Early on, when you are exploring each and every nook and cranny in the game and in the Outpost hub, you will find one road that remains sealed – every time you attempt to come near to that gate, the guards will not allow you to pass – saying ‘Maskwalkers lie ahead, this road is sealed’.
Even when the other gate in the Outpost hub opens up once you get the Dread Axe ability, this one stays shut. This, in fact, continues to be like this, while the Against the Flow and Steel & Steam main missions that take place in the Weeping Creek Valley get completed.
If you are looking for when does this finally open up, and what lies in that area, this guide has all the answers you need. This area also has one of the final notes for the Four Axes Case Files, which progresses this quest as well.
Maskwalkers lie ahead, this road is sealed – When does this open up
This part of the Outpost hub opens up on speaking to Old Man Gen in the Village of Lu. You come across this NPC after you complete the Crimson Forest region and the Snake’s Reflection main mission. When you begin the next chapter, this particular NPC is on the main story path and is crying out for help – so you won’t miss him.
Ring The Old Man Gen’s Hideout bell, and speak to him. He will mention that Yu’er passed through there, since the place that she was staying got attacked. This adds the No One Leaves Alive side quest to your log, where you have to then go back to the Hideout in Weeping Creek Valley, and the Thieves’ Camp in Crimson Forest to investigate.
At this point, when you go to the Hideout hub, you find it deserted (except for the Blacksmith), and the previously sealed gate now lying broken, and unguarded. You can now go through that route and explore.
Getting the final Four Axes Case Files Note
As you cross the bridge, you will be attacked by a mini mob – nothing that you can’t handle. Get rid of the flame slinging enemy first, and then take out the rest. Get the Missing Child and Village Advisory Notice Notes from the notice board.
The next area has 3 enemies including 1 with a shield, and 1 with a spiked shield. Further, there will be 2 enemies on the left by a fire. Clear this area out, then start with the first building on the left with the stairs leading there. There are 2 enemies here to defeat, and then loot the Forged Metal.
The first building on your left has a wall that you can climb up on, followed by another such wall. This takes you to a closed fence that you can break with the Dread Axe. At this point, you should be at the position shown in the map above.
Take out the 3 enemies ahead, and continue on the linear path till you arrive into a more open area. After clearing out the enemies from here, and ring The Lady’s Cave bell.
Continue straight from the bell, to arrive to a place as shown in the image above. On the right, you get the Colourful Pinwheel, and a chest with Shenji’s Ring accessory. This reduces Sha-Chi consumption by 20% when holding L1 to block attacks.
Lastly, use the grapple on the left, and you collect the final note in The Four Axes Case Files – Strategist Xu Feng’s Secret Letter. Now, make your way back to the place where you had climbed the wall on the house.
Then, continue straight, with both the stairs on your left. to the waterfall. Take out the enemy with a spiked club, and take a right to clear out the other enemy. Pick up the Tainted Crystal Shard from the dead-end, and then go up the ramp.
Take out the enemy that ambushes you, and pick up the Weapon Reforge Talisman. Climb up ahead, to then find yourself back in your familiar Outpost area that you have already explored before.
Now, defeat the enemies around The Peddler’s hut at the Outpost, to get the Prayer Beads story item. With that, we are done exploring this area in the Weeping Creek Valley.
