Yellow Sands

—!

Stay down.

(Ancient Sarkaz language) Who are you? Why am I here?

Can't understand a word. Not that it matters.

You're here to heal your wounds. You'll do exactly as the doc says, if you want to see the sun rise again. If the don't want to die here, do as I say.

(In hesitant Yanese) Where am I... who are you?

This is an infirmary and you're a patient. I'm a helper at the infirmary.

Where's my sword?!

It's there... thank goodness...

We found you passed out at the door of the infirmary yesterday, but you wouldn't let the sword go. Did you get hurt fighting over it?

...Doesn't concern you.

No need to look at me like that. I could've taken it while you were passed out, if I wanted to.

I've seen so many people die over so-called masterwork weapons.

Did you really think wielding a weapon like that would make you strong enough to beat enemies you couldn't?

I don't trust weapons. The only thing I trust is my fists.

A true warrior shouldn't entrust victory to something else.

You don't understand!

I'm not trying to fight with this sword... I... I want to repay a debt.

The sword is a weapon for killing.

My mentor told me the sword means a lot to her.

I promised her that I would bring her the sword, or bring it to her grave at least.

Has your mentor passed away?

Yes...

Well, I'm not interested in listening to people talk about their debts and grudges.

If you say you fought over the sword to repay a debt, I'll believe it. A woman who's almost died has no need to lie.

So it means you see your obligations as being more important than your life. That's not a bad thing.

Why did you help me?

What's an infirmary for, if not to help people?

But I don't have any money. I know that money is required in exchange for kindness in the nomadic cities.

That's not wrong, but you can work your debt off as well. Why do you think I'm working here for the doc?

The difference is that I'm working to pay the medical bills of the people I beat up.

I do the heavy lifting at the clinic, so you should learn to do things like drying herbs and wrapping wounds. You don't owe as much as I do. A few months should be enough to pay your debt off.

No!

I will find a way to repay your kindness, but I am in a hurry...

I need to get out of the city.

You're not going anywhere.

I said, stay down. You're here to get your injuries healed.

You managed to survive them. Would be a shame if you died now. Not to mention an embarrassment to the clinic.

But... kindness is important too. I'll think about it... once you're healed up and repaid your debt.

......!

Another patient?

I'll take a look. STAY, DOWN.

What is it?

Are you the doctor, sir?

The doc's out. I'm a helper here. I can help you, if you just want meds, but you'll have to wait if you want the doc to look at you.

I apologize for the interruption. We are investigating a case and pursuing a suspect. Here is my token. We would appreciate your cooperation in answering a few questions.

Ask what you want. I'll decide if I want to answer.

Has this clinic treated or seen anyone who suffered serious a stab wound?

Nope and nope. Either you're buying, or you go find someone else to bother.

I would like to take a quick look. It'll only take a minute.

Nope, patients and customers only.

I have nothing but the greatest respect for the clinic's work. I would rather not have to force my way in.

But this concerns the safety of all of Yumen. Your cooperation would be appreciated.

You got your rules, I got mine. You ain't coming in unless I say so.

Then I apologize.

(This man is no ordinary brute!)

I said, you ain't coming in! You got a death wish, kid?

......

Do you understand the consequences of obstructing justice?

Don't understand, don't care.

Try that again, I dare you.

Enough! This is not a game.

Huh...?

There's someone else in there?!

Hm? Hey, where did the girl go?

What the...?

You said no heavily wounded patients were taken in lately.

How do you explain the gauze and blood?

Aiya! I told her to stay put!

She said she needed to get out of the city. She must be headed to the gates!

Oh no, I've gotta catch her, or the doc's gonna put her bill on my tab!

Stop right there!

Tea leaves! Shangshu rock tea, Kou-wu flower tea, Jiangqi white tea, Dahuang raw leaves... anything you want, I've got it here!

Two carts of Lungmen green tea.

E-Excuse me, miss, but we don't sell tea by the cart...

We meet again.

Any updates on what I asked you to look into?

We agreed on terms.

I... I don't know what you mean...

How many caravans in this batch are carrying false permits? How did they get those permits?

I need to know more.

I-I'll pay the taxes I owe! The whole amount! Please, don't ask any more questions!

We can talk about your previous offenses another day.

Answer my question.

......

H-Help!

Thief!

You've got nerve, stealing in broad daylight!

Grab her!

You test my patience.

Watch out! I saw an accomplice go that way!

Excuse me...

The owner is out. You need something made?

I just have a couple of questions.

This is a smithy. The inn's where you go for gossip.

I hear there are some old jianghu kung fu stories that only circulate here.

Fine, I guess it can't hurt to have someone to chat with while I work. Fire away.

I really ought to buy something for your trouble.

What d'ya want? Frying pan? Kitchen knife?

How about a sword?

Sorry, can't do that. Household items only.

But the sign on the door says 'Sword Forge'.

This is probably the last place in Yumen that still uses that particular wording.

It's just a name. The owner could change it to 'The Tea Parlor' or 'The Guest House' if he wanted.

Fair enough.

You're not from around here, are you? Tourist?

I've wanted to see the deserts of Yumen for a long time.

We get a bunch of tourists every time we link up with Lungmen thanks to the wuxia TV shows. Anyone with half a brain should know that it's all fake.

What's so good about this backwater place?

Did you want a souvenir sword? Trust me, you're better off getting a pack or two of Yumen jerky.

Every place has its own unique scenery. It's always worth a look.

Setting aside whether the TV shows are fake or not, I'm sure there's a story behind this smithy.

Sure of that, are you?

I don't mean to offend, but every shop I passed by on my way from the market was full of people... except this one.

Why would a shop with no history or business be on a busy street like this?

And I doubt a shop that really has no business would have so many furnaces burning and so many iron ingots lying around.

This is why I hate talking to smart people. Makes my head hurt.

I'll take that as a compliment.

Alright, what do you want to know?

I wanted to ask you about stories from the world of kung fu... but you've piqued my interest in something else.

How did 'The Sword Forge' become a smithy?

Had enough yet?

(Gasps for air, exhausted)

Good. Now we can talk.

What are you afraid of?

This... this group is different...

I know.

T-They'll have my head if I talk...

I have a family... they're counting on me to feed them... please...

You—!

Miss Lin, I know how you and the Rat King operate...

Y-You wouldn't...

That's up to you.

Or do I really need to prove to you what I'm capable of?

I...

Tell me what you know.

The smugglers that make the rounds when Lungmen and Yumen link up are usually pretty consistent. The same groups, working with the same forgers, same suppliers, same fences.

This time around, though, there's a new group that nobody knows anything about, not even the oldest crooks. Some tried to pick a fight... and nobody ever saw them again.

The new smugglers disappeared?

No, the ones who picked the fight...

What else do you know?

......

Out with it.

I've heard, well, rumors about where they hide and sell their stuff...

You took care of things at the market?

Nothing a few coins couldn't fix.

Good.

And this man...?

Take him to the barracks, then back to the L.G.D. after we're done here in Yumen.

I-I told you everything I know! Why—

Quit complaining, it's for your own safety.

He just disappeared?

Are you buying or not?!

Get out of the way if you're not buying! You're in everybody's way!

Sorry...

What the—?!

Who's there?!

(Did he intentionally draw me here?)

(A commotion here would...)

(Where are you?)

......!

The market sure is busy today, isn't it?

Mr. Lee?

Looks like we have some troublemakers in the crowd. Be careful.

I noticed. Did you...?

Just a little optical trick. Won't last long.

It's dangerous here. We should leave.

No choice, I suppose...

......

Turns out we're the ones who fell into a trap.

Let's get out of here. We don't want civilians getting hurt.