It was already dusk when she left the city.
Her basket had been empty when she came, and it was still empty when she returned. Anyone who did not know better might have thought Bai had simply wandered around the city, then, after buying things, suddenly decided to spend an afternoon at the City God Temple's opera stage watching a grand play. She could not understand the warbling singing at all and had merely joined the bustle. She found it amusing that so much food was crammed together in one place.
The City God Temple was empty. If there truly was a City God, he probably would not have dared show himself, forced to watch a great demon and ferocious beast occupy his place, watch the play, cheer, and toss copper coins.
Her cheeks bulged with caramelized sugarcane candy, sweet as could be. There were vendors selling sugar figurines, but Bai really did not want any...
She had to return to her nest before dark and make preparations for the New Year the day after tomorrow.
"A New Year without snow really feels strange~"
As she gazed over the bleak mountains and wilderness, she felt vaguely unsettled. Then her eyes lit up as she remembered that she could control the weather!
"How about... making it snow a little? Uh, forget it. The poor humans have already suffered enough; there is no need to heap frost atop snow. If it really snowed, who knew how many people would die."
She decisively crushed the thought of snowing. Then she suddenly remembered that her gift was far too heaven-defying, and she ought to be careful.
She silently recited the Heart Cleansing Incantation.
"A heart clear as water; clear water is the heart."
"A gentle breeze rises not; the waves remain unshaken."
"Alone amid