Sagum’s continued conviction that Chagum is alive pays off. Together with the emperor’s hunters, it does not take them long to pick up the trail of Balsa again, through Tohya this time round.

Shuga sets off to find edvidence that Chagum is alive from the valley where he supposed to have died, unknown that Saggum has passed away. Meanwhile the emperor is unable to hold a funeral for Saggum, so soon after Chagum’s, unknown that Chagum is still alive either.

The hunters soon caught up with Shuga, even as he starts to climb down the valley, having brought one of Shuga’s accomplice invisibles with them. After confirming Shuga’s conviction that Chaggum is alive, the leader goes into the valley, only to find the clothing of Balsa and Chaggum, with their body replaced with straws.

Shuga reports back to the Holy Patriach that Chaggum is alive. He also reveals that the history of the New Yogo was a fabricated one. However, the first emperor had left behind the secret archives for the star diviners to understand the significance of the egg of the water spirit.

All this time, they were unaware that the emperor was listening behind the veil. Finally the Holy Patriarch sees the light. and implores the emperor to grant Shuga full authority to search for Chagum. Shuga only asks for one thing, which is the assistance of the emperor’s hunters.

We see how Tohya and Saya has set up a shop running errands already, with Tanda popping by with an order for them, given by Balsa.

Unknown to them though, Shuga and the hunters are watching Tohya already. In 5 days time, they managed to hunt down Tohya, and in another 3 days, managed to have one of the hunters become a good customer of Tohya. Using another hunter with photographic memory, they even manage to get hold of a list of Tohya’s customers.

The hunters split up as they go about their tasks. Some go to search out Tohya’s list of customers, while others follow Tohya himself. They have orders to take down Balsa, but to leave Chagum unharm. In fact, Sagum is to be alerted, so that he can escort Chagum back

Meanwhile, Balsa had brought Chaggum to her stash of money. They end up passing through the town, with Balsa asking Chagum to try and buy the heikimoons that he like. They end up splitting up as they browse the street hawkers, even as Shuga seems to approach the same town. Will they meet?

Thoughts

The methods of the hunters are frighteningly effective. Such a pity that they seem to have a misunderstanding of Balsa’s purpose, and vice versa. But i guess action wise, it would mean that they’ll have a confrontation soon!.

Quite surprise that the Holy Patriarch would admit his mistake so easily. Good to know that he is the the Holy Patriarch for nothing.