During the day, Black Snake lay sunning himself on a green rock by the bank when he suddenly spotted someone moving about in a mountain ravine across the River.
There was not even a village nearby. Who would dare venture so deep into these vast mountains? He decided to swim across and take a look.
The valley was well concealed, with a narrow opening where it met the River and a shallow, clear stream flowing along its floor.
A man in his twenties carried a basket woven from branches on his back and an old hoe over his shoulder. His clothes made him look like an ordinary mountain villager.
Yet his posture, his gait, and the quiet composure in his eyes and brows carried the distinctive refinement of a scholar.
Black Snake had spent a long time around the Azure Cloud Monastery and seen countless pilgrims. He could more or less tell the differences between people.
The man searched through the grass beside the stream with his head lowered, occasionally bending to dig up a few medicinal herbs. Besides the freshly gathered herbs, his basket held an old book.
The grass rustled, and a yellow dog bounded out with a wild rabbit in his mouth. He ran up to the man and wagged his tail as though asking for praise.
The man smiled and stroked the dog's head, then picked up his basket and headed into the valley.
Black Snake saw a trace of spiritual energy about him. Though faint, it was enough to prove he had entered the path of cultivation. Curious, Black Snake followed him into the valley.
Yellow Dog, walking ahead, suddenly stopped. His nose twitched a few times before he whipped his head around and stared warily at the dense woods behind them.
He ran behind