"Dare you come down?"
Old Tian thought to himself, "What does it matter if you're up there? Why should it concern my young master?"
But in the next moment, a jolt ran through Old Tian's heart.
"Walking the river?"
He stumbled back, and recalling that the young man’s group was right behind him, he swiftly pivoted and executed a smooth turn.
Turning to face the group, he steadied himself before continuing his retreat.
With a thud, his calf hit the steps, and he sat down heavily.
Old Tian's eyes widened, his mouth slightly agape, and trembling in fear, he felt blood seep from his recently bandaged wrists.
Though Old Tian was somewhat slow on the uptake, he understood clearly the significance and weight of the term "walking the river" in the martial world.
In the usual family sects, disciples reaching a certain age would leave their homes to explore the mundane world.
Some journeyed to seek out adventures, some to endure trials, others just to enjoy the wonders of nature.
The dictionaries of ancient texts, like the genealogy of the Yin clan, recorded nearly every clan member's wandering tales, but the term "walking the river" was notably absent.
Strictly speaking, only the heirs of the Dragon King could call themselves river-walkers after lighting their lamps.