Chapter 185: Lady Calico Turns Another Year Older
In a second-floor room on Willow Street in Changjing City, the Daoist was gently setting the cat down on the floor.
It was morning, and the room wasn’t too hot. Bright sunlight streamed in through the open window, and a gentle summer breeze blew inside, offering a completely different sensation from the world within the painting.
He glanced around the room.
The window was wide open, with footprints on the window ledge and the floor. Some were going in, others going out. A piece of fabric was even caught on the window’s edge, suggesting the intruder had left in a hurry.
The reason Song You dared to leave the painting here and walk away unbothered was that he had made preparations beforehand. He had placed a spell on the painting so it couldn’t be removed. It was impervious to blades, fire, and water, and even breaking through the walls wouldn’t work.
Additionally, the one-year curse, which originally activated upon touching the painting, had been altered to trigger upon entering the room without permission. So, most people likely ran off in a panic the moment they stepped inside.
That was why the footprints were mostly concentrated near the window, with only one set making it to the center of the room, near the wall. It was clear that Changjing had its share of skilled individuals, adept at handling such curses. However, while they managed to avoid the spell, they still failed to take the painting.
Judging by the footprints, not many had come by during his absence. Perhaps after some more time, no one would come at all.
“Daoist Master, is today the Beginning of Autumn?” the cat asked.