Bidding goodbye to Lizi, Anji allowed the Tong Pass guards to check her luggage as a formality before allowing her to skip the queue and pass.
The carriage was exactly the same size it was, but without Lizi's presence, it suddenly felt extremely large and empty. The maid had tearfully hugged Anji goodbye and promised to deliver her letters to the Celestial Dragon Sect as quickly as possible. Anji remembered shaking her head and telling Lizi to take her time. It was not urgent, but it was important.
From here to the Crystal Lake Pavilion, Anji noticed a change in the atmosphere. The merchants who had cleared the Tong Pass were now rushing without time for pleasantries. Nobody stopped to be nice as horses raced to Luoyang.
