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We should be safe now that we've made it into Yumen.

Don't let your guard down.

We will return to the barracks and present the data to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau first, then we will report to General Zuo about the situation outside the city.

Of course.

Hmph, and not a second after I finish.

An ambush! Protect Envoy Lin and fall back!

No need. We're surrounded.

Who goes there?! How dare you intercept a military unit?!

Watch out, Envoy Lin!

Arts that turn sand into glass... How quaint.

I've had a feeling things weren't quite right since before we made it into the city...

I take it you're after the Catastrophe observation data? You killed the entire team of Messengers, but you weren't able to find the data, so you had no choice but to arrange the crime scene to look like they were robbed by bandits... How shabby.

Kill the broad first. She must be holding the target. Watch out for her Arts.

You think you have the advantage because you have more men? Hmph...

A mace flies through the air and smashes into the scoundrel standing in front of Lin Yühsia until he crashes into the road's flagstones, shattering them to pieces.

The mace could not be more normal, but it must have seen better days, given how smooth its surface has become.

A man steps forward to pick up the mace and stands in front of Lin Yühsia.

A regular bladesmith. His face has been scalded red by the flames of his forge and ploughed into a ravine by the sandstorm, like a war drum that's crude yet firm and tough nonetheless.

Impudence!

Uncle Meng, I'll go after them!

Yaoye, we must first check on the warriors with all haste.

Okay....

The scoundrels are ruthless with their attacks. Are you alright, my fair lady?

They don't have what it takes to hurt me.

Some of the men are injured. Their lives are not in danger, though. Only passed out.

They dare look for trouble with government troops in broad daylight? Makes me wonder where these people came from.

Uncle Meng, what do you say I take one of them back for an interrogation?

We don't know the first thing about the enemy... Yaoye, you must learn not to be so rash.

Judging by your outfit, you are not from Yumen, yet you have the protection of Yumen's forces. I must assume you are no ordinary lady. May I ask why these bandits are giving you trouble?

I'm on official business. Don't ask any further.

You little...!

And who are you? Why are you here?

The name is Meng Tieyi. I run a sword forge in the southern end of the city. This is Du Yaoye. She just came here from Shangshu.

I own Xingyu Logistics, Yumen's top logistics company.

We're heading to the city gate to arrange a welcome.

This is the first time the guys I brought with me from Shangshu are on a Yumen job. It's a huge gig, they're escorting a Catastrophe Messenger, even. Of course I have to be there to welcome them.

Judging by the time, they should be back soon, Uncle Meng.

Catastrophe Messenger...

I have a feeling you don't need to go.

Have you taken a fancy to another weapon here in my tent?

It's fine. I have no need of all these weapons. If you'd like, perhaps you could take my army's entire armory with you to Lungmen.

Please, Lord Exorcist. Even if you had no need for all these armaments yourself, Yumen needs them for its defense.

If memory serves me right, you and I made a bet a decade ago, and you made off with a fine blade I had only just obtained. Then, five years ago, you made off with a bow the Tianshi Bureaus bestowed upon me, after a bit of drinking.

Then allow me to invite you to another round of drink today. Please, win if that is your wish. Hold back no more.

I'm joking. All these years, Lungmen has been providing Yumen with the resources we need, and not once have we seen a delay in shipments. Based on this fact alone, I certainly should have sent you a few gifts myself.

It's the least I could do.

But as the Chief of Lungmen, I understand you must have plenty on your plate... Certainly, you must have more important business to attend to than personally visiting Yumen today?

You could say I'm not here for business.

A few days without Chief Wei won't see Lungmen falling into chaos, and it's not so bad if Wei Yenwu finds some time to pay an old friend a visit.

It so happens the Grandmaster's retirement is near, and I will be there in attendance.

His retirement is indeed quite troublesome.

That blade of his requires the most attentive treatment.

Well, it seems in the end, this troublesome topic falls on me to explain.

Grandmaster, Miss Ling. Long time no see.

It has been some time indeed.

Aah!

With so many old friends in attendance, that's reason enough for drink. Have you perhaps prepared some wine for us, General Zuo?

Given your service to Yumen, it would be my honor to share a drink with you, Miss Ling.

That said, I'm afraid it must wait for another time.

I heard you have already made up your mind, and you wish to bestow your blade upon the winner of a kung fu scramble?

Martial arts are merely the first of many ways I will be evaluating prospective successors. I will be judging whether they are worthy of my blade via other means.

And I was under the impression that you would have known this long ago.

The circumstances were different the last time you brought this up.

And if I am to say, although this blade must eventually be given to someone suitable, this is not the most opportune time to do so.

Grandmaster, after all this time, of all the men and women in our whole army, you've never seen a suitable candidate?

What a lively gathering.

My apologies for not personally receiving you, Grand Tutor.

It has been far too many years, but you seem as spirited as ever, Grand Tutor.

All of you are outstanding citizens who defend the peace of Great Yan's borders. Your magnificence gathered together in one place is truly a sight for sore eyes.

Alas, we have no time for idle conversation today, for we have urgent matters at hand.

We have all gathered, General Zuo. Send the men away.

On my way here, I just so happened to have come across a returning patrolman. Let us listen to him.

Four hours ago, our men on the city walls noticed a distress signal from afar.

When we got there, we found... the Catastrophe Messenger team that Yumen deployed three days ago... has been wiped out.

Yaoye, did you not design this banner yourself? Why pack it up?

Are you perhaps considering making your way home? Are you regretting letting the Qis go on this job?

I'm regretting not going with them.

You heard the envoy just now. Of the team of ten, not one survived. The moment they got the distress signal, they immediately left to give their assistance, but were killed on their way back.

These are not roving bandits we are dealing with. What could you have possibly done to change the outcome if you were there?

Uncle Meng... I'm guessing... you must have seen these things happen many times before?

What do you think?

Over a decade ago, the Xingyu Escort Association came to Yumen for a few jobs. That was when your father and I met each. We've had little contact with each other the last few years, but our friendship goes deep.

He often talks about you, too.

Two weeks ago, you came to my forge and told me you wanted to start your own logistics company.

It may only have been a decade or so, but much has changed over the years. It's nothing strange for the youngsters to want to strike out on their own.

On top of that, your knowledge of the escort business and wilderness survival is no worse than any of the old veterans. I should have expected no less from the Asker of the Frost's daughter.

This is why I took you in. I know little about modern logistics, but having spent all these years in Yumen, I could at least find some opportunities for you.

In hindsight, it would seem I led to your friends' undoing...

I was the one who brought them to Yumen. I was also the one to send them on this job.

Their deaths are on me, and I won't shirk that responsibility.

It puts my mind at ease to see you have that resolve.

Be it the Escort Association or a logistics company, things will always be the same. For the sake of our livelihood, we put our lives on the line. If you wish to make a name for yourself in this business, you need to understand how heavy the weight on your shoulders is.

Yaoye, it doesn't matter whether this is the path you will end up taking or not. I want you to remember how you feel this very moment for the rest of your life.

Yeah... Of course I will remember.

But I won't let the culprit here get away with killing them!

Well, this has been another productive day for you, hasn't it? Try to get some rest now.

I've left you two dishes. The cooks have reheated it already.

This inn's has a chef of truly magnificent culinary skill. Makes me want to learn a couple things from him.

I'm not hungry... I can't eat this right now.

You can look for your good-for-nothing father, but you need to eat nonetheless. Without the stamina, how are you going to beat him when you find him?