tinthemeaningbehindit.“

    LiNingfeltashiverrundownherspineasXuéSān‘swordshungintheairlikeachallenge.Whatdidhemeanbythat?Andwhatlayhiddenbeneaththesurfaceofthisseeminglyinnocuousconversation?

    ThequestionechoedthroughhermindasLiNingturnedawayfromXuéSān,hereyesdriftingoutintothedistance.Shehadnoideawhatwasabouttounfold,butsheknewonethingforcertain-nothingwouldeverbethesameagain.