A grass-thatched shack stood alone beside the official road leading to Datong County.
The road had long fallen into disrepair, its surface pocked with holes and covered in deep ruts left by wagon wheels.
At the height of noon, not a single traveler could be seen on the road. Old Zhang stood before the shack, looking left and right, disappointment showing on his deeply lined face.
It looked like there would be no business today.
He rubbed the head of his grandson, who was dozing beside him, and sighed softly.
Just then, a gust of wind swept into the shack.
Clear bells chimed within the wind.
Old Zhang immediately perked up and craned his head toward the sound.
In the distance, a large blue-gray donkey was approaching, with a young Daoist seated on its back.
Its hooves clopped briskly, and in the blink of an eye, it arrived before the shack.
Old Zhang bent and nodded as he greeted him. "Daoist sir, it's so hot out. Would you like some cool tea and a rest?"
The seasons in Southern Shao were indistinct. Though it was already late autumn, the temperature remained high.
"Eey-ah~"
Before the Daoist could speak, the big blue-gray donkey nodded repeatedly in agreement—this donkey was exhausted!
"You lazy donkey!"
A glint flashed through the eyes of the ordinary-looking young Daoist. Smiling, he patted the donkey's head.
Then he flipped off its back. "Then I'll rest and have some tea. Give my donkey some fodder too."
"Right away!"
Old Zhang smiled as he took the reins and tethered the blue-gray donkey beside the shade of the shack.
He called out loudly, "Xiao Liu, hurry and bring over a bundle of fodder for the donkey!"
The half-grown boy jolted awake from his dream, hurriedly wiped the drool from the