Eve of Action, Sudden Change

Chen Wuya's fingers still hung in midair, the jade pendant trembling faintly against his palm as though something inside were lightly knocking. Before he could think it through, hurried footsteps sounded outside. The wooden door was flung open, slamming into the wall with a dull thud.

A lean man rushed in, several strands of dry grass and dust clinging to his boots, his hem stained with the muddy grit kicked up by galloping horses. The moment he saw Chen Wuya and the Second Prince seated by the table, he dropped to one knee. "Your Highness, the Northern Camp changed shifts at midnight, and the secret command flag has been replaced with a red wolf clutching the moon! Mounted patrols have sealed the east gate, and all documents for leaving the city have been detained."

The Second Prince shot to his feet, his face changing drastically. "What did you say?"

"This lowly one saw it with his own eyes." The man panted heavily. "Not only the Northern Camp—the infantry at the West Market drill ground is assembling as well, under the pretext of a 'ceremonial rehearsal.' In truth, they're forming ranks and drilling with siege engines. Your subordinate risked his life detouring through the southern canal to escape. Had I been one step later, I fear I wouldn't even have made it into this secret chamber."

The candlelight in the room flickered, making the shadows on the walls shudder violently.

Chen Wuya slowly closed his hand around the jade pendant. In that instant when it had trembled, the hand of the gray-robed man at the mouth of the alley flashed through his mind—three fingers pressed together, little finger hooked to thumb, as if gripping an invisible key. And now, this jade pendant had begun to grow hot, as though answering some