As dusk fell, the streets lit up with countless lanterns. Inside the small building, lights were also kindled.0

The little horse lantern of Lady Calico had been nurtured with spiritual energy. Though slightly aged, it was still well preserved. She used a spell to light it and held it in her hand. Likewise, the lantern that Song You had received from a little ghost at the monster and ghost market in the great mountains of Pingzhou remained intact. He invited Lady Calico to illuminate it and handed it to Yan An.1

The two young demons, each holding a lantern, obediently followed the Daoist out the door.0

“The two grandest lantern festivals in Changjing throughout the year must be the Shangyuan Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Since we're in Changjing, there's no way we can miss the Shangyuan Festival,” Song You remarked.0

“Yan An didn't go last time!” the little girl chimed in.0

“Don’t be intimidated by the crowd at the lantern festival. They're all strangers—you may brush past them once in a lifetime, never to interact again. They’ll never know who you truly are. At most, if you’re good-looking, they might glance at you a couple more times, but the moment they return home, it will be as if they never saw you at all,” Song You explained. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”0

“Nothing to be afraid of! No one knows me anyway!” the little girl...0