Setting the prophecy aside for now, Jiang Nian began to enjoy this moment of leisure.
Simple, heartfelt songs echoed around her as the villagers showed off their talents.
Traditional dances, folk instruments, vibrant clothing, and clear, ringing voices seemed to wash the dust from her heart.
After another dance performance ended, several burly men came up, each carrying a torch in one hand and an earthenware jar in the other.
"Are they going to do acrobatics?"
"Dance with torches?"
Everyone speculated as the men lifted their jars and took a mouthful of liquor. Then they raised their torches and spat sharply forward, sending bursts of flame blazing into the air.
"Bravo!"
Thunderous applause rose as everyone watched the performance.
Zhao Yao, the oldest of the group, looked sorely tempted. Once the performance ended, he went over to ask:
"Could I give it a try?"
He wanted to experience the glory of being a fire-breathing warrior too!
The villager he asked clapped him heartily on the shoulder. "Of course! Give it a go!"
With that, he handed Zhao Yao the torch.
Zhao Yao took it, thrilled. Seeing that the villager's jar was empty, he grabbed a nearby beer and took a huge mouthful. Before the villager could stop him, he spat it straight at the flame.
"Pfft!"
The torch went out.
Looking at the extinguished torch, the villager scratched his head awkwardly.
"Well, uh, kid, beer won't burn."
The crowd fell silent for a moment, then erupted into laughter.
"Hahahahahaha!"
One moment of outgoing enthusiasm had bought him a lifetime of introversion.
Zhao Yao curled his toes in embarrassment and, blushing, asked if he could try again.
He refused to believe he couldn't show off today!
When the villager agreed, he breathed a sigh of relief and tossed the useless torch