The storm gradually weakened until it finally stopped. It had come quickly and gone quickly... From its arrival to its end, it had lasted less than four hours.
At first, they had thought it would last all day. This had been a relatively brief torrential rain.
As the storm ceased, daylight returned, though it would not be long before darkness fell again, as dusk was already approaching.
Seeing that the rain had stopped, Fujiwara no Maro, sitting inside the temple, actually felt somewhat reluctant. He even found himself wishing it would rain continuously for several days and nights.
"Daoist, have you made up your mind?"
Fujiwara no Maro looked expectantly at the woman before him who had set his heart racing. This was the first time he had felt so moved, and he had even decided that, so long as she agreed, he was willing to marry no one but her. He was also willing to fully support her efforts to spread Taoist culture.
Even now, he did not know her name.
"Yes."
"Then your decision is..."
"I refuse."
Facing Fujiwara no Maro's expectant gaze, Fu Hua rejected him with perfect calm.
"Huh?"
Fujiwara no Maro's hopeful expression froze at Fu Hua's refusal.
"Daoist, please think it over. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity..." Seeing Fu Hua's indifferent expression, Fujiwara no Maro was unwilling to give up and could not help trying to persuade her further...
"How can I trust the words of someone I have only just met?" Before Fujiwara no Maro could say more, Fu Hua raised a hand to stop him. She was going to Eastern Island, but she would not go with him.
"I can prove it. I can take you to the delegation."
"That is not important. In any case... let us talk about it later."