The two were, of course, the Mountain God and Earth God of Jindou Mountain.
Leaning on his dragon-headed cane, the Earth God stood on the snowy slope, gazing at that distant wisp of cloud.
The cloud had long since vanished.
Yet he kept watching.
The wind swept snow past the edge of his sheepskin coat.
After a moment's contemplation, he said, "The Great Sage truly is as good as the rumors say."
The Mountain God lowered his head and brushed the snow off his clothes.
"Mm."
The Earth God added, "Courteous and considerate."
The Mountain God nodded.
The Earth God lifted his chin.
"Even after seeing through us, he didn't expose us."
"He must know how hard things are for us and feel sorry for us."
The Mountain God nodded again. "Indeed."
Then he paused and sighed.
"But he is no longer the Great Sage."
The Earth God whipped his head around.
"What did you say?"
The Mountain God froze.
The Earth God had already raised his cane.
"If he isn't the Great Sage, who is?"
The Mountain God stepped back, hastily waving his hands.
"No, no."
The Earth God advanced a step.
"No what?"
"We all think he is, and you say he isn't."
"Take my cane!"
Waving both hands, the Mountain God barely dodged and almost slipped. "Don't hit me, don't hit me! That isn't what I meant."
Having missed, the Earth God bristled and glared, planting his cane in the snow.
"Fine, dodge. Remember what you said. Just you wait."
"I'll send word to all our fellow mountain and earth gods right now and tell them you bad-mouthed the Great Sage."
"Every last one of our fellow mountain and earth gods will spit on you."
The Mountain God's expression changed, and he grabbed the cane.
"Don't, don't,