Qu He Star led him up this short path, which felt like ascending to the heavens in one step. In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Baili An experienced the timeless view from the peaks of this ancient mountain.
Upon reaching the summit, Baili An saw a multi-tiered eaves palace, a cloud pavilion soaring into the Nine Heavens. The mountain gate stood upon the eastern slope, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and bamboo ravines, clouds rising and falling. The moon's silvery light cast a solemn, majestic glow over the palatial complex.
The crescent moon hung halfway in the sky, blanketing the mountains in cold snow. In front of the hall, a pool of chilly water, with a broken stele as a table, gathered around by a dozen figures, each holding snow tea, some sitting, some standing, each with a different expression.
Among them was the girl Baili An had met earlier at the foot of the mountain who had taken the bribe.
Counting them carefully, there were exactly ten.
