saga

Meanwhile, Saga, the wandering monk from Higashi, sets out from Baizao, traveling leisurely to the southwest.

After traveling over a hundred li, she looks back and can no longer see the Yanese capital, neither its silhouette nor the ruts from its traffic. As dusk falls, she suddenly sees houses, partly obscured, to the south.

As she gets closer, she sees an abandoned village: the houses are collapsed, weeds and trees are growing unchecked, wells and channels are clogged, and thick moss carpets the doorways.

This house looks still intact... and it even has a little garden.

Though the village is now abandoned, look how carefully the roads and houses were laid out. It must have been a prosperous settlement once.

I wonder how it was ruined... Catastrophe? Navigated off course? An issue with the Chidao? Something else?

The spring breeze is gentle and chilly. The cold light of the twin moons streams through the old window, casting grid-like shadows before Saga's feet. They overlap with the blurrier shadows of nearby trees, blending into a mottled pattern of light and shade.

Saga leans beneath the window, reflecting on the turning seasons and the impermanence of human affairs. Absentmindedly, she reaches to touch the shadow, and just as her fingertips meet the ground, she hears a strange sound—

The shadow under her fingers seems to shake along with her.

Oh... I was so occupied with looking at the house that I forgot to eat.

The people of Baizao really know how to honor their food. There are so many varieties of dried provisions, and I purchased almost each one of them! Which should I taste first?

Even the plainest seasoned instant food smell delicious, and there's also coarse multi-grain meal, vacuum-packed tofu wraps, and self-heating mixed mushroom rice...

Saga mutters to herself as she listens intently to the sounds outside the wall. She stays pinned against the wall under the window as she quietly strafes toward the door.

Just as she's about to step outside, her movements are interrupted by two knocks.

S-Sorry for disturbing you.

No disturbance at all. The doors and windows here are nothing but frames. Since thou art willing to talk with this humble servant of Buddha, please show thyself.

The footsteps on the other side of the wall pause for a moment.

Then, a hand grips the door frame, the wrist bathed in moonlight as white as snow. A youthful Feline girl steps in, her skirt rustling softly. She is almond-eyed with jet-black hair, with a faint hint of shyness on her face.

Saga's nostrils flare slightly—a faint fragrance of pea blossoms. Strange. She hadn't noticed any pea vines left in this abandoned garden...

Have you... come here from Baizao?

Er...

Well guessed. I am of Higashi, but I wandered to Yan long ago and left Baizao just a few days past.

Art thou... the master of this place?

Huh? You can tell at a glance that it's been abandoned for a while. How could I possibly live here?

I had the same thought. Is there not typically some kind of diversion that turns rubble into grand halls, dewdrops into fine dishes, and the sound of wind into music?

Diversion?

Wait a minute. Who do you take me for?! I'm the daughter of a respectable family. I'm just passing through and staying here for the night, same as you!

Ah. Thou hast come from Shangshu. Lost thy way on the road to Baizao? This is what bringest thou to spend the night in this place?

Good guess. My family name is Yuan, and we have always lived at the foot of Zuanjiang Peak. You may call me Xiaoyu.

I'm indeed on my way to the capital. I'm going to the Tianshi Bureau to find a Tianshi who... has been kind to my family.

Ah, thou seekest the capital to pay a debt of gratitude?

'Pay a debt of gratitude'? I wouldn't go that far. It's just that... my family is wealthy, so they were targeted by bandits. One of the Tianshis happened to be passing through and saved my family's lives.

My father and mother are both people who value gratitude, and they appreciated the Tianshi's kindness. Since it was New Year's, they sent a letter, along with some local specialties, to convey their thanks.

But they received no reply. They don't know if the package got lost in the mail or not. My parents are getting on in age. I didn't want them to worry about this, so I decided to go to Baizao and thank the Tianshi in person.

I never imagined that as I neared Baizao, I wouldn't even be able to see the city...

I see. Baizao is on the march this month. I suspect thou hast ventured to the wrong stop? I made the same mistake myself on the road to Jiangqi.

On the march? Hmm... I know I should not ask this, since you just left Baizao... but... it's the first time I've ever left my home, and finding Baizao on my own has been such a difficult task...

If it wouldn't delay your journey, sister, would you take me to Baizao so I might seek an audience at the Tianshi Bureau? As long as I can get there, I shall empty my purse to you in thanks!

(Xiaoyu truly is a Shangshu gentlewoman. She speaks in such proper, formal tones. It is most fortunate I am already so accustomed to Yan, or I might struggle to understand her...)

This would not delay me! I am but a wandering monk with no fixed itinerary. I left Baizao but a few days ago, it would require very little effort to turn around and catch the city. Let me escort you to the capital—no need for compensation.

How could I possibly accept that, dear sister? Ever since I was little, my parents taught me that 'every kindness deserves a thanks'. If you hadn't agreed to take me along with you, I'd be lost in the wilderness, my very life at risk...

I simply have to repay a great kindness like that.

Is there anything you're particularly fond of, sister? Is there anything you might need on your travels?

No. I have everything I—

You keep refusing my offers, sister. Is it because you don't believe I am sincere in expressing my gratitude?

Ah! Perish the thought, it is a simple fact that I have always lived on my own, in humble poverty, with all that I have being all that I need.

(Why do I feel that this Xiaoyu girl is a bit strange...?)

Are you saying, sister, that you still don't believe me? You think I'm some kind of poltergeist from the mountains?

Why dost thou speak such things? I would never... I certainly...

Then, *sniff* sister, you must think I'm overthinking...

Well... uhh... upon our arrival at Baizao, thou mayest offer me a proper vegetarian meal.

Ah, so you are a foodie after all. I just heard you talking about dried provisions.

It is because I heard thine stomach rumbling...

You heard that?! And you're telling me you heard it?! Aiya...

Why don't you speak, sister?

I am in fear of once again speaking wrongly.

Sorry... That's my fault. Ever since I was little, I've had this habit of talking back. Even the neighbor girl used to scold me for it—once she got so flustered she almost threw away my... what was it again...?

I'm rambling too much. In any case, I'm sorry, sister.

Ah... aiyo...

Xiaoyu, wouldst thou enjoy some dried provisions with me?

A few days later...

Sister, my feet ache...

No matter. Noon is almost upon us. Let us stop and rest for a spell.

I wonder if I will be allowed to visit the Tianshi Bureaus when I get to Baizao.

With a proper reason to request an audience, thou needst only follow the rules and register. To my understanding, thine Tianshi seems a kind, upstanding woman—she would not turn away a caller.

Yes. It's just that I'm worried it might be hard to even get word to her, or that my trivial request won't even be passed along at all...

If only I had skills like yours, sister... After these days traveling together, I've realized you're not only kind-hearted, but also highly skilled in the martial arts—truly impressive.

The martial arts are for self-defense alone. There are many challenges in our world they cannot solve.

A woman like you, sister monk, with such martial skill, can of course say that. But for us ordinary folk, we just hope for a bit more strength so we are better prepared for challenges when they arise.

If I hadn't been so young, if I'd had skills of my own, would I have needed the Tianshi's kindness just to keep my family safe?

(So Xiaoyu's family was attacked by bandits when she was a child...?)

Thine words, Xiaoyu, have given me an idea.

If thou harborest such admiration for this Tianshi's skills, why not challenge the examination at the Tianshi Bureaus? Shouldst thou master her Arts, thou couldst protect more than just thy family.

—Me? How could I ever...?

Excuse my poor manners. What I meant to say was, 'I will consider your advice, dear sister...'

Say, our kettle of water is empty. Since we're already taking a break, why don't we boil some water before continuing on?

Sister, could I trouble you to light the fire? I'm ashamed to admit that I always fear fire, though I know it's crucial to people who travel across the wilderness...

As for me, I'll go get some water. I remember we passed a creek just now.

Xiaoyu, didst thou not speak of foot pain?

Yes, I did. Sister, may I rub your ears a moment? When I was small and went on outings with my brother, I'd get tired and cry, and he'd let me touch his ears—it was soothing.

Ah... I fear that would be somewhat...

Haha, I was just teasing, sister. Very good, then. I'm going now.

Ah, there are dandelions by the creek here. I think I'll pick some. We've got the fire going—there's no point in just boiling water.

There are some more on the other side of the creek...

Ah. The stream narrows down here, and there's a stone I can step on...

Huh? Why is the stone moving?!

Wah! It's a giant gloompincer!

Sister! Help me! Save me!

Don't panic.

Wait, you are...

Never mind. First I need to—

Ah! My feet——!

Ah! It's pinching your feet!

Thank you for saving me!

Ah. It was nothing! But, young man, why didst thou drag the gloompincer's carcass with you?

Huh? We can get the claw and belly meat out while it's still fresh! Otherwise, it'll just go to waste! Haha!

What? This giant gloompincer is... edible?

Of course it is! Sorry. I still haven't introduced myself. My family name is Li. I'm studying agriculture at the Tianshi Bureaus.

This gloompincer may be big, but it has the same internal composition as any other gloompincer. If we can extract meat from the small ones, then this one is no different.

Weren't you already boiling water? I only came over because I saw the smoke from your fire—I never expected to find this young lady in danger.