Liu Sumeng's narrow focus was slowly expanding once more. His heart was still in disarray but awareness slipped back into the fore. There was a deep cut upon his shoulder, one that he wasn't certain how he'd gotten it. Had Emperor Taixu somehow managed to cut him during his pursuit? That seemed possible to Liu Sumeng.
(Besides the fact that the cut was at his front and Emperor Taixu had been behind him.)
His world was no longer just the tunneled fear and hopelessness; but encompassed his surroundings much better. He was keenly aware of the biting cold and the deafening silence that engulfed the main courtyard. All other actors had vanished, leaving only himself and Liu Suye's corpse; the red of his blood like a beacon that yelled for the Ivory Sword Saint's attention.
