Reporting in—from the Hour of Yu yesterday to the Hour of Yin today, we have moved more than eighty percent of the residents from the area around the main street to nomadic plate C.
Patrol Battalion Guard
Some residents remain due to official duties, property concerns, or other reasons.
Patrol Battalion Sentry Officer
Urge them to settle their affairs at once and leave material goods behind. Time is almost up.
Patrol Battalion Guard
Understood!
Patrol Battalion Sentry Officer
Also, strengthen security inspections at checkpoints. Report any suspicious individuals or situations to your captain immediately.
Patrol Battalion Guard
Yes, sir!
Zuo Le
So Baizao's already evacuating the population... I wonder if the Sui Regulator has any news from the Tomb of Sui.
Zuo Le
That's a lot of sentries... best not draw attention to myself.
Zuo Le
Time for a detour.
Zuo Le
That's—
Zuo Le goes around the checkpoint, but as he turns a corner, he spots someone who should not be there.
Masked Candleholder
Zuo Le.
Zuo Le
Are you...?
Zuo Le
Apologies, but may I ask... who you are, sir?
Masked Candleholder
The Sui Regulator is aware of your deeds at Mangshan Town and in the Garden of Grotesqueries. I was dispatched to meet you here. You've done well.
Masked Candleholder
You must be exhausted. Go to rest.
Zuo Le
Thank you for your concern.
Zuo Le
But I have to deliver a token to the Sui Regulator, and share the details of the Placation with the Supervisor at once, so I dare not retire for now.
Masked Candleholder
Just the proof of the Placation. Fret not, just hand it here and I'll take care of it.
Masked Candleholder
As for the report, you may submit it at a later time.
Zuo Le
But...
Zuo Le subconsciously rubs the token in his pocket with his knuckles.
In the dark of night, as thick clouds shroud the moonlight's glow, an 'army' descends upon the streets.
No commands, no war drums, no rattling of weapons against armor—even their approach makes no sound.
A disciplined, formidable, but still indistinct battalion closes in on the checkpoint with a deathly silence.
Nervous Patrol Battalion Guard
Hey... did you hear about the ghosts in Baizao... before the city moved onto a nomadic plate...?
Nervous Patrol Battalion Guard
A ghost army...
Vigilant Patrol Battalion Guard
You believe in folk tales too? Probably a mirage caused by the strange weather lately!
Nervous Patrol Battalion Guard
It's way too realistic to be a mirage...
Nervous Patrol Battalion Guard
No, look at their armor! It's totally different from ours!
Nervous Patrol Battalion Guard
That's no mirage—
The army closes in, and the guard finally gets a clear look at the moving mass. Silent soldiers bear blurry, yet terrifying faces with old, bloodstained armor, like evil spirits from thousands of years ago.
A soldier's spear point nears the guard's neck before he can even react.
???
Fall back!
Junior Drillmaster
A shadow?
The Imperial Guard apprentice slashes forward, but merely changes the spear's trajectory, while the immense strength hidden in the soldier's attack startles her.
The spear point sweeps above her head, but the weapon unnaturally whips backwards, heading for her vitals.
Junior Drillmaster
There's nothing inside—
The soldier is destroyed by her slash.
Strangely, the other soldiers do not treat her as a foe, and simply advance along the empty road silently with no discernible destination.
Patrol Battalion Sentry Officer
Captain!
Junior Drillmaster
Send word to the other barracks: these soldiers are anomalous enemies; exercise extreme caution against them.
Junior Drillmaster
They don't seem to be actively hostile, so don't initiate conflict.
Junior Drillmaster
Evacuate anyone along the way and be on guard for developments.
Patrol Battalion Sentry Officer
Captain, where did they come from? What even are they...?
Junior Drillmaster
...Geists.
Junior Drillmaster
Dispatch some men to update the Sui Regulator at once.
Junior Drillmaster
They're merely marching forward for now, but we cannot allow them to endanger civilians or trespass into restricted areas.
Patrol Battalion Sentry Officer
At once!
Junior Drillmaster
I fear this unrest indicates whatever's happening inside the Tomb of Sui must be quelled immediately.
