Along the outer bank of the great river, thick fog shrouded the water.
A group stood on the gravel shore, their figures fading in and out of view amid the swirling chill.
Four people stood at the front of the group.
The woman leading them had dark brown curls, high cheekbones, and deep-set eyes that lent her a stern air. Her impeccably tailored wool coat set her apart from the bleak surroundings.
She looked for all the world like a wealthy lady on vacation.
She crouched and reached her slender fingers toward the river water that surged day and night.
Her fingertips had barely touched the surface.
"Sss-"
A faint sizzling sound rang out, and wisps of smoke rose between her fingers.
The woman calmly withdrew her hand. Looking at the patch of charred skin on her fingertips, she merely frowned slightly, then leisurely took a small black lambskin glove from her coat pocket and slipped it on elegantly, concealing the injury.
"Oh, it seems the three of you really weren't exaggerating how dreadful things are in the Eighth Domain."
She stood and said in fluent, cold European, "There is no question that this damned Eighth Domain's suppressive force is outrageously powerful. I can say with certainty that no ordinary tool could withstand it."
The three standing behind her were Granny Hua, Alan, and Sima Ji.
At those words, Granny Hua's bark-wrinkled face creased into a fawning smile. She tightened her hold on her flower basket and bowed slightly, responding humbly in equally fluent European:
"Most esteemed Lady Margaret! We would never dare utter so much as half a lie to the great First Domain, even if we had a hundred times our courage. This damned Boundary Domain is simply absurdly powerful. It has tormented us poor wretches until we