When she headed down the mountain that morning, her steps had been light, and every mountain and stream had held its own charm. By evening, she was dragging her feet back, so exhausted she could barely lift her legs. Even the mountain scenery seemed much duller. All she wanted was to reach the monastery gates soon.
Yesterday, she had calculated that the time for the round trip would work out perfectly.
She had never expected the journey back to take longer than the journey out. The sun was sinking in the west, and she was still only halfway there.
He Ning walked past a pool without noticing something watching her from its depths.
The evil spirit's deathly pale face slowly turned to follow her. Suddenly, an enormous black snake's head emerged through the grass and looked over. The evil spirit froze, then silently sank into the deep water.
Black Snake paid no further attention to the thing in the water and hurried after He Ning.
Black Snake inwardly marveled that humans really were the best at stirring up trouble. Even after death, not only did their restless souls linger, but they could also send their corpses wandering everywhere.
Places seldom visited by humans were peaceful. More people meant more trouble.
He Ning was physically exhausted, but her spirits were actually quite good. Every so often, she turned back and called out.
As far back as she could remember, she had seen or dreamed of those things whenever night fell. Things had improved considerably after she began following her master, but what had truly set her mind at ease was Black Snake's companionship. Only then had the cold, sinister scrutiny that had haunted her for years vanished completely.
The sun had only just set, and there was still some time before