By the time they returned to the Mountain Manor, night had fallen completely.
Everyone seemed weighed down, and hardly anyone had spoken along the way.
After a simple meal, Zhou Tieshan patted Mo Yun on the shoulder and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Thanks for your hard work today, Brother Mo. Head back and get some rest."
"You too, Brother Zhou." Mo Yun nodded.
Sun Yi and Wang Daniu also said their goodbyes.
Before leaving, Wang Daniu pulled another packet of dried meat from inside his robe and pressed it into Mo Yun's hand. He gave a guileless smile, said nothing more, then turned and followed Zhou Tieshan away.
Just how much dried meat does this fellow have tucked inside his robe...?
Standing at the entrance to the Dining Hall, Mo Yun watched the others leave. He drew a deep breath, tucked the dried meat into his robe, and turned toward his little courtyard.
The night breeze carried a chill, rustling the trees beside the path.
Once back in his courtyard, Mo Yun did not rest right away.
He stood in the middle of the courtyard and looked up at the moon, estimating that it was not yet nine at night.
It's still early. I'll go take a look at North Mountain.
Mo Yun made a few quick preparations, secured his waist token, and pushed the door open.
The Inner Court was quiet at night, broken only by the occasional chirping of insects and the distant footsteps of manor guards making their night patrols.
Moonlight spilled over the blue stone paving, casting a faint silver sheen. The buildings on either side were reduced to hazy outlines in the darkness, like giant beasts lying in wait.
North Mountain was not far from Mo Yun's residence. With his current cultivation, he