Outside, rain poured down in sheets, thunder rumbled in waves, and raindrops as large as beans struck the roof of the lizard carriage with a fine, rustling patter.
Two glass windproof lamps hung from the horns at the front of the lizard carriage, lighting the road ahead. Driven by the burly man, the two flying lizards raced wildly through the rain. Looking out the window, all Zhang Tie could see were the shadows of roadside trees flying past behind them and the towering hills alongside the road.
Zhang Tie had originally wanted to sit outside, but there was only room for one person beside the driver. The jutting roof formed a small canopy over the driver's head, shielding him from part of the wind and rain, though some still blew onto him. The burly driver had already put on a waterproof straw rain cape. There was no room outside for two, so at the white-clad woman's invitation, Zhang Tie did not stand on ceremony. He merely wrung some of the water from his drenched clothes before getting into the carriage with them.
The Sky-Piercing Realm did not have those customs where men and women were forbidden from touching, and where merely touching a hand or glancing at a leg would drive one party to seek death. Though there was still a distinction between men and women in the Sky-Piercing Realm, it was not taken to excess; everything rested upon propriety. In that respect, it was somewhat similar to Great Xia in this era. Thus, Zhang Tie sharing a carriage with two women was hardly anything scandalous.
The inside of the lizard carriage was warm as spring. A self-righting brazier burned within, and the faint, secluded fragrance of a woman drifted through the air. On such a rainy night, listening to