A few days later, it was already early March, with the spring sun shining bright.0

Between the hills, a stream meandered gently. By the stream stood two trees, and a rope was strung between them, hung with the Daoist’s clothes to dry. Song You sat in the shade beneath the trees, holding a book. In front of him, a small campfire simmered with a pot of millet porridge. 0

The grasslands were growing greener by the day, and many wild herbs had sprouted. Song You had foraged some, washed and torn them into pieces, and added them to the porridge.0

Lady Calico was frolicking in the distance, darting back and forth. Her small figure appeared and disappeared amidst the tall grass. 0

Song You had no idea exactly where he had wandered to. He only knew that the sound of the stream trickling beside him and the bubbling of the pot brought a sense of calm. He lowered his head, focused on his book, and pondered the route ahead.0

Yanzhou was the northernmost prefecture of the Great Yan. From here, heading west would lead into the vast northwestern territories, eventually reaching the Western Regions. Going east would take him toward the northeastern territories, all along the northern border.0

Naturally, he intended to head east.0

Yanzhou was narrow from north to south but stretched...0