Jiajing Prefecture.
At the city gate.
The soldiers on duty had been leaning against the wall, dozing off, when a thunderous rumble suddenly reached their ears and the ground beneath their feet began to tremble.
They jolted awake and looked up to see several hundred Black Riders charging toward them from afar.
The man at the front wore a black gauze cap and a purplish-red cloak embroidered with a flood dragon soaring through clouds.
"People from the Eastern Depot!"
The squad leader screamed in alarm. He hurriedly drove the townsfolk entering the city aside, completely clearing the gate, then berated the slack soldiers into standing properly. They had to put the same vigor into guard duty as they did at the House of Red Delights.
The Eastern Depot had originally been responsible for overseeing land surveys. After the factionalism case, it had also gained the authority to investigate officials.
If it took a dislike to any soldier, it could pin the charge of dereliction of duty on him, then dig into crimes such as extorting the common people. At the very least, it meant confiscation of property and exile.
A moment later.
The Black Riders reached the city gate. Zhou Yi glanced at the squad leader, ignored him, and charged straight into the city.
Several hundred Black Riders followed close behind, every one of them brimming with killing intent.
Eunuch Wen and several other old eunuchs in particular had not left the capital in who knew how many years. Having crossed mountains and rivers along the way, they felt much of the gloom pent up in their hearts disperse.
"I entered the Eunuch Bureau at twelve and hadn't left the palace for thirty years. I thought I would one day simply die of old age without a sound."
Assistant Director