Chapter 615: Why Is There Another Sugarcane Again
The vegetarian meal at Jingzhao Nunnery was simple: a bowl of coarse grain and mixed rice. It was this year’s new harvest, and it was still carrying a strong, fragrant aroma. Plus, there was a small bowl of crisp and refreshing pickled radish, as well as a small plate of brined vegetables, with a pleasant aftertaste. Altogether, it was a light yet appetizing meal. Paired with a cup of coarse tea, it was the kind of meal typical of life cultivating the Dao in the mountains.
Song You crunched down on a piece of radish with a crisp snap. Then he scooped up a bite of soft, steaming rice. As the hot food entered his stomach, his body began to warm.
Lady Chai, on the other hand, kept her head down and quietly ate without a word. It seemed that since coming here, she had learned quite a bit.
At times, Song You found it hard to connect the woman before him now with the farm girl she had once been. She used to be clad in coarse cloth, with rough skin, and she was shy yet bold and outspoken.
Only after they finished eating did Lady Chai take out a handkerchief to dab her mouth, then turn to the Daoist and ask, “Master, you travel the world so freely, how long do you plan to stay in Xianning this time?”
“I’ll stay a few more days while the weather holds. Once it turns cold and harder to bear, I’ll move on.”
“And where will you go next?”
“I’ll head south of Yunzhou,” Song You answered truthfully. “I’ve heard there’s a place down there that the locals believe to be the edge of the world. It’s full of life and vitality, with magnificent landscapes. Some even say a true dragon has been seen rising from behind the mountains, bathing in the sea of clouds. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I plan to go see for myself.”
“A true dragon?” Lady Chai frowned slightly.
“What is it?” Song You asked.
“Since marrying into the Yang family, I’ve often met visiting guests at our home. Some are of very high status, and others are fond of traveling, searching for immortals or strange phenomena. Whenever they visit, they ask me to tell stories about my hometown,” Lady Chai said, frowning in thought. “I think I’ve heard some of them mention a mountain with a true dragon... and something about a red river.”
“That must be it,” Song You nodded. “I’ve also heard of a red river.”