Cloud Daoist

Early morning, before the Public Mortuary.

Uncle Jiu had changed into a blue cloth Daoist robe, washed so often it had faded pale but still neat, and carried a small pack on his back. Inside were a compass, several crucial talismans, and a little traveling money.

Lin Yan had also packed a simple bundle. Aside from a change of clothes, it held the Secret Manual of Corpse Driving and a wolf-hair talisman brush Uncle Jiu had newly given him.

Qiusheng and Wencai stood at the doorway, their faces full of reluctance.

"Master, Ah Yan, come back soon," Qiusheng muttered.

"Yeah, Master. With Ah Yan gone, Qiusheng and I probably won't even be able to draw talismans properly," Wencai said with a bitter face.

Uncle Jiu glared at them. "Cut the chatter. Watch the house properly, and don't slack off on your daily lessons."

"If there's an emergency, go into town and seek Master Ren's help. If you encounter ghosts or monsters, put protecting yourselves first and wait for me to return."

"Yes, Master," the two answered listlessly.

"Let's go." Uncle Jiu nodded to Lin Yan and stepped out first.

Lin Yan waved to his two senior brothers, then turned and followed.

Master and disciple, one in front and one behind, trod through the morning light and left Ren Family Town, where they had lived for so long, heading south toward Maoshan.

The road ahead was long, with mountains high and rivers stretching far.

Uncle Jiu did not choose carts or horses, saying that since this was cultivation, they ought to keep their feet on solid ground, to feel the qi of mountains and rivers. That, too, was a kind of tempering.

For the first few days, they took official roads, which were fairly level.

From time to time, Uncle Jiu