"It's close," Su Wanwan said. "Just over the slope ahead."
But by "close," she meant another half hour or so. By the time they finally stood before the two standing stones at the entrance to Moon-Perch Ridge, the sun had already climbed high into the sky, making the white patterns on the stones gleam.
The mist was still there.
But today's mist was different from before. It did not block the entrance. Instead, it had drawn back to either side, leaving only a narrow path through the middle, as though someone had deliberately cleared a way for them.
Su Wanwan walked at the front, passing between the standing stones and stepping onto the fine white sand. The mist softly curled as she passed through it, as if examining her, or confirming something. When Chu Yang followed her in, the mist drifted toward him, brushed against his sleeve, then pulled back.
Sun Wukong entered third. The mist did not even touch him. It simply moved aside.
Tang Monk came in last. The mist circled him once, as though sniffing out some scent, then slowly retreated as well.
Bai Xi stood on the stone terrace, leaning against the bluish-gray rock wall. She held a wooden comb with broken teeth and was slowly combing her hair. She had changed clothes today. She still wore a green shirt, but instead of silver vines at the collar, there was a branch of tiny white flowers embroidered there, densely clustered together like snow gathered on a bough.
When she saw the group approach, her gaze swept over Su Wanwan, then passed over Chu Yang, Sun Wukong, and Tang Monk in turn before returning to Su Wanwan.
"You're all here," she said.
"Yes." Su Wanwan nodded. "Senior, they—"
"I know who they are." Bai Xi tucked the