Fang Mo opened his eyes and lifted the carriage curtain.
The city gate was nothing like its usual lazy, lax self.
Two rows of Punishment Department captains in black armor held long spears and had the gate sealed tight. Everyone entering or leaving was subjected to a strict search.
Several figures in Flying Fish Robes also stood atop the gate tower, their eyes sweeping over the traffic below like hawks.
"What's with all this?" Qian Dagui poked his head out for a look, then shrank back. "What happened? Even the Punishment Department's been mobilized?"
Fang Mo's gaze sharpened. Still Water Mirror, activate!
In his vision, the auras of the people at the gate were seamlessly united. They were clearly a disciplined, elite force.
What's more, their attention seemed to keep drifting toward the carriages entering the city.
Are they waiting for us? Fang Mo sneered inwardly.
The fire at Liuxi Village had burned everything clean, but a commotion that big couldn't escape the notice of anyone looking for trouble.
That old fox Lei Heng had dared send him to his death, so of course he'd set up a checkpoint on the way back. Either he wanted to confirm Fang Mo was dead, or he meant to seize whatever Fang Mo had brought back.
"Stop."
Fang Mo's low command rang out.
The carriage halted a hundred paces from the city gate.
"Da Gui, your face is too conspicuous. Go hide in there." Fang Mo pointed to a concealed compartment in the corner of the carriage.
"Iron Bull, put your hammer away. Don't show off what you've got."
After giving these instructions, Fang Mo straightened his clothes and hung the Steel Saber he'd never let out of his sight at the easiest spot to reach on his waist. Then he jumped down