Hanyanzi's expression was calm, but his heart was anything but.
As he spoke, Chen Cuo opened his eyes in the courtyard.
"It's been a long time." Hanyanzi looked into the courtyard and met Chen Cuo's gaze, his voice even.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Hanyanzi." Chen Cuo smiled, rose, and cupped his hands in salute.
Hanyanzi had hardly changed in three years. The only difference was the Bronze Sword on his back—dark and unadorned, with traces of rust visible even on the hilt above his shoulder.
But the expressions of Lingya and Ling Mei changed the moment they saw him. The two fellow disciples stepped forward to greet him.
Hanyanzi merely gave them a slight nod.
Neither woman was surprised. They had long heard of this accomplished Kunlun disciple, and they knew what Kunlun's people were like.
Hanyanzi plainly had no intention of chatting with the two Kongtong disciples. He walked straight into the temple.
Dianyunzi was no longer guarding the entrance. He followed him in.
Cultivators observed seniority and sect distinctions, but had few elaborate formalities. After a brief exchange of greetings, Hanyanzi came up to Chen Cuo and said, "I came here under orders."
Yet as he spoke, his eyes remained fixed on Chen Cuo. His face was composed, but Chen Cuo sensed a few thoughts spilling from him, only to vanish in an instant.
A strange silence settled over them.
Watching from a distance, Lingya and Ling Mei felt an inexplicable pressure. At last, they could hardly resist breaking the silence.
But Hanyanzi spoke first. "Is Master Tan Duan here?"
"He's no longer here." Chen Cuo shook his head, hiding nothing.
Hanyanzi's pupils widened sharply. Then he nodded. "I begin to understand why Junior Brother Qiuyuzi said those things to me back then. Even now, whenever I see him,