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Let us out.

We've been through this.

The General has declared a high alert to ensure Yumen's safety. No one is allowed to leave the city without permission.

Turn back.

You dare speak of Yumen's safety to me?

We were guarding Yumen long before you even picked up a stick, kiddo!

In times like these, I need you to think about the greater good.

The greater good?

Do you remember when a group of bandits infiltrated the city and injured innocent people in the process?

It happened so suddenly, and the situation was so messy that you refused to lift a finger, so we had to take things into our own hands. We chased them hundreds of li and spent three whole days in the desert.

We had to carry half our brothers back to the city, but we managed to drag the bandits along with us.

Now our brothers lie dead out there, their bodies still rotting, and you're asking us to wait?

Master Jing, we all know your story, and we have infinite respect for you.

But General Zuo has decreed that while we are hunting a serious criminal, no one is to leave the city without his permission.

His awe-inspiring authority has me quaking!

Tell that Zuo Xuanliao to come out here and face us!

Impudence!

Master Meng...

I heard you shouting from across the city. These men are only following orders. Why do you have to be so hard on them?

We just, can't let them talk to us like this...

You're venerable elders of our city.

You've fought many battles to defend Yumen, even Messengers through Catastrophes. Our stability is thanks to your hard work.

Even though the Lord Exorcist and Grandmaster are still present, you dare to flaunt your seniority as if it matters?!

Have you no heart...?

Good men need not remind the people of their past deeds. If you need to boast about it, that just goes to show how little it truly mattered.

Go home and make no further trouble. I will ensure your fallen brothers are spoken for.

...Yes, Master.

The blame lies with me, I neglected their discipline.

We would never blame you.

About those four brothers... you have my condolences.

I'll take care of their families. There's no need to bother the Lord Exorcist.

But since they died delivering a letter for Yumen, I'd like to ask the Lord Exorcist his opinion on the situation.

We have to focus on the assassin for now, but when we're done, the Lord Exorcist will absolutely dispatch troops to clear out the bandits.

Right... you have to prioritize, that makes sense.

I just want a word with the Lord Exorcist. I need a reply, any kind of reply, to answer to those brothers.

Once we are done with this, you are all welcome to the Sword Forge for drinks.

Yühsia.

How's the situation on your end? Have the families of the victims been located?

Actually, two of the four were living alone.

As for the other two, their families happened to be away from home, so we took it upon ourselves to barge in.

It's a bit strange that all their homes looked so normal on the inside.

Could it be a coincidence that they all just happened to be out?

A whole day has passed since we got the news of their deaths.

Who goes there?!

You scared the life out of me!

I just felt like someone was watching us.

You could sense that even in this crowd?

Let's continue this inside the inn.

Lin Yühsia, stay your steps.

You know this man...?

Just give me a moment, I'll have a few words with him.

Alright.

I didn't expect the Monitor Censor of the Department of Discipline and Supervision to remember me. I think it's been five years since we last met?

The timing of our meeting was a memorable one.

But not very pleasant.

Just official business, you and I both.

Are you also here to investigate the events that have transpired in Yumen, Envoy Lin?

Can the Monitor Censor offer any leads?

No. At this time, I am not intervening in an official capacity.

I am merely acting as a former subordinate of the Lord Exorcist and as a subject of Yan, to apprehend the villains who disturb the people's peace.

I must say, I'm a little surprised that you aren't advising me to stay out of it, Monitor Censor Taihe.

I have no reason to dissuade you from your duties, Envoy Lin.

Do forgive me for prying, Envoy Lin. You have only just arrived in the city, so how exactly do you plan to investigate a case when you are yet unfamiliar with the situation?

I have my own means, of course. Don't you worry, Monitor Censor Taihe.

I have no doubt your means will prove more than adequate, Envoy Lin.

You might as well make your words clearer, Monitor Censor Taihe.

As I said, we are on official business, and nothing more than that.

I merely offer a reminder, Envoy Lin: the enemy lies in the open while we are hidden. But do be careful still.

I will take my leave.

I've seen that big guy before, in Shangshu... I think he was from the Department of Discipline and Supervision?

Just how many mandarins do you know?

It's not like we're friends. We just have prior dealings.

What's the difference?

The difference is that you don't want to be friends with some people you have dealings with.

Let's go.

Dusk.

The sun goes down quickly in early spring, and the weather is still a little cold.

The old man fills the furnace with a handful of firewood.

The weak fire is not fit for forging or even for heating. These days, all the forge equipment runs on Originium, but the old man stubbornly keeps such a useless furnace here.

While waiting for the fire to intensify, he picks up a broom and carefully sweeps up the sand that has accumulated in the courtyard overnight, leaving none of the crevices between the stone bricks untouched.

Of course, the old man knows that it will only stay clean for a moment and will soon return to its sandy state.

But he still toils to sweep the ground over and over again, as if hoping to catch a glimpse of a completely clean forge.

These legs of mine are still ache from the cold, even the weather is getting warmer.

It's about closing time. If it isn't urgent, why not come back tomorrow?

Hm...?

Are you looking for someplace else, girl? This is a forge, not a clinic.

I'm looking for... a place, mentioned in a story...

You're hurt too bad to be running around the city like this.

I hate to say it, but the city is under high alert right now. And a girl with a knife wound has shown up on my doorstep.

It'll be trouble for me if I don't take her in to the authorities.

The last thing I want is more trouble, so I'd better get her to explain where she came from.

You.. are you the one called Meng Tieyi?

It means something that you know the name, young as you are.

But I don't recognize you at all.

Shifu told me there is a forge hidden here in the nomadic city. And that the owner of the forge is a skilled swordsmith.

He can make all kinds of weapons and armor, and also craft toys for the children of the city.

I can't recall anyone who would talk about this old man like that.

In the yard of the forge lies a pagoda tree, transplanted by the both of you from a faraway place.

The old man can't help but look back.

In the corner of the yard stands a pagoda tree, leaves swaying slightly against the evening wind. Spring comes late in the north, and new leaves have yet to grow on the branches.