act23side

The Lungmenite woman investigated the warehouse at the Sword Forge. She's making a lot of trouble...

If you're so worried about trouble, why not go directly to the only variable that can sway the whole situation?

The old man at the Sword Forge.

Go find him, and let the Catastrophe data disappear along with his body.

Understood.

Master, look out—

You shouldn't be able to stand.

Rest... go...

The ground suddenly sinks beneath them, as if charged with vitality. The raised earth and rocks surround everyone in an instant.

Master, this man is not to be underestimated—

A cold light flashes for just a moment.

A man falls to the ground, earth and rock unmoving.

The block is dead silent.

Waste of time, and boring beyond comprehension.

Yühsia, what took you so long?

I happened to meet an acquaintance, so I took the chance to say hello.

You're a Lungmenite, and yet you seem to know plenty of people in Yumen...

Well, that's enough talking. Let's piece together the information we gathered and see if we can figure anything out.

I didn't get to finish that conversation on the street, what progress have you made on your end?

Miss Du, what kind of person owns the Sword Forge?

You mean Uncle Meng?

Yes.

He's an old friend of my father's, from when he was still in the business. His kung fu is renowned, but he's good at talking too, and every martial artist in Yumen trusts him.

I'm not familiar with Yumen, so Xingyu Logistics being able to operate here is all thanks to him.

Does this stuff have anything to do with Uncle Meng?

Just wondering.

If you have something to say, get to the point already!

I've had a suspicion that this band of thieves causing chaos in the city stowed away with the supplies smuggled from Lungmen.

I've been on the smugglers' trail and it led me to the Sword Forge's warehouse.

So? What did you find?

The warehouse had only iron billets and forge fuel. All the materials you would need for a forge.

What was strange was the warehouse guard.

He had an unusual sunburn around his neck. Looked like a mark from wearing special protective equipment.

As I understand it, the Catastrophe Survey Teams dispatched by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau trek through the desert for long periods of time, and they wear a standardized mask for protection against the wind and sun.

That sunburn wasn't faded. And the Imperial Astronomical Bureau has only dispatched that one team lately.

So you're saying there's something suspicious about the team, and that they're connected to Uncle Meng?

I'm trying to get us on the same page with the facts I've found.

Yumen has just returned from the depths of the desert, where the sunlight can be intense, and sunburns are common among the city residents.

Is that one little thing all you've got to make you suspicious?

Do you recognize this object?

(voice shaking) Where did you find this?

The warehouse.

I found it lying in a corner. It seemed unique, and was standing out from the piles of iron billets and fuel.

This is a 'Xingyu Logistics' armband that I designed myself.

The red armband is inlaid with gold trim, as well as a Shangshu-style embroidery of twin lines flowing through a pattern of five-pointed stars, symbolizing auspicious and smooth trade routes.

The signifiers of luck and peace are dyed a disturbing ochre-red, and the stains of yellow sand make it look mottled and old.

Only the kids who followed me to Yumen from Shangshu would have this. Did the Qis also...?

If what befell the Messenger team happened outside Yumen, then this shouldn't have made it into the city at all!

Are the Qis still alive?! If they are, then why are they hiding? No, who's holding them and keeping them from showing themselves?

Uncle Meng? But doesn't he have four men he knows on the team.

What's going on?

Miss Du, let's not jump to conclusions just yet. We need to calmly analyze the...

If I can't figure it out, then I might as well stop thinking. I'll just head to the Sword Forge and get my answer!

Miss Du!

Yühsia.

Mhm.

I saw a tourist dressed like a Lungmenite downstairs earlier, probably one of your men?

He came to pass you something, right?

That armband was evidence brought back from where the Messenger team was intercepted and killed outside the city.

You're using Miss Du.

We have a lot of clues pointing us towards the Sword Forge right now, so we need to probe it a little.

If the man is innocent, then we've ruled out a decent possibility, and she will also feel at ease.

If there's really something up with the Sword Forge, won't you have put her in danger?

She's certainly not the only one in danger here in Yumen.

Yühsia, I know you have your responsibilities, and maybe this is how you've always done things.

I'm not about to argue with you over what's right or wrong, but I can't agree with your approach.

I have to go help her.

Lord Zuo.

What happened?!

The tall Forte lies on the hospital bed, his visage pale. He's barely still breathing.

In Zuo Le's memories, Taihe was always like a mountain.

This mountain stood beside his father and himself, unshakeable.

What sort of force could break this mountain? Zuo Le has never considered such a possibility.

Monitor Censor Taihe was brought to a military camp by two civilians not long ago...

Tell me his condition first!

T-The medics say they've managed to save his life... but perhaps only his life...

Monitor Censor Taihe has suffered multiple external injuries, but what's more serious is the damage to his organs. He has suffered massive internal bleeding. If he were an ordinary man, I'm afraid he would have already...

Uncle Taihe shouldn't have been involved in this, he was helping me under the table...

Where is Father?

The General is guarding the outer city tower.

I've also notified the General, and there were only four words in his reply.

'Stay at your post.'

Where are the ones who brought Uncle Taihe here?

Tell me the truth.

We just saw the Forte dressed in mandarin clothes lying by the roadside. We have no idea what happened, but we figured we should bring him over here...

The city is under high alert right now. What were you doing out so late at night?

We had trouble sleeping, so we went out for a walk... who would've thought there would be someone lying by the roadside as soon as we went out? Terrifying.

So you live in the area, but heard nothing strange?

Nothing...

Where did you find the wounded?

In the south of the city, near the Sword Forge's alley!

The Sword Forge...

Sorry... Can I can go home now?

No.

Your testimony is unclear, so as a witness, you can't leave just yet.

Ah, w-well...

Millenion.

Present.

I'm moving out. Gather your team.

Search the Sword Forge.