This noon, I was walking along, parched and weary, when suddenly a peach grove appeared before my eyes! Round, plump peaches hung heavy on every branch... A joyful sight!
I caught a sweet fragrance from far off, so I hurried over in quick strides and picked one... Heavens, what a timely blessing!
I'd just settled down in the shade to enjoy the fruit when I saw two hulking men approaching! Weapons at their waists, clearly no good folk. I quickly stuffed the peach into my robe and shrank behind a tree, not daring to breathe...
They cursed and grumbled, and I caught most of what they said... Turns out they're villains from a nearby mountain stronghold. Their chief has vanished somewhere, and the second-in-command is useless, but some fellow calling himself Master Di suddenly showed up and kept them from causing trouble. From the sound of it, even that den of thieves isn't at peace.
They wandered off, muttering, and only then did I feel the chill on my back... my clothes were soaked through with sweat! I didn't dare linger, so I fumbled and grabbed a few more peaches before slipping away, hunched low.
Whew, that was close! The peaches were good, crisp and sweet, but that place... I swear I'll never go back!
Alas, I suppose I'll wait until I'm farther away before eating this peach.
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