The mountain path wound upward.
Li Ping'an walked at an unhurried pace.
The ox behind him needed neither a rope nor anyone to drive him along.
The richly dressed old man wiped the sweat from his head.
He looked at the strange man in blue robes, who had neither shed a drop of sweat nor breathed heavily the entire time.
"Whew!!"
Never mind that strange man in blue robes.
Even the little girl, who looked so young, was full of bounce.
The old man had practiced martial arts in his youth. Although he was old now,
his foundation remained.
Otherwise, he would never have managed to climb so high up the mountain path.
"Young man, you have excellent stamina!"
Li Ping'an smiled faintly. "You are the impressive one, sir. At your age, you can still lead the charge."
"I'm old, so old."
The old man mocked himself.
"Young fellow, why are you heading up the mountain to pay homage to Buddha?"
"I'm not going to pay homage to Buddha, but to visit an old acquaintance. What brings you here to worship, sir?"
"Nothing more than a wish for peace and safety. I've been fond of Buddhist teachings since childhood.
"When I heard Master Changqing had traveled thousands of miles to come here, I made a special trip, hoping to see him in person."
Li Ping'an nodded.
"Young fellow, is this your daughter?"
The old man looked toward the little girl.
"No, she's a friend."
"What an adorable little face. So endearing."
The little girl heard his praise.
She turned to look at the gray-haired old man in his rich clothes.
Then she pretended not to have heard, only sneaking another couple of glances.
Li Ping'an stood halfway up the mountain and looked back.
The world below was peaceful, a scene