Spring had returned, yet senseless wind and rain still refused to gather up winter's lingering chill.
The next day, dawn broke.
The warm sun had just risen.
An Le had not slept all night, yet he felt exceptionally spirited. Spirit Refinement Transcendence had filled him with abundant vigor.
He had painted all night, producing casual sketches of bamboo. He used the unyielding pride within bamboo stalks and the sharp edge of bamboo leaves to nourish the boiling Sword Furnace at the center of his brow, gradually calming it.
Yesterday's clamor had already come to an end, and An Le had not been greatly affected. Luo Qingchen had taken Zhushan's corpse and left Lin'an Prefecture. Whether Zhushan lived or died had nothing to do with An Le, but An Le remembered the promise he had made to Luo Qingchen.
After washing up, An Le changed into a set of green robes, fastened Ink Pool and Green Mountain at his waist, and left the courtyard.
After eating a bowl of tofu pudding at the alley entrance, he read as he strolled, out of habit, toward West Lake.
The spring breeze came slowly, carrying traces of winter's lingering chill. By the lake, fragrant grasses grew thick and lush, and verdant life overflowed everywhere.
West Lake's spring scenery had returned; its spring waters were greener than dyed silk.
He made his way up Qingbo Street. A cultivation battle had taken place there yesterday, but now pedestrians hurried along, and not a trace of it remained.
His green robes had broad sleeves, twin swords hung at his waist, and perhaps because he had achieved Spirit Refinement Transcendence, he had grown ever more handsome. His brows and eyes were deep and striking, drawing the gazes of passersby as he walked down the long street.
In the