Heaven Return Bridge was a multi-span wooden bridge crossing Zhongjing's inner river. It was one of the city's famed sights, built during the Chang Dynasty. The bridge was divided into nine sections, rising and falling at irregular heights, winding back and forth.
Every section was carved with dragons and phoenixes. Red-lacquered wooden railings extended outward on both sides, and at their ends, beast heads held jade bells in their mouths. When a breeze passed, the jade bells gave off clear, tinkling notes.
During the day, a waterfall cascading down from Mo Crossing Cliff lay close to the bridge's middle section. With the rushing waters churning below, the bridge seemed like a rainbow leaping across a ravine, piercing clouds and passing through mist—strange, magnificent, and splendid.
At night, lamps were lit in the Stone Lotus fixtures atop the railings. Their reflections shimmered in the mirrorlike river, blending into a dazzling display of color that was even more breathtaking.
And from different sections of the bridge, looking outward from different angles, one could take in most of Zhongjing's historic sights.
Fan Zhentong and Chen Chuan had arranged to meet on the fourth section of Heaven Return Bridge. Beside it stood Ziyang Tower, where the old altar of the Xuan Sect had once been located.
When Chen Chuan arrived, Fan Zhentong was already there, standing by the railing and gazing into the distance.
He walked over and stopped beside Fan Zhentong, greeting him at the same time.
Fan Zhentong responded, then said, "Quite a few people have found out over the past two days that you and I were both part of the Visiting Delegation, Affairs Committee Member Chen. They also learned that I once supported you, so they came looking for me. They hoped I would plead with you and ask you