Deep in the Mire

This is it.

But ... there's nothing here. All I see is a wall.

This is a secret door... And it looks little used.

Yeah. Not many people know about it.

This path takes us directly to the fort.

...But I have no idea what's going on inside.

Sure.

And that's why it's weird. It's too quiet.

There are no denstacks or breaker camps, and no signs of any physical altercations.

Maybe the Bonekrushers haven't gotten hold of it.

Unlikely. That doesn't explain the Landbreakers we ran into back there.

Trouble just keeps piling up... We really need to find Tangtang quickly.

That's right. We should nab someone for questioning.

I bet a lot of Stockaders know your face, Mi Fu.

So let us handle the nabbing part, okay?

Hmm... That's true. Ruan Yi and Tangtang might know you, but not every Stockader has seen your face.

Go ahead, then. Just be careful.

Rather than hiding, I believe she's secretly preserving and building up her forces.

After all, no matter how many Landbreaker clans she controls ... she has no hope of winning a direct confrontation against Wuling.

That's possible.

But what is his motive? Ardashir is obviously not a member of the Bonekrushers. He can even order Nefarith around...

Everything looks ... quite peaceful.

Nefarith has adopted very different strategies in Wuling. She seems to be subject to a higher command ... or she might be working towards a more concrete goal.

Are you done yet?

Chen had it hard. After all, she was...

Hmm? I guess she never told you about Yinglung Special Task Force. Well, then. I'll let her tell you about it herself.

In any case, she's very frank and open. Plus she's good with blades. Qualities that I like.

That's right. And the little kitty never fails to take advantage of that.

I usually minded my own business when I was a Stockader. I didn't make many friends back there.

But then... Hur. Fate acted in mysterious ways and my boss took me to Wuling City.

I thought they'd burn the place after I joined the watchguards.

I never expected them to keep those things.

Perhaps Tangtang... Ugh. Forget it. It's not important.

Hur... I was expecting a breaker, not a Stockader.

Hah. He's a Stockader, then we play by Stockade rules.

Mi Fu really does have quite the reputation in the Stockade...

Yeah. If Mi Fu's from the Stockade, then her attitude toward Tangtang and the others makes perfect sense.

Didn't think Captain Mi Fu the Decisive had a past she'd rather not talk about.

That's why she can be the buffer between the City and the Stockade. Tianshi Zhuang probably assigned her to help us for this strength.

Talking about something? I'm done working the grill.

Barely a challenge. Threatened to turn up the grilling heat and he got cooperative.

I also fed him some mud pie, punched a hole in the ground, and stuck him there for his well-being.

According to him, they kept Tangtang somewhere over there. But that's all the small-timer knows.

They have her detained.

No. The lad only looked at them from afar. He didn't have the guts to talk to them.

Decisive. Let's move.

Wha ... what do you want?!

Mi Fu?! Don't! PLEASE DON'T! They forced me! They totally did!

So you confessed to working with the breakers, huh? Little kitty's too soft on you people that you forgot what happens to traitors.

Time to help you remember.

And there's no way that a community the size of Qingbo Stockade is built overnight.

I do not wish to see generations of hard work being reduced to ruins...

Sounds like you deep-fried the poor boy...

Almost died at my own place. You're a lifesaver, Darkmask!

Tsk. We gotta get them to safety before trying to save Tangtang.

Are you busting the Chief out? I heard they've locked her up in a new cell! The one behind the waterwheel!

And there's Brother Ruan as well... The breakers hurt him badly and took him away. I must find him...

On your own...?

Gutsy. I like that.

The Stockade is our home, so we know where to hide. You be careful out there.

I really want to see the looks on her face when I bust her out of prison.

Have you been attacked by the Stockaders too?

You probably saw other victims...

A bunch of our guys took us by surprise! We got jumped in the middle of the night... The blighted breaker scum definitely got a hand in this!

This is too dangerous. We should move as a team. Tangtang might know where Ruan Yi is...

I don't think he's gonna last that long... Please go and save our Chief... Only she could stop this stupid war amongst ourselves!

Good to know that the little kitty is in no immediate danger. We should prep quickly and move out.

They barged into our turf and even defeated Big Bro! Then all sorts of weird stuff started happening!

Our Stockade wasn't doing too good... When the Chief started partnering with Wuling and making serious bank, them friggin' wretches got jealous.

We got locked up here and are totally in the dark!

Those Stockade wretches ... they started acting up ever since those outsiders arrived! They got these night meetings for their big move against the City!

Waterbell likes Big Bro, and she's actually pretty good in solo jobs. Maybe she can do it.

...Just let me handle this myself. I'll be extra careful.

And anyone who refused to go along got thrown behind bars!

Darn it... I guess they slammed up every Fam who refused to go along.

And I ... I know Brother Ruan really well. He hardly speaks about hating Wuling. He even acts as though that disaster from ten years ago never happened...

But he's keeping everything to himself! He's only playing along with the Chief for now... I fear those breakers... Oh no, I must go and find him...

The Stockade is now filled with wretches and hotheads, but they were all our brothers and sisters once...

I don't think they're really out for our blood.

Mi Fu, did you install this gate as well?

This is Tangtang's work. Hmph ... such a little kid.

Hold on. Our jet drone should be able to activate the gate-opening mechanism.

Supply crate? She's been stealing again... Endmin, they might give us something useful.

So what happened between you two, Mi Fu? And ... are you originally from Qingbo Stockade?

Stand back a little. I'll smash the gate open —

It'll also make less noise...

Hmm. Go ahead.

Haven't I told you before? I thought everyone knew about it.

These people have passed out. Judging from the marks on the cages, they've been forcibly dragged and thrown inside these cells.

This doesn't look like the Landbreakers' work. But why would the Stockade residents attack their own?

Looks like someone finally made a decision...

It's a complicated story...

Even people in the Civilization Band aren't rock-solid. What makes the Stockaders so different?

The Wuling Science Station was hit by an Ætherside disaster ten years ago... My boss probably told you about that.

The Stockade also had to face the Blight Tide and Aggelos attacks. Many lost their lives. The Stockaders back then believed the outsiders were responsible for starting the disaster...

What?!

But people in Qingbo and Wuling are both of Yanese descent... It's hard to believe the Tianshi would kill the Stockade residents.

Yeah...

"We've lived here peacefully for decades. What are those Tianshi doing?" — such hate grew amongst the Stockaders.

Since then, conflicts erupted between Wuling and Qingbo. They told me that Ruan Yi's father was killed by the Tianshi.

Stupid kitty ... you better not get yourself killed...

Thank you, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't interrupt my research.

Is she doing research in a cage? That's so weird.

She looks alright for now. Let's focus on our task.