Whether Zeng Mu's words had frightened the three of them or merely intimidated them, none spoke again on the way back. Only the soft rustle of swaying grain stalks sounded beside their ears, playing a solo beneath the moonlight.
The second floor of Ke Manmaige's tavern offered more than drinks and a view. Across the corridor were several narrow rooms available for lodging. It was late, and the three could not be bothered to look for an inn. With Ma Linya along, sleeping out in the fields was out of the question, so after following He Manmaige back, they paid for the two remaining rooms to rest in.
Kanni fell asleep almost as soon as he climbed into bed. His unwashed feet made Zeng Mu rather uncomfortable, but remembering that he was still injured, Zeng Mu held back his complaints.
After tidying up a little, he lay down as well. Looking out at the moonlight and the thinning clouds, he could see countless brilliant stars. Downstairs, he could still hear He Manmaige talking with his brother Ke Manmaige, venting his hatred and resentment toward the Beast Claw Collector.
It had been a long time since he had truly slept. Exhausted that night, he relaxed completely, forgoing meditation and slowly surrendering to sleep.
The next day.
Cloud Ink Town covered little ground and had few inhabitants, but its culture had a long history. Its material and spiritual traditions had endured through the ages, leaving it small but fully equipped. Almost nothing was lacking here.
At its southeastern corner, a river named Ates wound past the town. With the flat, open land stretching into the distance, the rising sun could be seen at dawn, giving the place its name: Sunset Glow Ferry.
Where there was a river, there were naturally fish; where