Dawn had barely broken, and the air felt brand-new. The almanac had been turned over; today was most suitable for setting out on a long journey, while tomorrow was good for marriage.
Up at cockcrow, Zhu Lian had carefully prepared a lavish breakfast. The huge table was loaded to the brim. With Zhong Qian and the others around, there was no fear of waste; even if they could not finish it all, it could be sent to Cao Yin and Cao Yang in the back mountain, or over to Tiaoyu Mountain.
Before dawn today, Little Millet had already finished her mountain patrol early. The old cook's residence was the liveliest place on the mountain. Every day, smoke from cooking fires curled upward like this, as though answering roll call.
According to the plan everyone had discussed last night, once they left the mountain gate this morning, they would ride the wind to Ox Horn Ferry, then board an Evergreen Palace ferry heading south.
Luopo Mountain actually had its own Wind Kite Ferry Boat capable of cross-continent trade. But in Chen Lingjun's words, this trip was for traveling the world after descending the mountain, not for going out to enjoy themselves, much less for flaunting their might before anyone. They ought to suffer a little, endure some hardship, temper their muscles and bones, broaden their horizons, make a few like-minded friends amid the rolling dust of the mortal world, and possess the bold spirit to draw a blade when they saw injustice... As he spoke, even the green-robed young boy no longer believed himself. He exchanged a look with the black-clothed little girl, then burst out laughing. Pei Qian and Nuan Shu looked at each other: these two childish fools.
At breakfast today, there was an unfamiliar, bearded, burly man at