At five o'clock in the afternoon, Ling Chen's flight arrived at its destination on time. Leaving the airport, Ling Chen hailed a taxi and headed directly to the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.
The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion was the same as ever, unchanged for centuries. Upon reaching the outskirts of the mountain, the taxi could go no further. With no other option, Ling Chen had to rely on his own legs to walk forward. After about a half-hour walk, the mountain gate of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion finally appeared in Ling Chen's view.
Before Ling Chen could get close, a few young men emerged from the mountain forest, blocking his way.
These were sentinels deployed outside by the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Whenever someone approached, they would be the first to notice. Ling Chen was an old friend of the Pavilion, having visited more than two or three times, making him quite familiar to them.
