The two of them remained crouched on the roof, their eyes fixed on the sword below. Han Liang's reaction did not go unnoticed; the Second Commander's attention sharpened as he followed his gaze.
Everyone gathered below wore long hats that concealed their faces—except for the blond-haired man.
"This sword is magnificent… I've never seen a weapon like this before," one of them whispered.
The blond man only smiled.
"What's its special feature?" another asked.
"Let's discuss the price," a merchant suggested. "Or is it just an ordinary blade?"
As one of them reached out, the blond Westerner moved.
In a single motion, he seized the sword and rose to his feet.
He swung it twice. A sharp whistle tore through the air. A wave of force burst outward.
The men around him staggered—then collapsed, their knees giving way as if crushed by invisible weight.
No one understood what had happened.
Only the blond man remained standing.
The necklace at his throat glimmered faintly.
On the rooftop, the Second Commander staggered back slightly. His gaze snapped toward Han Liang.
Something was wrong.
Han Liang's pupils had shifted into a deep golden hue. Faint veins of golden light surfaced along his skin.
The Second Commander reacted instantly. He grabbed Han Liang and pulled him away, retreating across the roof.
"Too close… too close," he muttered under his breath.
Han Liang struggled to steady himself. The glow in his eyes had not yet faded.
They slipped down from the rooftops and disappeared into the forest beyond the town. The Second Commander did not stop. At the riverbank, he shoved Han Liang into the cold water.
Han Liang sank beneath the surface.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then he emerged, drawing in deep, steady breaths.
The golden glow was gone.
His eyes had returned to their night-blue.
The Second Commander exhaled in relief.
Both of them remained silent, the shock of what they had witnessed still lingering between them.
Han Liang's mind raced.
The power of that sword… it was not something ordinary. Images and fragmented thoughts flickered through his mind.
We can't leave yet.
We need to stay… and learn more before it changes hands.
The Second Commander hesitated.
"If you wish, I can gather information," he said carefully. "But don't approach that sword again. We don't understand it yet. We may not be as fortunate next time."
He paused.
"Let's return to the inn."
Han Liang remained silent for a moment.
"This… is it truly a weapon?" the Second Commander murmured. "Or something else entirely? I cannot trace its origin."
Han Liang's expression hardened.
"It's too dangerous to get closer," he said.
Then he lifted his gaze.
"But we cannot ignore it."
A brief silence followed.
"And I should be the one to watch it."