Dark clouds devoured the last wisps of white, pressing heavily down upon the sky in a dull gray. The relentless rain had continued for several days already.
Barely before dawn that morning, the fierce downpour arrived right on schedule. Raindrops the size of beans, like beads with a broken thread, pattered violently against the vermilion doors and bluestone steps.
It was still early, and with the heavy rain, even the gatekeepers were curled up inside the porters' lodge. Aside from the sound of the rain, hardly any other movement could be heard around.
Chapter 342