Chapter 591: Sweeping Away the Filth and Miasma
The ancient cypresses along Jinyang Dao still stood tall and lush.
By the roadside was another clearing, still shaded by the dense canopy of the cypress trees. But now, a stone statue stood in the clearing, and its rough form vaguely discernible as that of a Daoist, though the features had long since worn away.
A jujube-red-red horse stood nearby, lazily nibbling at the grass by the road.
At this time, Lady Calico had taken on human form. She had gathered dry twigs and started a small fire on the ground, skewering a whole string of bamboo shoot grubs freshly caught from a nearby bamboo grove on the way. Each one was plump and fat. She was roasting them intently over the flames with a focused gaze, carefully turning them over and over.
That distinctive savory aroma, unique to roasted shelled insects, began to waft through the air, triggering cravings.
Meanwhile, the Daoist stood off to the side, silently gazing at the stone statue. Truly, there was not even a trace of resemblance.
Ding ding ding...
In the distance came the jingle of bells, and the young girl instinctively looked up.
A few traveling merchants were approaching, leading horses and mules. Behind them were several common folk, either carrying shoulder poles or leading donkeys. It wasn’t clear where they were headed, but they were chatting animatedly as they walked.
Though it was still only late morning, the shaded forest path remained cool. Still, it was the height of summer, and traveling inevitably made one hot. Without exception, everyone was dripping with sweat, and their damp faces and necks glistened in the light. Their flushed cheeks and brows shone with heat, and their expressions, filled with animated chatter and raised brows, carried a sense of excitement.
The voices gradually reached Lady Calico’s ears.
“Could it be false? My cousin saw it with his own eyes! Just yesterday evening, right after the sun had set, it was still bright out. It’s not like he could’ve mistaken it!”