How did I become a God ?

14.A Way Out

He had a bad dream.

He has done something stupid.

That's all Shi Shuan could recall when he woke up.

He came around well past lunchtime, but a steaming warm meal awaited him by the head of the bed. He stared at it for a period of time enough for it to grow cold.

'What are you waiting for? Oblivion?' a familiar voice jarred him aware.

Well's ghost returned whole and well. A normal person would scold the ungrateful creature for leaving him alone last evening, curse his cowardice and show him back to his place, but there were no people here - especially normal ones.

He curbed himself to simply stare back at him.

'Holy cow! You look more like a ghost than me.' well's ghost exclaimed at the sight of his face.

Shi Shuan didn't respond.

'A bit haggard after partying all night, aren't we?' the flame snickered, 'At least eat something.'

He picked up a bowl of light congee and slowly forced it to go down.

'What happened yesterday?' he asked when finished.

'I though you would tell me. All I know is you were passed out on the bed when I came.'

'I've been drinking.' he said vaguely. After a while of thinking he smirked, 'He was asking for it.'

The 'he' was obviously referring to only other resident in Demons Lair - it's owner.

'Why would you go drinking with that old demon?' well's ghost said disgusted.

Shi Shuan ignored the question, busy sorting out the mess in his head. After a long while of tidying he finally spoke with regret in his voice, 'Tsk, it's a pity we didn't get to know who the rightful winner is.'

'Why did you agree in the first place... WAIT, hold your horses. What did you say? What competition?'

'He accused me of being unable to take him on in drinking. The alcohol was sort of already there, so... I took the challenge. You know, the kind of 'who's better at drinking'.'

'Spell it out for me. You challenged a demon to drink with you? And you didn't decide a winner?'

Shi Shuan shrugged, 'As I said. He was asking for it.'

'That's not it.' well's ghost stared at him as if he was a frog ridding a tiger. 'You know what, right now I'm genuinely scared of you.'

'Why?'

Well's ghost chewed on the right way to phrase the information he had to pass.

'Have you ever heard about a saying 'fight like a tiger, die like a demon'?' he shook his head, so the other carried on, 'It simply means to not die at all.' Now Shi Shuan was really puzzled. 'Demons are species famous for their legendary self-regenerating abilities. That's why in human legends demons are monsters who can go up against the heavenly order, they are considered immortal. No blood is enough for their thirst, no mortal blade can cut them and no poison affects them. What follows, it's impossible for them to get drunk. They heal at the speed fast enough to clean the alcohol from their system before it manages to kick in.'

'Oh' he didn't know that, but it explains much.

'Just how much exactly did you drink to get him wasted?' well's ghost was horrified.

Shi Shuan would like to rest some more to pass the twinkling headache, but his hands felt itchy.

The change of clothes laid neatly folded in cube next to the now empty bowl of food.