"Strange! This donkey rested for several days, so why is it struggling so badly on the way back? Could it be having trouble adjusting to the climate?"
The scrawny donkey beneath Xing Yan had possessed decent stamina before, yet scarcely had they left Jieyang when its steps grew labored and it began panting heavily. Hearing its strained breathing, Xing Yan could not help feeling puzzled. Only after a few more weary steps did he finally realize the reason:
So it's this bag of gold and silver weighing us down!
Once he understood, Xing Yan immediately jumped off the donkey and surrendered his place, allowing the moneybag to share the ride with Qiong Rong. His saddlebags were now well filled, nothing like their empty, flattened state on the outward journey. No wonder the donkey could no longer bear both riders.
Naturally, Qiong Rong found it strange that her brother had suddenly dismounted and asked him why. After he explained, the little girl kindly suggested throwing the moneybag away so he would not tire himself out. Naturally, Xing Yan immediately rejected this sincere advice.
Having dismissed Qiong Rong's suggestion, Xing Yan thought:
Looks like I really ought to practice the sword arts properly when I get back to the mountain. If I knew Sword Flight, I wouldn't have to make such a sorry spectacle of myself. It would save travel expenses on future journeys, too. And visiting my family in Raozhou would be much easier!
Through the dusty grass-lined roads of the summer south, the donkey, the bag, and the two travelers stopped and started along their way. They took a day longer than on their outward journey and finally reached Chuanluo County, at the foot of Mount Luofu, that morning.
Once there, Xing Yan first visited the donkey and horse market.