That pole of Heart Poison, the bond that kept echoing in her mind as she and the boy held hands and leaned against each other-she had always regarded it as a poisonous obstruction and deception.
Now it became clear. All along, it had been the voice of the old man before her.
Nor had it been an obstruction. It had all been gentle support.
"If you like him, be together. What's wrong with that?"
"You going to the Divine Capital and making something of yourself would make me far happier than staying cooped up beside an old man like me."
"Go on. I'm here."
"."
Every one of these words was something the old man had once said to her with a kind smile. The girl had never realized it, but deep within, her sensitive, perceptive nature had long since glimpsed those sharp edges.
So this was what the Fifth Poison looked like.
Li Piaoqing stared at the somewhat bewildered old man before her, then suddenly gave a peaceful smile.
She gently drew the Lost Jade Sword and reached out to tug at the old man, who was poised to strike.
She turned back, expressionless.
Not far away lay the courtyard where Shang Huaitong stood. Above it, the formation of the [Other Shore Treasure Raft], drawn over these past days, was raising a fluorescent glow that reached the heavens.
As Li Weiru trembled all over as though struck by lightning, Li Piaoqing swept upward, sword in hand, toward the two figures standing on the branches.
Of course. Even if it happened ten thousand more times... Amid the wind, the girl thought dazedly.
She would still choose Jade Feather.
Heart Candle erupted with a ringing clang.
Above, the black-robed man swept his saber through a crescent arc, deflecting all the Glaze