That day, the heavy snow that had fallen for several days finally ceased. The brilliant sun shone high; though the cold still cut to the bone, there was at last a trace of gentle warmth.
Meng Zhao changed into a somewhat oversized brown cotton-padded outfit, carried a small bamboo basket, and left Little Cold Village with San Gouzi, heading for Snow Bamboo Village, where Chen Xiaotao lived.
Quite a few people saw where they were going, but no one meddled or paid them much attention.
In the past, Li Zheng and San Gouzi often ran about everywhere and were not confined to Little Cold Village. The wilderness and other villages were places they frequented as well.
Snow Bamboo Village lay seven or eight li west of Little Cold Village, likewise situated near Little Cold Mountain. Its climate was broadly similar to that of Little Cold Village.
However, there was a Snow Bamboo Grove within the village, an excellent natural resource that made it comparatively wealthy among the nearby villages.
Snow bamboo was a kind of bamboo that grew in special environments. Its entire stalk was snow-white with black markings, and it was both tough and valuable as herbal ingredients.
Once this snow bamboo was cut down and roughly prepared, it could serve as a natural spear. Thus, Snow Bamboo Village was one of the local villages not to be trifled with.
Though the two were young, they had eaten and drunk well these past days and had been nursing their bodies back to health. Their pace was swift, and beneath the sun, they reached Snow Bamboo Village in less than half an hour.
They were all from nearby villages. Although everyone knew they were not locals, they were familiar faces, so no one questioned them.
San Gouzi had already made