The Gathering

The situation was not as chaotic as Gu Shenwei had imagined.

Ever since word spread that the Old Khan King was gravely ill, the people of the Dragon Court who knew the old ways had prepared themselves. The herders in particular had done so, since most of their wealth lay in livestock grazing outside the city. When danger struck, as long as they could get out of the city, their losses would not be too great.

Many people had indeed died. The old, the young, the sick, and the disabled had borne the brunt, and many inexperienced outsiders had suffered alongside them. The tents had all burned to the ground. Only the Royal Palace encampment in the north had escaped the disaster. But the Dragon Court's foundations remained. It was a city on the move, one that could be rebuilt elsewhere at any time. All it needed was a new Khan King.

The kings had gathered at the southernmost edge of the Dragon Court. Everyone entering the makeshift encampment could see the ashen ruins at a glance, with smoke still rising from many places. Most of the corpses had been collected by their loved ones, but plenty remained where they had fallen. What little flesh still clung to them had drawn flocks of carrion birds circling overhead.

The Great Commander of the Imperial Guard seemed to think that this would move the kings to compassion. His effort failed miserably. At this crucial moment, when it was a matter of life and death, every prince was trying to show off his ruthless side. They all surveyed the ruins with appreciation, some even taking a few deep breaths before coldly remarking, "The place reeks of human flesh."

Gu Shenwei gazed at the ruins too, but he was wondering where He Nu was