For the next few days, Shi Hao stayed in the village.
He sat cross-legged beneath the Willow Tree, studying the primordial true explanation. Furball perched on his head, mimicking him. Now and then, the boy and monkey glowed gold; now and then, they snored.
Shi Hou enjoyed a rare spell of leisure.
He sprawled in the Grand Marshal's Chair with Kang in his arms, holding a pinch of Sichuan peppercorns in his right hand and red flame chili powder in his left, taking turns bringing them to his nose.
Shi Qingfeng crouched beside him, whittling a wooden stick and occasionally glancing at Shi Hou.
"Brother Hou, don't you get sick of sniffing seasonings all day?"
"Don't you get sick of whittling sticks all day?"
Qingfeng shut his mouth.
Kang lay on Shi Hou's chest, then suddenly pricked up his pig ears.
Trees swayed to the east, startling a flock of birds into flight.
A rapid clatter of hooves rang out, heavy and chaotic.
Shi Hou rolled upright.
Beneath the Willow Tree, Shi Hao opened his eyes.
The two exchanged a glance.
Shi Hou picked up Black Pig and settled him on his shoulder. With a thought, he formed a black vortex above his head.
He vanished.
Shi Hao stood, brushed the dirt off his backside, and headed toward the village entrance.
Shi Shoushan rushed out of his house, still clutching a half-eaten beast chop.
"They're here?"
Shi Feijiao's voice came from the neighboring courtyard. "They're here."
Shi Yunfeng carried his walking stick to the village entrance and stood beside Shi Hao at the very front.
No one panicked.
The hoofbeats drew closer.
More than a hundred riders poured out of the woods.
All wore black armor, sitting crookedly atop all manner of vicious beasts. Dried blood stained the beasts, and