Qin Hao's move caught Mu Ziqing off guard. Her cheeks flushed as she pressed both hands against his chest, wanting to push him away, yet seeming to hesitate...
"Ziqing, promise me we'll be together for the rest of our lives, all right?" Qin Hao asked softly, gazing at her in his arms.
"Mm," Mu Ziqing murmured, her voice barely louder than a mosquito's.
Whoosh.
A gentle breeze swept past. Mu Ziqing cried out, and in an instant, she and Qin Hao had vanished from where they stood.
At the same time, the doors of Ziqing Pavilion swung open with a bang, then closed on their own.
Then...
Faint cries could be heard from inside Ziqing Pavilion.
The night passed without further word.
The next day.
Purple qi came from the east as the rising sun climbed into the sky.
Outside Ziqing Pavilion.
Creak.
The Floating Pavilion doors opened, and Qin Hao and Mu Ziqing walked out side by side. Mu Ziqing's gait was noticeably different from usual.
Qin Hao glanced at her, and a faint smile crossed his face.
"You're still laughing." Mu Ziqing gave him a reproachful look.
"I'm not, I'm not." Qin Hao waved his hands, then said solemnly, "Ziqing, take care of yourself. I'll wait for you in the Central Continent Domain."
"Mm."
"I will." Mu Ziqing nodded firmly, reluctant to part.
"All right. I'm off."
After holding each other for a moment, Qin Hao flashed away, turning into a streak of blue light that sped into the distance.
He was headed toward the Central Continent.
Mu Ziqing stood below Ziqing Pavilion and watched him until he disappeared from sight. Even then, she did not look away.
Only after a long, long while did Mu Ziqing sigh and turn back. She glanced at the disarray inside Ziqing