Mountain Patrol Military Officer

Five days later, eighty thousand li east of Tong Pass.

A majestic giant city lay under the distant horizon's evening glow, resembling a giant dragon resting on the ridge, with thousands of golden lights, grand and vast as Heaven and Earth.

"li"

Outside the city, desolate, a cry echoed.

In the distance, a black Cold Crow flapped its wings and sliced through the sky, heading straight for the Xiong City. Its wings brushed past the towering city walls that stood hundreds of feet high, through the formidable West Gate, startling the bronze bells on the eaves of the city gate towers, the crisp sound resonating along the bustling Vermilion Bird Avenue with the flow of people.

The bird flew from west to east, its wings passing over a breathtaking scene of prosperity!

In the marketplace, Western Market's merchants opened tents made of Persian carpets, and the aroma of frankincense from the Great Shi Country mixed with balsam from the opulent bottles came forth; a Hu Ji embraced a konghou, her wrists adorned with gold bells jingling as she plucked the strings, singing and dancing, attracting passing merchants; in the Eastern Market, the satin from the silk shops fluttered in the wind, crimson Shu brocade and moon-white Wu silk hanging on carved wooden frames for wealthy families to choose from. Opposite, the clanging sounds emanated from the blacksmith's forge where bronze-skinned, bare-chested blacksmiths, their bodies glistening with sweat, wielded hammers, crafting blades that gleamed with a cold light.

Amongst the flying eave pavilions, there were noblemen and warriors laying out wine banquets by the meandering water, glass goblets floating along the winding channels, whoever it stopped in front of, that person had to offer an impromptu performance. There were scholars quoting classics, spouting poetry, their words as splendid as brocade, and martial artists of the Worldly society would dance with swords after drinking, drawing cheers from the crowd. Not far away, on the stage of a certain courtyard, actors performed the latest popular songs from the Divine Capital, and when the sleeves of the lead role fluttered, the white pigeons kept under the eaves took to the sky with a flutter. As dusk grew darker, the colorful lanterns of Leping Square lit up one by one, the fragrance of rouge mixed with the aroma of wine wafted through the streets and alleys, singers leaned against carved wooden windows and sang softly, the sound of pipa strings mixed with the clinking of liquor vessels drifting out of the singing houses, enticing travelers on the roads to stop, enchanted and reluctant to leave.

The Cold Crow flew over hundreds of li, the grandeur within the city like fleeting shadows, exquisite and magnificent, finally flying into a certain grand and majestic high courtyard.

"Flap"

The black bird Cold Crow arrived at a high platform pavilion, where a shadowy figure stood upright, gazing into the distance with one hand on the railing, the Cold Crow perched on the extended arm, making a cooing sound from its throat.

A pair of dark red eyes seemed to possess a spiritual quality!

This person seemed to have received some kind of message from it, the eyes flickered rapidly, then lifted the arm slightly, allowing the black Cold Crow to perch on the shoulder, then turned around swiftly and left.

This person passed through several white draping curtains floating in the wind, finally arriving outside a certain pavilion.

The setting sun cast elongated shadows through the window grids, inside the room, there was the melodious sound of a zither, with a hint of autumn's desolation.

The person stepped hurriedly to the outside of the room, bowed low, forming a ninety-degree arc, drawing a semicircle with both hands and bowing formally, the face solemn,

"Sir, news comes from outside the Divine Capital, all assassination attempts have failed, that Colonel from Shu is about to arrive in the capital!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the zither music in the room abruptly stopped.

After one or two breaths, a deep voice came from inside,

"It's no matter!"

"This official had already anticipated it."

"Who can kill the Patrol Angel but not for fame, if it could be done it would be best, if not then trouble the Colonel, and give him some lesson too."

"This person is about to enter the capital, is there anything that needs to be done?" The reporting person's voice tightened a bit from outside the door.

"No need, since he's coming, ha, just wait for the show. This is the Divine Capital, the Imperial City, he has no support here, we can take our time." The voice within the room carried both calmness and a hint of cunning.

"Yes!"

The person withdrew.

And as time passed, the afterglow of the setting sun in the west gradually disappeared beyond the horizon, the brilliant sunset losing its color.

This hue fell into the nightscape of the Divine Capital, and at night, this city was adorned with thousands of lights appearing like a glorious Star River, transforming into a city that never sleeps.

At some unknown time, outside the West Gate, there were the sounds of neighing horses, as if the corner tower of the city gate was abuzz for a moment. Shortly after, the closed vermilion city gate was opened with a rumbling by enormous iron chains, emitting a dull, heavy sound.

The next moment

"Neigh"

The crisp sound of horse neighs intensified.

Then,

"Clip-clop"

"Clip-clop"

"Clip-clop"

The synchronized and thunderous sound of hoofbeats trampled upon the green stone slabs inside the city. Under the cover of darkness, armored soldiers in black armor, riding horses galloped in with a shout of "Hiya," charging swiftly into the capital!

Fast horses, iron armor, galloping rapidly on the broad Vermilion Bird Avenue, piercing through the night, hundreds of Iron Cavalry thundered into residual shadows, each cavalryman bore three command flags behind them, a banner flapping in the night, black base with gold edges, a mountain-shaped emblem in the center.

On the wide street, the townsfolk witnessing the arrival of these black-armored Iron Cavalry into the capital made low exclamations, hurriedly stepping aside, their eyes falling upon the troops.

Not the Imperial Guard of the Dragon Court!

Nor the Heavenly Army of the Sky Patrol Department!

These troops wore black armor, their armor clearly that of heavy cavalry, the banners fluttering in the night unrecognizable, momentarily drawing the curious eyes of street vendors, tavern patrons, and various figures along the nighttime street, sparking small discussions.

"Where did these troops come from? Entering the capital at night!"

"The military flags are not those of the Divine Capital's Imperial Guard or Heavenly Army."

"Though the individual cultivation of these troops isn't particularly strong, they emit a heavy aura of hostility, it seems their hands are stained with much blood, not easy to associate with." Someone in a tavern, with keen eyesight, pointed out some details.