golden net.

”Yeah,” Yuan Xuelan huffed and pointed his sword at her, ”Time to harvest that core. You better thank me for all this trouble, Peng-ge.”