It was the twelfth month of year 2932 of the Dark War calendar, and as the winter wind blew through the fields and the dry forests, it brought with it snowflakes that danced like fine powder. It was as if the wind wished to cover over all of the scars left behind by that ancient foe who had so recently visited the lands. When the wind reached the county capital, it swirled about, falling onto the streets, the rooftops, and the bustling people. It became a white mist that filled the world.7

The county capital had changed a lot during the last half a month.1

Just as the snowy wind sought to cover the scars in the lands, the cultivators from the three palaces joined forces with the Swordsage Courts of the various prefectures, along with all of the countless sects there, to rebuild Sea-Sealing County. Swordsage veterans traveled to the prefectures to join the rescue operations and help suppress any chaos being unleashed by nonhumans.0

Gradually, the effects of the Lieutenant Governor’s Coup began to fade. The recovery was truly underway.0

Marquis Yao and Master Seventh were both tied together because of Xu Qing. Though they didn’t know each other at first, after starting to work together, they both earned each other’s respect and admiration. Apparently, they had similar personalities in some ways, and thus, they got along well.38

The wind brought with it a new era to Sea-Sealing County.0

The deputy palace lords of the three palaces were now the official palace lords. In the case of the Swordsage Palace, that was Li Yunshan. Honor Guard Sun was the highest-ranking of the honor guards, so he became the new deputy palace lord.0

Honor Guard Sima had another mission to handle.5

Xu Qing’s life was vastly different than before. The rewards mentioned in the imperial edict hadn’t yet been officially distributed, but thanks to his Master and Marquis Yao, he knew full well how significant they would be.1

The golden identity medallion brought with it the right of reprieve from the death penalty. As long as the bearer didn’t...49