The Schoolteacher in the West of Town

[Rivals + senior and junior fellow disciples + love and hate]

Willows turn green west of Xunyang City, and the breeze ripples the spring waters of a pond. Gray-tiled roofs, white walls, tall poles wound with green vines, and steps reflecting the greenery.

Inside the walls lived a refined, gentle, and upright schoolteacher. Every day, he held a book and stood before his students, imparting knowledge and answering the questions of the children who came to learn.

At sunset, he would smile as he watched the chattering children leave, then leisurely sweep the courtyard. He lived a carefree life, watching clouds drift by and the seasons come and go. No one knew where he came from, and no one understood where he would go.

Then, the times changed. Smoke rose from battlefields, weapons clashed, and horses neighed. Xunyang City fell.

Xie Yun met him once again. This time, Xie Yun was at his mercy, while the other held the knife.

Once, they had been senior and junior fellow disciples, sparring with swords and debating the Dao. Now, one was a prisoner at the other's mercy.

Fu Yu asked him, "Will you accept your fate?"

So what, exactly, is fate?

Theme: In a world at war, everyone is at the mercy of others.