Beneath the gray sky lay a measure of solemnity, and still more of the calm before a storm.
Before long, with someone's arrival.
The rain finally fell.
The rain in Cloud Province had less beauty to it, and more weight.
It struck the face like needles, icy to the bone.
The sound of an erhu drew nearer from the distance, soon drowned out by the rain.
"It's raining."
Li Ping'an unhurriedly put away his erhu and walked beneath the eaves.
Inside the tavern, a dozen or so people sat drinking, waiting for the rain to stop.
In a corner, a middle-aged man and an old man drank tea, discussing something.
The rain grew heavier, with a faint sound of swelling.
It was as though the sky had slowly opened its mouth and let out a sigh.
The waiter said, "Come inside, sir. Order a pot of wine to warm yourself up."
Li Ping'an smiled. "I'm afraid you'll poison me."
The waiter laughed along. "You must be joking, sir. It's broad daylight, and this isn't some murderous roadside inn."
"You really won't give up. This makes nine times in two months."
For a moment, the dozen or so people who had been drinking fell silent.
The middle-aged man and the old man in the corner stopped talking as well.
Only the sound of wind and rain remained around them.
A moment later, the old man stood.
"We had no choice. Your skills are formidable, so we could only lay an ambush here.
It may not be open and honorable, but we had no other recourse."
Li Ping'an gave a helpless yawn, somewhat impatient.
Ever since he had killed that county magistrate, the bandits in Cloud Province's mountains, Bounty Hunters, and constables had come swarming.
It was as though they were flies,