Nightfall

Overestimating Oneself by the Yellow River

The Abbey Dean looked at the Hierarch and asked indifferently, “You want to know why I came back? … You probably won’t believe it, but I came back because Haotian needs my help.”

The Hierarch kept quiet. He thought, It was you who chose to enter the State of Purity in the City of Chang’an and cut your connection with Haotian. That was why she paralyzed you. Haotian is almighty and omniscient. Why would she need help from an ordinary man, particularly from you, a wastrel?

The Abbey Dean could read his mind and smiled, “Haotian did not need my help previously and that was why I kept my distance in the Zhishou Abbey. However, she had left the Peach Mountain. It means she could not handle certain things here. Therefore I have to come back and try to help. At least I can deal with something that’s less convenient for her.”

The Hierarch still did not understand.

The Abbey Dean was as calm as the tranquil lake in the Abbey. He continued, “Faith is a simple thing. If you cling onto it even after it abandons you, your faith is genuine.”

…

…

Ning Que and Sangsang walked out of the abyss and strolled among the rolling mountains. The azure sky was covered by heavy clouds, and the violent snowstorm stirred bouts of dust that blocked their sight.

They kept walking and finally came to a rugged mountain trail when the snowstorm came to an end. Then they heard a happy neigh from ahead.

With thundering clops and repeated neighing, the big black horse bolted towards them. He wagged his head and tail while he was galloping and seemed extremely happy.

Coming in front of Ning Que, the big black horse realized that Sangsang was also there. He recollected its manner, lowered his head and walked toward Sangsang, wagging slightly to please her.

“You worthless thing.” Ning Que smiled at him, then found their big black umbrella and the arrow case both on his back. He was surprised and wondered how the horse had made it.

He patted the horse’s neck and said approvingly, “Now we are ready.”

With Ning Que, Sangsang, the big black horse and their belongings together, it was exactly what when they were on exile, except for the carriage that was left in Chang’an.

Sangsang did not pay any attention to the obsequious big black horse or to Ning Que’s comments. She held her hands behind her back and continued to walk along the snowy mountain trail.

The hidden rough trail was very long. The trail must had been neglected for years and few people had trodden on it. However, it did not bother them. Sangsang’s flowery green dress swayed in the wind. Ning Que continued to use the stick as a crutch. The big black horse carried their belongings and followed passively.

After a couple of hours, they finally walked out of the barren mountains and came to a fork. Ning Que looked at the snow-capped mountains and asked, “Which way?”

Sangsang replied emotionlessly, “It was you who played ugly to get me out of Peach Mountain. You wanted to bring me to the human world and here we are. Does it really matter which way we go next?

Ning Que looked at her black hair drifting by her cheeks and said, “Since you followed me out of Peach Mountain, I suppose you are interested in touring around the world of the mortals again. So, is there any place you’d like to visit?”

Sangsang said, “I already said it was your call.”

Ning Que thought for a while and suggested, “How about the Song Kingdom? It’s not far from here.”