Luo Binghe's mind clears, strength flooding back to his limbs. He takes in a startled breath, suddenly able to recognize what was wrong. Xin Mo. It must have turned on him at last—he woke with it at his side—which explains the gap in his memory. Xin Mo is an ancient sword, not wielded by anyone else within Luo Binghe's lifetime, but there are legends about its wielders going mad, losing their senses.

He could have done anything, under its thrall. Did he...?

"Keep trying," he urges.