Xu Ziyang followed the woman in yellow through a dim corridor lit by red candles, echoing with faint sounds of merriment. However, in this gloomy and somber environment, it sounded more akin to mourning rather than jubilation.
"The path ahead will be dangerous," the woman in yellow warned as she turned back.
"I understand," Xu Ziyang nodded, his eyes clouding over.
After passing through a moon-shaped gate, the chilly winds around them suddenly intensified. Just a few steps forward, sudden bouts of coughing echoed around them.
"Cough cough…" an old hag, unsteady on her feet, was tending to plants in the yard. As she noticed them approach, she inquired "Who's there?"
"Granny Lin," answered the woman in yellow, "just passing by with a guest."
"Oh…" the hag lifted her eyes towards Xu Ziyang, smiling weakly, "where does the young man hail from?"
"Shu Mountain," was Xu Ziyang's reply.
