「The next day.」
The sky had just begun to lighten when Yang Jing awoke.
After a good night's sleep, all of yesterday's fatigue had vanished. The Inner Strength within him flowed even more smoothly.
He got up and pushed open the door to see that a patch of the courtyard had been cleared. Yang An was holding a broom, gathering the snow into piles, with fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
White smoke curled from the kitchen chimney, a clear sign that breakfast was being prepared.
"You're awake?"
Yang An looked up and smiled, wiping the sweat from his brow with his sleeve. "There's porridge warming in the pot. It'll be ready to eat in a bit."
Yang Jing nodded and walked to the courtyard gate, taking a deep breath.
The air after the snowfall was bone-chillingly cold but exceptionally fresh. Inhaling it seemed to clear the mind and invigorate the spirit.
