As the chaos from the Sui incident subsides, the scriptgeists vanished, though the damage done to the city remains. Collapsed walls are moved away, and overturned shelves propped upright, as scrolls of artwork and calligraphy sit in a neat pile near the rubble. Right beside is a plaque split into two, bearing characters that read 'Study of the Wordseekers'. According to Ch'en Chao-ch'ien, this is one of Baizao's finest book repositories, and something of a historical gem. More importantly, rumors say it houses a vast collection of works discovered by those seeking the truth behind the bestial Sui's incident a hundred and twenty years ago that caused the characters on the ancient records to vanish. The owner Mr. Huang is also an antique connoisseur, and despite Baizao's many changes, he still keeps this placed unchanged even today. 'So, which books among the remainder do you consider a vestige of her?' After digging out so many books from the ruins that she had lost count, Ch'en cannot help but pose the question as she catches her breath. 'Maybe all, or maybe none.' After hours of physical labor, Ch'en Chao-ch'ien mutters her reply, a trace of irritation in her voice. 'Maybe the traces she left behind aren't in any book or scroll, and we'll only get to see her again once every hole in history has been patched up.' 'Every hole in history...' Ch'en Hui-chieh, new to Yan's extensive history and literature, does not quite grasp how heavy that sentence is. After the recent turmoil over the past few days, Ch'en Hui-chieh now holds a genuine respect for the individual who has guarded Yan's writings and history for nearly a thousand years, but a doubt still flashes through her mind—should people even be bringing a deceased person back to life? And by going to such lengths? Ch'en picks up another scroll from the ruins. A simple yet ancient painting of a mountain village. Huge splashes of ink depict a village surrounded by lush mountains, but a huge empty sky leaves the composition somewhat unbalanced, making her wonder if the negative space was left deliberately for something to be written in. 'Good work, ladies. Please, take a break.' Mr. Huang comes over with two cups of tea and snacks to reward the two women helping him out. 'Sir, do you know what scenery this painting is meant to be depicting?' 'Hmm... now this is a strange one. The trees look like those you'd see in the north, but the design of the homes is what you'd find in the south. As for where you might find this particular view...' Perhaps this is what the study before her looked like, before it was reduced to ruins. That is the nature of history—it is not passed on so easily. It can be unconsciously forgotten, or even consciously erased. And sometimes, it is more than just a view or a few names lost. The past is not as important as the present, and while a place fit for 'righteousness' may lie behind us, the road there is bound to be found in history. Perhaps she should start by finding the name of this painting. The next day, Ch'en Chao-ch'ien wakes up after an all-nighter at Sky Mirror Pavilion to find a farewell letter on her desk: I dare not stay idle with a thousand matters to attend to, but the search for history's traces is not limited to just the pavilion. The land is vast, and we will meet again. Sincerely, Ch'en Hui-chieh