Qin Keqing stood in a sheltered spot on the city wall and tossed the Jade Slip containing the deployment orders to the patrol commander before her.
"From Sector A through Sector D in North City, extend the patrol interval from fifteen minutes to one hour. Reduce the energy consumption of the two outer monitoring formation patterns by thirty percent. Withdraw all hidden sentries from the streets and conceal them on the rooftops."
The commander caught the Jade Slip and froze. He read it twice, turning it over in his hands, then looked up at Qin Keqing.
"Lady Qin, surely these orders were written incorrectly? North City is full of mortals. It's already chaotic. If we reduce patrols and cut the formation patterns' power consumption now, we won't be able to contain any trouble that breaks out."
The commander wiped melted snow from his face and gathered the courage to continue.
"Something just happened last night. Everyone below is on edge. Pulling our people out now is practically telling everyone something has gone terribly wrong in the city."
"Carry out your orders." Qin Keqing's voice was level. She had no intention of explaining.
The commander gritted his teeth and tucked the Jade Slip into his robes. "Understood. But I must remind you, if serious trouble really does break out, the weapons my men carry won't keep several million people in line."
Qin Keqing directly unleashed her Golden Core Realm spiritual pressure. The commander was forced half a step backward, his face paling. He dared say nothing more and turned to pass on the orders.
The orders filtered down through the ranks, and the patrols in North City visibly thinned.
The once-bright protective formation patterns dimmed considerably as well. Their light barely illuminated the centers of the streets, leaving vast stretches of