611. Companion on the Path

Jinmen

It was already the eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, and with the New Year approaching, the streets were decorated with colorful lanterns, festooned with a touch of holiday spirit; the faces of passersby were also filled with joy.

Not only did the wealthy clients in their brocade furs show a rosy glow on their faces, but even the poor, clad in patched clothes, seemed to have a bit more pep in their step.

The New Dynasty had just been established, bringing with it a fresh start. Not only had it eliminated various harsh taxes and forced labor but it also cracked down hard on underworld gangs, especially martial artists who used their strength to bully the people.

With social order stable and the hearts of the people at ease, civilian life had recovered quite well, visibly flourishing in the marketplace.