The night was deep, the dew heavy.
The white-jade-paved square of Grand Unity Heaven looked even whiter beneath the moonlight. This only made the shadows beyond the square seem deeper still.
The upright figure standing before the palace gates, at the very center of the square, seemed to stand in the heart of the moon.
Within the deep shadows of the gate tower, the armored, sword-bearing palace guards questioned one another with their eyes, yet none could offer a convincing answer.
It was indeed difficult to imagine that the dignified Marquis of Wu'an would actually come to compete with them for their jobs today.
Though night watch duty did come with a bit more silver... but a marquis as grand as you actually cared for that?!
Their confusion and curiosity were hidden behind their faceplates.
Just as the loneliness and scrutiny of this vast palace city were hidden in the shadows.
But Jiang Wang did not care.
He had thought of many things.
When he left the Lost Realm, while he remained in the High Heaven Secret Realm, along the road from the Cloud Kingdom to Qi State... he had been thinking all the while.
Now, silent and alone, he stood in the Long Night with one hand on his sword, fulfilling the duty of a Golden Melon Warrior. He would permit no person who should not be there, and no occurrence that should not happen, to disturb the Emperor on this night.
And on this night, nothing else disturbed him either.
His bearing was impeccable, mighty and austere.
He remained vigilant throughout, missing neither the rustle of wind nor the stir of grass.
He stood there without even breathing, like a stone statue that had guarded the palace city for a thousand years.
As far as night watch duty