On July 5th, Rapids City was still enduring arduous battles.
In Jinhe Town, at a harbor twelve miles northeast of Black Mountain, dozens of cargo ships queued along the narrow temporary dock.
Elders on small rafts maneuvered between tall sailing ships, cursing profusely, directing cargo ships to make way or proceed quickly.
In the shallow waters beside the bay, several small rafts salvaged floating and submerged boxes, with two collided, tilting merchant ships nearby.
On the hills to the west of the harbor, nearly a hundred drenched Imperial Guard monks gathered around bonfires, drying clothes and socks reeking of sweat and foul odors.
The stench carried by the humid hot wind forced every Defensive Army personnel moving supplies at the dock to cover their noses with handkerchiefs.
Even Horn couldn't help but pinch his nose.
This place was originally a smuggling dock for the Secret Faction, disguised as a small fishing village.
