Story

Blissful Retreat

campaign released fold-in

Summary

Defend Heaven's Pier from the Aureate Pavilion's full assault led by Qianye - the campaign-tier fold-in of the Chapter 1 finale.

Characters

Aunt Han (Han Xiangxun)

Independent - formerly Jianghu underworld qinghe

Innkeeper of Blissful Retreat and adoptive mother of the protagonist. Her hidden jianghu identity is the legendary Water Lady - a master of face-altering surgery. Secretive, sharp-tempered, and pursued by the Aureate Pavilion after taking certain artifacts from them by force.
Qianye

Aureate Pavilion qinghe

The Aureate Pavilion's most feared enforcer - the Heartseeker witch, a master of disguise who reads the human heart deeply enough to become anyone. Leads the assault on Heaven's Pier and is the Chapter 1 finale boss.

Connections

Story Related For Whom Does He Return campaign fold-in

Synopsis

The campaign-tier fold-in of the Chapter 1 finale. The Aureate Pavilion descends on Heaven’s Pier in force. The protagonist and Yi Dao (Killerblade) defend the inn against overwhelming odds. Realizing survival is unlikely, they share a final drink of Parting Tears in the cellar. Yi Dao pushes the protagonist out and ignites the wine jars; the explosion consumes himself, Qianye, and the remaining Aureate Pavilion warriors. A hand resembling Aunt Han’s pulls the protagonist from the inferno; days later, the protagonist awakens in the ruins and Aunt Han is nowhere to be found, her fate left a mystery.

Key Events

Aureate Pavilion siege of Heaven’s Pier / Blissful Retreat.
Yi Dao and the protagonist defend the inn against overwhelming odds.
Final Parting Tears toast in the wine cellar.
Yi Dao ignites the wine jars - explosion consumes him, Qianye, and the Pavilion warriors.
A hand resembling Aunt Han’s pulls the protagonist from the fire.
Protagonist awakens days later in the ruins; Aunt Han missing, fate unknown.

Outcomes & Revelations

Heaven's Pier destroyed - village permanently changed.
Qianye defeated (story-fixed defeat).
Survivors regroup and the protagonist is set on the road to Kaifeng.

Gameplay Notes

Multi-phase Qianye encounter (the in-game Campaign re-entry repeats the boss without the cinematic). Story payout is scripted: Yi Dao dies in the wine cellar explosion; Aunt Han disappears. Qianye is established in supporting lore as a master of disguise capable of impersonating loved ones, but that specific beat is not confirmed for this campaign. Prerequisite: completion of Ch.1 For Whom Does He Return.