Monster

Summer was always quiet.

The summer heat was intense. Ten miles of West Lake were fragrant with lotus blossoms, while children splashed and played in the streams to cool off, their laughter ringing out.

Bai Yujun and Xu Xian walked along an ancient bluestone path by the water. Seen from the side, they made a beautiful painting: moss grew over the stone embankment, weeping willows swayed softly, lotus flowers bloomed in abundance, and fish occasionally tore through the reflections in the water. One human and one demon walked slowly amid those reflections.

The scenery beyond the city was lovely, and scholars and literary men could often be seen wandering there.

They drank wine and composed poetry in praise of the flourishing age. Perhaps after drinking too much and becoming dizzy, inspiration would suddenly strike, and they would produce a fine work. Promotion and wealth would then be just around the corner.

If that truly did not work, they could take some Five-Stone Powder to seek inspiration.

Watching the Central Plains people put their swords and spears away, turn their horses loose on the southern slopes, and indulge in pleasure, Bai Yujun wondered whether Ironball would be surprised if he led a hundred thousand demon soldiers out of the Southern Wastelands. She only feared that, with one careless push, they might sweep all the way to the shores of the Eastern Sea.

Xu Xian looked at those scholars and literary men with envy on his face, but it quickly turned bitter.

If he could have continued studying, taken the County Exam, and become a scholar, he would have been one of them too. Yet his household was poor, and he had no choice but to study medicine to support himself. He had no right to join them...

Forcing his way into