Everyone's hearts jolted.
Then their expressions hardened with resolve.
Qiu Yu, Hao Jingye, Old Qin-one death after another had already brought them more than enough grief. Since he had left information behind, they might as well try.
They would find a way to retrieve it!
Qi Lingwu spoke, his voice hoarse. "Rest first. You're in no condition to do this."
Song Linwei considered it, then agreed. "What we're facing next is the real culprit-the Fragments. We have to prepare properly and get ourselves back into shape."
The mere mention of the Fragments made him grit his teeth.
Sheng An did not object. She nodded.
She lowered her head and gently gathered Old Qin's clothes.
-Qin Xuan was still here.
-But they would always remember the other Qin Xuan.
Sheng An's fingers brushed gently over the frozen blood on the clothes, while the madness deep in her eyes only grew.
One day, she would overturn this Chessboard and give them back a clean world in which to lay their bones.
The lounge.
Jiang Yu held out her hands and said softly, "Xuanxuan, can I hold you?"
Qin Xuan's gaze was a little vacant, but he obediently reached out.
Jiang Yu's heart ached so much that tears pattered down. Qin Xuan came back to himself and gently wiped them away with his little hand. He blinked. "Sister Little Fish, I'm all right now."
Qin Xuan tugged up the corners of his mouth in an innocent smile. "Grandpa already told me he would leave. But it's okay. He'll always protect me somewhere I can't see, and I promised him I'd always be happy."
This time, even Song Linwei and the others felt their eyes grow wet again.
Qin Xuan's attempt to comfort them only made their hearts ache more, reminding them of