“How interesting…“ Song You shook his head, finding it all rather intriguing. After tidying up, he set off again.

In high spirits, his steps were lighter, though not faster. Time seemed to pass more quickly, and the plants, trees, mountains and clouds by the roadside looked much more pleasant.

The little girl walked ahead, holding her small bamboo staff. She was not using it as a walking aid but swinging it around, tapping at the grass by the road. Occasionally, she would jump up to swat at butterflies whenever she encountered one.

Song You watched her, amused.

He couldn’t help but wonder, how dull would this journey have been without her?

“Are you sleepy, Lady Calico?”

“I’m not sleepy!”

“Are you exhausted?”

“Not at all!”

“Is it fun?”

“Very fun!”

The little girl, without looking back, strode ahead in large steps while swinging the bamboo staff in her hand. Her voice sounded, “If only I had a knife, it would be even more fun!”

“Oh…“ It finally dawned on Song You that she had learned from that female knight.

By mid-afternoon, the little girl finally grew tired. Rubbing her eyes, she turned to Song You, asking if she could take a nap on the back of the horse. Of course, she could. She then transformed into a cat and returned to the cloth bag on the horse’s back to sleep.

The journey became considerably less...