He lingered in the little valley for two days.
Black Snake scented the faint moisture drifting from the horizon. A heavy rain might come in the next few days.
With nothing else to do, he set off for the little dockside town where he had once toppled the Fake Dragon King's temple, planning to catch rats and earn a few eggs through honest work. He had spent rather too long in the town below Azure Cloud Monastery; by the end of this year, he would have to stop going there.
His appearance and height had not changed in the slightest. If he kept showing up as usual, he might arouse suspicion.
In truth, changing his Yin Spirit's appearance would not have been difficult if he really wanted to conceal himself.
But Black Snake had grown used to his current looks and could not be bothered. Besides, there were plenty of towns in the world. If one became inconvenient, he could simply go elsewhere.
Another Dragon King Temple had risen on the little rocky hill beside the River. Because legends spoke of a black dragon hidden in the River, it had been named the Black Dragon Temple.
After its completion, offerings of incense grew steadily, yet no ghosts came to steal the incense-born power of faith anymore. After all, Great Black Snake often swam through the River, silently keeping the waters under his sway.
He reached casually into a heap of grass and caught a little mouse, tied it with a thin cord he had picked up beside the River, then found a handy stick to dangle it from and squatted by the roadside to wait for work. Suspended in midair, the mouse squeaked and flailed its four paws in terror, serving as his cry to draw customers.
Perhaps because Black