"It really was her, it really was her!"
Emotion surged through Qu Yong. She was coerced, forced to steal the Forging Art. She never dared tell me the truth because she feared I would despise her for who she was. From then on, this world could scarcely offer her a place...
He gripped the sword hilt tightly. The Cangwu Sword hummed softly in its sheath, as though sensing its master's turmoil, giving a faint, barely audible cry.
"Is she... still alive?"
Qu Yong's voice trembled. The codes of the martial world, the divide between good and evil-all of it had been thrown to the back of his mind.
Mist Concealment lowered his head, his short legs trembling unconsciously on the sand, as though weighing the safest way to answer.
"I... wouldn't dare speak recklessly. All I know is that Junior Sister Yun was locked up for a long time, then somehow escaped.
"I heard she killed several of the guards watching her and jumped into the sea, disappearing without a trace. The bigwigs on the island went mad with rage. They issued a kill order and put a bounty on her head."
He stole a glance at Qu Yong, then swiftly lowered his eyes again and added, "Every word I've said is true... if you don't believe me, sir, you can ask around."
Qu Yong said nothing. He stood dazed on the shore as dusk deepened, his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the last streak of red on the horizon. Its light fell across his face, revealing a wet trail so faint it was almost invisible.
"I understand."
When he spoke again, his voice had regained its usual composure. "Let's go."
Liu Chuang had remained silent throughout. With the Bamboo Knife resting at an angle on his shoulder,