"Release him.” In the dim, cold basement, a faint, strange smell lingered, and a flickering light cast shadows from above. Within the shifting glow, four or five figures stood vaguely visible. A middle-aged man, standing at the forefront, looked at Withered Moon, who was tightly bound, and gave the order to his companions.

  The young men exchanged uneasy gnces. One of them, a tall man with a red bandana and a limp in his left leg, spoke up, "Is that really okay? We haven't confirmed his identity yet, and we're less than two months away from the deadline. If he′s someone sent by the other side, any mistake could…”

  "No one would send someone who could be knocked out so easily as a spy,” the middle-aged man replied calmly. "Did you find anything suspicious on him?”

  "Well, no,” muttered Red bandana, "but I still don't feel quite at ease...”

  "Let him go.” The middle-aged man repeated once more, “Is my order being ignored?”

  The group became flustered. The man in the red headscarf quickly said, “No, no, KING, we′ll release him right away.” Numb from being bound, Ku Yue rubbed his tingling hands and feet, stood up from the ground, and was led out of the basement.

  "My apologies, it was a misunderstanding.” The middle-aged man had someone bring Ku Yue's backpack and handed it back to him. "You’re free to go.”

  Above the basement was the bar Butterfly Kisses. Through the window, the first light of dawn was visible outside, though it was hard to gauge the exact time. A few scattered patrons remained, exchanging low ughs or murmurs under the influence of alcohol. The song Butterfly Kisses, named after the bar, pyed softly throughout the room.

  "Thank you,” Ku Yue said, rubbing his head as he took the backpack from the man's hand. “I′m not sure why you knocked me out, but I was really just here to find my friend.”

  "What's his name?” the middle-aged man asked.

  "A-Long,” Ku Yue sighed. “He's a childhood friend. We lost contact, and I went through a lot of trouble to find out that he came to Moon City, right here in the SWORD district. So, I made a special trip to look for him.”

  "Do you have any idea how many guys named A-Long there are in all of Moon City?” The man in the red bandana interrupted, frowning as he spoke loudly.

  Ku Yue gave a bitter smile. “I know. It's fine—I′ll go door to door if I have to. Just don’t treat me like some kind of delinquent and knock me out again.”

  "Do you have a photo of him?” came a crisp voice from behind the bar. Ku Yue looked over and saw her again, the girl from the rooftop. She had taken off her hat, and her long, straight hair flowed down her shoulders, finally making it clear she wasn′t a guy.

  "Yes, I do.” Ku Yue took out a worn, incomplete photo from his wallet. In it, two boys around six or seven years old beamed at the camera. “The one on the left is A-Long.”

  The group crowded around to look. The man in the red bandana shook his head. “Tch, what good is this old photo? Who knows what he looks like now that he's grown up?

  "It's all I have,” Ku Yue replied, putting the photo away. “No matter what, I have to find him. His mother′s waiting for him to come home, and she doesn′t have much time left.”

  "I see...” The middle-aged man thought for a moment, then said to the man in the red bandana, “Seven, arrange a pce for him to stay, and gather some people to help him look.”

  "Yes,” The man in the red bandana replied reluctantly, nodding before limping out.

  "You can stay here.” The middle-aged man took out a half-finished bottle of red wine from behind the bar, pouring a gss for both himself and Ku Yue. “But don’t go out at night—I may not be able to guarantee your safety. By the way, what's your name?”

  "Ku Yue.” He took a small sip, feeling the dry taste flow over his tongue. “And you? What should I call you?”

  "Jin Feiyu. But everyone just calls me KING—it’s easier.” He smiled at Ku Yue, swirling his wine gss before downing it in one go.

  "A pleasure to meet you.” Ku Yue extended his hand to Jin Feiyu, fshing him a bright smile.