"What brings you here, Lord Dai?"
Dai Sheng stared blankly at the man before him as those words left his mouth.
Indeed, why?
Seeing Dai Sheng's bewilderment, Yang Qing did not press him. Instead, he spoke as though to himself. "Everyone says Lord Dai is obsessed with power and intrigue. I thought that was merely a veil to deceive the eye."
A veil to deceive the eye. Yes, hadn't he himself once been thoroughly deceived?
Dai Sheng gave a bitter laugh. In the end, he could find nothing to say in his own defense.
He had waited here for a long time, thinking they might still reminisce together. Now, it seemed that was utterly impossible.
Even if he wished to, Yang Qing and the others would surely refuse.
When Dai Sheng remained silent, Yang Qing grew impatient. He said coldly, "If you are still trying to think of an answer, Lord Dai, there is no need."
With that, he turned to Bu Er. "Bu Er, let's go back."
He feared he would never come to North Mountain again.
Perhaps that was for the best.
Sever every lingering attachment to the past, and press onward without looking back.
"Lord Yang..."
Seeing that Yang Qing truly meant to leave, Dai Sheng grew anxious.
Yang Qing raised his head calmly. "There is no Lord Yang in this world anymore. Please take care of yourself, Lord Dai."
"Lord Yang, will you return to Western Chu someday?"
Dai Sheng stepped in front of Yang Qing again, blocking his way.
Yang Qing narrowed his eyes and looked at Dai Sheng with the ghost of a smile. "What if I do? What if I don't?"
The hand Dai Sheng concealed in his sleeve clenched tightly, its veins standing out. Suppressing the unease in his heart, he said