The group walked on in silence, eventually arriving near a dilapidated rammed-earth beacon tower.
Suddenly, a shout came from the high platform: "Military zone! Unauthorized personnel, keep out!"
The sound of THUMPING footsteps followed as three soldiers armed with sabers and spears ran out from the tower's entrance.
The leader wore bamboo armor. He had long arms and legs, a large head on his neck, and stared at them with wide, bovine eyes, his face a mask of surprise and suspicion.
"Who are you?"
Yang Lin said nothing, simply retrieving a smooth, lustrous ivory tablet from his waist and showing it to the soldier.
When the big-headed soldier saw the insignia on the tablet, he was startled and hurried to bow. "Sir..."
The two soldiers behind him froze for a moment before bowing as well.
Yang Lin waved a hand, stopping the three of them. His expression was pleasant as he said, "We've just come to have a look around. Please don't mind us if we're intruding."
