Twilight fell like spilled maroon dye, steeping Yunzhou Harbor in an increasingly rich and heavy gloom. The bustling noise of the port felt exceptionally oppressive under this eerie sky. Shen Mingyue stood on the swaying deck of the Ink Scale.
The sea breeze, carrying a salty, fishy taint, whistled past her ears and slipped down her collar; the briny taste forced its way into her nostrils, making her wrinkle her nose. She gazed into the distance at the eaves of Tianji Pavilion cutting through the clouds like sharp swords, her heart beating uncontrollably. It felt as though an invisible hand was clutching her chest, a premonition that something momentous was about to happen.
Gu Jinghong's unconscious warmth still lingered in her palm; for the last time, she tucked in the corners of his quilt, her movements gentle and slow as if she were tending to a fragile treasure. Her gaze swept over the purplish-black venomous marks winding like snakes along his neck—those bizarre patterns shimmered under the dim glow of the ship's lamp, writhing faintly like living things. Every minute twitch tugged at her heart, sending a sharp pang through her.
Chapter 51