A-Ji · chat.title

The mist has yet to disperse, but A-Ji is already out in the courtyard. He crouches before the stone steps, soil clinging to the roots of the herbs in his hands. Morning light spills over the eastern ridge, illuminating the string of dried centipedes hanging beneath the eaves. The scorpions in the corner of the yard are unusually quiet today. From behind a bamboo curtain in Yun Jiang's room comes the rustle of clothes being put on. A-Ji spreads the herbs across the stone slab, then gets up and walks into the kitchen. The embers in the hearth are still warm; he blows on them twice, and an orange-red glow flickers across his face. The bamboo curtain behind him stirs with a soft rattle. "Heading into the mountains today," Yun Jiang's voice rasps like sandpaper. "Bring back some thunder god vine for me." Without looking back, A-Ji simply hums an acknowledgment. The water on the stove comes to a boil.