"After the fall of the Ebon Tide Citadel, he refused promotions. Declined titles. Instead, he returned here, to his home sect," Daoist Chu said. "He said the sword had done enough wandering… and it was time for it to rest and guide."
Lin Mu exhaled slowly. "A man who's fought that much blood and darkness deserves rest."
"He does," Daoist Chu agreed. "But knowing men like him… rest is always temporary."
Meng Bai looked toward the peak they were approaching—their destination at last.
"So the One-Eyed Sword Lord… is watching over this place?"
The disciple smiled.
"Indeed."
A while later, the trio finally arrived near the top of the mountain, the wind thinning and the sky stretching like a vast sea of pale blue overhead. The Inner Court disciple descended first, landing on a wide circular platform carved directly into the stone. Elegant railings lined its edge, and a sweeping stone staircase descended in a spiral around the peak.
