Inside the City Lord's Residence, the city lord, sensing that disaster was imminent, dared not delay and immediately deployed every available force.
The city lord slammed his hand on the table. "Pass the order! Search the entire city! All City Guard rotations are canceled—everyone takes to the streets!"
"Leave no corner unchecked, no house unsearched! Turn over the cellars, haystacks, even the doghouses!"
"Yes!" The City Guardsman hurriedly ran out.
The city lord summoned the steward again. "Send everyone in the City Lord's Residence out to search! Clerks, grooms—everyone! If you don't find her, don't come back!"
The steward's face went pale with fright. He repeatedly acknowledged the order, then turned and ran outside.
"And another thing!" The city lord chased after him to the doorway.
"Close all four city gates! From now on, without my order, not even a bird is allowed to fly out!"
"Yes!"
The City Lord's Residence descended into chaos.
Servants, attendants, clerks, and guards poured out like ants from a disturbed nest.
The city lord himself did not stay idle either. Throwing on an outer robe, he ran outside while muttering, "Nothing must happen... nothing must happen..."
In less than half an incense stick's time, all of Graystone City had changed.
Squad after squad of City Guards marched out from the barracks, sealing off every street. The clashing of blades and armor, shouted orders, and pounding hooves merged into one uproar.
Vendors on the main street were driven away, and shops were ordered shut.
One team blocked the east gate, another rushed to the west gate, while two more sealed off the south and north gates.
"No one is permitted to leave the city!" a City Guard captain shouted from atop his horse at the people by the gate.
"Why aren't we allowed to leave?"