They headed north from the Capital, crossed Jade Gate Pass, and rode straight through the Western Regions toward Northern Mang's capital, racing at the pace of an urgent six-hundred-li dispatch.
Eleven days later.
Hoofbeats clattered, and the setting sun glowed like blood.
Only five li remained to Northern Mang's capital, Long Shangdu.
Checkpoints lined the road under tight guard, while trading caravans from the Central Plains streamed past in great numbers.
Several armored soldiers blocked their path.
"Honored sirs, we're transporting porcelain and tea!"
Duan Qingwu spoke fluent barbarian speech as she discreetly slipped them a silver ingot.
The soldiers inspected the carriage and promptly let them through.
Two quarters of an hour later, the group caught sight of magnificent Shangdu City. Finely crafted ridge beasts stood atop its walls and watchtowers, and tens of thousands of golden ropes held a mysterious great tent in place.
Shangdu City was even more prosperous than they had imagined, but the pungent smell of mutton in the air left Scholar Twin Whips and the others slightly uncomfortable.
They found an inn, and Duan Qingwu immediately said:
"Lord Jia, I'll go look for members of the Duan family."
Jia Huan nodded.
"I'll come with you."
The two left the inn and threaded their way through Shangdu City's streets.
By nightfall, Duan Qingwu had checked three secluded locations, but cobwebs already filled their interiors, and thick dust had piled up on their thresholds.
Anxiety filled her face, and grief clouded her eyes.
"Before my grandfather died, he ordered the four clan elders to preserve their lives at all costs and not let the Duan Family Martial Arts Legacy perish. Could they all have..."
"Don't grieve yet. Let's keep looking," Jia Huan could only say in comfort.
For him, having members of the Duan family provide