Kai Jin's Journey - A Solemn Promise

Anger.

Hate.

Confusion.

Concern.

Kai Jin had never felt this confused about what was happening in his own person ever since he first heard Ming Yue’s music and met her. Through the years since that fateful meeting, he had grown used to the way she stirred the waters of the lake within his mind.

Usually it was just an uncomfortable feeling… if he ever could call it a feeling. Kai Jin had learned to enjoy her presence, the way she played her music, understood him without explaining too much and the way his whole being simply went quiet - as if all the chaos in the world and the meaningless battles he’d participated in were nothing but a passing memory.

Ming Yue was special. She didn’t fear him. She didn’t judge him. She simply accepted him. And he accepted her…

Now, seeing her sadness replaced by fear, the lake rumbled as if an earthquake had disturbed it from within.

The owner, noticing Kai Jin, approached with a worried expression. He was about to speak when he suddenly felt it… that red eye of his was staring at him with killing intent!

“L-Lord K-Kai J-Jin… pl-please…!”

The sound of the sheath of his sword groaning under the grip of his hand made it clear that the Heavenly Sword was struggling to control his wrath.

“My Lord…” The weakened voice of Ming Yue made the swordmaster turn his head abruptly. She was looking at him as if the very breath that gave her life had been stolen from her.

The young woman could see it in her mind’s eye - Lord Kai Jin’s soul was in violent chaos. When she called out to him, Ming Yue saw how that mysterious red eye suddenly lost its brilliance as he looked at her.

She saw him turn towards her… she blinked slowly for a second, and when she opened her eyes again, Kai Jin was already standing in front of her. She’d never seen his prodigious abilities before. He had crossed from the entrance of the tea house to where she was in less than an eye blink.

“My Lady…” Kai Jin’s tone of voice was low, full of confusion and inner conflict. When he crouched down to look at her, she noticed how his face, usually a mask of indifference and stoicism, was now showing his concern and confusion. “What happened? Why is your life diminished?”

Ming Yue took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh. She bowed her head weakly and shook her head.

“He was here, My Lord. As I feared, he believed that our frequent encounters were a danger to his plans.”

Kai Jin’s reaction troubled her - his red eye flared up, his face changed into one of cold rage. The lake within his mind was churning. Being away from his sanctuary of peace had made his soul restless…

The swordmaster wasn't one for debates or long discussions. He felt a need to protect Ming Yue. And if Cao Cao had been the one to cause so much fear and anguish to her, then he would-

“An Xin…” She managed to say weakly after she saw him gripping the hilt of his sword with the intent of leaving. Ming Yue was able to place her hand gently over his right hand, which made its grip soften upon his sword. The fury that had suddenly overwhelmed him for a second had vanished with that simple action.

For several heartbeats Kai Jin remained frozen in place. She had called him An Xin - Peace of Mind. Calling out to him to try and remain calm.

“Please… there is no need to act upon this. My current state is only the result of my own weakness. I apologize for making you worried…” Ming Yue was relying on her perfect manners to try and put up a strong face. “We simply spoke about you, My Lord… I was able to convince Lord Cao Cao that I was not his adversary and that I was not placing words of treachery in your ear.”

“He believes I might betray him someday, and that you might have been feeding me these ideas…” Kai Jin’s voice was filled with cold anger. The warlord had dared bring his petty ambitions and schemes to the one place he could find some semblance of peace and quiet.

“Lord Cao Cao is a man of reason, An Xin…” She leaned forward as she tried to catch her breath and whispered. “He cannot tolerate not being able to control the people he is overseeing. This was bound to happen…”

For several seconds, Ming Yue took deep breaths, still trying to slow the beating of her heart. She was also worried about Kai Jin. She didn’t want her closest companion, her ONLY companion, to get into trouble because of her. If only she were stronger… if only she could simply disappear…

The scent of jasmine came closer to her nose…

She raised her eyes a moment and saw Kai Jin holding a cup of jasmine tea in his two hands, offering it to her. The sight of him being the one offering her tea made her eyes water up a bit and her lips to curl up in a soft smile.

He cared for her…

Taking the cup in her hands, she took a sip from it. The warmth and fragrance of the beverage restored some of her strength.

“Thank you, My Lord.”

“I understand now what I must do.” Kai Jin said as his face showed his usual stoic expression again. “My Lady, I promise I will protect you.”

A soft gasp of surprise came out of Ming Yue’s lips as she stared into the Heavenly Sword’s eyes. The stillness of the lake in his soul had returned - the churning chaotic emotions had subsided.

“My Lord…”

“I will not take action against him.” Kai Jin was very careful with his choice of words, even as he spoke softly in whispers, only for her ears. “He knows now that you are important to me,” Saying those words made her heart flutter a moment, “therefore he will have no choice but to provide protection to this tea house or simply ensure that he doesn’t disturb you. He believes that you would be able to provide insights about me that he would not be able to gather anywhere else. Fine. Let him believe so. I will protect you from him by simply playing my part. As long as I play the dutiful soldier role, he won’t trouble you any further. He needs me, more than I need him.”

Ming Yue was suddenly surprised by the careful explanation that Kai Jin had given. He wasn’t the most eloquent of speakers. But when his mind was focused on something, he was as sharp as the sword he wielded.

“Lord Kai Jin, I merely wish you wouldn’t take any unnecessary risks over me…” The thought of Kai Jin getting hurt or being troubled for her sake weighed heavily in her heart.

“There is nothing and no one in this world that could pose a threat to me, My Lady.” He announced calmly, but with a serious expression in his eyes. “It would take the strength of another Heavenly Sword to be considered a risk.”

“I do not want the Heavens to answer your challenge, An Xin…” Once again, the thought of Kai Jin being harmed worried her deeply. When did he become so important to her…?

“Then I will face the Heavens themselves if I must. As long as I breathe, I will protect you. No matter what…”

“My Lord…?” The way he looked at her made her soul both joyful and sad.

His eyes were filled with steely resolve and worry over her wellbeing. Even his red eye’s glow was dulled and subdued.

The tea house had recovered its silence and peaceful air once again. The owner had requested Ming Yue to leave for the day so she could recover her strength. Ming Yue accepted and was slowly being ushered towards the door. Twice did she look back to look at Kai Jin.

The first time she saw him standing there in his usual relaxed posture.

The second time she looked back he had vanished like the wind.

“An Xin… please… be careful.”

Kai Jin was already on his way to Cao Cao’s mansion. His mind was still and cold as ice. The chaos in the world would have to wait for now. He had to ensure that Ming Yue would be safe and he would do it in his own fashion - the world would have to learn to be afraid of touching her.

He would start with his “lord”.