Shoutian County, Guhuai Town, an abandoned temple.
In the southern part of Ji State, a heavy rain was pouring relentlessly. The green grass fields had long been transformed into a muddy swamp by the rain. Emerald leaves stood upright in the rain, flushed by the water until they appeared lifeless.
The sky was a dull grey, seeming to press down oppressively, as though darkness could envelop everything at any moment.
A scholar, hurried in his appearance, donned a straw cloak and hat, hugging a bundle of books wrapped in cloth, sprinting through the pouring rain.
Upon spotting the abandoned temple not far away, his eyes brightened. He held his books tighter and quickened his pace, running toward it.
Huff, huff——
The scholar, panting heavily, quickly shut the temple doors and windows. Despite the temple being decrepit, it was fortunate that it sheltered him from the wind and rain.
