The wheels rumbled on, and after several hours, by the time it was nearly eleven at night, Zhang Tie and the others had reached Hutuo Mountain.
Hutuo Mountain stood by the sea. This stretch of sea was called White Dragon Bay, and White Dragon Bay connected to the Jade Sea, forming a part of the Jade Sea that extended deep into Wa Emperor City. At the foot of Hutuo Mountain lay a prosperous market town stretching for dozens of kilometers along the bay—Tiger Tuo Town.
By the time Zhang Tie and the others arrived in Tiger Tuo Town, the rain had long since stopped. Though it was already late, lights dotted the town, and it was bustling beyond measure, as if a night market were in progress. The lizard carriage traveled along the mountain road, and through its windows they could see the sights of Tiger Tuo Town. They could also see pleasure boats moored near the shore in White Dragon Bay beside the town, their lights painting the sea in a riot of colors.
As soon as the lizard carriage reached Tiger Tuo Town, Zhang Tie got out at the three-way entrance to the town and bade Tang Mei and the other two farewell.
Hitching a ride along the way had been Zhang Tie's open and forthright nature, and they had gotten along pleasantly during the journey. Once they reached Tiger Tuo Town, they naturally had to find somewhere to stay. But if Zhang Tie continued lodging in the same inn or hotel as Tang Mei and the others, it would be awkward because Tang Mei was a woman, and it might make it seem as though Zhang Tie had ulterior motives. Thus, the moment they arrived in Tiger Tuo Town, Zhang Tie proposed getting off. Before Tang Mei