At the tip of the Sword Strip, the hilt-shaped section that had been wrapped for nearly ten years was still bright white, distinctly different in color from the blade.
At the very tip of this hilt, a crooked character the size of a grain of rice had been carved into it.
"Maple."
"..."
Pei Ye said softly, "Your son chose this sword deliberately. He knew where it came from, too."
For Zhang Jingbi, who would never again have the chance to earn his father's praise, standing on the Lotus Platform at the Iron Pine Sword Gathering with this sword in hand had meant something extraordinary.
Xu Shang covered her mouth, unable to hold back a cry.
"How many days after Ji Feng lost was he murdered?" After a quiet moment, Pei Ye asked.
"The-the second day."
"...Today is the second day, too." Pei Ye picked up the sword. "I'll take my leave, Xu Peak Master. We can talk more later. I have to report this to the Law Enforcement Hall."
"I'll come with you."
"Please stay, Xu Peak Master. These things... are important, too." Pei Ye pointed at the notes they had spent the day putting in order.
"...All right."
Pei Ye stepped out of the Vermilion Tower. Dusk was already approaching.
There truly were few people on this peak, and with Zhang Jingbi gone, it looked all the more desolate.
Pei Ye gazed at the peak's cold autumn scenery. Behind it lay a dark, clouded sky and a streak of orange-red sunset cloud, turning the verdant trees in the foreground into blurred shadows, with faint light stretching in from their edges.
Pei Ye withdrew his gaze in a daze, lowered his head, and walked down the mountain through the dusk.
"Young Hero Pei." Xu Shang suddenly called softly after