Central Region, west of the Eastern Desolation Corridor.
On a silent, cold night, a continuous drizzle fell.
An old monk, wearing a bamboo hat and a kasaya, was walking slowly along a dirt road in a desolate village.
He wore a plain kasaya and carried a long tin staff with nine rings attached.
"Clang…"
"Clang…"
"Clang…"
The tin staff struck the ground, emitting sounds that echoed over the desolate village.
When he reached a withered tree, the old monk suddenly stopped, raised his head to look at the branches of the dead tree, revealing an aged face.
After a while, he pressed his palms together, closed his eyes, and bowed slightly: "Buddha saves all sentient beings, illuminating the world."
"Why do ghosts and monsters hide?"
Though his appearance was old, his voice was resonant.
"Hee hee hee hee hee —"
Amidst the swaying cold rain, a woman's chilling laughter suddenly rang out.
"Abbot Chengyi, long time no see."
