The night was deep. On the Official Road outside Black Wind Town, a long line of torches wound its way forward like a roaming dragon.
Lin Yi rode on horseback. When he spotted the flickering lights atop Black Wind Town's fortification wall from afar, the nerves he had kept taut all along finally relaxed.
Three thousand clones escorted the prisoners and spoils of war as they surged grandly through Black Wind Town's gates.
The square was brightly lit.
Lin Mo had already arrived from Dragon Perch Valley. He stood with his hands behind his back on the steps before the Council Hall.
Cao Zhengchun stood half a step behind him, his whisk resting over his arm. His face wore its usual obsequious smile, but his gaze kept drifting toward the dozens of Horse Carriages.
Zhang Song and Gu Xun stood to the left, each holding a thick ledger, their expressions solemn.
Lin Yi swung down from his horse and strode swiftly to the foot of the steps. Dropping to one knee, he cupped his fists in salute, unable to suppress the excitement in his voice.
"Lord! This general has fulfilled his mission! Pu County's secret treasury has been brought back in its entirety!"
Lin Mo raised a hand in a gesture to help him up. "Rise and speak."
Lin Yi stood, took out the Heart of the Lord fragment from his robes, and presented it with both hands.
"Lord, this is the Heart of the Lord fragment found in the secret treasury."
Lin Mo took the crystal and held it before his eyes.
It felt warm in his hand, and he could clearly sense the fluctuations of laws contained within.
Under the firelight, a galaxy seemed to swirl within the crystal, so beautiful that one could not look away.
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