Just as Xing Yan and Ju Ying reached the treetop on the mountain summit to enjoy the cool air and the view, they suddenly heard two sharp whistles, as though two pointed weapons were shooting straight toward them through the air!
At the strange sound, Xing Yan swiftly moved in front of Ju Ying to shield her. Almost at the same instant, he reached out and caught both flying objects firmly between his fingers. Looking down, he discovered that they were two sharp arrows.
Bewildered by this sudden attack, Xing Yan heard a shout from the eastern foot of the mountain:
"Who dares spy on the prefect's retreat?"
The rebuke came from Yujia Stone City at the eastern foot of Qiming Mountain. Within the dark stone city, faint firelight showed among the rows of stone buildings, but not a single figure could be seen. Though the shout had been loud, it had sounded strangely elusive, floating from somewhere impossible to pinpoint.
Looking at the arrows in his hand and considering those words, Xing Yan immediately understood. He tossed the arrows aside, lowered his gaze toward the stone city, and cupped his hands in salute, answering clearly:
"Please do not take offense, friends within the city. We are guests of Prefect Bai. Seeing such fine moonlight tonight, we climbed the mountain and this tree to admire it. We meant no intrusion."
After another salute, he watched the stone city intently. He waited a little longer, but when no further sound came from below, he lingered no more. Turning, he took Ju Ying with him and floated down, returning to the lotus boat on the lake.
Leaving aside how those two continued their leisurely boat ride with Qiong Rong and Xueyi, let us turn to the embankment on the other side of