A snowy night.
Steaming dumplings, liquor, and a few good friends.
Dumplings and liquor-the more they ate, the more there was~
Just then, a somewhat unusual noise came from outside.
A man with a pointed mouth and monkey-like cheeks swaggered up to the door and stood outside the window.
He said nothing, merely staring straight inside.
Indeed, the sight would have given anyone in an ordinary household quite a fright.
Somewhat puzzled, Li Ping'an went outside in his unlined garment.
"What brings you here?"
"I wouldn't have come without a reason. You just killed my pet. How have you suddenly forgotten?"
The man opposite him spoke in a sinister tone.
Li Ping'an thought for a moment. "Do you mean the Rat Demon that was wreaking havoc on the main street?"
During dinner, Old Guo had mentioned that most of the demons and spirit beasts in Wind and Snow City had owners.
He had never expected the creature's owner to come knocking so soon.
The man snorted coldly. "You've certainly got some nerve. You're new to Wind and Snow City. It seems no one has taught you the rules here?"
"Rules! Who are you to teach them!"
Before Li Ping'an could reply, a voice rang out behind him.
It was the slightly drunken Confucian Scholar, who came out cursing.
The man with the pointed mouth and monkey-like cheeks froze, his expression changing. "...Master Wen..."
The Confucian Scholar had spent many years in Wind and Snow City and had made something of a name for himself.
Otherwise, he would not have been able to keep his bookshop all this time.
"I'm in a good mood today. I've got no time for you. Get lost!" The Confucian Scholar waved a hand.
"...Yes...I'll take my leave..."
The man left as quickly as he had