When Zheng Qing's vision cleared again, the two of them were already standing in the entrance hall of Sanyou Bookstore.
It was afternoon. Orange-yellow sunlight streamed through the glass doors and windows, falling across the tawny floorboards and leaving patches of gently swaying, dappled light that made the place feel especially warm.
Outside the bookstore, someone rode past on a bicycle with a "ring-ring" of the bell. Poodles and teddy dogs barked madly at one another through low hedges. Farther away, he could vaguely hear the sharp "pa-pa" of spinning diabolo toys, along with a group of middle-aged women swaying and dancing to loud music.
Inside the bookstore, a Red Clay Teapot whistled atop an iron stove. A stream of Pearl-colored Mist sprayed from its spout, looking particularly enchanting in the orange-yellow sunlight.
The gentleman stepped forward, picked up the teapot lid, then turned and beckoned to the young wizard.
"Come in."
"Huh?" Zheng Qing looked in confusion at the Red Clay Teapot's pitch-black opening, then at the gentleman. He took two bewildered steps forward, looked around to either side, and indicated that he was already inside the bookstore.
"Come in here." The gentleman sighed and pointed very clearly at the teapot's opening.
Pearl-colored Mist filled the mouth of the pot, making it impossible to see what was inside its belly. But the boiling aura clearly told the young wizard that casually touching it would not end well.
"Do you want some tea? Should I go find a teacup?" Zheng Qing asked, clinging to his last shred of hope.
The gentleman looked at him expressionlessly.
"You've already been blown up." The gentleman's tone was calm, but the fact he described was terrifying. "Blown to pieces. There aren't even many intact bones left... A battered body can't hold a healthy soul,