The rolling sands cross the rising dunes of the desert separating the Western Plains and the continent of Li.

A figure stands next to one of the dead trees nearby, unnoticeable to the naked eye while watching as the two young generals fly by on their swords, towards the Taban tribe in the far west.

The figure pulls out a slip or parchment paper and writes a few choice words.

He is making his move.

The figure then wraps the note in a cloak of spiritual energy, allowing the paper to fold and mold itself into a small bird. With a movement of encouragement from the figure, the bird lifts off into the air and flies off to places unknown, intending on delivering the message to its recipient.

Reconnaissance completed; the figure disappears into the sands of time, seemingly as if an illusion has just dissipated into thin air.

Guxi City, Li Continent

The gentle sound of water splashing softy on the pier compliments the tranquil evening in the capital city of Li.

A figure stands next to one of the plum trees nearby, close to the pier where waves flow slowly against the wood of the pier.

A little bird flies. A hand raises to receive it.

The spiritual energy which engulfed the creation suddenly dissipates; the bird unfolds leaving a piece of paper.

The figure reads the message slowly, then casts a flame spell to burn the paper to ashes. No one shall know what was written.

Robes fluttering in the breeze, the figure walks into the dense forest ahead, the sound of a sword in its sheath clanging and making soft clunking noises.

Something is going on…that Emperor is moving in ways that we weren’t anticipating. Does he know what we’re doing? The spy in the palace reported business as usual but it’s just like Shui Feng said — we cannot underestimate the Emperor despite how young he is. The heavens are shining on the Xiafeng dynasty to have the second Emperor be this astute.

The figure’s face scrunched slightly.

But what does this mean?? Sending only two generals of little political qualities to escort the Huayi woman here…I need to find out more. Those two generals must be friends or even sworn brothers with the Emperor but knowing how shrewd he is, I wouldn’t think he would send such close confidants to collect a woman that the people don’t like.

The figure exited the forest and headed towards the town centre. The paper lamps burn gently, creating a peaceful atmosphere compared to the turmoil in the figure’s mind.

It was good that I told Liu Xu to position himself in the Western Plains. I wouldn’t be able to catch those two generals flying to the Taban tribe otherwise. I will tell him to keep a close eye on them when they bring the girl back. But in the meantime, I have to convene with the others faster than I expected.

After passing a few small houses, the figure stopped outside a building with double doors. They knocked in a distinct pattern, then entered quietly as to not arose suspicion to their identity. They did not emerge even when the sun was high in the sky and people are bustling and going about their regular business.

At around wei shi, a man with the most severe expression anyone has ever seen approached the double-doored building along with a posse of calm-faced militiamen.

He knocked harshly. “This is the Guxi City Municipal Court. We know you’re in there.”

There was no response.

He knocked again. “You can either come out and surrender yourselves or we can do it for you. There’s no point in hiding.”

Still no response.

The man raised his hand, forming a sign that only the soldiers under him would know. All at once, a dozen or so uniformed soldiers barged into the building, spears out and ready to face an army.

The building was empty. Really empty. It was just a single room with no furniture or anything of value to be seen.

The man stepped forward and turned his head to get a good view of the room. He clicked his tongue slightly. He was kind of expecting this but it didn’t make each discovery any less disappointing.

He bellowed instructions to his men.

“Use talismans to dispel any spells created by spiritual energy. I don’t want anyone setting off any traps that could blow up or erase the building. We don’t need a repeat of last week’s blunder. I will personally have you sent to the Emperor if anything goes wrong. You hear me!

A chorus of “yes sir!” rang among the ranks and a few men took out talismans and got to work.

The severe-faced man walked out of the building. He didn’t want his men to see how tired he was. It has been a month since the first sightings of this suspicious group and nothing concrete has turned up. Usually, the Emperor would ignore such gatherings but he was particularly agitated about this one. Every time a tip-off came in, a shadow would come over his eyes and he would call on the Municipal Court to investigate.

The severe-faced man rubbed his aching eyes. He can only do his duty to the Emperor and just hope that this empty building discovery will give them a more concise lead to the group. He watched his men work in dispelling any traps and collecting residual spiritual energy from the vicinity. He was proud of them — he had hand-trained them himself and he trusted that they could collect all the information required.

He was dreading the report he was expected to make to the Emperor. He may or may not be in a good mood and no one wanted to rile up his feathers by trying to beat around the bush. He was also not particularly fond of straightforward answers so either way, every civil servant of every level will get to taste the wrath of the Emperor no matter how one puts their bad news.

The severe-faced man rubbed his chin as his men continue to investigate. He had worked under the previous Emperor and had met the current Emperor while he was still the Fourth Prince. He wasn’t as cold as he was and figured that it was the recent events in his life that changed him dramatically.

“Minister Hao.” The severe-faced man looked up and saw the captain stand very upright in front of him.

“We have finished collecting spiritual energy remnants. There was significantly less than the other three sites combined.”

Minister Hao furrowed his brows. This was concerning. The group is onto their investigation.

“Very good. Take it back to The Court. We will do further work on them.”

“Yes, sir!”

Minister Hao turned to leave the vicinity. A crowd had gathered to see what was going on.

He sighed. Do people have so much free time that they can gather outside a place of investigation?

He put on his most intimidating face and walked away from the site. Naturally, the crowd parted like the sea for him and his men.

Minister Hao couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. His face was like women-repellant which was pitiful and the butt of all the jokes from his colleagues in the municipality but at least it was useful when he wanted people to leave him alone.

As he walked back to The Court, Minister Hao couldn’t help but fear that something horrible is about to happen to this city. The fact that this group is bothering the Emperor is enough for him to suspect that the criminal underground is already starting to kick it into high gear. He had done much for the city, especially during the turmoil that was the Taihelong insurrection and the collapsing of the dynasty.

He didn’t like recalling those events since he was no older than 17 at the time — just starting out in the municipality and he had learnt a lot about human nature which would scar him for the rest of his life.

As such, he was determined to keep the peace and not let the city fall to anarchy as it did 20 years ago.

That, he promised.