"Tofu! Tofu!"
"Who wants a taste of this lady's tofu?!"
Hmm?
Everyone on the street glanced over.
"What are you looking at? Does anyone want tofu?"
But no one said anything now.
The town at the foot of the mountain was fairly peaceful, partly because it enjoyed the protection of the Government Office, and partly because the renowned Yikun Sect stood on the mountain above.
So even in Yong Province, where demons ran rampant, monsters, demons, and ghosts dared not run wild here.
This place could be considered a rare patch of unspoiled land.
With directions from the field mouse, Li Ping'an had made his way here with Old Ox and Kitten.
Two women beat clothes with wooden mallets, chatting as they worked.
Their conversation was nothing more than everyday family matters, the harvest in the fields, and gossip about this neighbor and that.
In the distance, winding green mountains were faintly visible.
Slanting sunset light spilled down from the mountaintop, shining on golden corn, soybeans, rice...
The cool evening breeze stirred the old lamps beneath the eaves, carrying a faint scent.
It seemed to envelop the town in a dream, with a rustic simplicity and tranquility untouched by worldly strife.
After walking for so long across the boundless snowy plains, they had finally come upon signs of human habitation.
Li Ping'an sat down at a tea stall, sipping tea and gazing at the mortal world.
Reunited after a long separation, he was deeply moved.
Yet it was another scene altogether.
The field mouse hid in Li Ping'an's pocket and whispered, "Farther up is the Yikun Sect.
"Mountain spirits and wild creatures like us dare not enter the Yikun Sect. I can only ask you to go alone, Immortal Elder."
Li Ping'an said, "Thank you for showing us the way."