The sun set in the west.
The sky gradually darkened into dusky shades of blue and purple.
The flow of people on the streets steadily dwindled, and the place grew desolate.
It was still the season when winter and spring met, and the weather had yet to warm.
As night fell, the temperature dropped quickly as well.
Many shops closed one after another, packed up their things, and went home.
Wu Da was an ordinary commoner who ran a small street stall, making a living by selling flatbreads.
Business had been fairly good that day, and Wu Da had sold out of his flatbreads early.
"Hehe. In another two months, I'll have saved enough money to take a wife."
As Wu Da tidied up his little cart, he imagined his wonderful future.
He had already settled things with Granny Wang from the next street over.
As long as he saved ten taels of silver, she would introduce him to Little Sister Pan from next door.
That girl was truly tender and lovely.
Wu Da worked himself to the bone every day just to save enough silver and join hands with Little Sister Pan in happy matrimony.
To that end, he had even specially prepared a gift.
With swift, nimble movements, he finished packing up the cart and prepared to put away the stools set nearby.
Those stools had been prepared for some of his old regulars.
Whenever they ate a flatbread, they usually liked to gather together and brag and chat.
But when Wu Da turned around, he suddenly saw a man seated on one of the stools, staring straight at him.
The man had ordinary features and wore a blue long robe. He looked to be in his forties, with pronounced wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.
*When