On the Hanbai jade steps of Da Liang, Li Huowang stood with one foot on a higher step and the other below, his eyes filled with unease as he looked at Bai Lingmiao. He reached out and tore the ribbon from her face, revealing white, pupil-less eyes. The white eyes, paired with her pale skin and white hair, made Li Huowang feel for a moment that he was looking at an unbreathing jade sculpture.
"I'm alright, Brother Li. Really, I'm fine. Don't worry," she said, leaning gently into his embrace with a faint smile. "I'll protect you from now on."
Li Huowang pushed her away and stared into her blind eyes, his expression exceptionally grave. "Miaomiao, tell me! When did you leave my side? What happened all this time? And… who are they?" His finger pointed toward a group of White Lotus Believers meditating on a nearby terrace.
