In mid-September, the weather gradually turned cool, and a cold rain fell over the river.
The passenger ship drifted downstream. Ye Jingtang stood at the bow holding an oil-paper umbrella, gazing at the scenery along both banks. Niao Niao perched on his shoulder, cooing and chirping incessantly, presumably muttering-beneath Yugu Terrace flowed the Clear River, filled with so many of Niao Niao's tears...
The Clear River originated at Tianlang Lake, passed through Heaven's Gate Gorge, Yun'an, West King Town, and Watercloud Sword Pool, then entered Southern Heaven after passing Southern Skies Mountain. It traversed the whole of Great Wei before flowing into the sea at Guancheng.
The ship had now reached the edge of the Central Plains. Rugged cliffs appeared along both banks, while endless mountains barred the river ahead. From afar, it looked as though the ship were sailing into a landscape painting. Although the scenery deserved to be called "the finest under heaven," the rugged roads made travel inconvenient, and the area was indeed impoverished. Hardly a decent town could be seen along the banks.
Ye Jingtang admired the misty, rain-veiled landscape from the bow. Before he caught sight of Southern Skies Mountain, which he had already felt so many times, a call came from behind the ship's cabin:
"Little Chicken, come here!"
"Cheep?"
Niao Niao turned at the voice, then flew behind the cabin.
Ye Jingtang glanced back and, after a moment's thought, headed inside too.
The ship was an Imperial Court vessel, large enough to carry three hundred armored soldiers. Besides his wives staying in the cabin, Uncle Hua, the Black Bureau Chief Constable, and others were aboard. Even Cao Aning had come along.
After receiving Cao Gonggong's message in Yun'an, Ye Jingtang had rested for two days until he fully recovered, then prepared to continue