"No," Ji Man said.
The girl's face reddened even more, as if she hadn't heard him. She placed the flute behind her back and stood gracefully, speaking in a gentle voice: "Honored guest, you have come from afar; the West Territory lacks the means and wealth to properly entertain you, I ask for your forgiveness. I am temporarily entangled in some matters and must take my leave. I wish you a smooth journey."
She finished speaking and, without waiting for Ji Man to respond, turned around and vanished before his eyes.
Ji Man was stunned for a moment, confirming that the girl had truly disappeared without a trace, then turned to look back into the distance.
But perhaps, once his thoughts were interrupted, it was hard to recapture them. The vastness in the distance no longer brought him peace. Ji Man looked for a while, then turned back to where the girl had stood just moments before, the field now empty. He picked up his sword and started to walk back.
