Path of the Eclipse Read Online Free PDF

stole over his severe features. “Shih Ghieh-Man,” he said, nodding a casual greeting.
    “Master Kuan,” Saint-German responded, coming toward the distinguished scholar. “You do me great honor.”
    “What’s this?” Kuan Sun-Sze marveled, too dignified to express surprise. “Master Kuan? Honor?”
    Saint-Germain took a seat opposite his guest. “My friend,” he said in less formal accents, “you are the first master who has deigned to come to my house since the Tribunal excused me from teaching at the university. I was afraid that perhaps the rest of you feared contamination.” His sarcasm was startling even to himself. “I’m sorry,” he went on in a more chastened tone. “I had thought I was not truly bitter, but I discover that I am.”
    “With good reason,” Kuan Sun-Sze allowed. “It was an arbitrary decision the Tribunal made. I have sent them a formal complaint, telling them that your studies in the West have been of great aid to us, for they show us new approaches and methods we can use.”
    “Did you?” Saint-Germain smiled faintly. “That was kind, considering how much you have taught me.” He regarded Master Kuan Sun-Sze evenly. “And my students?”
    “All but two of them are well. The two, I regret having to tell you, are Feng Kuo-Ma and Li Djieh-Wo.” Kuan Sun-Sze laced his soft fingers together.
    “Feng and Li argued in my favor to the Magistrates, didn’t they?” Saint-Germain asked without needing the answer. “What will become of them?”
    Kuan Sun-Sze did not speak at once. His eyes traveled about the appointments of the room, and he sat back in his chair. Saint-Germain remained silent while the great scholar considered. “The Li family,” he said at last, as if giving a lecture, “is an old and meritorious house and has given many excellent officials to the service of he who wields the Vermilion Brush. Doubtless there are Masters of Literature who would welcome a member of the house of Li as a student, particularly one of so quick a mind as Li Djieh-Wo. Feng, sadly, is another matter. The District Magistrate Feng was implicated in a great scandal not nine years ago, and for that reason there are few who are willing to extend themselves to those belonging to the family. Feng Kuo-Ma has been offered a post by an uncle, I have heard, that will take him away from this city, and though his career may be less brilliant than what had been hoped, still, he will find himself in an excellent position to be of service to the Empire and his family, and in times such as these, it is possible that unsettled events may yet bring him to the awareness of those in high places who may avail themselves of his skills.”
    “I see,” Saint-Germain said heavily. “The boy is banished because he spoke out on my behalf.” He stared blindly toward the moon door, but saw nothing of it or the garden beyond. “If I had known this might occur, I would have tried to dissuade him.”
    “No, no,” Kuan Sun-Sze said at once. “You must not feel so. It is proper to one of his nature to behave as he has, and I believe that it will go well for him, when his pride has recovered. He himself has been aware that his family is not in a favorable position at court, so trying his wings in the provinces may be what is required for him to advance to the limit of his abilities rather than the limits of his cousin’s folly.” He leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. “All things happen as they should, Shih Ghieh-Man.”
    “Do they?” Saint-Germain’s smile was wintry. “That’s curiously Taoist of one so much a part of the traditions of Kung Fu-Tzu.”
    Kuan Sun-Sze gave a tilt to his head. This was an old game between them. “We all know that the Taoists are misled men who are so blind that they will devote their studies to anything and do not care if it has to do with the proper conduct of human society or not.”
    “Lamentable,” Saint-Germain agreed, and only the corners of his mouth