[The incident is far from meaningless to Hua Cheng. He's seen Xie Lian forced to suffer far more than anyone should. He has no intention of watching him suffer again. No matter the severity of the injury—it's an inexcusable sin. He's furious. The fact that Xie Lian is accustomed to such treatment only makes him more so, his rage increased by degrees for every slight, indignity, and injury Xie Lian has had to bear.]

A little more blood makes no difference now. Don't worry, it won't touch my hands.

[What does blood matter, to someone like him?

Xie Lian's lunge forward frees Hua Cheng's sword arm from his grasp. Finally, he unsheathes E-Ming. Flashing forth, the scimitar all but sings with its eagerness to draw blood. The townspeople who happen to be in the vicinity—some of whom had been drawn in close by the commotion—now remember they have somewhere else to be, immediately.]

This will be merciful. He'll have another chance in the next life.