"Where is the city defense commandant? Why are five thousand Silver Sky Guards missing?"
Outside the city, in a sprawling military camp, a young man clad in a blue-and-purple python robe stood atop the command platform, with a sea of soldiers gathered below.
His gaze swept over the ranks, sharp as an eagle's, watchful as a wolf's.
"Reporting to Marquis Ningwu: Commandant Qiu led troops out of the city a few days ago to suppress bandits... He has yet to return."
Yan Pan stepped out from the ranks, his head bowed.
Aside from him, no one in the army knew what had become of those five thousand Silver Sky Guards.
"Bandits? He never requested deployment orders from the Ministry of War, yet dared to move troops on his own. Who gave him the nerve?"
Marquis Ningwu frowned slightly. Just as he was about to speak, a piercing cry suddenly rang out in the distance. A red streak shot across the sky, falling toward the drill grounds.
A huge hand reached out from the void and snatched the red streak. Marquis Ningwu withdrew his hand, revealing a tiny arrow in his palm.
[Fourth-Rank City Defense Commandant Qiu Huai is dead. Five thousand Silver Sky Guards lie buried in the wilderness. Killer: unknown.]
A moment later, Marquis Ningwu's expression darkened. His jaw tightened, and the tiny arrow shattered into dust.
In recent days, countless officials of the Heavenly Fortune Dynasty had died inexplicably, among them no shortage of powerful regional governors. All signs pointed to the bounty issued by the Great Meng Sacred Court.
He wasted no more time. Revealing his military tally, he raised his hand and issued the order.
" Muster the troops at once and march for Tiger Pass on the border!"
The fighting at the border was at