"We've gotten to the bottom of it."
###
Jin Wushang said heavily, "I feel deeply ashamed..."
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"Don't say that."
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Dongfang Sansan cut off his apology and said calmly, "Did you wrong someone? You six Lineages?"
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The six lowered their heads in unison. "Yes."
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Dongfang Sansan stared blankly at Fang Che's portrait, then suddenly raised a hand and pointed at the couplet. "Jin Wushang, look up."
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Jin Wushang did not want to look up.
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But he had to. He could only raise his head and follow Dongfang Sansan's finger.
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"See it? How are those words read? What have they endured? What have they seen through?"
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Dongfang Sansan asked gently, "Do you recognize those eight characters?"
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"...I do." Jin Wushang nearly burst into tears.
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"You recognize them?"
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Dongfang Sansan said indifferently, "What about the other five? Do you recognize these eight characters?"
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"...We do."
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Blood stains had even appeared at the corners of Chu Yijiu and the other four's mouths, but they still had to answer.
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"I thought you didn't recognize them. I never expected that you did."
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Dongfang Sansan said, "Read them. Let me hear what they say."
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"...Filthy and sordid, cold and vile."
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The six flushed purple as they forced out the words before all the higher-ups.
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"Louder."
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Dongfang Sansan said.
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"...Filthy and sordid! Cold and vile!"
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The six shouted the words with ashen faces.
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Dongfang Sansan turned around. Her cold, clear gaze swept over the six, cool as water, piercing straight into their eyes and hearts.
###
Dongfang Sansan let out a long sigh and said softly, "You know, when I wrote this couplet and gave it to the Life and Death Patrol, I never imagined that