After breakfast, Lin Hai and the others arrived at Ta Lo. The morning mist had not yet fully dispersed, and the air was as fresh as if it had just been washed.
The five of them arrived, as usual, at Village Chief Old Chen's home. Old Chen was sitting in the courtyard drinking tea. When he saw them, he rose with a smile.
"Lin Hai, lad, you're here." Old Chen's gaze swept over the people behind him. "And Gwen, Peter, Harry—you two lads haven't been here in a long time. And this is..."
Lin Hai nodded. "Old Chen, this is Mary Jane, Peter's girlfriend."
Old Chen smilingly invited them inside for tea. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lin Hai suggested that they put their things down first, then head to the lakeside to see the Divine Dragon.
Old Chen readily agreed. After all, Lin Hai was the Divine Dragon's envoy. To Ta Lo, aside from the seal and the Divine Dragon, Lin Hai was the most important person.
After the five of them left their belongings in the familiar attic, they headed with Old Chen toward the lake where the Azure Dragon resided.
As they passed through the village, villagers kept greeting them along the way. Mary Jane looked around as she walked, her eyes unable to take it all in.
Low stone walls lined both sides of the village road, enclosing all sorts of vegetables, flowers, and plants. Vines climbed over the walls of some houses, blooming with tiny flowers. Every now and then, they saw brightly colored chickens pecking at the roadside. They did not flee at the sight of people, merely wandering off at an unhurried pace.
"This place is absolutely wonderful," Mary Jane could not help saying.
Peter, beside her, nodded. "I think so too."
Once