"This gentleman," suddenly that voice rang out again.
Sang Chen looked around to confirm there was no one else before turning toward the source of the voice. It was still the woman; she covered her face with her wide sleeve and asked with a delicate voice, "I am grateful for the gentleman's rescue; may I have the honor of knowing your esteemed name?"
"I am Sang Chen, styled Sui Yuan, a lay disciple of Ci'en Temple, and not any gentleman," Sang Chen replied with a bow, and only after did he recall—had he actually rescued her?
The woman turned slightly, revealing half her face with a smile as light as a lotus flower, then she ran off like the wind.
The sound of the drums signaling the closing of the city gates echoed.
Sang Chen still stood where he was, looking up at the sky, wondering where exactly that young woman had passed by. The novice monks called him several times, but he did not respond.
