Inside the sword blank, the two of them witnessed the entire upheaval. But they were only spectators. They could do nothing but watch as some people died and others fell apart. At last, when everything had grown calm and Wen Xu and Bian Chunchou were about to leave the sword blank, a hand suddenly picked up the bloodstained metal.
Through the haze, they heard the person murmur, "So... there was still one left."
After that, Bian Chunchou lost all awareness. When he opened his eyes again, he was no longer in the square beneath the dark clouds looming over No-Shu City.
"Where is this...?"
"That sword is yours."
Bian Chunchou looked up and found himself facing a dense mass of Black Mist. Shocked, he dared not show it. "It is mine. Are you... the master of Yangming Manor?"
Black Mist sighed, its voice heavy with boundless sorrow. "Someone actually fulfilled the wish I couldn't. How wonderful. What's your name?"
"Bian Chunchou. Chunchou, as in spring in full bloom. Xiaozhou..."
Black Mist suddenly went wild, wrapping itself around Bian Chunchou. "Your surname is Bian? Which Bian?"
"The Bian in 'follow the great Bian.'"
"How could that be your surname? Impossible. How old are you?"
"Thirty-one." I can't keep letting it lead me around. I don't know where Wen Xu-Xu has gone, and I need to get out of here. Gathering his courage, Bian Chunchou said, "Senior, you're the master of Yangming Manor, aren't you? An old friend of yours asked us to come and see you."
"An old friend?"
"Yes. He ferries boats across the Boundary Sea. Do you remember him?"
Chapter 276: A Headlong Charge
The Boundary Sea? Ferries boats?
Black Mist fell silent for a long time, as though it had sunk into a dead sea of memories. At