Old-Leg Wu was not old at all, and he was quick on his feet. He offered Xu Feng a compliment, but Xu Feng paid it no mind.
Once he understood that the man was only delivering a message, Xu Feng softened his tone. "I overreacted.
"Be careful on the road. With wolves and wild dogs about, it isn't all that safe."
Old-Leg Wu cupped his hands repeatedly. "Thanks to you two gentlemen, this road is much safer now!"
Xu Feng looked at him. "How so?"
As it happened, Xu Feng and his Master really did deserve the credit.
Since they had begun repairing the temple, more people had been traveling this stretch of road.
And with more people around, there were fewer of other things.
Wild dogs and wolves would not charge a crowd of craftsmen as long as they had any other food to eat. Bricks and tiles were being brought in, too, and the main beams were already on the road.
Feeding and housing all those workers was an undertaking in itself.
When men came to work, the employer provided their meals.
While Xu Feng and his Master were away, Doctor Qi, who traveled from place to place, had been overseeing things.
His Master had worked something out with Doctor Qi, though Xu Feng did not know what agreement they had reached.
After watching Old-Leg Wu run off, Xu Feng turned his horse back.
He saw his Master speaking with the master carpenter in charge of the site.
His Master held several pastries they had bought on the road and handed them to the carpenter.
"For your children. They didn't cost much. You've put a great deal of effort into this place."
The carpenter accepted them.
His Master then lit the carpenter's pipe for him.
The carpenter puffed