It was around the autumnal equinox when Chen Ping'an had traveled from the Great Li Empire to Bamboo Scroll Lake.0

Upon arriving in Bamboo Scroll Lake, he had traveled to Pond Water City by horse-drawn carriage.0

After that, he met with Gu Can, and on Cyan Gorge Island, he was greeted by a piece of crisp and refreshing autumnal scenery. From that point onward, the dew had begun to become more viscous and condense. The days were cold and the nights were long in Bamboo Scroll Lake, and dense mist was a common sight. 0

He had then paid a visit to Cloud Pagoda City before escorting the assassin and his daughter to the border of the Stone Brush Nation. There, he witnessed that line, as well as another piece of scenery, one that heralded the imminent arrival of winter.0

Upon his return to Cyan Gorge Island, Bamboo Scroll Lake began to slip into winter, and with that came the emergence of winter mirages.0

In order to get a thorough understanding of the history, customs, and traditions of Bamboo Scroll Lake, Chen Ping'an had stayed on Brocade Pheasant Island for close to half a day during his exploration of the islands to try and catch a glimpse of the mirage of the wild pheasant entering the lake. 0

However, this was an extremely rare phenomenon, and whether he would get to witness it or not was entirely down to luck, just like back when he had captured that golden mountain crossing carp. Chen Ping'an didn't have much time that he could afford to waste on Brocade Pheasant Island trying his luck, and in the end, he could only leave in disappointment.0

It was especially important in times of adversity and suffering to find ways to entertain oneself in order to assuage the suffering.0

One such attempt at self-recreation was his excursion to see the mirage of the wild pheasant entering the lake, and it was for the same reason that he had asked to hear Hong Su's life story.0

Ever since coming to Cyan Gorge Island, he had very rarely indulged in drinking, and when he did, it was almost always just a sip or two to reinvigorate himself.0

With the end of the year fast approaching, the winter chill was only beginning to deepen.0

The island masters were still quarreling on Palace Willow Island, while Chen Ping'an was left to do his own thing in peace. He had thought that things would continue in this fashion, and that one day, he would raise his head to discover that the winter chill...0