When the battle outside the inner vault began, the entire armory garrison sprang into action, converging on the inner vault from every direction like a rising tide.
Wei Yan, however, charged out with his blade in hand, moving against the current.
To keep the operation under wraps, none of the armory guards had been informed. Wei Yan was also the only one lying in wait here.
He was all they needed.
Most of the other experts were scattered throughout the city. As the lord of Maple Forest City, Wei Quji might have used the Underworld Candle as bait, but he would never put the entire city's people in danger.
Fortunately, the Three Cities Dao Discussion had drawn a large portion of the populace to watch, and the Martial Arts Arena was completely secure. This greatly eased the burden of defending the city.
The City Guard soldiers who encountered Wei Yan said nothing and turned to follow him. Wei Yan merely tossed out, "Hold this position. Don't leave your post."
Though the Underworld Candle had been taken, the armory remained a top priority.
Two City Guard soldiers were still stationed at the armory gate. Of course they had heard the commotion inside, but until they received orders, the gate was their post.
They were already on full alert, yet when a streak of blood-red light slithered out along the wall, they remained oblivious.
Just then, a richly dressed young gentleman strolled by, fanning himself. He swept his wide sleeve as if brushing away the dust. The blood snake vanished.
The young gentleman continued on, reaching the end of the street. He passed a tailor shop and brushed shoulders at the corner with a peddler carrying a shoulder pole.
As he walked along Black Tortoise Street, he looked entirely at ease, even