The night was black as ink.
Outside the Border-Guard Fortress, the wind grew fiercer, carrying the northern chill against the walls in waves and raising a low, mournful howl.
The spirit lamps atop the walls swayed in the wind, their patches of light dancing across the black stone.
Deep within the Vast Wild Domain.
The demon race's encampment lay shrouded in gloom.
Torches throughout the camp leaned wildly in the gale. Many had gone out, leaving only a scattered few stubbornly burning.
The air reeked of demon blood mixed with beast fat, both bloody and greasy.
Occasional low roars rolled from the depths of the tents, as though something were stirring beneath the earth.
A shadow approached through the night.
He disturbed no one.
The shadow walked slowly, his footsteps utterly soundless.
Patrols of demon soldiers passed beside him as though they had seen nothing at all.
Even the few demon generals with higher cultivation merely felt a chill at the backs of their necks. By the time they turned to look, the shadow had vanished.
Lights still burned inside the black-stone hall at the center of the camp.
The Red-Bearded Demon Venerable sat in the seat of honor, a massive beast-hide map spread before him.
More than a dozen red circles marked in demon blood covered the map, each showing the defensive positions of the human race's Border-Guard Fortresses.
He stared absently at the location of the First Border-Guard Fortress, his fingers unconsciously tapping the stone chair's armrest.
"My lord, it is time to rotate the watch."
A demon general entered and dropped to one knee.
The Red-Bearded Demon Venerable did not even raise his head. He merely waved a hand.
"Withdraw. I wish to be alone."
The demon general acknowledged the order, then turned and left.
The hall