The crow flew and the rabbit raced:
Spring came, winter came, and spring came again.
As Xiao Ming's sixteenth birthday drew ever closer, the whole Clear Wind Temple grew lively.
Early in the morning, Qing He led a group of childhood friends straight to the butcher's shop in high spirits.
Although Butcher had been trapped by Xiao Ming and treated as his senior, Qing He had found a new butcher to slaughter pigs.
"Slaughter two pigs and deliver them to Clear Wind Temple in three days. We're throwing a grand feast."
"Certainly!"
"Slaughter ten sheep and deliver them together!"
"No problem!"
Qing He led the others through the decaying town, ordering beef and mutton from one shop, honey from another, as well as silks and satins, tables, chairs, benches, and more.
Finally, she went to a dye works and ordered them to dye ten li of red cloth.
Some twisted, rotting residents asked Qing He, "Is someone at your Clear Wind Temple getting married?"
The corner of Qing He's mouth twitched. She sighed. "The temple master is about to die. The new temple master who's about to ascend the throne wants lanterns and decorations put up to celebrate."
At this, the residents understood. "Is Master Fu Gui about to ascend the throne?"
"We've been looking forward to Master Fu Gui taking over for ages!"
"The old temple master should've died long ago."
"Do you need horns, gongs, and drums? We'll go celebrate for Master Fu Gui free of charge."
Qing He thought about Wang Quan's way of doing things and nodded. "Go. You absolutely must!"
"Oh, and cut out some red flowers too. We'll scatter them all over the sky when the time comes."
"Yes, make plenty. You'll be paid in full."
The residents grinned. "We don't want money. We