I understood then what had been troubling him all this time. "I won't do anything rash," I promised again, knowing that he feared for my ill fate even more than I did. "Tell me the details … How is this done? What would happen to Twin Stars if I do succeed?"

He heard the implied question in my words. "It won't make you more susceptible to the influence of demonic power," he reassured me. "The bonding technique is the only way to strengthen that connection between you and Twin Stars. Even as your enhanced power starts to resonate more with the swords, your mind won't be affected and led astray. I will make very sure of it this time."

A long silence passed before his breathing finally calmed. "I didn't mean to make you worried," he said quietly and tightened his arms around my shoulders. "I wasn't lying when I said I have all the faith in you. But …"

He nuzzled my hair, his voice trailing off to a sigh. I understood what he wanted to say. "But you don't want me to risk anything just to save you?" I asked. "Because you fear for the price I might pay treading a path that I don't have to choose?"

The hush around us answered my question, and his firm embrace told me that he was still trapped in that fear. I wondered when was the last time I had felt him so vulnerable like this. "Bai Ye," I whispered. "Look at me."

That interlude seemed to have eased Bai Ye for a little while. He drifted back to sleep afterward with me in his arms, and no more nightmares haunted him this time. It was past noon when we woke up again, refreshed and ready as we made our way back to East Village.

A hint of liveliness had trickled back to the settlement now that the protection spells were in place. It was nowhere near how busy things should be for New Year yet, but at least the roads were no longer empty by the time we arrived. Sparse figures dotted the market square, trading meat and essential household items. A few men traveled between the hills and houses, axes on their shoulders or fresh wood on their back. Occasional squeals from children drifted on the wind as they took their breaks in the yard, and I was both surprised and relieved to see Yang-Yang dashing out of his front door the moment we were within sight, running toward us with a bright grin.

Qi Lian bowed to Bai Ye first, then the village elder. "I apologize for the delay," he said to the latter. "My master was originally planning on looking into this matter, but due to a last-minute incident, he couldn't make it to this trip, and it took us some time to gather a different group."

Teng Yuan was supposed to be here? I wondered what kind of last-minute incident might have gotten in his way, and I hoped it wasn't related to any bad news. But considering the group standing in front of me was mostly disciples from his hall, I reckoned whatever happened couldn't have been that undesirable. So I smiled at each familiar face, not hiding the pleasant surprise when I found Wen Shiyin at the back of the crowd as well. There was no sign of Xie Lun though.

Everyone accepted the arrangement with enthusiasm. Within minutes, the group had gathered enough information and got ready for the adventure. I pulled Bai Ye aside as the rest of the crowd bid the villagers farewell, exchanging promises and wishes of good luck.

"Are we not going to tell them about the symbol?" I whispered. "And … Why aren't you coming along?"

He let out a soft chuckle. "You know I wouldn't leave you if I could help it. But—" he spared a look where the group was standing before lowering his voice, "—Mount Hua's aid came quicker than I expected. If news gets back to Chu Yang, and he finds out who this 'devil' is too soon … Things won't work in our favor."

He was right. I had almost forgotten that we were not the only people who would recognize the sword spirit's face. "You are worried that he might do something to Twin Stars?" I asked.

He remained quiet for a long time. I tried my best not to push it too hard, leaving him space to fight his inner struggles. Convincing Bai Ye wasn't going to be easy, but I was determined to make this one count.

It seemed like forever before he spoke again. "I know of a spell that can let you glimpse into the memory of someone else." He sounded hesitant, though he continued nonetheless. "It should be safe, since the scenes you see that way will remain a separate experience from your own consciousness. But …"

"I won't take advantage of it and take on the sword spirit without you agreeing to it first." I promised again quickly, not letting the doubt get a second chance at changing his mind. "This is a big battle. I can't and won't fight it on my own. You have my word."

Bai Ye paused for the third time in shining his sword, scowling as he turned around. "Will you stop staring?" He pinned the girl sitting behind him with an irritated look. He couldn't possibly concentrate on anything with that feeling of being constantly watched.

The girl blinked her big doe eyes. "Why?" she asked as if genuinely curious. "You are pretty. Isn't it human nature to stare at pretty things?"

Bai Ye tightened his grip on the sword hilt. It had been barely an hour since the spirit of Twin Stars manifested itself—herself, to be more accurate—and she had already tested the limit of his patience. Or sanity, as he remained in disbelief that a demonic sword spirit, who was practically thousands of years in age and born from the blood and flesh of the most evil existences, could be so naive and senseless.

It turned out he was wrong. Very wrong. Because after almost two months, he still couldn't adjust to this new life at all.

"Master, will you come over to the garden please?"

Bai Ye grunted when he heard the voice drifting on the wind through his window. He had barely started his reading for the day, and the trouble maker was already interrupting him again. Since when did she sneak into the garden?

The discovery of the sword spirit's hidden gift quickly led things in a new direction. Bai Ye started trying to spend more time with her, in hopes of learning more about the true nature of a sword spirit and guiding her in the right direction. A power and knowledge as unique as hers impressed him, but at the same time, he felt somewhat uneasy leaving it in the hands of such a naive girl.

He quickly realized, however, that he should've thought better of what he was getting himself into. He had never taken a disciple before, and although this girl wasn't really a disciple, she required as much attention and patience as the worst ones, if not more. He frequently ended up staring into a pair of big, confused eyes, even if he was only explaining simple, common sense to her. Other times, he had to keep gritting his teeth while she challenged his way of things, bluntly and occasionally with radical logic.