Drooping willows, fragrant grass, a little pond; above the wall, the setting sun slowly slanted down once more.
If the Southern Wasteland was wild and unbridled, then Woniu Village was peaceful yet straitened. Plow oxen stood quietly, chewing their fodder, their tails occasionally swishing to drive away mosquitoes.
Oxen ate quickly, then stood quietly and brought the food they had swallowed back into their mouths to chew it thoroughly. Half asleep and half awake, their eyes narrowed, they did not even glance at the slender figure passing along the ridge beside them.
The rainy season was nearly over. Only dark clouds remained in the sky, with no rain falling.
Bai Yujun checked the water levels in Woniu Village's rice paddies and river, then looked at how much water remained in the wells. She nodded.
"There's enough rainwater."
She waved her hand, and a great wind rose, blowing away a raincloud that was about to descend...
She followed the field ridge back to the house. Zhang Wan was feeding the chickens, ducks, and geese in the courtyard, while Mother Zhang sat beneath the eaves sewing clothes. Old Doctor Zhang was not home, likely out making house calls. Though his medical skills were merely average, he was still a physician.
Zhang Wan, holding a bamboo basket, smiled.
"Yujun, you're back."
"Mm, I'm back. Where's that little devil Zhang Qi?"
"On Back Mountain, running wild with the village children. Yesterday, he stole his grandfather's brush and paper, saying he was going to draw talismans. I have no idea where he learned such things."
Zhang Wan shook her head, not noticing Bai Yujun's embarrassed expression.
"I'll go take a look."
She turned and headed toward Back Mountain. Back Mountain was not peaceful. She had discovered the anomaly long ago, but simply could not be