Having traversed the streets, Wu Er arrived at the eastern part of the city, still shouting the same repetitive phrases.
"The air is dry, be careful with candles and lamps—"
As he shouted, he also knocked on his bamboo clapper, his gaze scanning the surroundings.
The residences around him were dark and unlit. It was almost the third watch of the night, and everyone was asleep. Apart from a very few who were up due to their jobs, the rest had no habit of staying up late.
The darkness was the same as always. The silence, too, was the same.
Yet for some reason, Wu Er felt something was off, although he couldn't quite articulate what specifically.
Turning into an alley, Wu Er reached a more open area.
Hmm, someone?
His expression froze, a strange look crossing his face as he looked ahead.
There was an ancient well from which a dark figure was drawing water, clutching a rope, slowly pulling something up from the well, seemingly with great effort.
