Chapter 2

Gathering of Heroes

main-story released infiltration

Summary

Big Zhao stages a rooster-throwing distraction so the protagonist can sneak into the Heroes Assembly at Revelry Hall and meet the Ember of East.

Characters

Big Zhao

Kaifeng street underworld kaifeng

Street-smart Kaifeng fixer who throws roosters at guards to create a distraction so the protagonist can sneak into Revelry Hall. A key Chapter 2 ally.
Ember of East (Wen Wuque / Yingying)

Heroes Assembly kaifeng

A woman publicly passing as a man under the long-standing 'Yingying' identity. Central to the Chapter 2 mystery - entwined with the stolen Treasure Basin, the Ghost Markets, and Kaifeng's hidden politics.
Young Master of Heaven's Pier

Independent qinghe

The player character - infant rescued by Uncle Jiang and raised by Aunt Han at Blissful Retreat. After Heaven's Pier falls, the Young Master becomes a wandering xiake whose true origin remains unknown.

Connections

Synopsis

Big Zhao runs the plan, the protagonist runs the body. The objective is to infiltrate the Heroes Assembly - a high-prestige gathering staged at Revelry Hall - and meet the Ember of East, the chapter's most-named-least-seen power broker.The infiltration is comedy-tinged. Big Zhao gets the protagonist onto the boat to Revelry Hall, then steers them to a costume change. A disciple at the door interrogates the disguise. Of the conversational options offered, only the deflection "He has a ringworm infection" gets past the guard - a small detail that has become the most-cited beat of the quest in player guides. Inside, the protagonist finds the Ember of East's chamber. The cutscene hits and the room is hit too: a coordinated assault breaks out, and the protagonist defends a Gold-Making Vessel (Treasure Basin) for three waves of enemies while the Ember of East and Big Zhao hold their corner.After the assault: eavesdropping. The Prefect of Kaifeng arrives and talks with Big Zhao. The conversation reframes the Heroes Assembly - these gatherings are not innocent. The third floor of Revelry Hall offers a closer look: a tattered mask, planted or dropped, hinting at Nine Mortal Ways involvement.

Key Events

Big Zhao boards the protagonist onto the boat to Revelry Hall.
Costume change; disciple checkpoint.
Pass the disciple by selecting "He has a ringworm infection."
Reach the Ember of East's chamber; cutscene.
Three-wave defense of the Gold-Making Vessel alongside the Ember of East.
Eavesdrop on the Prefect of Kaifeng and Big Zhao.
Investigate the third floor; recover the Tattered Mask clue.
Big Zhao directs protagonist to the Entertainment District ferryman.

Outcomes & Revelations

Ember of East formally introduced (still publicly presenting as male - true identity not yet exposed).
Treasure Basin / Gold-Making Vessel becomes the chapter's central McGuffin.
Nine Mortal Ways implicated via the Tattered Mask.
Kaifeng Prefect drawn into the political web.
Players unlock the Entertainment District story thread.

Notable Quotes

“He has a ringworm infection.”
- Protagonist
“This wine holds memories from Blissful Retreat. It's for family only.”
- Protagonist
“Hold the Treasure Basin. Three waves, then we talk.”
- Ember of East

Gameplay Notes

First Kaifeng combat encounter - a wave-defense set piece against three rounds of attackers, with allied AI support. Encounter tuning is forgiving relative to Qianye. The "ringworm" disguise check is a hard-coded dialogue gate: any other choice loops the player back. The Tattered Mask investigation is the chapter's first explicit "clue object" - players who skim the third floor can miss it and have to backtrack. Expect 30-60 minutes.