The freezing winter had come up north. Thick layers of snow blanketed the landscape outside the old temple, and crunching footsteps filled the silence as people stepped on them.
A group of members of the Jianghu were traveling across the snowfield with luggage on their backs. There were men and women, both young and old, strong and shriveled. Reaching the temple, their leader shouted to the rest, "It is difficult to make our way through the dark of a snowy night. We shall rest here tonight, and resume our journey at the break of day tomorrow."
His breath escaped his mouth in white as he spoke, and he shivered at the icy touch of the chilling weather.
"Sure. I almost can't feel of my hands or feet. It seems I am no longer the young and energetic young man I was so many winters before," agreed a bald old man, smiling at the thought of warmth and rest.
