“Sir! Master! Please wait a moment!”

The group halted, standing still as the breathless minor official ran over.

“

Huff…

”

He stopped, catching his breath, nearly doubled over, before asking, “Why are you both leaving in such haste, sir and Master?”

“We’ve had breakfast already; how can this be considered hasty?” Song You replied.

“Since there is nothing left for me to do in the city, I naturally must head to the villages outside,” the monk added calmly. “It wouldn’t be right to delay.”

“But today is New Year’s Eve,” said the minor official while bracing himself with both hands on his knees as he looked up at them. “Why not wait until after the holiday to depart?”

“New Year’s Eve is a fitting time to drive away the plague,” the monk responded.

“In a year of great calamity, how can the people celebrate the New Year?” Song You remarked.

“Even so, we can’t just let you leave on your own like this,” the minor official surnamed Jin insisted. “Allow me to escort you to the city outskirts.”

“It’s cold outside the city…” Song You cautioned.

“Why go to such lengths, benefactor?” the monk asked.

“You all came from the south and do not fear the cold. I was born and raised here—why would I fear it?” Jin Er replied, pausing for a moment. “If I didn’t do this, I truly wouldn’t feel at ease.”

“Then let’s go,” Song You agreed.

“Since the Daoist Master has said so, let’s be on our way,” the monk added.

“Thank you,” Jin Er said with a smile, unexpectedly offering his gratitude to them.

Taking a deep breath, he walked alongside them toward the city outskirts. As they walked, he untied a bundle he carried, pulling out baked flatbread, dried persimmon, and two thick, warm garments, insisting they take them.

The two tried to decline, but eventually had no choice but to accept.

“Thank you, benefactor,” they said.

“My elder brother fell ill more than half a month ago. Without your care, he would likely have perished seven or eight days ago. Now he’s not only survived until the doctor’s medicine arrived but is also gradually recovering. It is I who should be thanking you, sir and Master,” the minor official said earnestly. “This small offering is hardly worth mentioning.” Ṟ𝘢ＮɵꞖЕš

“It's a pity about your mother…”

“My mother was quite old,” the minor official said, his voice tinged with sadness. “Thanks to your Buddhist teachings, she was able to pass without pain or suffering. That in itself is a blessing.”

He took a deep breath, exhaling a long sigh, then continued forward. “The city gate is just ahead. I'll ask the guards to open it.”

“Thank you,” they replied.

The minor official now had the task of overseeing entry and exit at the city gates. The names of the Daoist and the monk had already spread throughout Hansu. Even the guards knew of them—of the Daoist and the monk who had voluntarily come to Hansu, who had willingly entered the quarantine ward to alleviate the patients' suffering and delay the progression of the illness.

Many of the guards likely had relatives who had benefited from their care, so they treated them with the utmost respect.

The soldiers promptly opened the gate and gathered by the entrance, sending them off with the same reverence as if they were bidding farewell to important figures. Some tried to persuade them to stay, some offered their goodbyes, and some gave their blessings.

The group passed through the city gate and stepped into the world beyond.

Outside the city, the ground was blanketed with snow, a vast, endless expanse of white that stretched as far as the eye could see.

It was a landscape starkly different from the south.

The minor official took the bundle off the monk’s back and slung it over his own shoulder, trudging along behind them, sinking into the snow with each step as they moved farther from the city.

“Benefactor, you should return now,” the monk urged.

“Just a bit farther, just a bit farther,” the minor official insisted.

“Amitabha…” The monk could only sigh helplessly before continuing his conversation with Song You, “I haven’t yet asked—what are your plans after leaving here?”

“I came down from the mountain to travel the world. After departing from Changjing, I have been heading north all the way. Naturally, I should continue northward.”

“Northward?”

“From here, going north?”

Two voices responded, one from the monk and the other from the minor official.

“You intend to go to the Snowy Plains?” The monk frowned, but after a moment, his brows relaxed, and he squinted slightly.

“There’s a great demons lurking in the Snowy Plains!” the minor official exclaimed in shock.

“I only wish to take a look.”

“Amitabha,” the monk intoned, bringing his hands together in a gesture of respect. In an instant, the monk understood everything.

Hansu was the place where the Nine-Day Plague had first broken out.

Some claimed that a group of people had been lured by demons and, in their sleep, left the city heading north into the Snowy Plains. When they returned, they were no longer human nor ghosts. Nearly everyone who had contact with these people later fell ill.

Others said that a group of minor demons came from the Snowy Plains, attempting to enter the city. With the aftermath of the war, demons and monsters were already rampant in Hezhou, and Hansu, being close to the Snowy Plains, faced even greater threats.

The city guards wouldn’t easily allow these creatures inside and drew their swords, slaying them at the gates. The soldiers, perhaps strong and vigorous, were unharmed. However, the workers tasked with burying the demon corpses fell ill within days.

It was unclear which story was true, or perhaps both were. In any case, both accounts pointed to the Snowy Plains.

From the monk’s own understanding of this Demonic Plague during his time traveling across Gui Commandery, it was highly likely that the Snowy Plains were the true source of the plague.

The Daoist beside him possessed immense spiritual energy. It seemed he had intended to head north from the beginning, making his way to Hansu as part of his plan to go to the Snowy Plains.

Perhaps it would have been better to eliminate the great demons of the Snowy Plains sooner. Yet, the Daoist had lingered longer in Hansu, likely influenced by the monk’s own actions, to ensure that all the patients in the quarantine ward could survive until the doctor’s medicine arrived. Now that the people of Hansu had been saved, it was only natural for him to continue his journey northward to the Snowy Plains.

As expected, it wasn’t long before the Daoist beside him asked, “You’ve lived in Hansu since childhood. How well do you know about the one residing in the Snowy Plains?”

The minor official, startled, glanced anxiously at the Daoist.

But the Daoist wore a gentle smile. “Please, go on.”

The minor official shivered, then took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding, “To answer you, Hansu is actually very close to the Snowy Plains. If you head directly north, it’s only forty to fifty li before you reach its borders.”

“That close, is it…”

“Yes, but near the edge of the Snowy Plains, we’ve built many temples—Thunder God Temples, Spirit Official Temples, and the like. In the past, when there wasn’t an epidemic, every year on the first day of the Lunar New Year and the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, we’d go to offer sacrifices. Not only the people from Hansu City would go; even the villagers from outside the city would make the journey.”

The minor official explained, “With the protection of the deities, no powerful demon could cross the boundary. So, despite being so close, the people of Hansu managed to survive, though many still chose to move away.”

“Thunder God Temples and Spirit Official Temples…”

“They’re mainly dedicated to the Duke of Thunder Zhou and the Gold Spirit Official.”

“I see.” Song You’s lips curled into a smile.

Patients knew the efficacy of the medicine, after all.

The people from other parts of Hezhou might not be aware, especially places like Pu Commandery, which have been influenced by demonic arts and primarily worship the Duke of Thunder Fu. But here in Gui Commandery, particularly in Hansu near the Snowy Plains, the locals were well aware of which deities were truly in charge.

“The gods often descend here. Sometimes, even on clear days or in the dead of winter, thunder can strike. People from other regions might not understand, but we in Hansu know this very well.”

“Please, continue,” Song You encouraged.

“A few years back, there was a period when the skies were filled with dark clouds, and thunder roared for an entire month,” the minor official explained, sneaking a glance at Song You. “Yet, the demons in that area were still not eradicated.

“Is there more?” Song You prompted.

“There have also been experts who ventured into the Snowy Plains. One time, a certain master claimed that the demon of the Snowy Plains wasn’t something born from the aftermath of the war. It had been there all along, lying dormant for years in the Hezhou wilderness, only recently awakened by something.

“They even said that this demon isn’t some ordinary animal spirit, but rather a manifestation of the spirit of heaven and earth.”

“A manifestation of the spirit of heaven and earth?”

“That’s what I’ve heard,” the minor official replied cautiously.

“…” Song You couldn’t help but raise his gaze, looking toward the distant horizon.

Today, there was no snowfall, but even so, one couldn’t see as far as the Snowy Plains. It was impossible to tell what the Snowy Plains looked like from here.

“I’ve heard that the Snowy Plains are entirely flat, without a single mountain. Is that true?” Song You asked.

“Yes, completely level,” the minor official confirmed.

“Are there any special places in the Snowy Plains? Similar to other regions with towering mountains or long, undulating ranges—places filled with spiritual qi?” Song You inquired further.

“This…” The minor official hesitated, then answered, “Though I’m a native of Hansu, the war broke out over a decade ago. I was only a teenager back then and never had a chance to visit Hezhou, let alone the Snowy Plains. But I did hear that the rice grown in Hezhou was especially delicious.”

“Do you know why that was?” Song You asked.

“They say it was because of a network of small streams that crisscrossed the entire Hezhou plain. The water was sweet and clear, warm in winter and cool in summer. It nourished the crops, leading to abundant harvests. People who drank the water felt healthier, and in the past, it wasn’t uncommon for Hezhou residents to live to seventy, eighty, or even over a hundred years old.”

The minor official explained after a brief pause, “I once heard an old elder say that back when Hezhou was prosperous, the prefect would come down to inspect the area and often invite the elderly for a grand banquet. In Hezhou, there were enough centenarians to fill over ten tables.”

“That’s very useful,” Song You remarked thoughtfully, nodding as he processed the information. He then smiled and asked, “Is there anything more?”

“N-no, that’s all…”

“Thank you.”

The minor official continued to sneak glances at Song You.

He didn’t have the deep understanding of demons and the Daoist’s powers that Master Yidu had, but he was a perceptive man and could make some educated guesses.

“I don’t know much. I doubt I’ve been of much help to you, sir.”

“How do you know you haven’t?” Song You replied with a smile.

“Sir… are you really planning to…”

“I’m only going to take a look.”

“But, sir, you mustn’t go in! All the experts who have entered the Snowy Plains before—there’s never been a single one who made it back out!”

“I’m only going to take a look,” Song You repeated calmly.

“This…”

As they continued walking, the surroundings gradually became a vast expanse of white. Apart from the trail they had left, the snow bore only the footprints of some unknown animal.

Song You stopped, turned to the minor official, and said, “It’s said that those with deep feelings will escort their guests for ten li. You’ve already gone beyond ten miles. Given the current circumstances, it’s enough. Please, return now.”

“Yes, it’s as he says,” the monk added. “Benefactor, you should head back.”

“Very well…”

The minor official bit his lip, reluctantly took off the traveling bag he was carrying, and handed it back to the monk with great respect. He then made a move as if to kneel and bow deeply, but the monk quickly stepped forward to stop him.

“Your kindness, I will always remember,” the minor official said, his voice filled with gratitude.

“There's no need for such formalities,” the monk replied.

“Sir...”

The minor official glanced at Song You, his emotions mixed. After a brief pause, he spoke with newfound determination, “You wish to go to the Snowy Plains to eliminate the demon. I can't stop you.

“As of now, I’m in charge of overseeing the city gates, and I will be watching the direction of the Snowy Plains from the north wall every day, praying for your safety. I don’t ask for your success in defeating the demon, only that you return safely.”

“Then I thank you.”

The minor official bowed deeply. “I’ll take my leave now.”

“Take care,” Song You said, watching him go.

The minor official looked back three times as he walked away.

Among the scattered footprints in the snow, a new set of tracks appeared, headed in the opposite direction.

The monk stared at the departing figure, then turned his gaze back to Song You. For some reason, despite knowing that the demon in the Snowy Plains was something even the gods would struggle to defeat, he felt an inexplicable sense of confidence.

Perhaps it was due to the bond they had formed over the past half month.

He then smiled faintly and said, “Hezhou is the source of the demon plague. Now that Doctor Cai has a treatment plan and the Daoist is heading to Hezhou to eliminate the demon, I believe that soon the plague in Gui Commandery will be completely resolved.”

“I don’t know if I will succeed,” Song You replied.

“You have great confidence,” the monk said.

“I am skilled in this.” Song You had confidence in defeating demons, but not in completely eradicating them. He smiled and shook his head. “Until the demon is gone, I will not leave the Snowy Plains.”

“May you succeed and end the demon plague,” the monk said earnestly.

“...” Song You didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze back to the monk. “What will you do after it's over? Where will you go next?”

“If I still have the strength, I will continue to travel north. After the plague is gone, there will still be other matters. It will be a good opportunity to spread the Buddha's teachings and encourage good thoughts,” the monk said, pressing his hands together and bowing his head.

His attitude, at that moment, reflected the sayings, “Walking with your head lowered, reverently fulfilling your duties.”, and “One lamp passes on the light to others, eventually illuminating the whole world.”

“...”

Song You couldn't help but smile, marveling at the strength of the monk's dedication to spreading the Buddha's teachings. He sighed and said, “With such a heart, you will surely attain Buddhahood.”

“May your words be true, Daoist Master.”

In the eyes of a monk with a true Buddha heart, becoming a Buddha didn’t signify status but rather responsibility and cultivation. Thus, the monk was neither humble nor reserved. Instead, he quickly turned his gaze back to the Daoist.

“What about you, Daoist Master?”

“I am merely a carefree wanderer, and I shall continue heading north, observing the world as I travel freely.”

The monk continued to smile but shook his head. “Although I lack the ability to divine the future, I do have eyes that see into one’s heart. With the chaos in the world, I know you won’t be able to remain carefree for long.”

“I’ll enjoy my freedom for a little while longer.”

“That’s fine too.”

“Then, we shall part ways here.” Song You didn’t say much more. He bowed respectfully to the monk and said, “As for the people of Hansu Village, I’ll have to trouble you to look after them.”

“We leave the demons of He Plains in your hands, Daoist Master!”

“Farewell.”

Parting was as simple as meeting.

The group continued north.

The monk in his robes turned in another direction, where a faint silhouette of a village appeared amidst the snowy landscape.

Footprints trailed toward it. From within the cold wind came the monk’s soft chanting, “I have a bright pearl, long shrouded by worldly dust. Today the dust is gone, and its light shines forth, illuminating the countless peaks and rivers...”

The voice gradually faded away, soon disappearing into the distance.