act23side

Normally, the sand sluice would never serve as a path for people to walk on.

If one jumps into the sand sluice, he can only expect to be crushed by the turbines, or suffocate under the rolling yellow sand.

So tomorrow, at the Hour of Yu, when Yumen is travelling at its lowest speed, the flow of sand through the sluices will also be slowed... but at least there's a ghost of a chance in this idea.

I'll do it! I need to get out of the city, by any means.

But what about your wounds?

I'll manage.

I went to a clinic earlier.

Good.

It's just that, security around the sand sluices is usually lax, but I'm not sure if things have changed now with the city under high alert.

On my way here, I heard the general of this city is personally leading the defense of the keep.

It seems...

To meet or not to meet, that was the question. But it seems the answer is meet.

You're going out?

We have to be quick, I need to go scout the surroundings. There are also some preparations to be made, if you're to leave the city via the sand sluices.

I'll hang a 'Closed' sign on the door while I'm out, so make use of this time to recuperate.

I'll come back to fetch you.

Daai Siu Ze.

Yühsia?

Head up to my room first, I'll be there in a minute.

Any news?

Not long after you left, some people in smiths' clothes showed up, moved their goods and headed someplace else.

I tried to follow them, but they seem to be in our line of work. They realized someone was tailing them and quickly shook me off their trail.

I returned to the warehouse to take another look, and it had been cleared out completely. I don't know what these people are hiding, but it's clear that something strange is going on.

Your intuition was spot on, there's something off about that Sword Forge.

I'm afraid we've already set the enemy on alert, and we've yet to find our key evidence.

The dark clouds over the city get thicker every day, while the sand in the wind is also denser.

The situation is urgent. Since we have our suspects, we can try some things out.

Daai Siu Ze?

Go to the barracks and fetch something for me.