The monk Jing'en had been right.
Anyun City truly was one of the most prosperous places in the surrounding provinces. A single market stretched for nearly two or three li, and beyond it lay countless shops—taverns, eateries, pawnshops, jewelers, dried-goods stores... the sheer variety was dazzling, more than the eye could take in.
There was even a seafood shop—who knew where Anyun City, nowhere near the coast, got its live sea fish...
Unfortunately, Zhou You had little money on him, and Jing'en was utterly penniless. After making a circuit, they only bought some pastries, found a reasonably priced inn, and settled down to rest.
And so, evening came.
Zhou You had just finished practicing his punches and drawn a few talismans. Yet for some reason, he kept feeling restless, as though something lingered around him. Like the thin morning mist, however, it could neither be touched nor grasped.
His brush suddenly paused. The downward stroke veered sideways, leaving a large blot of ink.
The talisman was ruined.
He casually crumpled it up and tossed it aside, intending to pick up his brush again. But a few seconds later, he sighed and simply set it down.
Then he opened the door and descended the worn stairs. In the dim candlelight, Jing'en sat at a table facing the street, noisily munching on pastries.
Seeing Zhou You, he paused briefly, then smiled and pushed the plate toward him.
"Can't sleep, Young Master Zhou? Care for a bite?" Zhou You did not refuse. He pulled out a chair, sat down, and popped a piece into his mouth.
To be fair, they had cost very little, but they tasted excellent. Soft and tender on the tongue, they released their bean-paste filling with the slightest press, spreading an intensely sweet flavor.
Jing'en smiled as he explained.