Two figures, small as rice grains, appeared intermittently in the void above.
The high-altitude winds were strong, howling past and stirring the robes of the two men, serene and silent.
On that distant horizon, the border fortress known as the Zhenxi Prefecture was discernible atop the cliff, fading in and out of view.
Emperor Bai's eyes, bright as torches, held a grave scrutiny, while the hunched old sage's eyes were filled with remembrance and sighs.
In the silence,
the hunched old sage suddenly let out a deep sigh:
"After the Tatar Chao turmoil ended years ago, I made a special trip here once. Back then, the Qianxia Gorge was riddled with scars, and even that fortress town had been razed to the ground in the war. In the blink of an eye, so many decades later, this place has become so prosperous again."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Bai slowly redirected his gaze, turning to look at the face of the elder beside him, etched with wrinkles:
