The river surface was like a mirror, calm and waveless.
In the absolute silence, only the blending of water and sky persisted,
the swirling mists that had lingered earlier had slowly faded away with the deepening night, leaving only a touch of gentle moonlight spilling over it.
The man hovering over the river on his sword touched the wooden monkey mask on his face, feeling the roughness at his fingertips, and chuckled, "I truly am a sinner, if the spirits of my parents knew what evils I've become, even in the realm below they would find no peace."
On a small boat nearby, the steward smirked obsequiously and said, "Monkey Lord, the task has been completed, you see..."
"What's the rush?"
The Monkey looked up at the stars, "Someone will come to confirm it soon."
He wasn't quite sure himself.
"Yes, yes."
The steward nodded repeatedly.
About half an incense stick's time later, a figure swept in from the night sky.
