Then he turned it over. On the back, the full text of the short lyric was engraved in tiny characters:
"I cannot bear to sift through the past; at night I often see that familiar face. A lone lamp, a sleeper fearing the autumn wind, which shakes loose a branch of desolate dreams.
Before fortune came, who believed in my course, hidden or revealed? Only now have I achieved the Revealing the Name and Whereabouts. Having trodden the ends of the earth, we meet within the mirror; looking back, my heart of ice remains unmoved."
Pei Ye stood dazed for a long time, only half understanding, until the old man gently patted his shoulder, held [Mountain Feather] by the Sword Body, and offered it to him horizontally, pointing with his other hand at the countless pairs of eyes below, raised and peering up in anticipation.
Pei Ye froze again, then rather hurriedly reached into his robe. "Um... wait a moment."
He took a sword tassel from his robe. It was somewhat worn and crudely made, with a small green jade pillar threaded onto it.
The hole in the new sword was much smaller, making the cord seem thick. Somewhat clumsily, Pei Ye pushed it through bit by bit and tied it securely.
Then he took the sword and turned to face the tens of thousands of eyes watching him with bated breath, drawing a deep breath.
He stepped forward and raised the sword high with a mighty sweep of his arm!
The little jade pillar bobbed quietly in the morning sun. Gongs, drums, and showers of flowers erupted across Bowang Garden, and earth-shaking cheers rolled like ocean waves, washing through all of Bowang, surge after surge.
Still owe 28 updates!
Oh, right, a supplement: "Before fortune came, who would believe