Kurö comes to the Hong residence to discuss Shürei’s martial future with Shöka. Upon hearing that the head of merchant’s guild in Kiyo refused to meet with her, Shürei runs to find Yüshun. As she makes her way around the imperial palace, Shürei is confronted by a mysterious man. Back in Sa Province, Ensei receives another letter saying that a snow fox was discovered near Köringun village, the site of the strange epidemic which triggers past memories for Eigetsu.