Three Locust Tree Village.
The village was quiet and empty at night.
Occasionally, soft footsteps sounded along the road, mingled with the scent of earth and green grass.
Li Ping'an walked up to a house at the village entrance and knocked. "Sorry for the trouble. Is anyone home?"
A big yellow dog lay by the door. Seeing a stranger, it began barking furiously at Li Ping'an.
There were many portraits of him on the streets now. Visiting a teahouse or restaurant would bring trouble.
He had money, but nowhere to spend it.
A woman came out.
"Sorry for the trouble. Could I have some water?"
"Shoo! Go ask somewhere else."
The woman turned and went back inside.
As she walked, she muttered.
"Filthy beggar!"
With no other choice, Li Ping'an headed for another house.
Soon, the door opened.
A man in coarse cloth clothes stepped out, wearing a pair of hemp shoes.
"What can I do for you?"
"I'm a traveler from afar. Might I trouble you for some water?"
The man looked Li Ping'an over. "Sure. Come inside."
Li Ping'an drank three large bowls of cool water.
The man warmly brought out some melon seeds as well. "Where are you headed, brother?"
"North."
"North?"
The man's expression changed slightly.
Li Ping'an caught the odd note in his voice. "What's wrong with the north?"
The man gave a wry smile. "You wouldn't know this, brother, but there are only two roads out of Three Locust Tree Village, one south and one north. The northern road hasn't been passable for a long time."
"Was the road swallowed by a flash flood?"
The man lowered his voice. "Not a flash flood. Something even more terrifying. A... monster!
"Many people in the village have met with disaster. No one dares head north now."