Dusk.
The setting sun cast its slanting rays, deepening the sense of autumn.
On the southern imperial road of Luoyang City, pedestrians had long vanished.
Until the sound of horse hooves arose…
Two fine horses appeared, galloping side by side from afar.
The riders were three individuals: Sun Yixie, Huang Donglai, and Monk Chunkong.
Since Sun Yixie carried a lot of heavy luggage and an inconvenient trident on his back, Monk Chunkong, who hitched a "free ride," shared a horse with Huang Donglai. Fortunately, the young monk was not heavy and carried very little luggage, so their short journey was not hindered.
For Monk Chunkong, coming to Luoyang was perhaps not a significant occasion; even if he hadn't found anyone willing to give him a ride, walking wouldn't have taken him more than a few days.
But for Sun Yixie and Huang Donglai, reaching this place was not easy.