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“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...
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