At that very moment, thunderous drumbeats suddenly rang out beyond the martial hall.
"Boom—boom—"
The drumbeats were deep and forceful, as if thunder beasts were stomping the earth apart. The copper bells beneath the eaves shattered from the impact, and glazed lanterns came crashing down one after another.
The night over Qingyang County was torn apart in an instant. Three hundred Black Armored Guards surged into the courtyard like an iron tide, their heavy black-iron boots crushing the green bricks and whipping up a fierce cloud of dust. The warriors had not even drawn their blades, yet their killing intent had already solidified, sweeping in all directions like an ink-dark storm and making the martial hall's disciples' hair stand on end as bone-piercing chills seized them.
"The Marquis Wu's Order has arrived—!"
A scarlet cloak tore through the formation of Black Armored Guards. The herald held a gilded scroll and stepped through the air, each stride giving birth to flashes of thunder. Golden light from seal-script characters pierced outward, and a crimson-gold edict slowly emerged beneath the vault of heaven. Its golden flames blazed fiercely, burning the night into brilliance.
Inside the martial hall, absolute silence reigned.
Marquis Wu's Estate was a colossal beast commanding three hundred thousand troops along the northern frontier. Wherever its military orders reached, they struck like the wrath of heavenly thunder!
"Chu Ning, receive the order!"
Chu Ning walked slowly to the front of the hall. His Golden Eyes reflected the edict, his gaze calm. Only the fingertips hanging at his side betrayed him, where faint arcs of lightning churned.
"From this day forth, Chu Ning is appointed Inspector of the Town Martial Division, with authority over life and death in Qingyang County. Anyone involved with evil entities, blood sacrifices, or rebellion is to be