At first light, Yan, Qinghe, Bai, and Gu gathered inside the capital’s north gate. The authenticated pages and complete Thousand Fractures manual were sealed in a waterproof case. The guards checked their travel token and inspected Bai’s trade knife through its sheath before returning it to him.
Ning and Mei arrived from the workers’ clinic before the shift bell. Behind them, the city was waking around the first specialist appointments of the week. Ning carried the signed grant and a list of questions from the patient representatives.
“Send measurements before anyone changes the furnace channels,” she told Yan.
“We’ll inspect first, compare the site with Qiao’s notes, and keep treatment reports separate from the engineering file.”
“Good. The workers should see what you find before anyone calls it a success.”
Qinghe checked Ning’s follow-up plan. The residue was cleared and her lung tissue had recovered; she needed only ordinary monitoring after full recovery. Ning breathed easily in the cold morning air and teased Yan for still watching her chest rise.
He laughed. “I’m getting used to the fact that you’re fine.”
“Get used to it while you walk.” She handed him the patient question list and asked him to send word when the records assistant finished training. “I want to know whether Mei has help.”
