The two cargo boats tied up at the mainland port before sunset. The shore crew unloaded medicine and supplies first, then carried the sealed research cases to the assigned room. The island families who had chosen to stay near the docks were given temporary rooms above the market.
Sato and Meili chose to travel inland with Han’s group. Several other families wanted to remain near the port until they knew where their relatives were. Bai asked each person before arranging a room or carrying a case.
The port clerk checked the case seals without opening them. Bai kept the family contract copies in his own custody. Yan carried the Yun Cang notes and the Soul-Lantern text to a dry room near the boats.
“White Orchard is still several days away,” Han said. “We leave inland after the convoy is ready.”
Yan remained aboard after the cargo was secured. The prepared lantern stood beside the rail. He had practiced divisions across the coastal voyage, gaining coherence each time. The calm harbor offered a good place to complete the sequence.
He formed two projections at measured distances, recalled them, then repeated the full circulation. Each division returned to a central thread. The inner structure that had grown across the voyage now felt stable enough to hold the branches without a break.
