Chapter 630: A Dream of Many Years
“Sir, are you headed to Lingbo?”
The Daoist stood on the riverbank, leaning on a bamboo staff, bending slightly as he asked the boatman whose vessel had just come ashore. His face held a smile, which was familiar, yet somehow different from before.
At his side stood a little girl wearing a robe of three colors. Her fair face was delicate and pretty, her hair tied up in a bun. She carried a cloth pouch slung over her shoulder. Her expression was serious, making her look all the more adorable.
“Lingbo?” The boatman, steering with his oar, glanced them over and replied, “Sure! Why not?”
“How much is the fare?”
“From here to Lingbo, going downstream takes five days. Two hundred wen per person. A horse counts as two people, and that's the rule. But the little girl you’ve got with you, sir, we’ll just count her as half. Meals are included on the boat, though it’s nothing fancy. They’re not mountain delicacies, just enough to fill the belly.
“As for the horse’s fodder, that’s your responsibility. If you didn’t bring any, that’s fine too. We’ll dock morning and evening, so it can graze by the riverside.”
“Two hundred wen, huh...” Song You turned his head, looking off into the distance.
This wasn’t the Nianping Ferry, though it too led to Lingbo. The place was different from the one he’d departed from more than a decade ago. Compared to Nianping, this place was closer to Lingbo. The boatman’s words confirmed it: back then, it had taken six days by boat, and now, only five. And yet, the fare was still two hundred wen.
“That’s the going rate! If it were someone else, I might charge a little more. But you’re clearly a Daoist Master, sir, and no matter how greedy I might be, I wouldn’t dare cheat someone of the Dao! Besides, business on the river’s been awful lately. I’ve already knocked a bit off for you.
“Back when things were busy, we charged at least two hundred and twenty wen per person, and the boat had to be packed full before we’d even set off!” The boatman, seeing Song You silent for a while, thought he was hesitating over the price and quickly added, “How about this, six hundred fifty wen total. That’s a deal, just for you.”
“It’s definitely more expensive than it used to be.” Song You shook off his memories and smiled. “Very well. Please bring the boat to shore.”