Zhao Village

Having considered everything, Xie Jinghan rose to his full height.

With a light tap of his toes against the bluestone terrace, he soared into the air.

Leaping Art: Treading the Void!

He swept swiftly down the gorge, his movements light and rapid, vanishing from the summit of Tiger Leaping Gorge in the blink of an eye.

He crossed mountains and ridges all the way, racing onward at a steady pace.

Half an hour later, the sounds of bustle reached him.

Xie Jinghan slowly descended and slowed his steps.

Ahead, a village nestled against mountains and beside water came into view.

Smoke curled from kitchen chimneys in the village, chickens and dogs called to one another, and the wild mountain breeze carried the fresh fragrance of grass and trees.

This small village was Zhao Village.

It stood at the border between Yun Province and Hu Province.

It fell under the jurisdiction of Shanhe Town, Nujiang Prefecture, Yun Province.

Zhao Village was not large, with only a little over two hundred households.

The villagers had lived here for generations. Their customs were simple and honest, and they kept no quarrels with the world.

According to the village chief, the Zhao ancestor, Zhao Longcheng, had once led troops here to suppress a rebellion. Afterward, he had brought his clansmen to settle down here, where they had multiplied and prospered generation after generation until today.

This place had never welcomed outsiders into the village.

Yet now, Xie Jinghan had been staying in this village for three months.

Only through Xie Yue's letter of introduction, as well as the friendship forged through past cooperation between the Xie Household Escort Agency and Zhao Village,

had an exception been made to allow him to stay here.

"Uncle Feng, still busy?"

"Uncle Pei, do you need a hand?"

"Uncle Yang, your back isn't good. Be careful when you work!"

"Uncle Chun, where are you heading?"

His face was crammed with smiles, and whenever he met someone, he greeted them warmly.

It gave him the familiar warmth of the little rural village from his previous life.

He truly had not experienced that feeling in a long time.

So long that his memories had already grown hazy.

Xie Jinghan arrived at his own courtyard.

This was a temporary residence the village chief had specially found for him.

A small courtyard.

It stood behind the village, right beside a little stream.

It was said to have once been the home of the village tutor. After the tutor left, it had remained vacant.

Xie Jinghan was quite satisfied with this place.

He lay back in the reclining chair in the courtyard, closed his eyes, and listened to the babbling stream.

It was wonderfully pleasant.

Of course, staying here cost money.

One hundred taels a month.

But Xie Jinghan was not short of such silver.

"Brother Jinghan, why did you come back so early today?"

"Are you hungry? I have some osmanthus cakes my mother just made!"

"I specially brought you a few pieces. Try them and see how they taste."

"But after you've eaten your fill, you have to remember to tell me more of that monkey's story."

Perhaps having heard some movement, a little girl of around ten came hopping over.

She held a small box in her hands, with six pieces of pastry inside.

Her chubby cheeks puffed out as her big eyes blinked and fluttered at Xie Jinghan.

She was quite adorable.

Xie Jinghan opened his eyes, raised a hand, and instinctively gave her tender cheek a light pinch.

He said, "All right, all right. Thank you, Xin'er."

"You can listen for however long you want today."

"Yay! Brother Jinghan is the best! Long live Brother Jinghan!"

"Brother Jinghan, hurry and eat the cakes."

As she spoke, she picked up a piece of pastry and was about to bring it to Xie Jinghan.

Xie Jinghan took a small taste.

Zhao Xin'er was delighted. She dragged over a small reclining chair from beside them and lay down on it.

Swaying back and forth.

Imitating Xie Jinghan.

Xie Jinghan shook his head and laughed. "This little girl!"

"Tell me, then. Which part do you want to hear today?"

"Today I want to hear the story of the Women's Kingdom!"

"The Women's Kingdom is full of women, with no men at all. The king of the Women's Kingdom is so amazing!"

"But why was he so unable to see the forest for the trees?"

"Why did he want to keep Tang Sanzang there?"

"Brother Jinghan, do you think a country like that really exists?"

Xie Jinghan was rendered speechless. What kind of questions were these?!

He began selectively tuning her out and slowly started recounting the tale from the memories in his mind.