Zhou You stood at the Imperial Palace of Heaven Worship, the guards under his command behind him. Everyone looked up at the sky in silent stillness.
At times, half the vault of heaven was flushed red with sunset clouds; at others, black mist churned like scales. The clamor rang like drums and tolling bells, sometimes crashing down in a single crowded surge, sometimes dragging on endlessly like sparse plum rains.
Boom!
A stray shockwave from nowhere slammed into the outer wall of the palace without warning. In an instant, the earth dragon turned over, and countless rooftops jolted twice in unison.
"Chief, the general is not in the palace. He has left many captains and Hundred Guards behind to defend it, with strict orders not to act rashly."
A Hundred Guard reported swiftly. The commotion outside was far too great, leaving everyone uneasy.
Reports came pouring in one after another. The left and right districts of the capital were being ravaged by a Calamity Bewitcher on the verge of breaking through. The losses among noble families and common residents were beyond count, and the devastation was impossible to describe.
By now, even the shockwaves had reached the palace.
"Hold your posts. So long as you commit no fault, you will be credited for your service. Dismissed!"
"Unless the enemy reaches the palace itself, not a single soldier is permitted to leave the city. Do not forget—your weapons and armor are all in a sealed state."
Clearly, no one intended to deploy the imperial guards. Zhou Mou had set out personally without bringing even one or two confidants, so Zhou You guessed that the imperial guards' duty in this upheaval was to defend the palace.
Tonight was exceptionally lively. Two battlefields had opened at once, but the Calamity Bewitcher was merely