In the capital's Imperial District, an Academician hastily approached the red lattice doors of Lu Guanying's living quarters. She bowed and saluted him. "Headmaster, there are some persons of interest who have made their appearance at the gates. Our brethren from the Western Bureau are currently holding them outside Tiananmen Gate just outside the Imperial District," she said.

"How many of them are there? Have they identified themselves?" asked Lu Guanying.

"They're ...