C785 Killing the Chicken to Warn the Monkey

At the cusp of late summer and early autumn, twilight seemed to descend with exceptional swiftness. The setting sun sank beyond the horizon, and the mountain breeze, carrying a sharp coolness, began to chase the white mists down the slopes.

Within moments, the shadows of the mountains stretched rapidly over Stone City, their dark outlines thickening and blending seamlessly into the night