Quick answer: Speak with Shi Shouzhi during the Xu or Mao hours near Frostgate Crossing, take the letter, then deliver it to either Shi Shifu (father) or Cui Xian (mother) in Heavenfall to complete the quest.
Unlock Requirements
Letters from Afar becomes available after asking the Wayfarer at Roaring Sands. The quest takes place in the Kaifeng region, specifically near Heavenfall and Frostgate Crossing.
Shi Shouzhi appears only during specific in-game hours. If the dialogue option does not appear when you approach him, open the time menu and change the hour to Xu (19:00–21:00) or Mao (05:00–07:00). The NPC kneels on the ground near the shore, east of Frostgate Crossing.
Quest Steps
Step 1: Travel to the location marked on the map near the beach entrance between Heavenfall and Frostgate Crossing. Approach Shi Shouzhi during the Xu or Mao hours and press the interact key to begin the conversation.
Step 2: Shi Shouzhi explains that he received a letter from his estranged younger brother and asks for help delivering it to his parents. He leaves the choice to you: deliver the letter to his father, Shi Shifu, or his mother, Cui Xian. Accept the letter to proceed.
Step 3 (Option A): To deliver the letter to the father, locate Shi Shifu near the fishing spot in Heavenfall. He is available during the Xu and Mao hours. Speak with him and select the option to give the letter. He will share a story about his son Shi Shouxin abandoning his post during a flood two years ago. The quest ends immediately after this conversation.
Step 3 (Option B): To deliver the letter to the mother, find Cui Xian southwest of Heavenfall near the fish-drying sheds. She stands by a wooden structure and is available at any time of day. Interact with her, open the conversation menu, and select "Give" to hand over the letter. The quest completes once she receives it.
The quest description notes: "A letter from home, but to whom should it be given? To the stern father who has disowned him? Or to the doting mother whose loving stitches once fortified his clothes against the long road ahead?" This choice determines which family member you speak with, but both options complete the quest.
Quest Rewards
Completing Letters from Afar grants the following rewards:
- Echo Jade ×20
- Kaifeng Exploration ×10
- 1,500 Coins
- 1,500 Character EXP
The rewards are identical regardless of whether you deliver the letter to the father or the mother.
Verification
The quest log updates with a "Completed" status as soon as you hand over the letter. The Exploration menu under Wandering Tales will show Letters from Afar marked as finished, and the rewards appear in your inventory immediately.
If the quest does not trigger when you approach Shi Shouzhi, confirm that the in-game time is set to Xu or Mao hours. The NPC will not offer dialogue outside these windows. If you have already completed the quest on your account, Shi Shouzhi will no longer appear at the location.