Overgrown Group

Everyone in the neighborhood knew the Xu Family's son had been named by a master.

Hardly anyone cared whether the name was good or bad. What mattered was that the master charged no money for naming and required no gifts. They only lamented that they themselves had no such Immortal Destiny to save money. As for immortal bones and spiritual aura, nobody cared. Blind Dong at the street corner told everyone they met that immortals had descended to earth; even when a dog had puppies, he could spin it into a tale about the Heavenly Dog.

The blazing midday sun showed no sign of cooling, and even the frogs in the pond had no spirit left.

If this heat kept up, the paddies would be finished.

"Woof woof~ woof~!"

Some household's Big Yellow Dog lay atop its courtyard wall, barking madly into the distance.

As they drew nearer, the Big Yellow Dog suddenly whimpered, tucked its tail, and burrowed into its kennel, refusing to come out. In such scorching weather, only danger could drive a dog into a cramped kennel. It was hardly any cooler than a steamer basket inside, yet it curled up in a trembling ball.

The heat waves baked the air until the view warped and blurred, making it impossible to see far. One large and two small figures gradually came into focus.

When they came closer, they turned out to be an old monk, a young monk, and a long-haired little boy. The three were dressed in rags and carried pots, bowls, ladles, and basins on their backs. Those who knew could tell they were monks; those who did not might think beggars had banded together for an outing and a cookout, or that demons from Black Wind Mountain had come down to parade through town.