Back then, when Qingque had voiced her confusion, Tingyun had replied:
"Do you think I'm obsessed with money? Chasing wealth and fame? Hmm, if I told you I'd long since stopped doing this job for money or recognition, would you believe me?"
"I would!" Qingque had affirmed without hesitation. "Then why do you do it? For your ideals?"
At the time, Qingque had pictured a Foxian girl who had loved commerce since childhood and sworn to open countless trade routes for the Xianzhou. No matter how much money she earned, she would never stop.
But Tingyun seemed to know what she was thinking. She shook her head slightly and murmured:
"I'm not that noble."
Qingque still remembered how Tingyun had gazed toward the distant Jade Gate when she said those words, watching the ships stream back and forth.
Her eyes had held none of an avid traveler's passion, but something indescribable, something deep and tinged with faint sorrow.
Which of those passing ships would bring someone familiar? Which would sail away carrying hope?
Traveling unknown routes, she was a pioneer opening new paths for the Xianzhou. But perhaps only she knew that she was waiting for a reunion.
Let me see you again. Just once would be enough.
Chu Mu left the Rain-Listening Pavilion and joined Qingque and the others.
He wore a black hood, his face concealed in its shadows, and carried himself with a distant, aloof air.
Everything about him seemed to say, "Keep your distance."
Sure enough, Stelle and March 7th stayed well away from him.
Qingque found that strange. He was clearly so easy to talk to, such a kind man. Why were they keeping so far away?
Only his subordinate, that green fellow, still stood beside him.
That fellow certainly was loyal.
Doppelganger gestured