The days back home were happy and simple.
For three days straight, An Ning did nothing but eat when she woke up, play when she was full, and sleep when she was tired. Sometimes, she was too lazy to even wash her face.
From time to time, she would tease Hei Dan'er, listening to his childish babble as he sputtered out single words at people, which she found especially amusing.
Three days later, on the twenty-second day of the twelfth lunar month, the omens were auspicious for accepting a disciple.
At three in the morning, An Ning was dressed in a long white robe, her long hair tied up high. Her expression was solemn.
CREAK—
She pushed open the door, a White Jade Compass in her left hand and a short, irregular, pitch-black rod in her right.
"Let's go."
At the door stood the formally dressed boy and Anna. The mother and son followed An Ning, and together they headed toward the mountain.
