Synopsis

Number Twelve, a cross-linking agent, gathers information about the Young Leader, revealing his incurable Meridian Collapse and the fact that the Ming Cult is hiding it. They also deduce that the Young Leader is aware of their identity and the Slaughter Palace's involvement, using a coded warning involving a 'stupid roughneck' analogy. The chapter ends with the Young Leader seemingly aware of the assassin's intentions and proactively going for a walk, suggesting he might be planning something himself.