Dawn had barely broken, and the thin mist had yet to disperse. Wearing a straw hat, He Ning walked along the mountain path with a pack and a longsword on her back. The sword tassel swayed gently, while Black Snake followed through the roadside grass and woods.
He felt He Ning walked too slowly. He had to keep stopping to wait for her.
The young Daoist woman crossed a small bluestone arch bridge at the foot of the mountain.
Weeds and moss filled the cracks between the stones. The morning sun cast the shadows of the bridge and He Ning onto the water.
Black Snake swam across the stream, flicking his tongue to search for nearby scents.
Beside the stream, an old woman tending cattle had rolled up her trouser legs. Dark skin wrapped her bony frame. Seeing the girl approach, she smiled and waved a withered hand at He Ning.
The yellow ox beside her grazed with its head down, lazily swishing its tail.
The old woman mumbled something. Perhaps air leaked through the gaps in her teeth, or perhaps she was hard of hearing; her words were difficult to make out. Many elderly people were like this. Even when they could no longer straighten their backs, they still helped their families with whatever chores they could manage.
He Ning merely smiled and saluted her with clasped hands.
A calf bounded about on flying hooves, a red cord tied around its neck. Suddenly, it barged up to Black Snake. Unafraid, it brought its wet nose close to inspect him, then lowered its head, wanting to pit its newly sprouted horns against Black Snake...
He Ning hurriedly grabbed the calf by an ear and pulled it back. Smiling at the old woman, she gave the calf a firm shove back