Black Snake lay motionless in the lotus pond. The water was a mirror, holding the blue sky and white clouds within it.
There was no other way. Traveling from the Azure Cloud Monastery after nightfall would take time, and if he arrived too late, the schoolteacher might already be asleep. He had to use that brief interval after sunset, before darkness fell, to find a private school and knock on its door to ask for lessons.
With knowledge, cultivation would become easier. With greater cultivation, he could continue to grow.
During the day, many people worked the fields nearby.
A frog perched on his head, croaking.
The dazzling sun hung overhead, scorching everything beneath it. There was no wind, and even the pond water had grown a little warm.
At last, the sun sank toward the west, and the farmers led their oxen home in twos and threes.
The red sun had just dropped behind the mountains, and its last light stained the clouds crimson. Black Snake slung on his cloth bag, carrying the heavy pieces of silver, and raced toward the town through the crops and over the irrigation channels.
Once he reached an inhabited area, he concealed his aura and walked steadily, one step at a time, politely asking people for directions. There were actually three private schools in this town.
That was wonderful.
He chose the nearest school and hurried toward it.
It stood a little out of the way, behind a high wall. Several peach and plum trees grew outside. It was fruiting season, and their branches were thickly studded with unripe fruit.
He saw three sources of heat inside the courtyard and an old man sweeping at the entrance.
He approached and respectfully cupped his hands.
"I'd like to study here. Which teacher should I