That morning, Deng Qing reached Fertile Water County and ate lunch, but he still felt uneasy. It was too close to Everjoy County.
He took another boat downstream and did not stop until he reached Cloudwater County, a hundred and eighty li from Everjoy County.
Cloudwater County sat at the crossroads of north-south trade routes. Merchants filled the city, mingling with people from every walk of life. It was a good place to hide.
After entering the city, Deng Qing found an inconspicuous inn, took an upstairs room, settled in, and had an attendant bring him food.
Full and satisfied, Deng Qing collapsed onto the bed. "After all those twists and turns, I ought to be safe now."
After resting a while, he wandered to the window and looked out over Cloudwater County. Pedestrians came and went through bustling streets, and trade flourished. The calamity wrought by the cult did not seem to have reached this place.
After watching for a while, he drew back his gaze. Suddenly, something caught the corner of his eye. He looked closely, and in the next instant, his entire scalp went numb.
At a tea stall below sat a burly middle-aged man, his back to the inn. He held a coarse porcelain bowl and drank at an unhurried pace.
From that back alone, Deng Qing recognized him—Li Dashan!
Deng Qing's pupils contracted. He nearly thought his eyes were playing tricks on him.
He stared for a long time, then bit down hard on the tip of his tongue. Only then was he certain he was not dreaming.
Just then, Li Dashan set down his bowl and looked up toward the second floor.
Their gazes collided across the street. Li Dashan smiled faintly, lifted his bowl, and took another sip.
A chill shot from Deng