chimes

They were supposed to get relocated last month. Dunno if anyone's there anymore.

Are you... absolutely certain about that?

Certain I saw the news. It was nailed up on the announcement board. The convoy also went into the mountains a few days ago, but we haven't seen any cars leavin'...

I might still be able to make it then.

I wouldn't, if I were you. It's a long ways out, you don't even know if there'll be anyone there, and you might even get robbed–

Huh? Where'd she go?

I appreciate the tip, but I need to get going. There should still be enough time!

As the sun sets, the mountains stretch out along both sides of the narrow road.

Just past ten li north, I saw the dead tree. I followed a few bends and went into the mountains, climbing over peaks and ridges until I reached a fork in the road.

This is the way I went out, back in the day, but this time...

Excuse me, you're in the way.

Sorry, but we're here for the letter.

I don't have anything addressed to you in this bag.

Is that so? Well, I heard you had something for Shiqiao. The village is just ahead, so hand it over and I'll deliver it for you.

I'm good.

Hmph, so you wanna play hardball, huh?

Hand the letter over. It's just one piece of paper. Stop wasting time and bring it here!

Make me.

Oh, you have the guts to challenge us? Think you're hot shit, huh?

Have we met before?

Cut the crap! The boss ain't around this time, so don't expect us to show any mercy!

Your stance looks pretty good by-the-books, but let's see if your blade has ever tasted blood...

Gah!

You're pretty quick on your feet––

Hyah!

Shit, this wench means business!

What are you afraid of? She can't take all of us at once!

Why's a little errand runner putting her life on the line? You sure as hell don't know what's good for you.

(Pants) ...I have nothing to say to you.

(Whispers) Laoge, she's not backing down. Maybe we ought to...

(Whispers) Hmph, that's our only option now.

Why don't we all take a step back? I'll tell you exactly why we can't let you through, and then you decide whether or not it's worth fighting us.

Do you know whose letter you're delivering? Our boss sent it after he got arrested.

Shiqiao is the boss's hometown, and that place has been deserted for a long while now. If not for the fact that you were going around where it was, we wouldn't have had eyes on you.

As if I'd believe you.

Sure, so we fight you to the death over a piece of paper from who-knows-where. Does that even make any sense?

Lemme give it to you straight: before he got caught, the boss hid some treasure. If he went through all the trouble to send that from Lungmen, there's gotta be something big inside.

So hand over the letter, and when we find the treasure, we'll split it with you.

In your dreams.

Alright, then. Let me just tell you one more thing. We were the ones who saved your life. Your horn wasn't broken back then, and you weren't carrying that blade on your back.

You what–?!

Does that jog your memory?

You're... those first group of robbers that I met? The ones who blindfolded me and burned my letters?

Who else?

If not for the fact that the boss didn't wanna cause extra trouble and felt sorry for the pitiful little girl who lost her family, you think taking the head of a mandarin is some big deal?

Pitiful? What about that is pitiful?

Heh, do you actually think we had any pity for you?

Any thieves worth their salt are already striking it rich in some nomadic city. If we had somewhere to go, you think we'd be camping out in these barren mountains to rob people?

You might even call this destiny, that you're here again delivering the boss' letter. Now that we're meeting again after so many years, let's not make this an ugly occasion.

(Shakes head) If you really think this is destiny, you'd best get out of my way.

What, don't you speak Yanese?

I bought this blade after you robbed me. Don't make me use it on you.

You heard her, boys. Since you've got a death wish, don't blame us for what happens next.

You'd dare?!

––Hyaaah!

She's protecting that bag! Stab her in the back!

Her reactions <i>are</i> pretty quick...

You'd best... leave while you can. Those two back there aren't fatally injured. You could save them.

We've already given you the bottom line. If you're not gonna cooperate, we can't let you leave here alive.

Your legs have gone weak, girl. Behave yourself and hand over that letter. Come with us, and you might even make yourself a fortune.

Don't... even think about it...

Look at you. You can't even finish a sentence––

Urkh...

I was aiming... for your arm. Don't expect... the same courtesy next time.

Not bad. A single Messenger managed to take down three of us. But, that's the best you can do. Put your blade down.

I said, put your blade down!

What the hell? You brought backup?!

Run, run!

Are you alright?

I... I'll manage. Who are you?

That letter...

Wind Chimes takes a step back.

Sorry, I got ahead of myself. Here's my ID.

The L.G.D.?

Long story short, I have some work to take care of, and I'd like your cooperation. Come back with me to Lungmen, and wait for us to finish inspecting this letter before you send it out.

What's the deal... with this letter?

This letter was sent by a bandit leader we had in custody. He said it was a letter home to his mother in Shiqiao Village.

We looked into his claim and found that he indeed was from Shiqiao. By the way, the first crime he confessed to was robbing you.

The guy's never been back home since he left, and it's been over a decade. Given that he doesn't have much time left, we didn't really try to stop him.

He hasn't been back home in a decade?

He claimed it was to avoid getting his family involved, but as for the actual reason... Who knows?

Unfortunately, at around the same time you left town, we discovered that he had been involved in a rash of related cases.

And so we had to consider the possibility that what he sent wasn't a letter to home, but rather a message.

But... I'm almost there. What are the odds that this whole thing is a misunderstanding and it really is just an ordinary letter to home?

I followed you all the way here just to confirm that.

Sir, if you follow this fork to the right, it'll take you to Shiqiao. If you follow it to the left, it'll take you to my hometown... But, you won't find anything there anymore.

Shiqiao will be relocated soon. I still know where to address my letters home, but this man...

Do we have to go back to Lungmen?

*sigh*... If you're dead set on not going back, then I suppose I can inspect the letter right here.

But, if there really is some funny business going on with this letter, or if something happens to me, you'll be held liable.

That's fine.

Even though that guy robbed you?

This has nothing to do with that case, but...

Someone who's been away from home that long, and won't ever be able to go back... I want to believe that his last letter was just an ordinary letter home.

Alright then.

Does that camera of yours work? If so, I'd like you to take pictures of the entire inspection process.

...And, done.

So... What's the story...?

The man folds the letter neatly, stuffs it back inside the envelope, and then hands the envelope back to me with a pat on the shoulder.

Go ahead and send it where it belongs.