Qi Kingdom, Nocturnal Heaven City.
The rain keeps falling, but thanks to the city's well-developed infrastructure, there's no waterlogged pits on the streets. The rainwater, carrying fallen leaves, converges into the drains along the gaps between the green bricks, splashing only when rolling carriage wheels pass by.
A carriage breaks through the rain curtain and slowly stops at the side gate of the Palace City. From inside emerges a figure carrying a palace lantern, the sound of long boots tapping crisply on the green bricks.
The palace gate roars open, revealing a narrow crack that swallows all light, as if an abyss capable of devouring wind and rain. Inside wait two expressionless palace attendants, who silently lead Ying Rushi through the rain-soaked Imperial City.
