High winds and thin clouds marked the road to Tong Pass. With his bundle on his back, Daoist Chonghe strode across the Great River. The waves flowing against him seemed like soft cushions, offering not resistance but aid to his steps.
Any grandmaster seemed capable of such a feat, but light would blaze and true qi spill in all directions. Yet this blue-robed Daoist truly walked as though on level ground, without the slightest disturbance, as if he were simply a man walking on water.
After walking for an unknown length of time, somewhere below Mount Wangwu, the foremost martial expert of the age suddenly stopped on the river. A moment later, a streak of radiant light swept over and landed on the water before him. The newcomer was his close friend, Bai Hengqiu, Emperor of Great Ying.
Unexpectedly, although they had known each other for years, Mount Taibai was near Chang'an, and Chonghe had clearly gone to the Eastern Capital to urge its surrender, their meeting now had something of a confrontational air.
After a long while, Bai Hengqiu, still dressed in splendid robes, spoke first. "Brother Daoist, how did your visit to the Eastern Capital go?"
Chonghe slowly shook his head. "Though he is a cast-off shell, he is also a living person, and a clever one. Having glimpsed heaven's secrets, he developed a will to rebel. How could I persuade him?"
"He knows he is a cast-off shell?" Bai Hengqiu's expression changed slightly.
"Judging by his words, he probably knew long ago."
"But if he truly means to rebel, why does he insist on defending this place at the Heavenly Origin? Isn't the Heavenly Origin where he is destined to shed his armor?" Bai Hengqiu grew puzzled again. "Couldn't he simply surrender and leave?"
"Because his will