Lu Yuan did not respond.
After passing through a stretch of open road, they could see the city wall in the distance.
The setting sun shone upon the Copper Wall, and the runes gave off a dim, ghostly glow in the warm light. Unlike the imposing metallic grandeur it had carried beneath the sunlight when he first arrived, Bronze City held an ancient warmth in the evening.
Lu Yuan still remembered what he had said about Bronze City when he had first arrived with Herman—"the safest city."
Lu Yuan now knew what lay beneath the city wall.
Copper Pillars. Seals. The Pipe Network. Ghouls. And that thing connected to somewhere even deeper.
But the people on the streets did not know.
They were buying bread, unloading goods, lining up for lamp oil.
Things had returned to normal.
Lu Yuan withdrew his gaze and continued forward.
The tavern was not far away.
From afar, he could see a crooked wooden signboard, half of its lettering blackened beyond recognition by lamp smoke.
Two people stood at the entrance smoking pipes, while dim yellow light and noisy laughter spilled out from within.
Hank quickened his pace.
"We're here."
He pushed open the door and went inside.
The tavern was not large, with a dozen or so long tables and chairs. Behind the bar, a broad-built man was wiping glasses. Several Oil Lamps hung on the walls, their light flickering and dancing.
More than twenty people were already seated inside. Most were locals, with a few travelers in leather armor mixed among them.
A small group sat in the corner.
Four people, crowded around the innermost table.
Their instruments lay on the table—a Stringed Lute, a small drum, and two Tubular Instruments Lu Yuan could not name.
They looked weathered from travel. Their clothes