The sky was brightening.
The wind and rain stopped in the early hours.
When the people who took shelter at the Earth God Temple stepped outside, the sky was clear and boundless.
Everyone set off on their journeys.
The caravan, in a considerate manner, left some firewood and supplies in the wooden shed beside the temple for the use of those who might come later.
Zhang Yuan watched as Ji Haoran and his family of three left with the caravan.
According to the scholar, his family encountered misfortune, forcing him to seek refuge with relatives in Guangyuan Prefecture.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yuan was heading to Qing'an County, a different direction from them.
Thus, they parted ways here.
Although they met by chance,
thanks to last night's encounter, Ji Haoran and his wife were immensely grateful to Zhang Yuan.
They bid farewell reluctantly.
Zhang Yuan watched the long caravan gradually disappear into the distance, then mounted his horse to continue on his journey.
