The closer they drew to the Capital City, the more carriages and horses crowded the roads.
Disliking the congestion and slow pace of the official road, Bai Yujun simply taught Fat Tiger the Water Control Technique and had him race across the river's surface.
They lost track of time in the rain. By the time the rain stopped and the clouds scattered, night had already fallen. There was no wind. The moon hung far above the mountain ridge, and the tranquil river lay like a mirror, reflecting the same lights and river of stars, as well as the plump moon borne upon the mountains.
Several brightly lit three-story pleasure boats cleaved through the stillness, filled with languid drums and music, laughter, and boisterous chatter.
Special lamps hung from the lavishly decorated decks, engraved with spell runes. They illuminated every level and cast light dozens of zhang across the river.
Maidservants moved about serving dishes and pouring wine while nobles and wealthy patrons across the boats raised cups and traded toasts.
Those leaning against the railings to admire the moon saw a bizarre sight: a giant tiger running over the calm river as if walking on solid ground.
Night vision was poor; otherwise, they might have seen even more. In the end, they simply lacked that fate.
Fat Tiger found running over water quite amusing.
He leaped, and his four tiger paws, each as large as palm-leaf fans, landed upon the mirror-like water, leaving four spreading ripples. His sturdy limbs pushed off again, carrying him past the dimly lit pleasure boats. He found the thick scents of wine and meat novel, but disliked that powdery rouge fragrance.
Bai Yujun sat in the saddle, letting the wind blow over her as she breathed deeply of the river's distinctive scent.
She was a