Before he could react, a blur of motion snatched his bag. He gave chase, his boots pounding against the damp pavement, weaving through the dense crowds of the Lucky Charm Quarter. He cornered the thief—a scrawny youth—near a stack of empty crates. But as Ryo raised his fists, he realized he wasn't just fighting a thief; he was fighting the city itself.
In the shadows of the walled city, Ryo finally understood: his quest for Lan Di wasn't just about revenge. It was about a destiny written in stone and mirrors, a path that stretched far beyond the shores of Japan. As the sun set over the mountains of China, Ryo looked at the Phoenix Mirror in his hand. The real trial was only just beginning.
"Looking for a place to stay, kid?" a voice rasped from an alley. Ryo didn't turn. "I'm looking for the Lianshan Quarter."