Glimpsing Across the River

Wang Xian told his senior fellow disciple at the Academy about the upheaval in the Southern Border.

By his calculations, it would take two or three months at least to travel from the South Sea to the East Sea and then on to the imperial city of Jinling.

After all, an army of a hundred thousand couldn't fly across mountains and passes overnight. They wouldn't even make the journey as quickly as he had, back when he'd traveled from the imperial city to Tiger Gate Pass.

Li Dalu was stunned. "What do you need me to do, junior brother?"

Wang Xian shook his head. "You don't need to do anything, senior brother. The lords in the imperial city can't even keep their own sons in line. What does it matter to the Academy who becomes emperor?"

Li Dalu sighed. "Are you saying that even hateful people have their pitiable side?"

Wang Xian shook his head. "They brought their own ruin upon themselves. What does that have to do with you?"

He reconsidered, thought it over for a moment, then added, "My teacher's ties with them have ended. And you're no man of the world, senior brother. There's no need for you to play the hero."

Li Dalu smiled. "Talk of heroes, debate heroes—what cultivator under heaven doesn't want to be one?"

Wang Xian considered that carefully, then shook his head. "Whatever the case, don't take this on yourself. Tell that old Huangfu that the Academy shouldn't get involved..."

"Why?"

Li Dalu frowned. "I'm not our teacher. You don't have to talk in riddles with me."

Wang Xian sighed. "The problem is, they brought this on themselves. Unless you want to be emperor, senior brother, don't wade into this muddy water."

Li Dalu was taken aback, as if the possibility had