The city of Shuigang may be the smallest of the three Origin Kingdoms, but it is no less impressive than the other two. In stark contrast to Shang Mu's veneer of wealth and prosperity and Shang Tu's spiritual elegance, Shuigang is a fortification, a military stronghold. Despite this however, inside the city, it feels just like any other: a living, breathing entity made from hundreds of thousands of living, breathing entities.
Outside the city walls, it's a very different story. Aside from a well‑defended wide arterial access road, the city of Shuigang is surrounded by dense forest, with the minimum of trees cleared between the forest and the walls to prevent stealthy attackers getting too close before being spotted. The citizens of the forest also differ from those of the city, for it is an untamed wilderness outside the pocket of civilisation that is Shuigang.
It's not uncommon for the citizens of the city to enjoy pursuits such as hunting in the forests, but they never venture too deep. Stories spread through the city on a regular basis about strange beasts that lurk in the deepest, darkest parts of the forest. Descriptions vary from the ridiculous to the asinine, yet the stories are believed nonetheless. In truth, few who venture that deep come to harm, and of those that do, the chances of being attacked by a Red Scarf ninja assassin covering their tracks and deeds far outweigh the chances of being savaged by a wild animal.
The Scarves that venture deep do so to dispose of incriminating evidence where it's almost certain to never be found, and it has been known for a handful of members to dump bodies as well. But if the Scarves believe they're the only people dumping unwanted items deep in the forests, they are sorely mistaken.
Deep in the middle of the night, a compact off‑road vehicle drives far into one of the densest parts forest, guided only by the faintest of lights. The driver doesn't find this an issue however, his feline eyes making easy work of the darkness. Eventually, the vehicle comes to a halt in the densest part of the forest, and the driver and his passenger alight and head around to the back.
"I'm still not sure about this," the driver informs the passenger.
"Look, neither of us wants to kill her, and we can't risk her being found," the passenger replies. "This is why we agreed to bring her this far from home."
"And we're dumping her in the wilderness, why?" the driver asks.
"She's led a sheltered life," the passenger reminds. "She doesn't have any survival skills. She'll be dead within a week. And if by some miracle she survives, she'll be so far away, she'll never make it back."
"Is it bad I hope she does survive?"
"Would you be able to live a normal life, knowing your memories are non‑existent before the age of fourteen?"
"I can't imagine anything worse."
"Exactly. If the wilderness doesn't kill her, she'll take her own life."
"I'm almost tempted to kill her out of mercy."
"I won't stop you."
The driver hesitates. "I can't."
"Thought so," the passenger replies. "Come on, let's get her out."
The driver opens the luggage compartment, and with the passenger's assistance, lifts the body bag within out, carries it a short distance, and places it under a bush.
"Let's get out of here," the driver decides.
Both driver and passenger return to the vehicle, climb aboard, and drive away. As they drive away, the girl inside the body bag stirs, but remains asleep, still under the effects of heavy sedation.