Lin Mu's gaze hardened, but the Grand elder lifted his hand. "Do not mistake me. I am not condemning you. A sword must cut, whether it shines in the sun or drips with poison. What matters is the hand that wields it. I chose to trust you, Lin Mu. Do not falter."
For the first time since consuming the Nascent Soul, Lin Mu allowed himself a slow, grounding breath. "I will not falter."
The Grand Elder's single eye gleamed. "Good. Then let us prepare. I will take word back to the sect and begin mobilizing those we can trust. You… follow the resonance of that token. Find their hidden roots. When you have them cornered, send word, and we will strike together."
Lin Mu nodded.
Yet even as he agreed, his thoughts churned.
Was he truly becoming more decisive, as Lin Mo seemed to believe?
Or was he simply walking further down a path where his choices and Lin Mo's desires overlapped?
For now, he pushed the doubts aside. The Hidden Cave Sect awaited, and hesitation could spell disaster.
