A Risky Proposition

The path ahead felt heavier with the weight of her new mission. Naolin, having just left the rebel camp nestled deep in the mountains, was now on a journey toward the heart of the Gaze Empire. Her destination: the city where Ling Yi, a renowned scientist, was rumored to reside. Unlike the path that had taken her to the mountains to rally with rebels, this one was far more perilous—no longer just a test of endurance, but a mission that demanded cunning, subtlety, and extraordinary resolve.

Ling Yi wasn't like the other potential allies Naolin had sought out. She was a figure of great renown, known not for her defiance of the empire but for her intellect and commitment to pure research. She had entered the empire willingly, seeking to expand her scientific knowledge, seemingly untouched by the politics and tyranny surrounding her. For Naolin, a warrior struggling to keep her village free, the question was clear but daunting: how could she convince such a person to abandon her neutrality and join the fight for freedom?

Naolin's descent from the mountains was both a physical and emotional shift. The rugged, untamed terrain that had hidden the rebels soon gave way to the structured world of the empire. Rolling hills were interrupted by imperial checkpoints, their black and gold banners fluttering ominously in the breeze. Soldiers moved with precision, their presence a constant reminder of the empire's iron grip. Every step forward was a risk—word of a rebel seeking out someone as valuable as Ling Yi would mean instant capture or worse.

As Naolin passed through small villages, she kept her cloak drawn tightly around her face, avoiding eye contact and moving swiftly through crowded streets. She had to keep reminding herself of the stakes. Ling Yi wasn't just a brilliant scientist; she was someone who could change the balance of power. If Naolin could convince her to join the cause, the rebels would gain more than just knowledge—they'd gain an advantage.