The two Demon-Suppression Guards finally managed to calm the citizens.
They walked over to the stone lions by the ward gate and slumped onto the steps.
The younger guard unfastened the waterskin at his waist, gulped down two large mouthfuls, and handed it to Old Li. "Brother Li, honestly, what's with those big shots up top? Can't they practice out in the wilderness beyond the city? They just have to stir things up in Chang'an in the dead of night. Aren't we the ones who end up running ourselves ragged?"
Old Li took the waterskin and shot him an irritated glare. "What the hell do you know, brat?"
He lowered his voice, looking mysterious. "I heard Her Highness the eldest princess returned to the capital this evening... Those officials aren't working out any damned lightning technique. Odds are, that walking calamity caused this."
The young man drew his neck in with fright.
The eldest princess's fearsome reputation now thundered in the ears of everyone at the bottom of the Demon Suppression Office.
"All right, enough. Stop poking your nose into things."
Old Li stood and brushed the dust off his backside. "Job's done. Hurry back to the office and report in. I've still got to get home and cuddle up with my wife."
However.
Barely had the words left his mouth.
BOOOOM-!!!
Another earth-shattering crash rolled in from the Imperial City.
The citizens had only just crawled back beneath their blankets and had yet to warm their beds.
They felt their bed boards buck violently, flinging them into the air.
Only after landing in a disheveled heap did they snap out of their bewilderment.
The wards erupted into chaos again.
This time, even the usually bold could no longer sit still.
Doors banged open, and countless citizens rushed into the