This chapter opens with a loud noise coming from the hall. The snake has escaped, and A'chou is worried that the rain is about to flood the lake. He has spent a great deal of time trying to capture the snake, and now the rain seems to be getting worse. He tells the others to go after the snake. He says that he still doesn't understand how the snake managed to escape, but he promises to deal with it. He also says that the snake belongs to the clan master and that he hopes that they won't let it get out of control. He asks the others not to interfere with the situation, as it would be a bad idea to let the snake get out. He then asks if the threads on the scroll that the bastard tossed aside are silk, and he says that they are ink, which will dissolve when the snake comes in touch with water. He adds that the people who captured the snake are nearby, so the snake should be near, as the ink will soon dissolve when it comes into contact with water