The sky was beginning to turn red as Shi Yan walked along a path covered in wild grass. The village where he had grown up, Lin’an Village, still looked just as he remembered it.Now, he stood before the ruins of an old, burned-down house. Only stone rubble and charred pieces of wood remained, remnants of the tragic fire that had taken his grandfather’s life.He slowly crouched down and touched the ground in the middle of the ruins. Shi Yan’s eyes were dull, but there were no tears. He had endured this grief for a long time. Yet the wound was still buried deep within him.“I’m sorry, Grandpa. I was too weak back then…”From beneath his robe, he took out a small jade pouch that he had prepared long ago, a pouch meant to store his grandfather’s ashes. Reverently, he began gathering whatever ashes remained at the site. He did not know whether they truly belonged to his grandfather’s body or were merely the remains of burned wood, but to Shi Yan, they all still held meaning.The wind blew

He stood up, paid for his tea, and disappeared into the bustling crowd of the market.Night began to descend. The sky above Hua’an City was covered in dark clouds, as if even the heavens were unwilling to reveal their stars tonight. Shi Yan walked slowly through a narrow alley, following the directions written in the message: Western Warehouse.The warehouse in question stood at the edge of an uninhabited area. Its walls were dull, and its door was half open. There was no sound, but Shi Yan knew that he was not alone.Inside, an oil lamp hung from the ceiling, its dim flame flickering softly. A man stood with his back toward him, wearing ordinary farmer’s clothes. However, from the way he carried himself, Shi Yan could tell that he was no ordinary citizen.“I’m here,” Shi Yan said calmly.The man did not turn around immediately. He continued staring at the wall, as if speaking to his own shadow.“Many people come to this city, but only a few manage to leave alive.”Shi Yan narrowed hi