A year ago, after the border defenses fell, it was said that with the help of one of the "Odd People"—whose predictions were uncannily accurate—and the might of General Zheng, they managed to retake the lost territories and drive the Barbarians beyond the border once more. The Northern Barbarians had since ceased their aggression. Xie Yunliu, having sustained minor injuries on the battlefield, was ordered by General Zheng to rest and recuperate.
That member of the Odd People earned the Emperor's admiration and had now become the National Preceptor of the Daqian Dynasty.
Worried for his sister's safety, Xie Yunliu sought out Bai Xiaosheng once more. Based on the information he received, Xie Yunliu got the sense that his sister was heading west. He set out into the Great Desert alone, following the Green River all the way to his current location, Richan Valley.
