Thunder Cavalry Gallops a Thousand Li to Sweep Chieftains, Kyushu's Winds Herald an Emperor's Autumn

Dawn.

At the eastern gate of Sour Jujube County, the thin mist had yet to disperse.

The county soldier guarding the gate was dozing against the foot of the wall when he suddenly felt the ground tremble faintly.

He opened his eyes in bewilderment and saw a black line slowly emerging on the distant dirt road. Then it grew thicker, denser, like ink dropped into clear water, swiftly spreading through it.

That was not a black line.

It was five hundred cavalrymen.

Five hundred warhorses, five hundred burly men in black armor, advancing slowly toward the city gate in the dawn light like a torrent of steel.

Their hooves struck the bluestone paving, every step like a heavy hammer pounding against the heart.

Morning light fell over them, reflecting a chill metallic gleam.

Fine armor, iron helmets, sabers at their waists, and... those black objects hanging from every man's belt.

Pistols.

Five hundred pistols.

The people at the city gate were the first to see this sight.

A man carrying a load of vegetables froze where he stood. His shoulder pole slipped from his shoulder, and green vegetables rolled all over the ground.

His eyes went wide as he watched the cavalry formation draw ever closer. His lips trembled as he uttered in a dreamlike voice, "Th-that... aren't those Lord Thunder Envoy's divine artifacts?"

Beside him, an old woman selling flatbreads let the bamboo tongs in her hand fall onto the stove with a clatter.

Staring at the five hundred shadows at their waists, her face turned ashen. "Every one of them has one... Dear heavens, every one of them has one of those treasures that can command thunder..."

More and more townspeople emerged from behind door panels, through cracks in windows, and from alley mouths. Like iron filings drawn