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In the cramped warehouse, a sandstorm forms.

Did something catch fire over there?

Could it be arson? Let's go take a look.

The sand sluice?

Who would even come here?

True.

The military whistle sounds from the top of the city. The sky is already pitch black, and the outline of the full moons can be vaguely seen through the clouds.

If the old smith has finished his work and returns to the Sword Forge to find her missing, he could probably figure out that he should look for her over at the sand sluice.

The nomadic city foundations chew through the ground, the high-speed turbines grinding up oversized obstacles along with tons of sand and gravel, spitting them out with a deafening sound.

The old smith was right, there are no guards posted here, because no one would ever want to leave the city this way.

(It's almost time...)

(Violent braying)

Three times you've gotten away from me. And lucky enough, you've once again walked yourself into a dead end.

I don't know you.

The sword on your back has nothing to do with our plans, but an object hiding one-twelfth of the bestial Sui's consciousness is of great interest to someone.

Bestial Sui? What are you talking about...?

Sounds like you don't know anything. That makes you even less worthy of holding that sword.

Hand it over.

A black halo behind your head... an Anasa?

So what if I am...?

An Anasa actively mingling in a Yanese nomadic city? How ridiculous.

Have you forgotten where you came from? Forgotten what happened to your people? While you were suffering out in the wilderness, aimlessly looking for food and shelter, did Yan ever help you?

Anasa, you should join the Shanhaizhong organization.

All I see is the terrible things you've done in the city.

Then you're a fool.

(The sand will soon disperse.)

(There's no way I could match the woman Chief Wei and Dad couldn't beat together.)

(But I can at least delay her for a while longer, to buy Du Yaoye a little more time to make her way out...)

You're scared of me, but you gave another the opportunity to escape.

It seems that after all these years, you people have not changed a bit. Consider it an honor to die a brave death.

Gallantry isn't exactly my style, and I'm not about to let you kill me.

A crunch sounds, and within the next second the yellow sand condenses into a glass blade.

Trying a sneak attack?

You lot really enjoy your cheap tricks.

To try and sneak an attack while ignoring the disparity in strength is just asking to die.

In the end, so many 'means' were employed to force Meng Tieyi out, and obtain the Catastrophe data.

I guess I could count this... as having done a good deed?

Oh well.

The glass sword crumbles inch by inch, the long blade already falling on her brow.

<color=#ff0000>Chi Xiao, Rouse Qi—</color>

A crimson sword tears through the airborne sand and dust.

Swords clash, the sound rings through the air wrought by friction. Lin Yühsia's sword shifts its form between sand and glass, countless shards in the air reflecting a silhouette within.

The figure stands before her, tall and straight as a poplar.

How did you know I would be here?

What are you talking about?

I saw your Arts in the distance, I figured you were asking me to come save you.

Don't flatter yourself, I had no idea you were coming to Yumen—

So why <i>are</i> you here?

Just passing through.

Did you follow me here, like you did in Dossoles?

Wasn't that <i>you</i> following <i>me?!</i>

You must've heard about the assassination attempt on Wei?

If you've got time to talk at me, you've got time to explain. What exactly is going on here?

The sand and dust have dissipated completely. Not a soul remains in the warehouse.

I <i>don't</i> have time, we have to get to the city gates!

Du Yaoye has been in the city for a while, but she never realized the streets went on for so long.

Just a hundred meters feels more difficult than traversing the mountain roads of Xunri Peak. The small box in her arms feels heavier than any quarry shouldered by the mountain pole-carriers.

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.

I'll never forget all the stories about escort missions Dad would tell me, even if he kept repeating them over and over again. Or maybe because he did.

The principle is the same every time, but you only really understand it after experiencing it for yourself.

(Faster, faster...)

(I can see the gates!)

They've almost caught up to me?!

Du Yaoye is skilled in the art of using the wind to anticipate danger. If she focuses without distraction, she could absolutely dodge this arrow.

The arrow pierces her right shoulder, causing the box to slip out of her grasp. She hastily reaches out with her left hand to catch it, but ends up falling to the ground, along with the box.

Silence her and retrieve the object.

Miss Du!

It's you...

I was chasing another group of bad guys and ended up here.

Last night, when I hurried over to the Sword Forge, I saw the mandarins taking you away with them... What's going on here...?

Don't wanna talk about it...

Help me out, let's take care of these guys first.

Good plan.

Loose your arrows.

Impudence.

A stretch of silk, a patch of snow, or perhaps the gleaming of a sword.

The arrows fall to the ground, neatly sliced in two.

You're... the one who saved Zuo Le last night...

Help me. I have something very important to deliver to the Lord Exorcist.

He's at the outer city tower, and you're seriously wounded. Can you still run?

Save the goods, then the men.

Very well, then leave them to us.

Right, that Envoy Lin of yours is still holed up in the warehouse fighting some evil woman...

Go help her.

Yühsia!

Right. You get moving.

Again with public acts of violence. You Shanhaizhong have gone too far.

Master.

Where's the girl?

I almost got her, but these two stopped me.

Useless.

Hurry after her and get the data.

You shall not pass.

You think you can stop me? Let's see if you can dodge my blade another time.

So she's the evil lady Du was talking about?

If she's here, then that means Yühsia is...

I'm fine.

Finally caught up.

Yühsia... is that... Superintendent Ch'en?!

That's her alright. Where's Du Yaoye?