"I hadn't wanted to come, but my sister insisted I see you off for her and drink a toast to send you on your way... tch!"
"I hope we don't meet on the battlefield."
"Come on, Brother Wang! Let's go to Red Sleeve Pavilion!"
"Of course Brother Yan is treating. My money has better uses."
"Oh, my dear grandmother, don't you know what kind of person your grandson is? It's not that I don't want to come home—it really was Brother Wang who asked me to cultivate with him. I didn't dare close my eyes all night, couldn't bear to waste even a breath of time! If you don't believe me, ask Brother Wang—Brother Wang! Brother Wang? Say something!"
"I can't teach you military strategy. This stuff takes real insight—look at you, why are you tattling to my sister? That makes us strangers, doesn't it? What I mean is, Brother Jiang's insight is exceptionally high. How could I deserve the word 'teach'? Come, sit down. I happened to steal my father's marching notes—perhaps you could offer a few pointers, brother?"
For a time, countless voices rose—by his ears, in his heart, in his memories—plucking the strings over and over. Jiang Wang, who had never once lost focus in battle, stood frozen there, unable to tell which voice was more real.
Li Longchuan had been gone for fourteen years.
The last gift he left behind was a Dragon Whisker Arrow that recorded the secret arrow art, the Sea-Calming Form. Jiang Wang had always carried that arrow with him.
Li Longchuan had said that this form would become a secret transmission of Stone Gate, belonging solely to the City-Crushing Marquis Mansion and never to be passed on to outsiders.
He had never regarded someone surnamed Jiang as an outsider.
And from it,