He had witnessed the founding of a glorious dynasty in a flourishing mortal world, its emperors, generals, and ministers winning renown for ages to come.
He had set foot in Tianshan, remembering the former Great Snowfield Shelter atop the snowy mountains.
He had admired the northern mountains and rivers with the Tang Emperor, watching him trample the world beneath his horses' hooves, watching the ninefold palace gates open one after another!
After that, he met a great poet named Li Bai.
This time, Jiang Yang once again encountered a mortal brimming with talent.
He was different from Cao Zhi, whose talent filled eight pecks and whose bearing shone with brilliance.
Li Bai was unrestrained and indulgent, his poetic gifts unrivaled, and Jiang Yang liked him immensely.
Jiang Yang's bearing looked utterly extraordinary, yet Li Bai could disregard that and sincerely befriend him, composing poems and trading verses.
When they first met, Jiang Yang's identity was that of a scholar heading to the capital for the imperial examinations.
On the road, he encountered Li Bai fighting bandits and falsely accusing a young man named Gao Shi.
Amused, Jiang Yang explained on his behalf and lent a hand in killing the bandits.
Afterward, they became acquainted and traveled together.
Back then, in his youth, Li Bai also took great pride in his swordsmanship.
He pitted his sword against Gao Shi's spear, fighting a long weapon with a short one without losing.
However.
Seeing that Jiang Yang likewise wore a fine sword at his waist, Li Bai asked to cross swords with him. Jiang Yang initially refused.
But Li Bai insisted, so the two dueled.
Li Bai soon suffered a crushing defeat, losing within a few exchanges, which dealt him a heavy blow!
Jiang Yang laughed and said at the time,
"Taibai, even