Longzhou Calendar 1790, October
In the final year of his term, Dao Chen of the Beast Taming Sect emerged from seclusion and rode atop Yinglong to the battle chariot toward Zhongzhou, accompanied by his brothers Ziqi and Changqing.
Since no subordinates were brought along, Dao Chen conducted Yinglong at the front of the carriage, while the accompanying two stayed inside.
On the long bench lined with ornate curtains inside the carriage, Ziqi leaned against the mural, half reclining. Having groomed himself, the Second Young Master of the Lin Clan no longer resembled a vagrant, yet he lacked his former spirited vigor, slumping listlessly like a lump of mud, with a Jade Mustard Gourd hanging from his right wrist. He would take a swig every now and then, with Spirit Wine spilling over his lips without bothering to wipe it, letting it drip onto his opened chest and collar, filling the carriage with a strong smell of alcohol.
